Forte Sea House

A Former Fisherman's House Overlooks the UNESCO Gem of Ortigia

This vacation home rental in Sicily is located right in the heart of the UNESCO designated island of Ortigia with panoramic rooftop views of the city and the sea. We like the colorful Ellsworth Kelly inspired tiles and design details, and the great piazzetta terrace.

Overlooking the city and the sea, this vacation home rental in Sicily immerses you into the UNESCO-designated heart of Syracuse on the island of Ortigia.

A former fisherman's house, the property is divided into two distinctive living spaces surrounding a rooftop terrace. The apartment faces the courtyard and includes an intimate sitting room and kitchen, and an alcove bed featuring a giant "arabescato" Carrara marble slab that divides the space from the bathroom.

The adjacent studio faces the Mediterranean and has a private balcony to enjoy the the view and the sea breeze and sleeps two. Restored with sophisticated simplicity and contemporary style, the interiors are painted a crisp white and punctuated with colorful ceramic tile and bolts of blue, creating fresh light filled spaces.

The large shared terrace was designed with the same limestone used in the nearby castle and is a virtual extension of the "Forte San Giovannello" pedestrian path. Its far wall is punctuated with handcrafted tile from Cartagiorone in an organic wave pattern inspired by Ellsworth Kelly and includes an open air shower marked by a giant red circle (indicating the direction of the sunrise). Designed for outdoor living, it's an ideal spot to dine and lounge while enjoying picturesque views of the city and the sea. 

Traditional and contemporary, this is a stylish option in the heart of the enchanting island of Ortigia.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Wifi throughout, laundry facilities, child's high chair and cradle available. Optional airport transfers with surcharge.

AROUND

Once the ancient capital of Greece, Sicily's south eastern port town of Siracusa is a significant archaeological and UNESCO destination with an ancient Greek amphitheater, the Orecchio di Dionisio Cave, Apollo's Temple and the Anfiteatro Romano ruins. Its historic heart - the tiny island of Ortigia - is joined to the mainland by two bridges and is known for its  Baroque palaces and churches and its maze of narrow medieval lanes that converge on the lovely Piazza Duomo and cathedral. 

There are a number of city beaches nearby like Forte Vigliena and Cala Rossa at few minutes walking distance  and with Ru Frati and its seafront bike path and park making an ideal destination for early morning or sunset ramblings. Further south, the pristine beaches and bays of Calamosche, Vendicari and his Marine Reserve offer some of the island's best. 

The UNESCO site of Pantalica and the Cavagrande del Cassibile reserve are perfect for day trekking, with deep canyons and natural lakes for swimming. Nearby Noto is also a historic UNESCO World Heritage site with stunning, wall to wall Baroque architecture and is one of the gems in the greater Val di Noto region along with its sister cities of Modica, Ragusa and Scicli, all reachable within an hour or so.

LOCATION

Siracusa, Italy. Nearest Airport: Catania Fontanarossa (60km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April through December is ideal but the region and the island are fascinating year round especially in off season when you can explore without the crowds