Where to stay in Syracuse Sicily
Syracuse was my next stop after visiting Catania. And honestly, I didn't really know where to stay in Syracuse, Sicily at the start. But now I've been there a couple of times, I can give you some very good options. For the best places to stay in Syracuse, but also the best areas to stay in Siracusa. So I hope you enjoy this blog.
What are the best areas to stay in Syracuse, Sicily?
Ortigia
First of all, you have Ortigia. Ortigia is really the historical centre of Syracuse. It sits on a small island, connected via a walkway and also a road, just east of Syracuse. Here you're going to be able to visit the baroque architecture, the Duomo, many of the restaurants in Syracuse, and also the promenade. You will also notice most of the best places to stay in Syracuse Italy will be on the island because it's surrounded by the ocean.
Syracuse station area
Next up you have the Syracuse station area and the surroundings. What you'll find around here are a few other historical sites and things to do in Syracuse, Sicily. But you'll tend to find lower cost options because Ortigia is probably the most expensive area to stay in Syracuse. You'll also find more traditional restaurants at lower prices. And parking, which is pretty important if you're taking a car around Sicily like I did.
Neapolis area
Next up is the Neapolis area, and this is really on the mainland in Syracuse. The Neapolis area is known for its archaeological sites. So you can see the Roman amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysius. You'll also find larger places to stay in Syracuse in the Neapolis area.
The Isola area
And then you've got the Isola area of Syracuse. Here you're going to find a lot more resorts, but you're also going to find a lot of the beaches around Syracuse. So if you want to be near the ocean and near the beach, and you're staying for a longer time, this is a great area to stay. But you will have to take a taxi or your car to the mainland or into Ortigia if you want to go out for dinner in town.
Where to stay in Siracusa near the ocean
If you're looking for a very relaxed vacation in Syracuse, the best spots are close to the beach. There are a few places to stay where you can walk to the beach, they might have their own private beach, or there are also some places to stay near the ocean, potentially in Ortigia, all very close to the water. So here are my top picks for accommodation by the ocean.
Grand Hotel Ortigia Siracusa
The Grand Hotel Ortigia Syracuse is a five star place from the 19th century and was fully renovated in 1995. This place is actually really good for families because you can get triple rooms, single rooms, and suites. They also have babysitting services.
On top of that, you can relax on the terrace, but something very unique about this place is that they have their own private beach. It can be accessed by their private boats across the bay, so it's exclusively for this property. This is probably one of the best places to stay in Syracuse, Sicily.
Find out more information and check the prices for Grand Hotel Ortigia Siracusa.
Minareto
Next up is Minareto. This is another five star option with its own private beach in the Bay of Latomie. Their private beach has its own towels and umbrellas and it's near the Isola area I was talking about a little bit above.
Here you can get double rooms, suites, and they also have villas if you're travelling with family. You can see from the picture that one of the rooms has its own pool. It's a very nice place to stay in Ortigia. The rooms are very modern and high tech, and the other facilities include a pool, a spa, and a bar.
Find out more information and check the prices for Minareto.
Voi Arenella Resort
Further south, away from the last, is the Voi Aranella Resort. This is a four-star property but absolutely massive. They have their own private area on a beach where you can get a free shuttle, and they have complimentary sunbeds and umbrellas last I checked.
They're right on the beachfront. The beach itself has toilets and also a restaurant, but it is independent. In terms of rooms, pretty traditional. It is a four-star, with double rooms, triple rooms, and quadruples. Parking is free, which is a plus. And coming back to that massive part, they have two pools, a children's club, and even a game room.
On top of that, four restaurants. But what I love and what's special is the pool pizzeria. And then if you're looking for more things to do, they have a tennis court, football, and even a Turkish bath.
Find out more information and check the prices for VOI Arenella Resort.
Where to stay in Syracuse Sicily centre
Staying in the centre around Ortigia is the best way to check out all the things to do in Syracuse, but also most of the restaurants tend to be here because there's a lot more foot traffic. On top of that you'll be near the markets and the churches. These are some of the best areas to stay in Siracusa if you want to be right in the middle of it all.
Ortea Palace Hotel
I'll start off with the Ortia Palace Hotel, and this is just on the left-hand side once you get into Ortigia. It's from the 1920s, actually from the old Syracuse post office, and has been completely renovated.
The rooms come with so many amenities like an indoor pool, spa, and fitness centre. They also have two restaurants. This is one of the best places to stay in Syracuse, Sicily in the centre.
Find out more information and check the prices for Ortea Palace Hotel.
Grand Hotel Des Etrangers
If you're looking for a lower cost option, there's also the Grand Hotel des Estrangers. This is another five star property but just a little bit less. The rooms are massive.
You can see from the picture that it's a little bit more traditional, but look at those views. Absolutely fantastic. On top of that, they have their own spa and their own lounge bar, which has really nice views of the ocean. I'd definitely get up there. The property is also smoke-free.
Find out more information and check the prices for Grand Hotel Des Ètrangers.
Caportigia Boutique Hotel
Just outside of Ortigia is the Caportigia Boutique Hotel, and this is a five-star place just a few minutes away from the actual island. It only has fourteen rooms, but they're all really fancy.
Some have jacuzzis, they all have a contemporary design, and it's really known for its service. They also have complimentary parking. And one of the best restaurants in Syracuse, called Il Tiranno, is there too.
Find out more information and check the prices for Caportigia Boutique Hotel.
Where to stay in Siracusa on a budget
Now if you're looking for a more affordable place to stay in Syracuse, Sicily, villas and bed and breakfasts are usually a more popular option. They might not have all the amenities of some of the higher end places, but they're often run by small families and you usually get a really good, authentic Italian experience.
Palazzo Salomone
That leads me onto Palazzo Salamone. This is actually still on the island of Ortigia and it's actually one of the top B&Bs in the area. It's a renovated palace. You can see from the picture the rooms are really modern with really comfortable beds, and the rooms are soundproofed.
On top of that they have Cortile Spirito, which is a Michelin restaurant in Syracuse. So it's an excellent choice for where to stay in Siracusa if you want something special but at a better price point.
Find out more information and check the prices for Palazzo Salomone.
Xenia Bed & Breakfast
Next stop, and this is also on the island, right in the centre, is Xenia bed and breakfast. This only opened in 2021. The rooms go from basic to deluxe, and the furnishings are traditional, but they have vintage furniture.
What I love is the small balconies that overlook the streets. This is a really cost-effective option if you're figuring out where to stay in Syracuse Italy on a budget.
Find out more information and check the prices for Xenìa bed and breakfast.
Maeco Ortigia B&B
If you're looking for something a little bit different, there's the Maeco Ortigia B&B. It's actually from a Gothic Catalan building from the 1400s.
It has been renovated, and the rooms have lots of light and a nice comfortable bed. The rooms are also soundproofed. Some of them even have a balcony with views of the ocean, which is really nice.
Parking can be nearby but it does cost. The Maeco Ortigia B&B is also known for its breakfast.
Find out more information and check the prices for Maecò Ortigia B&B.
Where to stay in Syracuse Sicily with the family
Sometimes we forget about all those little things when you're looking for where to stay with kids, such as kid friendly amenities, babysitting, and big rooms. So when I look at these options I'm looking for as much as I can to suit a family.
Wellness & Spa Hotel Principe di Fitalia
Nearby the Isola area is the Wellness and Spa Hotel Principi di Fitalia. This is actually a five-star property in Syracuse catered for families. It's very close to the beach, and they have a free shuttle that includes umbrellas and beach towels.
But I think the standout is also the amenities. Two outdoor pools, one of which is absolutely massive as you can see in the picture. They also have a kids club and an indoor and outdoor playground.
And then the icing on the cake is the babysitting services. For older people, they have tennis courts, table tennis, a gym, and even an adult games room. So it's one of the best places to stay in Syracuse, Sicily, with a family.
Find out more information and check the prices for Wellness & Spa Hotel Principe di Fitalia.
Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel
If you're looking for something a little bit less expensive and more in Ortigia, there's the four star Algila Ortigia Charme Hotel. The standouts would be the babysitting services, also cribs for those young ones in the rooms.
And I really like the rooms in this place because they're very colourful, with furniture from all over the world such as Sicily, Spain, and also Morocco. On top of that, this place has a complimentary breakfast with ocean views.
They have a couple of bars, the premises are smoke-free, and they also have free bicycles that you can take. Hopefully that's still the case. This is a great pick for best places to stay in Syracuse Sicily if you want colour and character.
Find out more information and check the prices for Algila' Ortigia Charme Hotel.
The Grande Albergo Alfeo
If you're looking for something a little bit more upmarket for the family, there's the Grand Albergo Alfeo. The rooms have quite a lot of variety, from doubles, singles, and also triples, and it has more of an art deco feel. The rooms are soundproofed and have safes for your valuables.
What I like about this place for the family is that they have a laundry service, so that makes things with a family so much easier. They also have cribs, and the staff are multilingual.
Find out more information and check the prices for The Grande Albergo Alfeo.
I hope you enjoyed my blog about where to stay in Syracuse, Sicily. If you've been anywhere else in Syracuse or another town, please drop a comment in the box below so my readers can get more value.
Where to stay in Syracuse Sicily FAQ's
What is the best part of Syracuse to stay in?
It really depends on why you're coming to Syracuse. You've got the island of Ortigia and this is where you'll find most of the fancy properties in Syracuse. But you also have near the station as well. So in between the station and the island you'll find more properties, but you'll just have to walk a little bit further away. And then you've got the Isola area, which has bigger places to stay at lower cost, but you will be away from the city.
Is it better to stay in Syracuse or Ortigia, Sicily?
In Ortigia you're going to be able to go to most of the places you want to go and visit all the things to do in Syracuse, such as all the churches, the markets, and the most popular restaurants in Syracuse. But parking may be a problem. In terms of mainland Syracuse, you'd be closer to the train station, potentially closer to the Neapolis area, and much easier for parking the car.
Where to stay in Ortigia
I'd probably have to recommend the Grand Hotel Ortigia Syracuse. It's a very modern place, it's five-star, and it's great for the family with babysitting services. It has a spa so you can relax, and they also have their own private beach where they'll take you in their private boat.