How to get to Ortigia
Airport, train, bus or car: every option to reach the island, with tips on parking and the restricted traffic zone.
From Catania airport
Catania-Fontanarossa airport is about 60 km away. The easiest option without a car is the direct bus to Syracuse: frequent departures all day, about 1 hour 15 minutes, arriving at the Syracuse bus station 15 minutes' walk from Ortigia.
By train
Syracuse station is connected to Catania, Messina and (with changes) the rest of Italy. From the station, Ortigia is a 20-minute walk towards the sea, or a short ride on the urban buses stopping at the Marina.
By bus
Regional buses (from Catania, the airport and the towns of the province) arrive at the terminal near the train station. From there, walk or take an urban bus to the Ortigia bridge.
By car
From Catania take the A18 Catania-Syracuse motorway, about 45 minutes. Beware: central Ortigia is a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) and street parking is very scarce — head straight for one of the car parks at the edge of the island.
Where to park
Ortigia is a ZTL with very few street spaces: the right choice is to leave the car in one of the structured car parks and continue on foot (the only way to explore the island).
Talete car park
The most convenient: a multi-storey on the north-east edge of Ortigia, 5 minutes' walk from the Temple of Apollo and the market. The best choice for a day visit.
Molo Sant'Antonio
A large car park on the harbour, just off the island: cross the bridge and you are at the Temple of Apollo in 10 minutes. Usually has space even in high season.
Via Elorina / station area
Free and paid parking in the new town, useful on peak days when Talete is full. From here take an urban bus or walk 20 minutes.
The Ortigia ZTL
Central Ortigia is a restricted traffic zone with camera-controlled gates (hours vary by season, generally evenings and weekends): access is reserved for residents and authorised vehicles. If your accommodation is inside the ZTL, ask the hotel to register your plate for loading/unloading. Either way: you do not need a car in Ortigia — the island is explored on foot.
Visit Ortigia with the audio guide
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