Palermo Information

The first thing we would advise you to do is to check that your camera is fully charged and has got loads of empty space on its card, as you will have countless opportunities for taking some amazing pictures. If going in the summer period its best tackled either early in the morning or late in the day due to the heat.

How to get to Palermo

Palermo Airport known as Falcone-Borsellino Airport or Punta Raisi Airport is 20 min ride from Palermo City. You can jump on a train which departs every half an hour from the Airport station located in the underground and within 30 min you get to the main train station Palermo Centrale located in Piazza Giulio Cesare.

Undeniably, Palermo, the capital city of Sicily, is fast, exciting, loud and jammed with chaotic traffic. It is in fact, the 5th largest city in all of Italy, so you will need a good 3-4 days to explore the city in full and you can do it both on foot or via local transport.

Things to do and see in Palermo

One of your first stops should be the Palermo Cathedral, which is an imposing and dramatic building at the end of Piazza della Cattedrale. Building began in 1184, but with additions and modifications over many centuries, the interior is now entirely neo-classical in style. Within its walls you can find the small chapel of Santa Rosalia, the patron saint of Palermo and where her bones are preserved. The Treasury houses many important objects, none more so than the golden tiara, with its precious pearls and stones.

Another obvious draw for tourists is the Palatine Chapel nestled inside the Royal Palace garden, and considered to be the finest example of Norman art in the city. Your camera will be clicking constantly as the chapel is just overwhelming, with its cupola, hand painted wooden carved ceilings, mosaics and decorated walls with Biblical scenes. The most important mosaic, carried out by Byzantine artists in the 12th century is 'Christ the Pantocrator'.

Museum and Churches are around every corner and most of them are for free, so you have no excuse not to go. The Museo Archeologico is the biggest archaeological museum in Sicily and is bound to grab your interest. It is one of the most prestigious institutions in Italy and house to all the artefacts of Sicilian history. The Orto Botanico (Botanical gardens) is another great institution.

Theatre lovers are very well catered for by the array of theatres available. The most famous is the Teatro Massimo (Built on the late 19th Century) and is a premium venue for ballet, opera and classical music. In fact It is the 3rd largest theatre in Europe and also featured in the film The Godfather (part 3). Another major theatre is the Teatro Politeama (built a few years earlier), which is a spectacular, circular building structure with bronze sculptures.

The centre of Palermo is marked by the monumental crossroads, the Quattro Canti (four corners), which in the past divided Palermo into four parts. Each corner is decorated with a fountain and a statue of the four seasons a patroness one of the Spanish Kings. The Arabic influence is continued with the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, a Norman Church, which was substantially re-modelled by Arab craftsmen and is typified by its oriental red domes and luxuriant gardens with splendid palm trees, pomegranate roses and jasmine. The Palazzo dei Normanni (known also as the Royal Palace) is another unique and grand building originally built by the Arabs and completed by the Normans. It has got a stunning mosaic and fresco decoration and since the second World war has been the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

If shopping of any kind is on your list of holiday musts, then Palermo offers a wealth of possibilities. Antique shops in Corso Alberto Amedeo, designers boutiques, local produce shops or pottery shops in Via Nicolo Gallo and Via Daita. The most important streets for some serious clothes shopping are definitely Palermo Via Ruggero Settimo and Via Libertà, where you can find famous classic boutique brands such as Giorgio Armani and Valentino as well as Benetton and Sisley. You name it, Palermo has got it!Try the local markets too, and the most famous of all, Palermo's oldest and busiest market, La Vucciria, needs to be on your itinerary. If you want to buy local fresh fish, fruit and vegetable, then this is another good reason to visit this vibrant market place. All your senses will be aroused by exotic spices, freshly baked bread and smell of just made espresso. Try out the local snack ca'meausa with boiled spleen.

If you're feeling a little bit peckish restaurants in Palermo serve very good quality, mouthwatering and freshly cooked food. Don't be surprised if once you have eaten and you're ready to pay, the owner himself comes down and offers you a limoncello ( lemon liqueur) or an Amaro Siciliano, such as Averna, a traditional Sicilian after dinner digestive for free. This is part of the Sicilian mentality, they are friendly and hospitable.

Palermo is at its most charming in the evening light, and as evening turns to night Palermo can be wild as well as romantic with busy nightlife. The Piazza's come alive after dark with live music and entertainment, and bars full of people chattering while having a beer or eating an ice cream.

If you’re interested in Italian football, then remember that Palermo is a top team in Italy’s top division, Serie A. Playing at the atmospheric Renzo Barbera stadium, with a 40,000 capacity, and with the backdrop of Mount Pelligrino, why not consider buying a ticket to watch Palermo play?

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