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City in Sicily, Italy
Photo: Blackm0rpheus, GFDL via Wikimedia Commons
Palermo (Sicilian: Palermu) is on the northern coast of the Italian island of Sicily. It is a city with a thousand years of history, beautiful Arab-Norman architecture, amazing food, and lively neighbourhoods. It is a bit scruffy around the edges, but a visit of a few days will make you want to stay for weeks.
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Honey-coloured and Catalan influenced. Frederick II, Barbarossa's grandson, died in 1250 and is buried here, far from his ancestral home above Hohenstaufen, Germany. Frederick's sarcophagus is of porphyry dyed with imperial purple.
Cappella Palatina
It's one of the artistic gems of Palermo: a chapel with magnificent mosaics and Arabian-style decorations, among the most beautiful in the world. It is inside of Palazzo dei Normanni.
Palace of the Normans
The oldest royal residence in Europe, the home of the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily and imperial seat of the Emperor Frederick II. The palace contains the Cappella Palatina, the best example of the Arab-Norman style of Sicily. Nowadays it is the seat of the Sicilian Parliament.
Church notable for its brilliant red domes, which show the persistence of the Arab influences in the 12th century, with its typical Arab-Norman style. The €6 admission ensures that the lovely garden is quiet and peaceful.
The catacombs of the Capuchin convent contain over 8,000 mummified ex-residents from Palermo and its surrounding villages, some merely clothed skeletons, other remarkably well-preserved and lifelike. Well worth a visit, interesting, if slightly morbid. Children may either find it exciting or terrifying, and it must be the responsibility of their parents to think carefully before taking them. You can arrive via the tram line and a 10- to 15-minute walk. Your visit will not take longer than one hour. No photography allowed
The Gesu Church is one of the most architecturally important in Palermo. Constructed between 1564–1633, its late date of completion resulted in an abundant use of polychrome marbles on both floors and walls. This form of decoration, which gradually evolved in Sicily from the beginning of the 17th century, was a mark of the beginning of the Sicilian Baroque period, which was to give Sicily almost an architectural national identity. The church has a modest facade and it's hidden in back street in central Palermo, unlike the great cathedral this one you have to look for.
also known as square of Shame
In 1573 the Senate of Palermo bought a fountain intended for the Palace of San Clemente in Florence, with the intention of placing it in the square. The large central fountain is the focal point for 16 nude statues of nymphs, humans, mermaids and satyrs. In 1860, the fountain was considered the representation of corrupt municipalities, and Palermo nicknamed the square with the nudity of the statues, the Square of Shame (Piazza della vergogna). This may have also been reflecting the prevailing influence of the Spanish Inquisition during that time.
Palazzo Pretorio or Palazzo delle Aquile
The building has an important role in the political life of the city, since it houses the mayor and the offices of the municipality of Palermo. Construction began in 1463. It is open for visits to see the sumptuous meeting rooms, the "Sala Rossa" (seat of the mayor), the "Sala Gialla" (seat of the municipal government), the "Sala delle Lapidi" (seat of the city council), and the "Sala Garibaldi".
A village 8 km west of Palermo, sitting on the hill with a great view back towards the city and the sea. It is home to a historical Norman-Byzantine cathedral, which has been designated as one of several buildings named in a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Duomo
The cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture. It was begun in 1174 by William II and completed four years later. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. The cloister has 228 small columns, each with different decorations influenced by Provençal, Burgundian, Arab and Salerno medieval art.
Historical city botanical gardens featuring many collections of plants, trees, and aquaculture. The garden is associated with the neighbouring university and contains a number of experimental gardens to test acclimation of plant species to Sicily.
Beautiful private museum of historical tiles produced both locally and in Naples. Guided tours available in English or Italian will take you through the techniques and historical considerations of tile making and its importance across Italy.
Best place to eat a delicious arancina in Palermo downtown. The owner is really kind and friendly. Quality ingredients and courteous staff.
Very good pizzeria, a real delight. Also Vegan options. For those intolerant to gluten and lactose, the pizzas are gluten-free and the mozzarella is lactose-free.
Great place, very delicious pasta and the bruschetta with the mozarella is tasty. They serve both pasta and great burgers.
The real Palermo cuisine. Informal trattoria with tables also outdoors. Good mixed fried food, excellent mussels. No English menu.
Bistro in the centre of Palermo with a wide choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Beautiful restaurant, with retro air, very unique old bookstore. Smiling waitress, very good food, decent waiting time.
Discesa dei Giudici, 24. Close to station and Quattro Canti. Great Sicilian food, most dishes are €4-6.
Delicious Indian/Bangladeshi food. Great veg curry, daal and rice for €4. A good selection of samosas and pakoras. Excellent chai for €1.
Many types of sandwiches, all very good. You have to fill in the order sheet and go to the cashier to pay, then the dishes ordered on the sheet arrive. Each sandwich is €1.
In this deli you will find one of the best chicken that the city can offer. Yummy food. Best Italian style BBQ chicken.
The best sandwiches. Excellent typical Palermo food. A dining experience to try these local Street food delicacies.
Magical Palermo atmosphere with a background of 1990s/2000s music. One of the best apericena: tasty limoncello Spritz, tasty fresh food, big amount per person.
Very tasty and juicy pizza, the dough is just amazing. Inexpensive, plentiful and well stocked with quality ingredients, fast servers.
This location has a certain charm, with a quite rare calm in Palermo. The service is impeccable. The vegetarian menu was really good. Delicious wines and fantastic food!
Great fish and very kind, attentive staff. Cozy environment, excellent for tasting the flavors of Sicily.
Great little bar for beers and cocktails. A small number of seats out on the street. Beers from €2.50 to 3.50.
Nice wine bar with a good selection of wines. Good cheeseboards.
Original liberty style building in the historical centre, three-star B&B with rooms with AC, WiFi, private bathroom (external or also ensuite), central heating, LCD tv, mini bar, frigo, original furnishings of early 1900s.
Villa Addaura, a bed and breakfast in Mondello, is in a beautiful location 10 metres from the sea.
Bed and breakfast Teatro Massimo is an elegant residence in the heart of Palermo, 50 m from the Teatro Massimo, in the pedestrian area of the historical centre. The historic building is completely restored and has an elevator. The B&B offers accommodation in rooms and elegantly furnished apartments. They are air-conditioned, equipped with TV and WiFi.
In the historic centre of Palermo near Al Teatro Massimo.
On a quiet street.
Offers rooms and self-catering apartments with 17th-century style decorations. Fully furnished with all mod cons: a/c, washing machines, kitchen with oven, freezer, dishwasher, satellite TV. Children welcome.
A group of 1- and 2-bedroom self-catering apartments, on Sferracavallo's seafront close to Palermo. Simple but comfortable studios have an outdoor yard, for relaxing during the day and romantic dinners by night. Sferracavallo has good public transport connections to Palermo, and is close to the Capo Gallo nature reserve.
First category hotel complex by the sea on a beautiful golden and sandy beach. Inside a 4-hectare park, the hotel has 17 pavilions (1 or 2 floors), surrounded by luxuriant vegetation, that comprise 204 rooms and 6 suites. In the central building you'll find the reception desk and the wide and elegant hall, the restaurant, the excursions office, the American bar, the bazaar and the TV room.
It's inside the 'Capo Gallo' nature reserve in the hills outside Palermo, offering stunning views across Mondello's beach. Free parking in the nearby private street, or inside the villa for €5; swimming pool; free internet. All rooms have en suite baths, TV, hair dryer, a/c, fridge, own outside access. Two rooms have kitchenette, with minimum stay of 5 days. Downtown Palermo is about 15 min by bus/car, Mondello 10 min, airport 20 min.
Elegant four-star hotel which has 18 double rooms and suite. All with private bar, satellite TV with Sky channels, internet connection. Also available a free public parking.
Good clean rooms with new bathrooms, AC, TV, and balcony with clotheslines. €60, no breakfast.
Rooms adorned with frescoes and fine decor. Fine service, too.
Spacious rooms and a congress centre with 2 meeting rooms, all equipped with natural light, on the picturesque gulf of the city and enjoys breathtaking views across the sea.
It is an old building restored and well furnished.
Refined, cheap and central, close to the station.
near the Giardino Inglese and the Notarbartolo Station
Bed and breakfast art and design in the heart of Palermo. Rooms with free wifi, minibar, bathroom with shower or bath and Chromotherapy, air conditioning
One of the oldest and most renowned luxury hotels in Palermo. 4 star, near the harbour and the English Garden.
Large and luxurious 4-star in the centre, with exquisite interior design and high quality service. Also one of the oldest and best known in the city. Richard Wagner stayed here from November 1881 until 20 March 1882. It was at this hotel that he completed Parsifal on 13 January 1882.
Elegant and filled with modern comforts and impeccable service. In the historical centre, near the Politeama and Massimo theaters.
5-star villa and hotel complex in the hills overlooking Palermo and the bay. Offering health spa, tennis courts and a fantastic Greek swimming pool that overlooks the sea from on high.
It rises a few meters from the soft and golden sandy beach and is surrounded by a lush Mediterranean park. It is an elegant building with wide, classic halls. There are an open-air swimming pool, free WiFi internet connection and a parking lot inside the hotel (unguarded). The restaurant is the feather in its cap. It is located in a wide and bright hall, opening up on the garden. Here you can taste Sicilian and international dishes, together with very nice local wines.
Stylish 4‑star hotel centrally located on Via Vittorio Emanuele, steps from Palermo Cathedral and Teatro Massimo. Housed in a beautifully restored Baroque palace, with modern amenities including spa, rooftop terrace, fitness centre, and fine buffet breakfast. Excellent staff, clean rooms, and a popular option for both business and leisure travellers. Some street‑facing rooms may be noisy at weekends.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele 504 (opposite the cathedral). Good selection of wine, oil, marmalade, sauces, etc.
Busy food market in Albergheria.
This cap, first worn by Sicilian peasants and later by the Mafia, has become a stylish accessory.
By ferry
Ferries steam between the port of Palermo and the following several Italian ports on a regular basis: Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Cagliari (Sardinia).
By train
There are overnight through trains from Rome, Naples and even Milan via the train ferry across the Strait of Messina. The main railway station, Palermo Centrale, is located at Piazza Giulio Cesare.
By bicycle
There are a large number of bicycles and e-scooters for hire across the city. These include Lime, RideMovi and others. Prices vary.
By bus
Get a 24-hour ticket for €4. Many buses run on Via Roma. You can take the "Free Centro Storico" bus to move around the old town; it covers all the main touristic areas.
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Palermo · International · PMO
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