Ortigia Island Historic Center

The island heart of Syracuse where Greek temples were converted to Christian churches. The Temple of Apollo (7th century BC) and the Cathedral (built into a Temple of Athena) show layers of history. The streets overflow with trattorias serving Sicilian wines with seafood.

What to do there

4 things to do

1. 1 Find the Cathedral That Used to Be a Pagan Temple History · Free

   Syracuse Cathedral is literally built inside a 5th-century BC Temple of Athena - the original Greek columns are still standing inside the walls.

   In the 5th century BC, Syracusans built a magnificent Doric temple to Athena celebrating naval victory over Carthaginians at Himera. Six hundred years later, Bishop Zosimus simply built his Christian cathedral around it — the original 24 Greek columns are embedded in current walls. Enter the Cathedral on Piazza del Duomo and walk along either side aisle, pressing your hands against columns built into walls — original Greek stonework from 480 BC. Count them: 12 on each long side. Step outside to see Doric column drums visible in the left exterior wall masonry.

   Backup: The Baroque facade (1728) obscures Greek origins from front view — side views are far more revealing.

   Log Memory
2. 2 Locate Cortile Verga - Ortigia's Best-Kept Secret Adventure · Price: low

   A hidden palace courtyard near Piazza Archimede that locals use for cocktails - tourists walk past it constantly without knowing it's there.

   Former Sicilian nobility built palace compounds with courtyards deliberately hidden from streets — how aristocrats maintained privacy as the city pressed around them. This particular courtyard inside a former palace near Piazza Archimede has been praised as 'the best secret place for cocktails' in Ortigia precisely because it maintains that hidden-in-plain-sight quality. Ask any local 'Dov'è il Cortile Verga?' Order a Sicilian Spritz (Aperol + local Prosecco + blood orange) or Nero d'Avola served cool. The best time is dusk when warm stone walls catch last light.

   Backup: If you can't find Cortile Verga, Barcollo near Piazza del Duomo has a beautiful courtyard with tall trees and equally good cocktails.

   Log Memory
3. 3 Taste the Mercato di Ortigia at Breakfast Hour Adventure · Price: low

   The daily market in Ortigia's Jewish quarter sells everything from fresh seafood to pistachio liqueur - and it's where locals actually shop.

   This functioning daily market in Via Trento (Jewish Quarter/Giudecca) sells fresh seafood caught that morning, blood oranges from surrounding plains, and vendors with pistachio liqueur from Bronte — not a tourist attraction but real commerce. The insalata Siciliana (orange segments, anchovies, fennel, olives) was invented precisely because of this market's produce. Arrive before 10 AM, buy a blood orange and eat it standing there. Find arancini at nearby Antica Giudecca bakery — made fresh to order in multiple flavors including pistachio. Pair with granita di mandorla from a bar on the same street.

   Backup: If the market is winding down, Ortigia Fish Bar serves composed insalata Siciliana — exactly what the market vendors sell raw.

   Log Memory
4. 4 Watch Sunset from Lungomare Alfeo with a Siracusa DOC Glass Wine · Price: low · Optional

   The western waterfront of Ortigia is lined with wine bars and catches the full Mediterranean sunset - and Enoteca Evoè keeps dozens of open Sicilian bottles.

   Enoteca Evoè along Lungomare Alfeo is the wine bar locals use — the owner explains wines simply, keeps dozens of open bottles (predominantly Sicilian), and pours anything by the glass. Order Nero d'Avola from the Siracusa DOC — the grape that thrives in southeastern Sicily where heat, limestone soils, and sea air combine unlike anywhere else. Ask: 'Cosa suggerisci dal Siracusano?' and let the owner guide you. Pair with caponata and watch sunset drop into the sea. Enoteca Solaria nearby lets you buy bottles for €5 corkage to drink at the bar.

   Backup: Enoteca Solaria also offers the bottle-for-corkage option if you want a full bottle at sunset.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• The Cathedral's temple columns are visible

• Seafood restaurants on the waterfront

• Evening passeggiata is essential

• Book dinner for weekend visits