June 28, 2025

The Best Bars in Ortigia Island

Ortigia Island is one of my favourite places for a day visit, there is so much to see and do on your visit to Ortigia Island. The bar scene is one of the best in the area and as always I only share my personal favourites and recommendations.

Cortile Verga

Cortile Verga

Cortile Verga is a cocktail bar located in a beautiful courtyard on the interior of an historic building. It is my favourite place to enjoy a cocktail or two before an evening meal.

Instagram: Cortile Verga

Location: Via Della Maestranza 33

BOATS

Cocktail extras at BOATS

BOATS, which stands for ‘Based On A True Story,’ is located on a narrow side street that looks directly out on the Temple of Apollo. It is another beautiful location for a cocktail, whether at the beginning or the end of your evening out.

Instagram: BOATS

Location: Via dell'Apollonion 5

La Maison

La Maison Courtyard

La Maison is a hotel and bar on one of Ortigia Islands, the main corso Via Roma. The bar sits in a very narrow courtyard between two buildings, a beautiful setting for a tipple.

Instagram: La Maison

Location: Via Roma 26

Enoteca Solaria

Enoteca Solaria is a wine bar where you can also order small plates of food. The cellar has all the big names in Sicilian wine and quite a few more, and it is the place on Ortigia Island to go if you want to explore Sicily’s wines.

Instagram: Enoteca Solaria

Location: Via Roma 86

La Terrazza del Grand Hotel Ortigia

Winter Sunset from La Terrazza

The Terrace of the Grand Hotel has a fantastic view across the Marina. It is one of the most perfect locations for a sundowner with a spectacular sunset view.

Instagram: La Terrazza

Location: Viale Mazzini 12

Il Club

Il Club looks and feels like a jazz club with moody lighting, piano in the corner and bar of wines, champaghe and cocktails. A wonderful addition to Ortigia's bar scene.

Instagram: Il Club

Location: Via Roma 122

Zefiro

Zefiro at sunset

Zefiro is a summer pop-up that appears the marina side of the island every year. There is a bar, tiny restaurant and sun deck. A wonderful place to enjoy the daytime sun and sundowner at sunset.

Instagram: Zefiro

Location: Largo Aretusa 2-10

Barcollo

Barcollo Bar

Barcollo is a modern bar that has been very well done. I particularly like the drinks bar and its electronic door, LOL! Barcollo is best inside because its outside seating doesn't have particular views.

Instagram: Barcollo

Location: Piazza Cesare Battisti 6

If after these amazing bars you are feeling hungry I have also written about The Best Restuarants in Ortigia.

By Matt Bird
Travel Author & Writing Coach
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