Ce que les gens disent de la vie à Syracuse 

When you’re daydreaming about moving to Sicily, places like Palerme, Taormina, Agrigenteet Noto usually come up first. But almost everyone, sooner or later, finds themselves in Siracusa – and falls in love with Ortigia, the old town that pulls in thousands of visitors every year.

But what’s it really like living in Siracusa, especially in Ortigia? To give you a clear picture, we’ve combined our data with feedback from people who actually live there.

Life in Siracusa: What People Say

Siracusa is a city full of history, and it’s also a great place for families with kids – especially if you’re based in the historic center. Prices there have definitely gone up compared to ten years ago, but if you focus on other areas outside the main tourist flow, for many people it’s still even better – offering everything from the sea to the mountains, from art to history:

“I live in Ortigia and I find it super convenient, especially with children. It’s definitely more expensive and touristy, but you don’t need a car and everything you need is right there." – Mark R.

Overall, even though (as we’ll see later) the city lacks some services, it offers a laid-back lifestyle that works perfectly for those who enjoy a simpler pace of life close to the sea:

“Life in Sicily is definitely on the relaxed side. Amazing food, friendly people, beautiful towns, stunning landscapes, and great weather year-round. Sure, services and opportunities are a bit limited, but you can get an amazing work/life balance." – Francesco C.

Transport and Connectivity in Siracusa

Siracusa is pretty well connected. It’s just a 40-minute drive from Aéroport de Catane, and if you want more flight options (both domestic and international) you can reach Palermo Airport in about 2h 30 min.

From the train station, several nearby cities are easily accessible: Noto en 30 minutes, Catane en 1 heure, et Taormina et Ragusa in around 2 hours. The city is also served by a network of buses connecting different neighborhoods, with a monthly pass costing around €30.

Overall, residents agree that Siracusa is very walkable, especially in the historic center:

“I have a 3-year-old, and I really prefer Ortigia over mainland Siracusa because it’s more practical with a child. Many areas are car-free, making it easy to walk around. Plus, there are also two beach access points. The rest of the city is beautiful too, but moving around with a stroller can be tricky.” – Eleonora P.

Where to Live in Siracusa: Housing & Cost of Living

As a tourist city, property prices in Siracusa are generally mid-to-high range. For a 70 m² apartment, expect to pay around €170,000, with prices dropping as you move further from the historic center:

Données élaborées à partir de Immobiliare.it

If your question is “Ortigia or the outskirts of Siracusa?”, several factors come into play. Ortigia is definitely the city’s vibrant heart, home to the main monuments, museums, the cathedral, historic churches, and palaces:

“My heart is in Ortigia. I understand it’s more expensive, more crowded, etc. However, I adore living in Giudecca, in a real Sicilian community, with everything on my doorstep and jaw-dropping beauty at my fingertips. I can always wander across the bridge for other amenities. An early morning coffee, swimming at Cala Rossa very early or late, enjoying the sunsets and aperitivo, and having only a few yards to walk home – for me, it’s unbeatable.” – Helen R.

However, Ortigia is extremely touristy, so if you want a more authentic, quieter area with more local amenities and fewer tourists, other neighborhoods may be a better choice:

“I would think it’s better for families to live outside of Ortigia. Schools, parks, lots of supermarkets, parking, buses, bike lanes… everyday things are easier outside Ortigia. In the summer there are a lot of tourists and noise in Ortigia, better during the winter months with fewer tourists—but then a lot of restaurants are closed.” – Pernilla V.

Some suggest the Borgata area (in the Santa Lucia neighbourhood) because it’s very well connected. Finding a home can be challenging due to high demand, but there’s definitely plus de choix, whether you’re looking for a simple apartment, a detached house, or a townhouse:

“Ortigia is impractical for day-to-day shopping at normal prices! We live on the edge of Borgata and love the ‘real’ Siracusa and the diverse community. Cricket in the piazza in the evenings and a football season to walk to and enjoy!” – Ian H.

Challenges of Living in Siracusa

One of the main downsides of living in Siracusa est le coût de la vie, although this varies a lot depending on the neighborhood. Ortigia is definitely more expensive – not just for apartments, but even for basic groceries. On top of that, it’s a very touristy area, and some expats have mentioned that it can be hard to feel fully part of the local community, simply because you’re often mistaken for a tourist.

That said, like in any place, it just takes time. We spoke with Kathy a while ago, who moved to Bari and shared a similar experience. She explained that by regularly visiting the same local spots, like the bakery, the café, the market…people gradually realized she had truly made the town her home (so no worries!).

“We chose to live off the island but within easy walking distance to Ortigia, as grocery stores are way more expensive and it’s really chaotic. Plus, we’re close to trains, buses, parks, and services like doctors and dentists.” – Mary A.

While many expats prefer to settle just over the bridge, it’s worth noting that Ortigia is also the tidiest part of the city. Outside of it, residents often complain about poorly managed waste collection et badly maintained streets full of potholes:

“Ortigia is overrated and expensive. Just over the bridge is ideal, especially with the parks for children and easy shopping.” – Nicole A.

Another challenge concerns soins de santé. Selon nos données, the healthcare system in Siracusa is below the national average. Urgent orthopedic cases and post-operative recoveries are handled very efficiently, but emergency interventions for severe heart attacks are notably slower.

Siracusa by the Numbers: Key Data

• Qualité de vie : Bon (77/100) – en tenant compte de la qualité de l'air, des équipements, de la possibilité de se déplacer à pied, de la population et des risques environnementaux
• Qualité de l'air : Bon (80/100)
• La sécurité : Risque élevé de tremblement de terre
• Soins de santé Azienda Ospedaliera Umberto I (14 min.)
• Vitesse de l'Internet: Good (average of 216 Mbps)
• Loyer: ~€500-800 (70 m²)
• Transport : Assez bien
  • Airport: Catania Fontanarossa, Catania (40 min.), Tito Minniti, Reggio Calabria (115 min.), Falcone Borsellino, Palermo (138 min.)
  • Stations de train : Stazione di Siracusa (14 min), Gare de Targia (19 min), Stazione di Priolo-Melilli (20 min.)

For more detailed information about Siracusa and its services and infrastructure, visitez le profil de la ville de Magic Towns.

Is Siracusa right for you?

✅ Choose Siracusa if:

• Vous voulez vivre dans un city by the sea with essential services nearby.
• Vous recherchez un active city with events happening even outside the main tourist seasons.
• You want to be part of a une communauté d'expatriés en pleine expansion.
• Vous travailler à distance and need a place with a reliable internet connection.

❌ Pensez-y à deux fois si :

• Top-notch healthcare is a priority – Siracusa ranks below the national average.
• You’re looking for a more intimate, less touristy place where you can feel fully part of the community.
• Vous êtes sur un budget serré, from apartment prices to everyday expenses.
• You expect a perfectly orderly and efficient city – residents often complain about trash collection in some areas and poorly maintained streets.

Dernières réflexions

In short, your experience of Siracusa will vary a lot depending on whether you live in Ortigia or outside of it. Overall, residents recommend the city to people seeking a laid-back lifestyle and wanting to live near the sea – whether you’re a family or a remote worker who needs a reliable internet connection.

However, if you’re looking for a less touristy, more authentic experience, you might want to consider other options – but the good news is that Sicily is full of hidden gems.

Si vous rencontrez des difficultés dans votre processus de relocalisation, devenez membre et bénéficiez d'une consultation privée gratuite d'une heure pour vous aider à le mener à bien.

Vous souhaitez explorer d'autres options ? 

Si Siracusa ne vous a pas totalement convaincu et que vous souhaitez explorer d'autres options, utilisez nos outils de recherche pour explorer plus de 1 500 villes en Italie. Vous pouvez filtrer en fonction du coût de la vie, des transports, des soins de santé et d'autres facteurs liés au mode de vie, ce qui vous permettra de trouver facilement l'endroit idéal pour vous.

Découvrez notre article sur l'avantage fiscal 7%, et inscrivez-vous à notre newsletter pour recevoir notre guide de toutes les villes concernées par cet avantage.