Palermo, Sicily was one of my favorite places to stop for a day trip. There is so much to experience – it will likely take more than a day, but here are some highlights of what to do in Palermo. With its history of the mafia, there are mixed feelings about Sicily, but many places have their own historic horror stories, so Palermo is no different. Be sure to take your time, learn about its history and people, and enjoy this culturally diverse city.
Be sure to check official websites for operating hours and ticket prices for the different places you want to go. Don’t trust Google hours, they are not always accurate.
There are 3 main markets in Palermo: Mercato di Ballarò is the oldest and largest market. It’s the most well-known, so it is a bit more touristy and crowded, but it has a lively atmosphere. Mercato della Vucciria is known more for it’s nightlife. During the day, it’s more like a flea market with a lot of various vendors selling items. There are a few fruit/vegetable vendors and some restaurants to sit and enjoy the day, but it transforms into a new place in the evening. Mercato Il Capo is near the Teatro Massimo and is more a real food market for locals. It’s a cultural experience to explore at least one of these markets and enjoy some street food along the way.
Teatro Massimo is one of the largest opera houses in Europe, and the largest one in Italy. You can only see the theatre by guided tour, so check out their website for tour options. If you’d like to go on a guided tour, you can see where part of the movie, GodFather 3, was filmed. If you like opera or have never been to one before, it would be worth checking out a show.
Fontana Pretoria (The Fountain of Shame) is an iconic and controversial Renaissance landmark in the Piazza Pretoria. It earned it’s nickname by the sixteen nude statues of nymphs, humans, mermaids and satyrs. It was originally created for a private residence, but was moved to Palermo in the 1500s. Here’s a blog post with more details, history and legends behind the fountain. It is worth a visit to see this fountain for yourself.
Quattro Canti (Four Corners) is a beautiful intersection of baroque architecture. Someone said it is where history and modern life collide, and that is so true. Walk around the area, stop at a nearby restaurant for delicious food, and just enjoy people watching. This intersection has so much history and there’s a story behind it. You read more about it here.
No Mafia Memorial is an impactful museum and memorial to educate everyone about the tragic influence the mafia has had in Sicily. Please educate yourself and take the time to walk through all the photos and stories that are showcased. The museum is free, and plan to spend at least 1-2 hours reading as much information as you are willing to help you understand the background and stories of those affected by the mafia in Palermo and in Sicily.
Norman Palace (Royal Palace) was the residence of the kings of Sicily. If the exhibitions are closed, there is not much to see other than the outside courtyard of the apartments, which is nothing spectacular. But the Palatine Chapel is worth the visit! The chapel was built in the 12th century for the royal family, and it is dedicated to saints Peter and Paul. Their stories are in beautiful detail on the walls with the oldest and most intricate mosaics, along with a variety of colored marble and stonework. The wooden ceilings have muqarnas, which are uniquely Islamic art, so you can see the conversion of cultures within the chapel. To see the palace, the available exhibitions, the gardens, and the chapel, you can either purchase tickets online or you can purchase them when you arrive at the palace, but beware, there may be a long line to get tickets.
Cattedrale Di Palermo (Palermo Cathedral) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a complicated history. It was originally built as a Christian basilica, then converted to a Muslim mosque, and now it is a Christian cathedral. The architecture is a culmination of styles over the centuries from Gothic to Medieval, Arabic to Neoclassical. It is free to enter the main cathedral, but you can pay to see the medieval tombs or climb to the rooftop for a beautiful view. The outside architecture is beautiful with a lot of detail, but the inside is very simple compared to other cathedrals you may have seen.
You HAVE to try a cannoli, a golden pastry shell with sweetened ricotta inside, from the dolceria (sweet shop) within the Saint Catharine Monastery. The bakery uses the historic recipes collected from Palermo’s monasteries to preserve tradition. The cannoli has an interesting history. There are other treats to try as well, but you don’t want to miss out on a traditional cannoli. Entrance to the church, monastery and courtyard are free, so be sure to look around the beautiful area. *There may be some areas that require a ticket, so be respectful if someone tells you a ticket is needed.*
Villa Bonanno Garden is between the Norman Palace and Palermo Cathedral. I’ve heard mixed reviews on it’s beauty, so be sure to go when things are in full bloom; otherwise it might be a waste of a trip. The same goes for the Villa Giulia, which is the first city park in Palermo and has a variety of statues dedicated to important figures throughout history. You can also go to the Orto Botanico di Palermo (Botanical Gardens) but check their website for ticket prices. It is also a place with mixed reviews that might be disappointing, depending on what time of year you go.
There are some other places that might be worth of visiting, if you have time. Capuchin Catacombs is said to be interesting experience of seeing hundreds of mummified corpses, and it is located about a 15-minute drive outside city center. If you are traveling during good weather seasons and have extra time in Palermo, Mondello Beach is a popular local beach with beautiful white sand and turquoise waters about a 20-minute drive north of port. Segesta is a Greek settlement in the countryside about 1-hour drive away from Palermo, and it has an unfinished temple and an impressive theatre.
If you have time, there are plenty of other places you can see, depending on your own personal interests, so have fun and enjoy exploring.
The blog posts or links mentioned above are from other websites, and they are in no way connected to me, but I found the information interesting, and wanted to share.
Traveling Tribe 