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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Palermo: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Palermo
- The oldest part of Palermo is Via Vittorio Emanuele, which runs between the Norman palace and the cathedral, the city's two most popular tourist attractions.
- Under the Arabs, the city expanded to the harbour as the capital of the Emirs of Sicily from the 9th to 11th centuries, becoming a city with mosques and palaces comparable to those in Baghdad and Cordoba.
- In Palermo, you'll find places to visit that reflect all three periods of occupation.
- Palermo's harbour was enlarged, and its industry expanded after Sicily became an autonomous region in 1946, but it remains the poorest of Italy's provincial capitals.
- A visit to Palermo is not complete without a stop at the magnificent Monreal Cathedral complex, the royal pantheon built by Norman King William II in the 1100s. It still stands almost exactly as it did then.
- Monreal is only 10 kilometres outside of town and is easily accessible by bus.
- Capital: Palermo
- International Airport: Palermo Airport (PMO)
- Population: 850,000
- Currency: Euro
- Time: UTC/GMT +1
- Driving side: Right
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language: Sicilian
- Religion: Roman Catholicism
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Palermo
- The original Norman character of Palermo's cathedral's east exterior is preserved: three apses, cross-over round arches, and curved parapets.
- The mosaics in Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio's church, also known as La Martorana, date from the 12th century.
- The Antonino Salinas Regional Archeological Museum in Palermo houses an incredible collection of antiquities, including some world-famous finds.
- At Teatro Massimo, you can attend a performance or go behind the scenes.
- The church of San Cataldo, built next to the Martorana, stands out with its bright red dome rising above the decorative cornice.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Palermo
- Palermo is a lovely city in Sicily, located at the bottom of Italy, on the Mediterranean Sea.
- The weather in Palermo is influenced by the sea around the city, which the locals feel.
- Due to the pleasant weather, late spring and early autumn are the best times to visit Palermo.
- These are the most popular times to visit Palermo, and they are also the most expensive. Palermo has a Mediterranean climate, with Sirocco winds bringing a few degrees of warmth.
- Winters are mild, and snow is uncommon in the region; however, snowfall can be further south in the country.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Palermo
Cattedrale
- The original Norman character of Palermo's cathedral's east exterior is preserved: three apses, cross-over round arches, and curved parapets.
- The south side, which overlooks the square, is notable for the Gothic-Catalan entrance, which you'll enter through.
- One of its columns is from a mosque and bears an early Arabic inscription.
- God the Father on His Throne is carved into the triangular pediment, and above the doorway is a 13th-century mosaic of the Virgin Mary on a gold background.
- The bell tower was built in 1840 and dates from the 12th century.
- The Loggia dell'Incoronata, located to the left of the west front, was altered in the 15th century. It is where kings appear after their coronation. Palermo's cathedral's east facade retains its original Norman character, with three apses, cross-over round arches, and curved parapets.
- The 1453 Gothic-Catalan entrance, which you'll enter through on the south side, overlooks the square. One of its columns comes from a mosque and bears an early Arabic inscription.
Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace)
- The Arabs built a magnificent palace for their Emir in the 9th century, even more, magnificent under Norman rulers and Hohenstaufen Frederick II.
- It was neglected for a long time until the Spanish viceroy renovated and extended it to use as his home. The regional parliament of Sicily has been meeting here since 1947.
- The high Torre Pisana remains a prominent Norman structure on the northeast front. It is the fourth and final of the four original towers, with an interior square hall and an observatory built above it in 1791.
- You enter the Cortile Maqueda, a square courtyard surrounded by three stories of arcades with rounded arches built-in 1600. Steps lead to the Cappella Palatina on the first floor and the Appartamenti Reali (Royal Apartments) on the second.
- The Sala di Ercole, where the Sicilian Parliament meets today, is modelled after the Barons' Parliament of the Middle Ages.
- Mosaics depicting hunting and animal scenes cover the entire Sala di, Ruggiero. The Porta Nuova, a magnificent gateway built in 1535, is located to the palace's west.
Cappella Palatina
- The Normans consecrated this court church in 1140; the mosaics in the chancel were probably finished in 1143, and those in the nave a little later.
- The mosaic on the west wall depicting Christ between Peter and Paul was added around 1350.
- The overall harmony between the Latin basilica, the Byzantine dome and mosaic decoration, and the Arabic stalactite ceiling has not been lost despite the centuries of change.
- This triple-aisled basilica has a mystical semi-darkness, punctuated only by a gleam of gold.
- The central aisle's wooden ceiling is decorated with stalactites painted with small scenes in an Arabic style.
- The pulpits are carved with the Apostle's Mark and John symbols, and carved pillars with inlay work support the pulpit.
- The centrepiece of a tall paschal candelabra is a relief of Christ kneeling before King Roger II, the chapel's founder.
- However, the chapel's most famous feature is the mosaics that cover all internal walls.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Palermo Off the Beaten Track
La Kalsa
- The most extensive of the four districts that make up Palermo's old town is La Kalsa.
- It's close to the port, and its intoxicating mix of cultures and influences makes it one of Palermo's most picturesque and incredible places.
- This is the place to stay if you're interested in history, churches, medieval buildings, delicious food, and antique shops. La Kalsa is not only rich in history, but it is also one of the city's safest and most vibrant neighbourhoods.
- It was a little shady 20 years ago.
- However, recent renovations have filled it with the city's best bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.
- There are also large pedestrian areas where you can spend days walking around.
Mondello
- Modello is the best place to stay in Palermo if you're on a tight budget or want to be near the beach.
- This beachfront location provides relaxation and calms away from the city's frantic tourist areas.
- It's also less expensive than staying in the city centre, which can be inconvenient.
- If you want to stay in this area while still exploring the city's centre, you'll need to rent a car or become very accustomed to public transportation in Palermo.
- Mondello provides a unique experience compared to the city centre.
- The beach is breathtaking, with turquoise waters, fine sand, and refined and architecturally significant buildings.
- If you want a relaxing and quiet visit to Palermo, this is the best neighbourhood to stay in.
Borgo Vecchio
- Borgo Vecchio is a good choice if you're looking for the best places to stay in Palermo outside of the city centre.
- It is situated between the port and the high-end residential areas.
- This neighbourhood is the best place to stay in Palermo for nightlife because it is packed with cafes, bars, and restaurants catering to all travellers.
- Borgo Vecchio is also close enough to the city centre to be explored.
- In fact, rather than being a separate area, this area functions as an extension of the centre.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Palermo Culture and Traditions
- Children are significant in Sicilian culture, and naming a child is a feasting occasion.
- Children are traditionally named after their grandparents, with the father's side of the family being chosen first, followed by the mother's.
- Almost all Sicilian traditions revolve around or are linked to the church somehow. Sicily's culture is about superstitions and celebrations such as language, cuisine, and art.
- Most Sicilians are devout Roman Catholics with a strong sense of superstition.
- The majority of Sicilians believe that Friday the 13th is unlucky. On a Friday, Christ is thought to have been crucified.
- On Friday, October 13, 1307, the Pope issued a secret death warrant for the Knights Templar, who had protected pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land for 200 years in collaboration with King Louis XIV of France.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Palermo: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Bread Ca Meusa
#Food
- In Palermo, the pane ca meusa (spleen bread) is one of the most well-known street foods.
- The dish consists of a stuffed veal entrails sandwich served with a few slices of lemon to squeeze on top or a piece of caciocavallo cheese.
- The spleen of the beef is usually used, but the lung and trachea are occasionally added.
- The offal is cooked in lard before being served in a traditional Palermo circular sandwich with sesame seeds.
- A dish for those with solid palates that can be found in Palermo's best markets.
Stigghiole
#Food
- If you like giblets, you must try the stigghiole after trying the pana ca meusa.
- This dish is made of lamb gut skewers seasoned with parsley and cooked on the grill, and it comes from Palermo's poor tradition.
- This dish is readily available at festivals, village fairs, and city streets.
- What evidence do you have that the baracchino sells stigghiole? By the quantity of smoke emitted by the embers!
Arancina
#Food
- In Palermo, the arancino, the world-famous rice timbale, is referred to as "fimmina" (female): keep this in mind when ordering and refer to it as arancinA!
- Like so many others in Sicilian cuisine, this dish results from Arab dominance.
- The famous rice balls are meticulously prepared, and while there are many variations.
- The classic arancina recipe calls for saffron-flavoured rice seasoned with meat sauce and caciocavallo cheese.
Fashion
#Fashion
- The Forum Palermo is the largest shopping centre in Sicily's northwestern region. It consists of a single-story structure enclosing a series of circular courtyards.
- The feeling of a Mediterranean village is created by a series of interconnected buildings, each with its distinct style.
- The shopping centre has 134 stores and food and beverage options and is anchored by a sizeable Ipercoop hypermarket and a UCI multiplex cinema.
- The Forum Palermo is a popular shopping destination for residents of Palermo and Sicily.
- The Food Court area was expanded and completely renovated in 2021 to develop and improve range and quality of food and beverage offerings.
- The new space, approximately 1,400 square meters in size, will house five new restaurants and three kiosks and the existing restaurants.
Etna Avventura Serra La Nave
#Fun
- It features a series of tree-lined trails spaced at various heights from the ground and differentiated by increasing difficulty and physical exertion.
- The courses are composed of a series of platforms interspersed with Tibetan and Chinese bridges, vines, various types of walkways, and Tyrolean traverses, allowing anyone, young or old, to put their courage and skills to the test in complete safety.
- The specialized staff provides and makes users wear the individual safety devices: harness, helmet, lanyards, carabiners, and pulleys before going along the routes.
Monti Rossi Adventure Park
#Fun
- The Nicolosi Monti Rossi Adventure Park welcomes you with various new activities.
- Including adventure trails for all ages, educational workshops, balance games, nature trails, and guided tours to learn about the unique features of the extinct volcanic cone that houses us: the Monti Rossi!!
- Hovering between the treetops, balancing on a log, slipping silently hung from a pulley, or tackling the thrill of a trailing upside down safely and with respect for nature has never been so much fun.
Nebrodi Adventure Park
#Fun
- It is Messina's first Adventure Park.
- It is also a pleasant, enjoyable, and exciting way to discover nature's beauty and the stunning scenery of the Nebrodi mountain range.
- It was created for people of all ages who want to be in direct contact with a healthy environment while breathing clean air.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Palermo: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- The Capo Rama reserve, protected since 1968, is regarded as a "priceless natural habitat." It contains numerous historical artefacts, including a 15th-century watchtower that has become the reserve's symbol.
- Molara, Zubbio della Molara, and Pitrazzi, also known as Coniglio Morto, are all part of the 4020-hectare Molara Caves natural reserve, which includes three caves of great scientific and archaeological significance: Molara, Zubbio della Molara, and Pitrazzi, also known as Coniglio Morto.
- The Natural Reserve of Saint Calogero's Mount is a Mesozoic rocky mountain of siliceous layers and the so-called Numidian Flysch.
- The Pizzo Cane and Pizzo Trigna Natural Reserve is a limestone mountain range from the Mesozoic era that includes the Mazzamuto Cave (Grotta Mazzamuto).
- The Mount Genuardo and Saint Mary of the Woods Reserve, established in 1997, is a historical and natural wonderland. The magnificent Abbey of Saint Mary of the Woods and Adrenon, an ancient Phoenician colony and archaeological site, is well worth visiting.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Palermo Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- Musiz FestivalsYou may view a wide variety of artists at this festival, which is held in Palermo over the entire month of July.
- Forest Jump, Limetall, and more musicians from various genres will perform during this event.
- The central stage location may change depending on the timing of each event.
- This is a great chance to see a local band or singer you've never heard of and discover some new favourites!
- If you want to attend these local festival events, thoroughly examine the concert dates and make travel arrangements around them.
- When you choose this event, you won't feel obligated to attend every day of a protracted music festival because the central stage locations are so convenient.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Palermo Holiday
Places similar to Palermo to visit
Places similar to Palermo to visit
Places similar to Palermo to visit