On the sea, to Ortigia and Etna
6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Gazing across the water to Ortigia, Syracuse's historic island heart, with Mount Etna rising in the background, Isola Blu occupies a panoramic position that is hard to match. Add to this a large seafront pool, extensive mature gardens and spacious, light-filled interiors, and one quickly realises that Isola Blu is a special place indeed.
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Our team has visited each of our villas, so they can share the finer details and help explore flexible date options
Winner of Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Best Villa Rental Company in the World
Keyholder highlights
- Breathtaking views of Syracuse
- Privileged seafront position
- Fabulous 20m-long pool
Gallery
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Relaxing by the pool with Syracuse and Mount Etna in the background.
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Isola Blu and its gardens seen from near the pool.
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Stunning views from Isola Blu's main suite terrace.
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A magical atmosphere at sunset.
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Dining on the shady terrace outside the living area.
Includes
- Sole use of the villa and the grounds
- The support of our Villa Specialists to help you select your perfect villa
- The expertise of a dedicated team to help you fine-tune the logistics of your trip and to plan a range of experiences, many of which are exclusive to The Thinking Traveller
- A Local Specialist available during your stay for emergency support
- A comprehensive guide to your villa and its surrounding area, including our restaurant recommendations, cultural highlights and other activities
- An easy-to-use online holiday planner to keep all your booked experiences and services in one place, ensuring that nothing gets missed during your stay
- The ability to coordinate and share the details of your trip with your group via Your Account
- All sales taxes, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, linen, bath towels, pool and/or beach towels
- Access to our in-villa wine delivery service – choose from our handpicked menu of the best regional wines and find them waiting for you at your villa
- A mid-week cleaning and linen change service
Excludes
- Flights
- Car hire
- Transfers
- Meals (unless otherwise specified)
- Tourist taxes (tassa di soggiorno) levied by many town councils in Italy. The amount varies by location and usually amounts to between €1-€5 per person per night
From the Guest Book
Read the insightful reviews from travellers who have experienced this villa and our service firsthand.
Starting with the warmest of welcomes from the villa owners, virtually everything about Isola Blu, inside and our, suited us to perfection. We loved the characterful, old-world charm, giving the villa a something of the look and feel of a star's home from the golden age Hollywood of '30s or '40s Hollywood. Its interior decoration is not glitzy in a modern way but is perfectly judged to exude a Sicilian flavour while providing an easy, warm and embracing space that helped us feel entirely at home and fully relaxed. The handmade tiling on the walls and floors is astonishingly successful and provides a harmonious sensual treat throughout. The external landscaping, set against a view that one can never tire of, was breathtaking, enhanced by the large and beautifully designed swimming pool, which fitted into the garden landscape seamlessly. Our five nights flew by. Of all the lovely places we've stayed in over the past ten years or so, we thought Isola Blu had a unique quality that makes it truly memorable and may well draw us back to Sicily soon simply to give us the pleasure of staying there once more.
Robert Pullen September 2025
The views from Isola Blu were unbelievable. Our experience was beautiful and amazing. The Thinking Traveller is an excellent company that I highly recommend.
Jackie Valstro September 2025
Isola Blu was a little slice. of heaven. The panoramic sea views and the stunning grounds of this property made this a magical vacation. The villa was well stocked with anything you could need. We dined outside every day staring at the gorgeous views. The pool was amazing and so large. We will return.
RB June 2025
Isola Blu is a magical waterfront holiday villa with enchanting grounds and perfect external areas.
Mal Cameron June 2025
Isola Blu is a fantastic house in a superb location looking out across the bay to Ortigia. We would return for the location, the excellent facilities, and the hosts' welcome - they're lovely people.
Verified guest, May 2025
What stood out about Isola Blu was its character and its breathtaking view. We would return.
Verified guest, May 2025
Excellent
4.7/5
1,174 Reviews
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The Area
Isola Blu sits just across the water from Ortygia, ancient Syracuse's beating heart. Following the defeat of the Athenians in 413 BC, Syracuse was arguably the most important city in the Mediterranean. Remains of that period are beautifully preserved in Ortigia, at Neapolis (including the stunning Greek theatre) and in the fabulous archaeological museum, all of which are within a few kilometres drive of Isola Blu. Syracuse is not just an Ancient Greek museum however. The old island centre of Ortygia offers an excellent choice of restaurants, bars and shops, beautiful piazzas and seafront promenades. In terms of beaches, Isola Blu is spoilt for choice: just a short stroll away is a lovely sandy beach, while a short drive south of Syracuse will get you to a great selection of white sandy beaches, including those at Fontane Bianche, the Lido di Noto and Vendicari Nature Reserve. The southeast of Sicily is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Val di Noto and its beautiful baroque towns such as Noto, Modica, Ragusa and Scicli. To the north, temptingly visible from Isola Blu, is the majestic mass of Europe's highest active volcano, Mount Etna.
Getting to and around
Catania airport:
67km-44miles-50minsPalermo airport:
295km-183miles-3hr10Trapani airport:
375km-233miles-4hrComiso airport:
112km-70miles-1hr35Syracuse:
8km-5miles-15minsNearest shops:
15mins drive in SiracusaNearest beaches:
Punta Carrozza - a 5-minute walk; Spiaggia del Minareto - a 5-minute walk; Fontane Bianche - 14km-8.5miles-20minsNearest restaurants:
there are a couple of restaurants within a 5-to-20-minute walk. A larger selection can be found in SiracusaNoto:
35km-23miles-40minsModica:
67kim-42miles-1hr10Ragusa:
85km-53miles-1hr30Scicli:
76km-47miles-1hr20I Monasteri golf course:
22km-14miles-33minsMount Etna:
around 1hr40 depending on which part of the mountain you are heading for.Local Experiences
Helicopter tours in East Sicily
A helicopter trip in Sicily over Etna and to the Aeolian Islands is a highly moving experience, enough to reduce grown men and women to tears! Book with us for a truly unforgettable addition to your Sicilian holiday.
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Wine tours on Mount Etna
Some of Italy’s finest wines are now being made on the flanks of Mount Etna. A new generation of Sicilian producers are realising the full potential of the mountain’s climate, its autochthonous grape varieties (NerelloMascalese - red - and Carricante - white), its ultra-fertile soil and its unique terroir. To discover just how the natural magic of the mountain combines with the perseverance and passion of man to create outstanding wines, let us arrange a chaufferued wine-tasting tour for you. A delicious lunch is included, so you’ll get a full experience of Etna’s gastronomic abundance.
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Private Guided tours in East Sicily
Sicily is, quite simply, one of the world’s most fascinating places, with a uniquely rich history, geography and cultural heritage. The Eastern side of the island has a seemingly endless variety of treasures to discover, from the architectural gems and culinary delights of the main towns, to UNESCO Heritage sites, to the geological phenomena and breath-taking landscapes of Mount Etna.Our private guides are tried and tested experts in their field, with many holding PhDs in their particular specialism. Book a tour or two with them and you'll come away with fascinating insights into your destination's towns, archaeological sites, food, wine, landscapes and geology.
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Private guided tours in Southeast Sicily
The southeastern tip of Sicily is home to mile after mile of largely unspoilt sandybeaches and an impressive list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica, the towns ofthe Val di Noto, and Villa Romana del Casale.
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Private boat charters in Southeast Sicily
From here until the southeasternmost tip of Sicily, the coastline is an uninterrupted stretch of sandy beach, dotted with picturesque little resort towns, including Punta Secca (Inspector Montalbano's home), Marina di Ragusa, Donnalucata, Cava d'Aliga, Sampieri and Marina di Modica. The last strip, made up of several miles of dunes, is where the Allied forces landed in the 2nd World War. At the southernmost tip of Sicily is Isola Delle Correnti, offering an almost African scenario. Indeed, here we are considerably further south than Tunis.Just around the southeastern tip and heading north up the east coast, are the beaches of Marzamemi, San Lorenzo and Vendicari Nature Reserve. The reserve's salt water lagoons and varieties of flora offer the ideal habitat for a wide range of fauna, including nesting turtles and migrating flamingos.Continuing up the east coast, between Vendicari and the historic Greek town of Syracuse, are the popular sandy beaches of Marina di Noto, Calabernado, Marina di Avola, Gelsomineto, Fontane Bianche and Arenella.
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Culinary experiences in Southeast Sicily
The southeast of Sicily is famed for its superb tomatoes, cheeses, meat, olive oil, vegetables and seafood. Our culinary experiences in the area will enable you to transform these exquisite ingredients into some of southeast Sicily's most celebrated dishes.
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Wine tastings in Southeast Sicily
Nero D’Avola, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Frappato, Syrah and Moscato Bianco are just a few of the grape varieties cultivated in the Noto area, and we heartily recommend a vineyard visit during your stay. We know the right people and the most prestigious wineries in the area, and we’d be delighted to arrange a chauffeured wine tasting tour with lunch for you.
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