My name is Marta Tenti and I grew up in a small Tuscan town of Italy called Arezzo. My passion for traveling has grown with me over the years, in part thanks to my parents who took me all around Europe when I was younger.
Sicily is one of my favorite lands in Italy and I have visited a few times now. It’s a region full of history, traditions, beauty and warmth. This summer I went on a 10-day road trip in Eastern Sicily tasting its authenticity!
Visiting Ortigia for a Few Days
Ortigia came across my radar after I saw photos of it on the Internet but it was never on my bucket list. How wrong I was about that! Ortigia really surprised me. It ended up being one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in Sicily. I fell in love with every corner of the island. My favorite place was Piazza Duomo – so refined, with an elegant atmosphere.
In addition to Piazza Duomo, I enjoyed Castello Maniace, Neapolis Archaeological Park and the alleys of Ortigia. These places immersed me in Sicilian history! I recommend visiting these places and also trying the Sicilian cuisine – there are many places here where you can do it.
Food and Accommodation
Ortigia is home to 4,000 inhabitants. You can meet them on the streets or at shops, just as I did. The cuisine is one of the highlights of this island, no doubt. I recommend a restaurant called Siculish. Here you can have lunch or dinner enjoying the authentic flavors. I also suggest heading to Caseificio Borderi for the best sandwiches and Cafe Apollo for breakfast.
We stayed overnight at Ortigia Bridge Apartments and I absolutely recommend them too. It’s an apartment accommodation with fantastic attention to detail (amazing small details) and located near the city center.
Final Thoughts on Ortigia, Sicily
Looking back now, one of my best memories in Ortigia was when we went to the seafront to watch a breathtaking sunset. There was music playing in the background and in the distance we enjoyed nice views of Castello Maniace. It was an incredible moment that I will cherish forever.
In conclusion, I can only finish by saying that anyone who goes to Ortigia must be prepared to experience a lot of beauty! This is a quiet island but it should be on everyone’s bucket list when traveling around Sicily.
