One Day in Ortigia, Sicily: Cruise Excursion & Day Trip Itinerary for Autumn/Winter 2026

I’ll admit that on my first couple of visits to Ortigia I couldn’t see why this small island district of Syracuse is so revered. I enjoyed my time here, discovering the layers of history and indulging in local food specialities, but I didn’t count it as one of my top places in Italy immediately.

This changed when I returned a couple of years later as I discovered there was much more to the town than I originally thought.

Where I went wrong on those initial trips was trying to do too much on short visits (trying to combine the island with the Syracuse Neapolis Archeological Park and/or the Archeological Museum), and I ended up not doing anything well.

Returning, I made a point of taking my time to discover the streets, shops, bars, restaurants, and sights. I quickly fell in love with Ortigia, and now make a point of coming here whenever I am in eastern Sicily.

As a result of my repeated visits I have put together this easy itinerary so you can discover the real Ortigia without making the same mistakes I did. What this guide covers:

• Key information about Ortigia
• Arriving in Ortigia
• A morning in Ortigia
• Lunch in Ortigia
• An afternoon in Ortigia
• Evening/aperitivo
• Dinner in Ortigia
• Bonus: Staying in Ortigia

Before jumping into our itinerary I’d like to share three quick insights about Ortigia to help frame the information within this guide:

• The “where”: “Ortigia” refers to the island of Ortigia, which is geographically separate from the main island of Sicily. This small island was where the Greek city of Syracuse had their religious and political centers (founded by colonists from the Greek mainland in the 8th century BC), and it has now become the historic district of modern Syracuse.
• The “what”: You may see “Ortigia” spelled as “Ortigya” or “Ortygia.” In this guide, I’ll stick with “Ortigia” for ease, but if you see this alternative version, rest assured it refers to the exact same place.
• The “how”: Ortigia is small and larely flat, meaning it can be explored easily on foot (with comfortable shoes to combat the cobblestones in places) for most visitors. There are not many public transport options due the city’s narrow streets, but you will find some buses and local taxis that offer connections to most places on the island.

For the purpose of this itinerary we will consider our starting point for the day as the famous Ortigia Market on Via Emmanuele De Benedictis, on the edge of Ortigia island.

This outdoor mercato is widely considered as one of the best street food and fresh produce markets in all of Sicily, and having visited the other contenders for this time, such as the Ballarò market in Palermo, I think this reputation is well earned.

Daily you’ll find the main avenue and smaller side streets lined with stalls offering the best of what Sicily has to offer, from seafood to spices, cured meats to ceramics and fresh fruit to fashion. As a history lover, all of this is made better for me by the fact the market sits right next to one of Ortigia’s top archeological sites. Right next door you’ll find the ancient Temple of Apollo, which can be glimpsed between the vendors, but we’ll get to that.

So how do you get to the Antico Mercato? Let’s look at the best ways to arrive here based on your transport method:

If you are travelling in Sicily with your own vehicle or a rental car, set Google Maps to Riva Nazario Sauro, my recommended car park in Ortigia. It is conveniently located right next to the ancient market just across the short bridges from the modern city of Syracuse, a maximum of 5 minutes walking depending on precisely where you park within the lot.

An important note on driving in Ortigia: Almost the entire island and old town is within a ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato), a limited traffic zone, once you cross the two short bridges from Siracuse to Ortigia. Only vehicles with express permission may enter the ZTL. Those without permission will be fined, either in person or via post a few weeks later. Pay close attention, especially around the bridges leading from Syracuse to Ortigia, where the boundaries of the ZTL are most evident. For full information, refer to the official website here.

The Riva Nazario Sauro parking lot is also a popular drop off and pick up location for transfers from cruise ships and those arriving here by taxis, making it a super convenient for anyone coming to Ortigia as part of a shore excursion or from the nearby area.

For visitors looking to reach Ortigia by train you’ll need to book a ticket to Siracusa train station, Syracuse and Ortigia’s main rail station.

The station is located around 1.5km/20 minutes walking from Ortigia’s famous market. The route is flat and almost entirely straight, making it comfortable on cooler days. However, during warm weather (when most visitors come to this part of Sicily), I wouldn’t recommend this walk as there is very little shade.

Instead, take a taxi from the train station to the market (around a 10 minute drive, costing in the region of 15€) or a local bus. Be sure to check Google Maps on the day of your travel for the most convenient options as timetables change frequently throughout the year.

Starting our day at the bustling Ortigia Market I recommend taking your time to peruse the vendors.

The market is open daily from about 7 am until 2 pm, except on Sundays. Along the streets you’ll find the obligatory Italian souvenirs (which can be skipped for better shopping options in the historic center, covered later in this guide) alongside one of the best ranges of fresh produce and local Sicilian foods I have ever come across.

Even if you don’t buy anything, seeing the colourful fruit and fresh fish stands alongside the piles of herbs from across the Mediterranean with their enticing scents is the perfect introduction to Ortigia, past and present.

If you haven’t yet had breakfast or need a little morning pick-me-up you’ll find no end of cafes and bars within the market. However, in our experience, there is just one place to head for food and drink near the market: Fratelli Burgio.

Not only can you grab a coffee and a cannolo here for breakfast, but this deli/bistrot features some of the highest quality products from Sicily and beyond. They offer a mouthwatering array of sandwiches and tagliere (charcuterie boards) that make returning here for lunch or dinner later in the day entirely worthwhile (or they can be ordered as a takeaway to enjoy on the move).

Exiting the market towards Corso Giacomo Matteotti, crossing Largo XXV Luglio, be sure to take a moment to admire the impressive ancient Greek ruins of the Temple of Apollo on your left, in the open space parallel to the market.

This temple is is considered the oldest Doric temple in the world, dating back to the 6th century BC. Over the course of it’s life it became a Byzantine church, a mosque, a church once more under the Normans, before it was deconsecrated and incorporated within a military complex by the Spanish rulers of Sicily in the 16th century.

Moving southeast towards the historic heart of Ortigia, if time allows, I would encourage detouring off the main street of Corso Giacomo Matteotti to walk along Via Dione. Not only is this street one of the most picturesque in Ortigia (and less crowded than the main street), but it is also home to my go-to granita spot: CCA’ e DDA’.

While there is no shortage of bars and cafes offering granita in Ortigia, I love this place because they are strict adherents of traditional production methods and use only the best quality natural ingredients directly from Sicily. If you didn’t stop earlier for a refreshment, this is the perfect place to take a short pause, enjoying some of the best granita in Sicily.

By this point it will be approaching lunchtime, and if there’s one thing you absolutely need to try in Ortigia, it is the seafood. This corner of Sicily is renowned for its fresh fish, octopus, and shrimp, where the abundant waters of the Ionian Sea and central Mediterranean provide local fishermen with bountiful catches all year round.

Therefore, it’s only natural to head to Ortigia’s waterfront for a midday meal, which also puts you right where you need to be for the afternoon portion of this itinerary. From the top of Corso Giacomo Matteotti/Via Dione follow Via Roma 10-15 minutes until you hit the water.

If you’re not a fan of sit down meals, or are pressed for time and have grabbed something to eat on the go (maybe a sandwich as recommended earlier from Fratelli Burgio), why not break here where you’ll find Ortigia’s mostly easily-accessible beach, Cala Rossa?

This small pebbly beach is popular with locals during the summer so you may struggle to find a spot in the busy months, but patience and a little effort pays off where you can relax and enjoy the cooling waters of the Mediterranean.

To continue on for a sit down lunch, turning left at Via Capodieci, follow the street straight to the very end until you reach a large, sunken, pond-looking water feature. This is the famous Fountain of Arethusa which we’ll return to after lunch.

Turning left again to follow the sea wall along Lungomare Alfeo for a further 5 minutes and walk until you reach our favourite spots to eat and drink at on Ortigia island with sea views; Sorelle a Mare.

Their menu includes Sicilian and Italian classics such as mazara red prawns and spaghetti alle vongole, alongside more UK/American favourites like Club Sandwiches. We particularly enjoy the almost-Iberian approach to portions here, where you can order several small plates (à la tapas) to try a range of different things.

Depending on how you’re doing for time and what appeals to you when travelling, there are a few options for how to spend your afternoon post-lunch:

Walking a little further along the seawall of Ortigia from Sorelle a Mare you’ll reach Castello Maniace. This imposing castle was built between 1232-1240 under the rule of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and constructed to protect the port area of the city of Syracuse.

No longer needed for defence, it now serves as a popular attraction for visitors looking to understand more about Ortigia’s medieval history, and routinely hosts special events and exhibitions. Inside you’re able to walk the old walls and enjoy interrupted views out to sea from the fortifications. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the castle.

Sara and I love the range of boutique stores here offering local produce, artisan ceramics, and high-quality fashion so nearly always find ourselves shopping when in Ortigia.

No trip to the island is complete without a stop at the flagship store of the famous brand named after the town itself. The Ortigia store at Via Roma 21 is famous for its skin and body care products (hand creams, shampoos, perfumes), home fragrances (candles, incense) all made from ingredients sourced in Sicily and produced without animal testing.

Another store we find ourselves returning to time after time is Providence di Anzalone Maria where we routinely purchase ceramic home decorations, either for ourselves or as gifts for friends and family in Rome and the UK.

The joy of shopping in Ortigia is that every little side street you walk along in the historic centre is packed with beautiful stores. Depending on the day of the week, you’ll also find stalls lining the side streets, often offering handmade jewellery and original artwork.

Heading back towards the centre of Ortigia along the promenade, you’ll see a large bar and restaurant down on the water’s edge. This spot – Zefiro Solarium – is the closest thing you’ll find to a traditional Italian beach club in the historical centre of Ortigia.

This is the perfect spot to unwind for a couple of hours if you’re done with sightseeing by renting a sun lounger, or by simply sitting with a drink or coffee in the bar area to enjoy the sea views.

Regardless of how you spend the majority of your afternoon, there are two important landmarks to see before we head into the evening, or you depart the island; Arethusa’s Fountain and the Duomo of Ortigia. The first you will have passed before lunch if you’ve followed my itinerary closely, and you might have glimpsed the second if you detoured. Either way, let me share a little more detail with you about these important sites:

This unusual looking site resembling a deep pond is in fact a natural freshwater spring situated right on Ortigia’s coastline. In Greek mythology this spring is the reputed site of where the nymph Arethusa returned to earth after escaping her captivity in Arcadia. With this, Arethusa became the patron of the city, and her image continues to feature everywhere across the island.

Beyond its important symbolic value to the city of Syracusa and Ortigia the spring was a vital water source for the original Greek settlers of Ortigia, and is now one of only three places in Europe where papyrus plants grow naturally.

If you’re looking for an authentic souvenir to remember your time here, head to Providence di Anzalone Maria right near the fountain (recommended previously under the shopping section) where beyond their beautiful ceramics they also sell papyrus prints and artwork.

Saving my favourite site for last, Ortigia’s cathedral is the island’s crown jewel. This Duomo is one of the pre-eminent examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture, rebuilt in its current style following the devastating earthquake of 1693 that levelled much of this part of Sicily.

What makes this church extra special, however, is that you can very clearly see the original ancient temple that occupied the site prior. Built over the site of a 5th-century Greek temple dedicated to Athena, the duomo is now a showcase for architectural styles from different periods.

Both inside and outside, the huge ancient columns in their distinctive Greek doric style stand as strong as they did 2500+ years ago, now integrated into the cathedral’s structure. If time doesn’t allow a visit inside you can still appreciate this breathtaking building from Piazza del Duomo during aperitivo (more on this below) and see the ancient columns from Piazza Minerva – pictured below.

As far as I’m concerned there is only one location to have aperitivo in Ortigia: Piazza del Duomo, my all-time favourite square in Italy. If you’ve followed my itinerary closely you should be here in the early evening just as the late light brightly illuminates the local yellow limestone that most of the Piazza is built from.

As the light changes you’ll see the sky turn pink and the stone of the cathedral and surrounding buildings a deep, golden shade of ochre. These together reminding me in equal measures of strawberry granita and white Etna wine, which, incidentally, is the perfect thing to drink for aperitivo in this part of Sicily.

Directly opposite the entrance to the Duomo you’ll find a series of bars and restaurants. They may look formal at first glance, but believe me when I say that you can stop at any of these for an evening drink to enjoy the piazza as day transitions to night.

Not sure which spot is best for you? We love Gran Caffè del Duomo and always ask for a table at the front of the outdoor area so we can appreciate the exterior of the Duomo with our drinks.

Depending on your plans and timings, here are two excellent places for dinner in Ortigia to round off your day:

If you need to return to a pickup location or your car at the Riva Nazario Sauro car park, head to Fratelli Burgio for a quick meal, or even grab a takeaway to enjoy on the move. I mentioned this spot earlier in this guide as a potential breakfast and/or lunch option depending, and everything I wrote previously applies at dinner.

If you have a little more time and are looking for a special sit down dinner (and somewhat indulgent), make your way to Ristorante Regina Lucia right on Piazza Duomo, just a few steps from where I recommended having aperitivo.

This refined restaurant inside a restored baroque palazzo serves traditional Sicilian dishes with a focus on seafood. Their curated wine list only enhances the dining experience, with bottles carefully chosen by their expert team to complement what you choose from the menu.

While one day in Ortigia is infinitely better than nothing, and a great amount of time to see the best of what this island has to offer, staying for two or three days will allow you to see a completely different side of the city.

Much like other island locations in Italy that are popular for day trips (such as Capri in Campania or Venice in Veneto), once the tour groups and large group excursions have departed, a more peaceful and authentic Ortigia reveals itself.

Choosing to base yourself in Ortigia, even just for a couple of nights, will allow you to experience this for yourself and see how the ancient alleys light up at night as restaurants and bars come alive with locals.

Being a small place, choosing the right area to stay in is easy: focus your searches around Piazza del Duomo and you’ll never be far from the main sights and the best places to eat and drink.

If you’re more of a fan of staying in the countryside but still want to enjoy the change in Ortigia’s atmosphere as day turns to night, one of our all-time top places to stay in Italy is located only 37km away.

Take a look at Masseria degli Ulivi, close to the town of Noto, an old converted olive farm where rustic Sicily combines with modern service to create a truly special place to stay. We visit and stay here at least once a year to spend some days (usually in the autumn) in the peaceful gardens, cooling off in the pool, enjoying the incredible restaurant and day tripping to near by locations including Ortigia. Check availability here:

Hopefully, this guide proves useful in planning your day in Ortigia, or has perhaps inspired you to stay in this Sicilian icon for a couple of nights. Have a follow up question about Ortigia, or curious to understand more about travelling somewhere else in Sicily? Or maybe you’re planning a trip in mainland Italy or possibly even Sardinia? Get in touch here