PALERMO

Palermo is the capital of Sicily, an Italian island and Palermo City.  History, culture, architecture, and gastronomy are all important aspects of the region. Palermo is situated in the northwest of the island of Sicily, on the Tyrrhenian Sea’s Gulf of Palermo. Palermo’s urban area has an estimated population of 855,285, and its metropolitan area has a population of about 1.2 million inhabitants, according to Eurostat. The city has a population of about 676,000 people in the central district.

How to get to Palermo

By Plane

The quickest and safest way to get to Palermo is by plane. Falcone Borsellino (Punta Raisi) Airport is situated 35 kilometers from Palermo.

The airport is linked to the city by a shuttle train service that runs every half hour or so.

By Ferry

Palermo has a port with many links to the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean coasts if you want to arrive by ship.

By Bus

The coach is clearly the least favoured mode of transportation for long distances. Some people, however, still prefer this choice. Some companies provide service to and from Palermo from a variety of locations.

Transfers

You can use private transfers from Palermo airport to your hotel.  You can pre book a transfer to Palermo and any other city that is in your bucket list.

Where to stay in Palermo

The importance of selecting the best location in Palermo for your trip cannot be underestimated. The place you choose to stay has a great influence on whether your vacation to Palermo will be a memorable one or a “nightmare” Below  are our recommendations;

The Ibis Styles Palermo President

Ibis Styles Palermo provides free WiFi, a rooftop lounge, and air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV. It is located 50 meters from Palermo harbor. Rocco Forte Villa Igiea

Villa Igiea, a turn-of-the-century palazzo on the outskirts of vibrant Palermo, at the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo, offers tradition, beauty, and serenity and staying here feels like a privilege.

The Grand Hotel Wagner

The luxurious Grand Hotel Wagner conveys old-world elegance. This prestigious hotel is located in Palermo’s center, close to the Politeama Theater, the pedestrian district, and numerous high-end shops and restaurants.

 The Hotel Palazzo Sitano

This hotel is located in Palermo’s historical  center and iIts modern quarters, just 150 meters from Piazza Marina, feature flat-screen satellite TV.

Palazzo Sitano is 100 meters from the nearest bus stop, which provides service to all of Palermo’s major attractions as well as the Palermo Railway Station. It takes 15 minutes to walk to the harbor.

The Palazzo Natoli Boutique Hotel

This Boutique Hotel is 400 meters from Fontana Pretoria, 400 meters from Palermo Cathedral, and 3.7 miles from Ospedali Riuniti Palermo, and is situated  in the Albergaria district of Palermo.

The 55 Aira Hotel

55 Aira is located in Palermo, 0.8 mi from Fontana Pretoria, and provides a bar, shared lounge, and city views. The hotel  has a  24-hour front desk, restaurant,and in-room dining  service, and free WIFI. Rooms for family are also  available at this  hotel.

What to do in Palermo

 There are plenty of fun things to do in Palermo, and the city does feel a little rough around the edges in the way that one might expect in southern Italy, but you will find Palermo to be an extremely laid-back, comfortable location overall.

Here are some of the best things to do in Palermo if you want to fall in love with the city!

1.The Palermo Cathedral is a sight to behold.

This cathedral, which dates from the 12th century, is one of the city’s most prominent religious structures.It  is designed in a variety of architectural styles.

The cathedral is breathtaking from the outside. While you’re here, you can definitely climb up to the cathedral roofs to take in the stunning views of the capital.

2.Take a tour of the Normanni Palace.

The King of Sicily’s main seat was the Royal Palace, also known as the Palace of the Normans.Sicily has been at the crossroads of influence for many decades, and this palace reflects exactly that. The presence of the Normans and the Moors is undeniable, and the palace exudes an official and stately atmosphere.The Capella Palatina is a connecting structure with some stunning mosaics and artwork dating back centuries.

3.Go shopping at the markets.

Whether it’s picking up fruits and vegetables, haggling over seafood, or catching a steaming arancina to eat, it’s all part of the fun at Palermo markets. Palermo’s markets are unquestionably among the best things to see in Palermo, as food is such an integral part of the region’s culture.

 Below are some of the popular markets in Palermo;

 Ballaro

Ballaro is Palermo’s oldest “Food market”

Every foodie’s dream is to visit the Ballaro Market. It’s best to come early in the morning, as soon as the food stalls open and taste the specialities of the locals.

Vucciria

Vucciria is a market in Palermo with an old-fashioned design, an outdoor street market packed with fruit, meat, and local goods. A day at the market provides a rare opportunity to experience the locals’ daily lives. The best time to visit Vucciria is in the evening

Capo

Capo’s street market, which runs the length of Via Sant’Agostino, is a hive of activity during the day, with vendors selling vegetables,cheese,fish, meat, fruit, and other  goods of all kinds for the household.

4. Porta Nuova is a must-visit

The Porta Nuova is one of Palermo’s few remaining city gates, opening directly into Cassaro, the city’s major street. So easy to get there and it should be definitely on your bucket list when visiting Palermo

5. Try out Parasailing

Parasailing is one memorable experience to be treasured. Why not try parasailing if you’re looking for some fun and adrenaline? Palermo’s calm waters and Mediterranean location make it ideal for this sport.

6. Relax at Mondello Beach

Mondello Beach is a wonderful spot for unwinding and enjoying the cool Mediterranean waters.The beach is just 15 minutes to the north of Palermo.

7. Go for walk tours

Walking tours are a great way to get your orientation in a new city–add in some tasty Sicilian street food, and you’ve got yourself a winning combination.

8.Visit  the Antico Caffe Spinnato for espresso

Order a drink and a snack, sit at a small outdoor table, and enjoy the breath-taking views.

Things to see in Palermo

Quattro Canti

This ornate baroque piazza marks the town’s center and is where the two main streets (Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele) and four districts converge. Partially pedestrianized, street performers and horse-drawn carriages can be seen at all hours of the day. Remember to look up! Each facade represents a unique neighborhood, monarch, patron saint, and season.

 La Martorana

La Martorana  church is next to the famous Pretoria Fountain and the Quattro Canti square in Piazza Bellini. Due to many years of conquest, La Martorana features  a mix of architectural styles  and is part of the UNESCO heritage cluster.

Massimo Vittorio Emanuele Teatro

This is another interesting point to explore in Palermo.If you’re in Quattro Canti. The Via Maqueda can take you directly to the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele.An  opera house and company that is located on Piazza Verdi.The theatre continues to host world-class operas and one you will definitely enjoy.

 Monte Pellegrino

Mount Pellegrino is a hill in Palermo, Sicily, situated north of the capital, looking east on the bay. It stands at 606 meters above sea level and has breath-taking  views of the city, surrounding the Tyrrhenian Sea and mountains.

Fontana Pretoria

Palermo’s Praetorian Fountain is a massive fountain. It is the most prominent landmark of Piazza Pretoria and is situated in the heart of the historic center.

Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo.

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo are without a doubt the creepiest and strangest catacombs we’ve ever seen–and that includes the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, which previously held the title.

No pictures are allowed inside, but I can’t get over how creepy this place is–I suppose it has something to do with the fact that these people are preserved as themselves, as opposed to places like the catacombs of Paris, where the bones are more or less repurposed into artwork using human remains, which adds an extra layer of disturbing to it all.

The catacombs’ walls are lined with dressed bodies with complete skeletons looking down at tourists with disturbingly conscious facial features. The catacombs are divided into parts, with passageways for men, women, infants, priests, and even virgins.

Palermo Archaeological Museum

The Palermo Archaeological Museum, which is near to the Teatro Massimo, is a great place to visit for history lovers.

The Palermo Stone, which contains a list of Egyptian laws, the Satyr marble statue, lion statues from the ancient site of Selinunte, and a collection of decorated Greek ceramics are among the highlights.