Welcome to “Ortigiashire,” the island coveted by foreigners. The real estate market confirms it:
ORTIGIA stands out as one of the most desired destinations in Sicily.
“Ortigiashire” has become the new “shire” for second homes in Italy, captivating some of Her Majesty’s British subjects, as well as many French and Swedish people. Statistics confirm it, but we, real estate experts who have been active in this area for many years, also emphasize it. After the renowned “Chiantishire” in Tuscany and the charming “Itriashire” near Salento, ORTIGIA emerges as the new favorite for those seeking a second residence in the Belpaese. Many British citizens have already made it their permanent residence, attracted by the climate and great real estate deals.
Looking at the numbers: foreign property sales have been on the rise since 2014. Before then, due to the global economic crisis, only the tourism sector was seeing growth. But over the past four years, the trend has been steadily increasing. It might seem like a sudden change, but in reality, we and many other operators have been working in this direction for twenty years. Since 1997, at the start of our activity, we have assisted the first British clients in purchasing their second home here in Ortigia, which has now led to a well-established trend. Ortigia, through the web and social media, launched an intense promotion campaign years ago, aimed at the growth and development of the Syracuse area, which represents only a small part of the vast work carried out by all economic operators and local administrations over the years.
The report for the first half of this year indicates that ORTIGIA ranks among the most sought-after locations in Sicily, an increase also due to an effective tourism strategy. The city itself transforms into the showcase of the real estate market. A significant percentage of tourists visiting a city like Syracuse brings with them the dream of owning a second home in Italy.
Tourism acts as a gateway for the foreign real estate market in Sicily, generating several thousand inquiries. Focusing on Ortigia, we count a few hundred. The most frequent requests come from Germany, followed by the United Kingdom, the United States, Belgium, and Switzerland. Then there are the foreigners already residing in Italy, interested in viewing properties for sale in our area.
As for price ranges, we confirm the trend in line with the rest of the region. Requests range from €200,000 to €250,000, representing 60% of the total, while those exceeding €500,000 account for 25%.
The allure of this ancient city and the crystal-clear sea represent an irresistible mix for tourists who, in recent years, have decided to invest in a second home here.
Moreover, it is noteworthy that more and more international events are taking place in Syracuse, and particularly in Ortigia. A striking example is the “Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda” show in 2022, which added further prestige and visibility to this enchanting setting. These events not only attract international media attention but also help to solidify Ortigia’s image as a destination of charm and style, adding an extra reason for those looking to own a second home in this picturesque corner of Sicily.
The CHARMING view from the top of this magical old town and the SEA.An irresistible mix for tourists that in the last years have decided to buy the second home in Ortigia.
Ph Marcello Bianca