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10

Palermo Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Italy

A trip to Palermo
The island of Sicily is also known as the ‘ball’ that the Italian ‘boot’ is kicking. The people here are hospitable and the rugged landscape reflects its denizens, who have carved a living from the arid climate by growing many types of vegetables and making some of the best olive oil in the world. The biggest tourist draw in Sicily is its capital city of Palermo, situated in a beautiful bay at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. The city has a proud architectural heritage, and simply ambling around the town is never dull.

Flights to Palermo

Palermo International Airport is located in Punta Raisi, about 18 miles west of central Palermo. Flights arrive here multiple times daily from cities all across Europe. Transportation from the airport into the city is reasonably priced, with shuttle buses leaving every 30 minutes. Trains also leaving twice an hour but cost a bit more than the bus.

Palermo is on the north coast of the island, and there are frequent ferries between the Sicilian shore and the Italian cities of Genoa, Naples and the Sardinian city of Cagliari. Ferries are also used to connect with the train line from Rome. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Palermo try Thomas Cook.

Palermo

Sightseeing in Palermo

Italy is a Catholic country, and Palermo’s most impressive monuments are understandably churches and cathedrals. Some of these religious edifices rival more well-known buildings in Florence or Rome. The city centre is negotiable on foot, with many of the sights within walking distance of each other. The big three of Palermo are the Royal Palace, Capella Paletina Chapel and Palermo Cathedral.

The façades of these stunning buildings aren’t the only noteworthy art in Palermo however; there are three main museums that contain interesting and beautiful artefacts. After you get your fill of art, archaeology or ethnography, head for the nearby beach.

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Like any capital, Palermo sports all the dining, drinking and boozing options you’d expect. There are a huge variety of restaurants serving both Italian and international cuisine, and enough bars to ensure every social sect has somewhere convivial to hang their hats at.

The food in Sicily is similar to the rest of southern Italy, with lots of simple dishes made exquisite through attention to freshness. The local wine is more than worthy to wash the delicious food down with. This is also one town where you should not hesitation to order a sandwich from a café, as many of the eateries bake the bread as and when you order.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Just as Palermo has many nightlife facilities, it also has plenty of places to shop. The urban Italians are a typically stylish lot, and with Italian designer shops, the right pair of eyes and the right credit limit, you should be able to kit yourself out suave enough to fit right in.

Once you’re confident in your new threads, there are many places of interest within reach of Palermo, such as Montreale Cathedral, a medieval Norman structure that is easily reached on daytrip from the city. The smaller islands around Sicily are also worth a look if you’re into isolated beaches and grottoes.

Daytrips
Palermo is perfectly situated for making several pleasant daytrips. Easily accessed by train or car is the charming seaside town of Cefalu, with its lovely beach, lively fishing port and Byzantine cathedral. Visitors can wander through the winding Arabic streets and sample some delicious local seafood.

The charming city of Segesta features a perfectly preserved Greek temple which sits amid beautiful countryside where you can enjoy panoramic views. The nearby Erice is famed as being the ancient home of Aphrodite, and there visitors can indulge in pleasant walks and tasty local cuisine.

Just a short distance out of the city lays Monreale, with its vast cathedral featuring Byzantine mosaics, graceful arches and peaceful surrounds. The Monreale Duomo sits on a hill and offers spectacular views of the city, while the interior is a mass of dazzling mosaics telling stories from the Old and New Testaments.

Must-see attractions
Once you have seen the main three sites then head to another of Palermo’s must-see attractions, the 15th century Palazzo Abatellis. Full of rich decoration, today it is home to the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia, which contains works of art dating from medieval to modern times.

The remains of a temple dating back to 409 BC at Himera are well worth a look for those interested in archaeology. All that remains are some lower foundations and parts of a staircase, while the magnificent water fountains can be seen on display in Palermo’s Archaeological Museum.

The wide, open Quattro Canti is a great place from which to begin a walking tour of the city. Designed in the early 17th century by architect Guilio Lasso, the square is home to the interesting buildings of Via Nuova and the Norman palace.

Just down the road is the former monastery of San Giovanni degli Eremeti, which can be recognised by its red domes. Previously home to a Benedictine monastery and an Arabic mosque, the site still contains a Christian church.

Best time to go
Palermo’s temperature rarely falls below 10°C, with the summer months being hot and dry. The city can be visited at any time of year, but between May and June the weather is at its most pleasant. From June to September, the city is alive with traveling theatre performances, musicians and a host of other vibrant events. This is a great time to come and join in the festivities with the locals.

Rainy day suggestions
The Regional Archaeological Museum contains a huge collection of artefacts relating to the entire region of Sicily and is a must-see for those interested in the subject. The fascinating International Marionettes Museum is home to a substantial collection of puppets from all over the world, while the Sicilian Regional Gallery houses a wonderful collection of Sicilian paintings dating back to between the 11th and 17th centuries. The Museum of Islam is also worth a look.

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