Pick the part of town first, then the hotel. Each one says what it's like, what to eat there and how far the sights are.
The north end of Ortigia: the morning market, the Temple of Apollo and the old Jewish quarter. Quiet lanes at night, and everything for breakfast is a few steps away.
The food: Caseificio Borderi, Fratelli Burgio, Barcollo and Caffe Apollo are on the market side. Scacce at Panificio Antica Giudecca, and Taverna Giudecca for wine.
Sources: Amsterdam Foodie, Ortigia restaurants, Gambero Rosso International, the Ortigia market
The island's middle: Piazza Duomo, Via Roma and the Foro Italico harbour front. Beautiful, busier, and the most restaurants. Avoid the cathedral square itself for dinner.
The food: Don Camillo, Casa Ranieri, A putia delle cose buone and Chiodo are all close, and Pasticceria Artale is by the Duomo for a cannolo.
Sources: Gambero Rosso International, where to eat in Syracuse, Amsterdam Foodie, Ortigia restaurants
The island's southern tip around the Castello Maniace: sea on three sides, fewer visitors after dark, and a 15 minute walk back to the market.
The food: Cortile Spirito Santo, Sicily's most talked-about tasting menu in a palace courtyard, is here; the Piazza Duomo restaurants and Don Camillo are a short walk north.
Sources: Gambero Rosso International, where to eat in Syracuse, Gambero Rosso, Cortile Spirito Santo
Chef's pick is Market and Giudecca: 25 of his places are a 15-minute walk. Chef picks hotels the way he picks restaurants: from the best lists, and what reviewers say.
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