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Apartment

Ortigia Ancient House

Photo gallery for Ortigia Ancient House

Outdoor dining
Dining
Dining
Dining
Interior detail

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Siracusa, Sicily
  • Place, Cathedral of Syracuse
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Piazza del Duomo
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Lungomare di Ortigia
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Airport, Catania (CTA-Fontanarossa)
    ‪58 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Separate dining area

About this property

Ortigia Ancient House

Live a unique experience in this house, unique in its kind, which represents the synthesis of the millennial culture of Sicily. The stone walls, the niches, the furnishings represent the testimony of architectural and artistic styles that coexist and overlap in the same environments. All in the heart of the historic center, a few steps from both Porta Marina and the Spanish walls and from the Duomo and the nightlife of Ortigia.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number IT089017C2LTFB7HJ9
Property # 10385544
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Guests must contact this property in advance to reserve high chair
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Syracuse

Located in Ortigia, a neighbourhood in Syracuse, this apartment is near the airport and near the beach. Temple of Apollo and Palazzo Montalto are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Fontane Bianche Beach and Ciane River and Saline Nature Reserve. Arkimedeion Museum and Museum of the Sea of Syracuse are also worth visiting. Kayaking, scuba diving and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking nearby.
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Map
Siracusa, Sicily

What's nearby

  • Cathedral of Syracuse - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Piazza del Duomo - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Temple of Apollo - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Tropical Aquarium of Syracuse - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Lungomare di Ortigia - 5 min walk - 0.5 km

Getting around

  • Syracuse Station - 18 min walk
  • Catania (CTA-Fontanarossa) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Viola Espressobar - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪CCA’ e DDA’ - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Pasticceria Artale - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪La Vineria Cafe - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Sicilia in Tavola - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Ortigia Ancient House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Ortigia Ancient House?

This property doesn't offer parking.

What time is check-in at Ortigia Ancient House?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ortigia Ancient House?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ortigia Ancient House located?

Located in Ortigia, this apartment building is steps away from Porta Marina, Piazza Archimede and Palazzo Lanza. Fountain of Diana and Arkimedeion Museum are just steps away. Syracuse Station is 18 minutes by foot.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sheree M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The owner was very accommodating. It was a great location. Very unique condo. We enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Claus S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super host and outstanding property!

The location and condition of the property were top-notch and Ettore was a super host. 100% recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diane C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ortigia

We had a great time in Ortigia! This is a beautiful historic property & we would definitely return on a future visit to Ortigia.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laurie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique apartment perfectly situated

We enjoyed this unique, historical property in the heart of Ortigia. The decor linens were high quality and the kitchen was well equipped. The host was helpful and very communicative.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annett K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Extraordinary and convenient apartment in historical Ortigia

Perfect place to explore historical Syracus and Ortigia walking. The appartment is exactly as described, very convenient for a familie of 4. Our host Ettore was very friendly, responsive and helpful. Great time!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Lisa L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice location but the place smells really musty and unhealthy .

It was truly pictured on the website .
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Iqbal P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Go back in time - in comfort!

The host, Ettore, couldn't have been more helpful. The apartment was stunning and had everything you need. It was quiet and very well situated - lots of restaurants within 3 minutes walk and the sea is just down the road. The nearest beach is under 10 minutes away.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bruce G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charm and history abound at this property, which was originally part of a church that goes back thousands of years. Mostly stone walls inside, with an inviting outdoor eating area, this property combines comfort and modern-day conveniences into a space that feels almost like a museum. There are a few small quirks with the electrical and the dehumidifying (it tends to stay a bit musty) but, given the age of the property (and the fact that it's Italy) we were not bothered. The location is also excellent. Fifty steps out the front door to the right and you're right in the heart of one of Oritgia's bustling main streets. Fifty steps in the other direction puts you at the marina and a beautiful walk along the water. Our host, Ettore, was super helpful and responsive. Communication with him before, during, and after our stay was excellent. All in all, a wonderful experience for guests who desire charm and uniqueness over the familiar amenities of a common hotel.
Ortigia marina
Temple of Apollo in the middle of the city
Fort from around 800 AD
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nina

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Our host Ettore was the epitome of Sicilian hospitality, happily meeting us at 3 a.m. to help us with parking and getting us settled in the apartment. The apartment was beautifully renovated, blending parts of the old church including in-floor displays of the old paving and other artefacts. It provided everything we needed and more for our week's stay in Ortigia.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A modern, historic and comfortable house that reflects the beauty of Ortigya.

Our first visit to Sicily and we landed at a beautiful, historic and modern home. How lucky. The house was comfortable and roomy with two bedrooms and two baths that worked well for our group of four. The home was centrally located and convenient. Our host was helpful and a great person to find out more about the area. Highly recommended! We will be back.
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Diana B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Location on Ortigia

Before we arrived we were warmly welcomed by Ettore, he reached out to clearly communicate the arrival and check-in details. He thoroughly walked us through the apartment explaining how everything works. The kitchen was well equipped and the outdoor patio was a great place for cocktails and meals. The location couldn’t have been better. A short walk to the main squares and many, many restaurants to choose from. All were outstanding, we didn’t have a bad meal!We had a car a few days and worked around the ZTL times. When we couldn’t get onto Ortigia we parked at the Marina lot (where all the tour busses parked) and it was a 7 minute walk to the apartment. Just pay via the app or the machine, ignore the guy that looks like a parking attendant, he’s NOT!We definitely would stay again should we return to Ortigia.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wanda H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best vacation ever

This property is unique. Truly historic but with every modern convenience. Well appointed, spotless and very comfortable. Everything is at your doorstep. Ettore is not a good host, he is an exceptional host. Every need of the guests are anticipated. Communication was instantaneous. He is accommodating and generous. We have had many good vacation rentals but this is the best. Would stay here again if we're lucky enough to visit Siracusa again. Thank you Ettore.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

diane d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Even better than we imagined!

The Ancient House in Ortigia is even better than we imagined. The house is better than expected and has so many authentic touches including stone wall that backs up against a church, beautiful decorations throughout and too many amenities to count. Ettore thought of everything including a complimentary bottle of wine , liter sized bottles of water, and a n espresso machine with cups. A short walk out the door are so many shops and sidewalk cafes. The main piazza is also a few minutes walk and is is gorgeous with restaurants and music every night. We parked our vehicle and never used it the entire time. Ettore is such a wonderful host and his rental is amazing!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allison P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location, beautiful unique property

Ettore has created a beautiful and unique property. His attention to detail is incredible and we kept finding little surprises about the property through out our stay. He has all you need to make yourself at home - including a lovely bottle of wine that sadly we never drank as every time we got home we had no room left from dinner and cocktails! The location is amazing - you literally don’t have to walk more than 4 minutes to wonderful restaurants. We did a day trip to Taormina and the train was a 15 minute walk. You also feel very safe and secure in the property and by far the BEST pillows of any VRBO we’ve ever stayed in. The best was very comfortable too!!! I wish we had longer to stay!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

4/10 Poor

Kevin S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Disappointing

Whilst, once you got inside the actual rental part of the property it was pretty much as described, what we were not made aware of was that it was within a building which was subject to extensive building work. We arrived at around 21.00 and were greeted by Ettore's lovely parents & shown to the property. At around 08.00 the next morning we were awoken by unbearably noisy building work just outside our door & also a considerable amount of dust. This was accompanied by the noise of debris falling on the glass roof from work being undertaken above. At that point, all we wanted to do was leave. We contacted Ettore & he contacted the neighbour responsible for the building work. Arrangements were made for the particularly noisy & dusty work to finish by lunchtime. By the afternoon things had improved, but not enough to repair the damage already done our feeling in respect of the place we were staying and our holiday as a whole. We decided in the end to stay & whilst there was still noise, it was generally bearable. The property is well located and there are plenty of places to eat and place of interest around. We are very disappointed that we were not advised about the building work & potential disruption in advance or our holiday. Had we known, we would have stayed somewhere else.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bernhard J M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Was für eine außergewöhnliche Wohnung!

Wer den Charme Ortygias mag, wird vom Ortygia Ancient House begeistert sein! Die Wohnung war ursprünglich das Nebengebäude der angrenzenden barocken Kirche. Wo immer möglich, hat Ettore, der Besitzer, die alte Bausubstanz aus behauenen Kalksteinen und Holzbalken erhalten, den Rest stilsicher restauriert. Mehrere Lichtschächte ermöglichen einen Blick auf das antike Fundament des Hauses. Geschmackvoll dekoriert ist die Wohnung zum einen mit antiken Gegenständen, zum anderen mit traditionell sizilianischen Objekten und Kunstwerken einer örtlichen Künstlerin. Die Ausstattung der Wohnung, vor allem der Küche ist sehr gut. Die Betten sind sehr bequem. Alle technischen Geräte funktionieren einwandfrei. Im TV gibt es Netflix - ein netter Zeitvertreib an Abenden, an denen wir nicht ausgehen konnten. Die Lage der Wohnung ist optimal: In wenigen Minuten ist man am Dom, an der Fonte Aretusa und am Porto Grande, außerdem am nächsten Supermarkt. Das Haus liegt dabei in einer ruhigen Nebengasse ohne Durchgangsverkehr. Und nebenbei sei bemerkt, dass wir uns auch stets absolut sicher gefühlt haben. Der Vermieter Ettore Botta ist so, wie man sich einen Vermieter wünscht: Freundlich, ja herzlich, hilfsbereit (Anfragen über WhatsApp werden innerhalb von Minuten beantwortet und er kommt auch persönlich vorbei, wenn es nötig ist); außerdem spricht Ettore fließend Englisch, was die Kommunikation sehr einfach macht. Wir waren drei Wochen in der Wohnung. Die W
Stayed 21 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Reinhard A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wunderschön

Sehr angenehm! Die Wohnung liegt in der Altstadt von Ortigia, ist sehr liebevoll gestaltet und gut klimatisiert. Sie ist das ideale Quartier, wenn man in Syrakus eine Weile bleiben will. Wir haben hier an einer Konferenz teilgenommen und die archäologischen Anlagen und Museen ausführlich besichtigt. Ettore ist ein hervorragender Gastgeber und sehr um das Wohl seiner Gäste bedacht. Die Ausstattung erlaubt Selbstversorgung, Prima! Sehr Empfehlenswert!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ancient House in Ortigia

Beautifully decorated and exactly as promised. Host continuously helpful and any small problems attended to immediately with charm and skill. Always welcoming. Any small problems in our part accepted good humouredly my and fixed. We took Ettore out for dinner as we had become friends.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Place!!

We absolutely loved staying here at Ettore’s place. It is perfectly located in Ortigia, very comfortable and well stock (with supplies, dishes, pots & pans) and Ettore was very accessible. If you are coming to Siracusa, definitely stay here. You couldn’t do better! We hope to return someday. ❤️
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Place in Ortigia

We are two couples seeing Sicily. This apartment was outstanding. The location is right in the middle of Ortigia near the sights and restaurants. The kitchen had everything we needed. There is a grocery store just a few steps away. We had some rain so we could not use the outdoor patio as much as we would have liked. The owner was very, very helpful and was available via phone/text while we were there. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Sandy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay

Ettore the host was very accommodating allowing us to check in early which was great. The location could not be bettered and the flat is full of charm with a lovely outside space. The showers are a little small but that’s the price for a bidet I suppose! Everything you need is there except a toaster. One point would be some explanation about what you recycle and when it goes out which is a bit tricky. We would happily recommend the flat
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beth B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location great host

Ortigia, a beautiful ancient city full of amazing sites and restaurants. It’s the perfect spot to stay to explore south eastern Sicily. This property is spacious and well equipped with AC! And Ettore will look look after you.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Near restaurants, gelateria, and easy access to activities
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tisha W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful home in Ortigia

We had amazing experience staying Ortigia. Ettore is a FANTASTIC host ensuring that all our needs were met including information about local parking and places to eat. He attends to every detail. His home is truly lovely and we were thrilled with out experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect all the way around!

This is a nicely restored property (back portion of the still active church) that is in a perfect location to visit Ortigia and Siracusa. 2 min walk to the grocery and amazing restaurants. The apartment is very comfortable with 2 large bedrooms and 2 large full bathrooms. The outdoor sitting area was perfect for relaxing as well as eating. The kitchen is well stocked and we cooked nearly every evening. Ettore was exceptionally responsive during all aspects of our stay from booking questions to check in. He was also very helpful in suggestions for some tourist visits. Highly recommend Ettore and his Ancient Ortigia House!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Ettore

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Italian

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