Palermo is a completely good metropolis to discover in Sicily. It’s a type of cities that’s properly price visiting in its personal proper or as a part of a wider cease to see all the attractive locations in Sicily. That being mentioned, there are heaps of one of the best issues to do in Palermo in its personal proper.
We liked our time within the northern Sicilian metropolis of Palermo and it feels fairly a bit totally different from different cities in Sicily like Catania. We stayed three nights on our final go to to Palermo and it was completely epic.
So, that can assist you get probably the most out of your time in Palermo, I’ve popped some whole gems that you just don’t wish to miss whenever you go to. Have one of the best time in Italy.
1.) Palatine Chapel
One of the issues that make Palatine Chapel so particular is that it types a part of the royal palace and dates again nearly 1,000 years. It’s gorgeous and the Muqarnas ceilings are simply one thing else. It’s so spectacular and influenced by Fatimid artwork that you just generally see it in Islamic structure and rooms.
Now, the admission worth is a bit more than different related sights in Palermo, so preserve that in thoughts. Though, I’d at all times say to go, because it’s so beautiful to see.
Afterwards, guide this scrumptious road meals tour in Palermo that takes place within the early night. It’s an effective way to seek out native eateries and check out native produce that generally will get missed. We liked the tour and the native information is so good.
Just make sure you guide this meals tour upfront as locations do fill quick.
Read extra: Best locations to see in Sicily
2.) Quattro Canti (Piazza Vigliena)
Okay, so Quattro Canti is a typical piazza space in Palermo to go to. It’s proper within the coronary heart of the historic centre and properly price passing by means of as you ramble the bustling streets of the town.
History-wise, Quattro Canti dates all the way in which again to 1608. Sculptures of collectible figurines are arrange across the courtyard. And admire the work by Pietro Novello.
Whilst right here, make sure you take a gander contained in the Church of San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini. It’s completely attractive and an excellent option to see a few of that Baroque structure that’s so fashionable in Sicily.
Oh, and don’t overlook that you just’ve obtained the attractive Fontana Pretoria that’s a number of steps away. This means it’s completely simple to go to each on the similar time. You will like it.
Getting peckish? Get your self over to Osteria Ballarò for dinner that’s simply off the market space. It’s completely beautiful and the pasta is among the finest within the metropolis. Just attempt to guide a desk upfront, particularly on weekends – this place can refill quick.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Catania
3.) Teatro Massimo
The Massimo Theatre is well among the best issues to do in Palermo if you wish to see a world-class opera efficiency. If you don’t catch a present, the theatre itself is attractive and even price reserving this epic tour to see its grandeur.
The tour itself takes round half-hour and is properly price becoming a member of in case you love historic buildings.
Before heading for the efficiency, seize a desk at Trattoria Del Massimo. It’s an informal however genuine Sicilian gem that actually is aware of its pasta dishes. Plus, their pizza was scrumptious and completely recent.
4.) Chruch of San Giovanni degli Eremiti
Nestled throughout the historic space of Albergaria, San Giovanni degli Eremiti is properly price seeing while in Palermo.
Dating all the way in which again to the twelfth century, it’s a very easy place to go to whenever you’re already heading to the Norman Palace that’s a brief stroll away.
Once inside, make certain to maintain your eyes peeled for the pink domes and all of the Arabesque influences throughout the church itself.
Finally, if you wish to take a look at extra of the attractive chapels and church buildings in Palermo, make certain to see the church of St. Mary of the Admiral (Martorana).
Hankering for a gelato? Get your self over to Dolce Capo.
Now, it doesn’t seem like something important from the skin, however this place is aware of good gelato. We went again right here time and time once more. Try the hazelnut flavour, it’s divine.
5.) Palazzo Abatellis
Afterwards, head to Palazzo Abatellis within the historic space of the town.
Visiting is among the finest issues to do in Palermo in case you’re focused on artwork historical past. Inside, you’ll get to see the Virgin Annunciate, which was created by Antonello da Messina. It’s world-renowned and one of the well-known work in all of Sicily. Plus, you’ll get to see Moses by Pietro Novelli.
Now, a go to will doubtless take round an hour and the right stopping level in case you’re heading to the Botanic Gardens of Palermo (which is gorgeous to see, too).
6.) Monte Pellegrino
Now, it’s doubtless you’ll have seen Monte Pellegrino a number of instances while you’re visiting Palermo. In truth, it’s arduous to overlook!
The views from listed below are spectacular and it’s an important place for a stroll overlooking the northern Sicilian shoreline.
To make issues simpler, guide this Monte Pellegrino tour that’ll take you to all of the viewpoints and see the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia that’s embedded throughout the rock itself.
It’s so price it and makes the entire journey tremendous simple.
Read extra: Best issues to do in Catania
7.) Ustica Island
Fancy a number of days away (or an extended day journey) from the bustling streets of Palermo? Then get your self over to Istica Island. Around 50km from the shores of Sicily, it’s among the best issues to do in Palermo in case you’re fancying a quieter expertise away from the crowds.
Now, to get right here you will have to board a ferry, with Siremar or Liberty Lines, over to the island and chill within the pure great thing about this gorgeous spot.
The island itself is ideal for mountain climbing and it’s nice if you wish to see among the wild and pure great thing about Italy. It’s a Mediterranean gem.
Just bear in mind, you’re not going to get the identical opening instances and or choices for eating places or bars on the island. Keep this in thoughts as choices might be extra restricted, particularly in case you eat later within the night.
Read extra: Best locations to see in Sicily
8.) Mondello Beach
Sicilian seashores hit in another way! We have such a smooth spot for them, particularly when there are some pristine waters to go together with it. Modello Beach is strictly that.
Honestly, it’s among the best issues to do in Palermo in case you’re fancying a seashore day. Modello Beach is round 4 kilometres from the historic centre of Palermo and fairly attractive for a day journey.
If all that sea air has made you hungry, guide a dinner at Le Antiche Mura. Yes, it’s just a little away from the beachside itself however the seafood is price it. They have recent catches of the day and it’s so yummy.
If you’re much less of a seashore bum and like the open waters, guide this classic yacht tour across the Sicilian shoreline from Palermo. It’s a five-hour tour and completely tranquil because it takes in Mondello Beach, too.
Read extra: Best locations to see in Sicily
9.) Fontana Pretoria
To be sincere, the entire space round Fontana Pretoria goes to be one thing the place you’ll wish to stroll for a very good few hours.
Home to one of the unimaginable fountains and marble statues, it’s in all probability one of many cities most iconic spots.
Plus, proper subsequent door you’ve the likes of; Palazzo Pretorio (the city corridor), the Church of San Cataldo and the Church of St. Nicholas.
To make issues simpler, guide this guided strolling tour of Palermo. Not solely will you get to see the primary sight of the town, however you’ll additionally get to style so many native bites, too. We liked it.
10.) Ballaro and Capo Markets
Okay, so Ballaro Market is a hive of exercise at one of the best of instances. It’s busy, loud and completely superb to go for a stroll. In truth, I’d go so far as saying it’s among the best issues to do in Palermo when eager to expertise the town to its fullest.
Filled with recent stalls, native produce and trinkets to take dwelling, we completely liked strolling the stalls which might be proper subsequent to the historic centre.
Alternatively, in case you’re close to Carini Gate, make certain to cease by del Capo Market that’s big and has heaps of stalls. I believe we had among the finest strawberries we’ve ever tasted from right here.
Just bear in mind, this space will get actually busy across the weekends. If you wish to keep away from the crowds, go to early within the morning.
11.) Norman Palace
Sometimes known as the Royal Palace, make certain to spend a while exploring the complicated of the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni). We spent a very good few hours right here and liked each second. It’s simply among the best issues to do in Palermo and completely price seeing in case you love Italian historical past.
After all, it was the seat of the King of Sicily and the palace itself dates again properly over eight hundred years.
Just make sure you guide these Norman Palace tickets upfront. With these tickets, you’ll get to skip the road and get proper contained in the Royal Palatine Chapel, too.
Afterwards, take a wander across the Old Cloister of Saint John in Palermo (Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti) and the church of the Gesu that’s throughout the historic space of Palermo.
They’re each so spectacular.
12.) Monreale Cathedral
If you’re venturing just a little away from the historic centre of Palermo, make certain to go to Monreale Cathedral and Abbey. It’s so gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Site has probably the most superb cloister and exquisite Mosaics within the apse.
To make issues simpler, guide this half-day tour round Monreale and to Cefalu, too. It’s among the best issues to do in Palermo, particularly if you wish to discover the broader space of Northern Sicily.
Alternatively, guide this unimaginable tour of Monreale the Capuchin Catacombs are completely surreal to see. Once right here, you’ll get to see tons of of mummies and preserved members of excessive society throughout the crypts themselves.
Yes, it will possibly appear just a little macabre but it surely’s a part of Palermo’s historical past and one spot price studying extra about.
13.) Piazza San Domenico
As you stroll across the historic centre of Palermo, make certain to go to Piazza San Domenico. It’s among the best issues to do in Palmero in case you’re wanting to go to among the smaller alleys and streets of the previous centre.
Once right here, make sure you take a look at the Colonna dell’Immacolata (that’s proper within the centre). Of course, you’re going to squeeze in another church – the Church of Saint Domenico.
Getting peckish? Pop in for a chunk to eat at Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo that’s been round Palermo for ages; and with good cause. Their grilled calamari is scrumptious.
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