Syracuse Hotels and Restaurants
Where to Stay and Eat in Sicily, Italy: Budget, Mid-Range & Luxury
The best B&Bs, guesthouses and quality doubles, plus where travellers can find street-side snacks, cheap café food, pizza, seafood meals and traditional Sicilian dishes.
WHERE TO STAY
Budget Accommodation in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
With a fabulous location in the heart of Ortygia, between Piazza del Duomo and the Aretusa spring, the Aretusa Vacanze guesthouse (Via Arsenale 44, 0039 0931 492 870) is arguably Syracuse’s best bet for those on a budget. There’s nothing fancy but it’s well run and has got all that is needed – including free wi-fi connection in the rooms. A double with en-suite costs from EUR77 a night.
Mid-range hotels in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Right on the waterfront in Ortygia, the four star Grand Hotel (Via Mazzini 14, 00 39 0931 464 600) is sparklingly clean, and seriously good value for somewhere that looks rather upmarket and has those obligatory strange devices in the bathroom that no-one’s quite sure about at first. An en-suite double costs between EUR120 and 240 a night.
L’Approdo delle Sirene (Riva Garibaldi 15, 00 39 0931 248 57) has got rave reviews from other travellers for its value, location and friendliness of service. Essentially a B&B, it’s the sort of place to head for if you’re after a bit of character. Doubles cost between EUR100 and 130.
Luxury
Syracuse isn’t exactly lacking in quality hotels – it’s one of those places that attracts a well-heeled clientele. The fanciest of the bunch, however, is Des Etrangers et Miramare (Paseggio Adorno 10/12, 00 39 0931 626 71, www.amthotels.it). Doubles cost between EUR200 and 310 a night, and it comes with an incredibly attentive concierge service as well as a fabulous roof garden.
Where to eat
Value for money eateries
For street-side snacks and cheap café food, Piazza Archimede in Ortygia is the place to head to. There are a smattering of outlets, including Bar Diana, Pizza & Altro and La Grotta D’Ortygia.
For decent pizza and pasta dishes in a great location, Ristorante Pizza Minerva (00 39 0931 169 404) has prime position in Piazza del Duomo. Pizzas cost between EUR3.50 and 7, while pasta dishes cost between EUR8 and EUR10
Mid-range restaurants
The best meals in Syracuse are undoubtedly seafood-heavy, which is hardly surprising given the amount of fishing boats dotted around the harbours. L’Ancora (00 39 0931 462 369) is fabulous – an out of the way find near the fish market on Via Guglielmo Perno. A small place near the fish market, mains can be had for between EUR10 and 15. And when they say fresh, they aren’t lying.
Top notch restaurants in Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Top notch food, but not top notch prices (at least by the usual standards) can be found at Don Camillo (Via delle Maestranza, 00 39 0931 67 133). Specialising in creative spins on traditional Sicilian dishes, you’ll find it heartily recommended by locals and visitors alike. Expect to pay EUR35 plus.
