Apartments for sale in Syracuse

Most of our clients, before purchasing an apartment in Syracuse, always want detailed information about the neighborhood where the apartment for sale is located. That’s why we wanted to create this guide to help anyone choose the right neighborhood for buying their apartment in Syracuse. By the end of this article, you’ll have a complete overview of the city of Syracuse, the areas that make it up, and, most importantly, a more detailed idea of which area is best suited for you.

In this guide, we will focus on describing the most important neighborhoods in Syracuse, highlighting their unique features to help those looking for an apartment for sale in Syracuse make the best choice.

The city of Syracuse, as everyone knows, is one of the most fascinating cities in Sicily. Founded by the Corinthians around 733 BC, Syracuse was the center of Sicilian culture for millennia. Cicero considered it the most beautiful Greek city when Greek culture was at its peak. Among the important figures born here, we find the great Archimedes, one of the most important scientists of all time, and Saint Lucy, who is still the patron saint of Syracuse.

In addition to being full of historical architecture, the city of Syracuse is also the place from which some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world can be observed, thanks to the unique positioning of its zenith points. These sunsets have been described by poets such as Giosuè Carducci, Edmondo De Amicis, and Alberto Moravia in some of their works, like in “Ricordo d'un viaggio in Sicilia” (1908, p. 109).

But we don’t want to get lost talking about the long history of this wonderful city, which you can consult directly on Wikipedia. Instead, let’s focus on the best neighborhoods in Syracuse today.

Syracuse, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005, is divided into the following main neighborhoods: Santa Lucia, Neapolis, Grottasanta, Akradina, Tiche, Epipoli, and the two large districts of Belvedere and Cassibile.

Before describing the neighborhoods and compiling our list of the best, we want to emphasize that Syracuse is one of the calmest cities in Sicily, with a low rate of petty crime. It is far safer than cities like Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice, considering the total crime rates.

With that said, let’s begin the description of the Syracuse neighborhoods and their unique features, which will help you understand which location could be the ideal spot for your future apartment in Syracuse.

Ortigia

It is the part of Syracuse that attracts the most tourists. The island of Ortigia is considered the beating heart of Syracuse, a true gem where culture and history meet to create an unparalleled artistic spectacle. In this neighborhood, you can admire relics of civilizations that lived nearly 5500 years ago (around 3500 B.C.). Thousands of years of history have seen the succession of cultures such as the Greek, Arab, Aragonese, and Roman, which left behind numerous palaces, churches, and monuments of inestimable beauty and value.

It spans just over 1000 square meters, and a little over 4000 residents are privileged to live there. The historic center is limited to pedestrian traffic, making it a place that can only be appreciated on foot, a feature highly appreciated by those who do not like the noise of traffic or, especially, the smog.

Buying an apartment in this area is a true investment, one that will increase its value over time. While most buyers looking to purchase an apartment in Ortigia do so for business purposes (such as opening restaurants, B&Bs, or hotels), some choose Ortigia as a peaceful place to spend the rest of their lives, immersed in art and the charm of days gone by.

So, if you love art, tranquility, and want to live in Syracuse in a carefree way, don’t overlook the idea of purchasing an apartment for sale in the beautiful island of Ortigia. It could be the deal of your life. Property prices in this area of Syracuse are quite high, but they are justified by the prestige of the location and the potential for each property to become a significant source of income for its buyer.

Cassibile

It is a peripheral area of the city of Syracuse, which includes the seaside areas of Fontane Bianche and Ognina, ideal for those who want to live between the sea and nature. Famous for the historic signing of the armistice of the same name that ended the alliance between Italy and Nazi Germany, Cassibile remains the most sought-after area for those looking for an apartment or villa for sale in the Syracuse seaside area.

The coast of Ognina is rocky and features numerous coves opening into the sea, while Fontane Bianche boasts Caribbean beaches, predominantly made up of white sand that makes the sea crystal clear.

Owning a villa in Fontane Bianche is the dream of most Syracuse residents and beyond. The properties for sale in this corner of Sicilian paradise have all the features that place Syracuse among the top spots for the most beautiful seaside areas in Sicily.

So, if you’ve always dreamed of owning a seaside apartment in Syracuse, look for it between Ognina and Fontane Bianche. It is the best area to make your investment marked by sun/sea/relaxation.

Santa Lucia

It is considered one of the historic districts of the city, with a typical checkerboard layout. The district is home to the church of the same name, "Santa Lucia al Sepolcro," in front of which it is said that the martyrdom of Saint Lucia took place. For football enthusiasts, it is also where the "Vittorio Emanuele III" Municipal Stadium, renamed "Stadio Nicola De Simone," is located. This is the home stadium of Siracusa Calcio. The presence of the stadium makes the area very lively, especially on weekends. So, if your passion is football and you don't want to miss a single match, this is the area for you.

Plemmirio

This area, located on the western part of the Maddalena Peninsula, was declared a "Marine Protected Area" in 2004. This stretch of land covers approximately 2,500 hectares of strictly protected sea. The Plemmirio area, in addition to being historically significant as an important maritime route used by Roman and Greek ships, is also renowned for the wide variety of plants and marine animals that inhabit this fantastic zone. Snorkeling enthusiasts particularly favor the waters of Plemmirio to observe creatures like sharks, dolphins, sperm whales, tuna, and the unique barriers formed by the secretions of certain mollusks from the vermetid family, known as "vermetid trottoirs."

Due to these characteristics, the Plemmirio Oasis has become one of the most prestigious areas of Siracusa over time. Buying property in this area is a luxury few can afford. Some of the villas that rise in this paradise, in addition to offering an exclusive sea view, also have private access to the beach.

So, if you love nature and tranquility and want to stay away from the busy city life, this is the perfect area for you.

Siracusa Umbertina

Siracusa Umbertina is one of the historic districts of Siracusa. It extends from the southern part of the city to the border with Ortigia, encompassing some of the city's most important streets, such as Corso Umberto, Viale Montedoro, Viale Regina Margherita, and Via Malta. Most of the buildings in this area of Siracusa were constructed in the second half of the 19th century. These 19th-century palaces blend with historical remains of invaluable cultural value, such as the remnants of the agora and the Roman Gymnasium from the 1st century AD. This area also includes the two bridges leading to Ortigia: Ponte Santa Lucia and Ponte Umberto I. The Umbertine style, or Neo-Renaissance, is clearly evident in the buildings of this area, marking an urban shift in the city of Siracusa and Sicily. The area also has green spaces, and numerous commercial activities and banks are evenly distributed, particularly along Corso Umberto.

This is an excellent area of Siracusa to purchase a residential apartment, as it offers the perfect balance between history and modernity.

Contrada Isola

Part of the Maddalena Peninsula, along with the Plemmirio and Pillirina areas, Contrada Isola is renowned for its emerald-green waters, considered some of the most beautiful in Sicily. The seabed here is a popular destination for snorkeling enthusiasts. Contrada Isola is the closest coastal area to the city center of Siracusa, and it is one of the most beloved, as it is in proximity to places of great historical and natural interest, such as “Pillirina,” an area rich in prehistoric remains. In this area, prestigious villas dominate, many of which offer breathtaking views of the sea and, in the background, the island of Ortigia—a true gem for those fortunate enough to own one.

To conclude our guide, we remind you that before starting your search for an apartment for sale in Siracusa, it's worth considering the characteristics of the area where the apartment is located in relation to your lifestyle.

Don't rush your decision; remember you are making an investment. Take all the time you need. We always recommend to our clients, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises, to seek guidance from real estate specialists—through the evaluation of the property, to the delicate and complex stages of negotiations and purchase. Engel & Völkers Siracusa is a leader in the brokerage of luxury properties and prestigious residences in the Siracusa area, so don't hesitate to contact us for expert advice.