If you have chosen Sicily as your destination for your summer holidays, I must tell you that you are in luck. You are because you will be able to enjoy an island that is full of attractions such as Etna. It has spectacular beaches, a lot of history and places as charming as Ortigia , which I recommend you go to if you have not yet planned your route.
History, beauty and good atmosphere
We are talking about an island that belongs to the city of Syracuse , so it is located in the southeast of Sicily. As soon as you put your feet there, you realize that it is a beautiful fortress that has little or nothing to do with cities such as the capital, Palermo, which does not stand out precisely for its elegance or for the respect for traffic signs on the part of the drivers.
Clean streets, beautiful buildings and tranquility is what you will find in Ortigia. Of course, the latter is somewhat disturbed at night, when its streets are infected with the good atmosphere that is breathed in the many bars and restaurants that invite you to enjoy the evening.
Ortigia, which preserves a piece of the history of Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Romans, has become the historic center of Syracuse, a city that currently has a population of around 400,000 inhabitants spread over its more than 2,000 square kilometers.
Immersing yourself in Ortigia is like immersing yourself in the typical coastal town where you would like to spend every day of your vacation. In fact, very close to Ortigia you will find beaches as spectacular as Spiaggia di Eloro, Fontane bianche or Lido Arenella.
If you go through Sicily by car, either your own or a rental one, you should know that only residents can access the island of Ortigia with their car. That means that you will have to park outside and cross the bridge, so be patient and find your parking space without despairing.
Essential visits
One day will be enough for you to soak up the beauty of Ortigia. It is a small island that concentrates several points of interest, such as the Cathedral of Syracuse , the Temple of Athena, the Palazzo Beneventano del Bosco, the Palazzo Arezzo della Targia, the Palazzo della Sovrintendenza ai Beni Culturali and the Palazzo Chiaramonte. Also very good are the Chiesa di Santa Lucia alla Badia, the Fountain of Diana or the Castello Maniace, which is located at the southernmost point.
Anything else? Enjoy its gastronomy. You can enjoy local fish and seafood, but also cheese and sausage. And of course, you should indulge yourself by eating some cannolo and gelato .
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