What to see in Palermo: 20 best attractions and practical tips about the city

Palermo is a city full of contradictions and contrasts: baroque triumph behind popular neighborhoods, the bedlam of the markets and Byzantine gold, the chaos of Saturday night at the Vucciria and the quiet of Sunday morning, and again, the pani ca meusa and the prawns raw. If you are ready to immerse yourself in this riot of contradictions , here are the unmissable attractions to see in Palermo .
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1 – Teatro Politeama
Let’s start with a theater: the Politeama. Inaugurated in 1874, when it was still incomplete, it was started by Giuseppe Damiami Almeyda to be the “People’s Theater”. Its characteristic horseshoe-shaped hall had a capacity of 5,000 spectators, a double row of boxes and a gallery divided into two orders. The most evocative part of the whole Politeama, however, is certainly the outside. Seeing it, it might be somewhat reminiscent of the Pantheon, with its circular shape. Overcoming the arch of its monumental entrance you can also see a bronze quadriga with the god Apollo .
Think that initially the theater was actually outdoors , without the roof, a bit like the Verona Arena to be clear.

Today it is the seat of the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra , and also hosts beautiful concerts by both classical and modern international artists.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Piazza Ruggero Settimo 15. From the Central Station take the bus (104, 101 or 108) to “Politeama” – Get directions
• Hours: From Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
• Ticket cost: Full € 5.00. Reduced € 3.00

2 – Antonio Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum

It is one of the most important museums in Palermo and in all of Sicily . Located inside the old College of the Fathers of the Congregation of San Filippo Neri, it houses a vast collection of finds that strictly concern the history of Sicily, from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. You will be able to see artifacts dating back to the period in which the Phoenicians had control of Palermo and the surrounding area, others of Greek or Roman manufacture. However, there are also testimonies of other cultures, as evidenced by the Egyptian and Etruscan finds.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Via Bara dell ‘Olivella 24. From the Central Station take bus 101 to the “Poste” stop – Get directions
• Hours: Tue – Sat: 9 am-6pm. Sunday 9: 00-13: 30
• Ticket cost: Full € 4.00. Reduced € 2.00

3 – Teatro Massimo
One of the main theaters in Palermo. The importance of this theater, however, is not only recognized at the city level, but also nationally and internationally: the Teatro Massimo is in fact also the largest opera house in Italy and one of the most important in Europe . To be more precise, only the Paris Opera and the Vienna State Opera preceded it.
Built in the second half of the 1800s, it is full of precious decorations, gold lacquered workings, mirrors and anything you can think of if you think of pomp. To amaze this theater, in addition to the outside reminiscent of a Greek temple (and built in the neoclassical style) and also the acoustics that are nothing short of perfect inside.

The sculptures on the sides of the, with two lions supporting the allegories of tragedy and opera.
The inscription on the pediment, the motto of the theater, reads: “Art renews peoples and reveals their life. Delight in the scene where you do not aim to prepare the future”. The author is anonymous and unknown.

The cafe inside is also very nice , open to the public for elegant aperitifs in the center.
In the evening the theater lights up and the square in front is enriched with street artists.

Hotel and b & b in the surroundings : B&B Teatro, via Bara all’Olivella 51, Tel 3333225289/3339110239 (see details)
Practical info: directions, times and prices

• How to get there: Piazza Verdi. From Central Station take bus 101 for 6 stops. Then proceed on foot on via Bara all’Olivella for about 500 meters – Get directions
• Hours: Mon-Fri: 9: 30-18: 00
• Ticket price: Full: € 8.00. Reduced: € 6.00

Watch out for the nun’s step : to build the theater, two churches were demolished, and legend has it that a nun from the demolished convent still wanders around the halls of the theater. There are those who swear they saw a shadow in the windows. According to the legend, moreover, those who do not believe in history, upon entering the theater, stumble upon a specific step of the entrance, called the “step of the nun”.

4 – Complex of Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti and Piazza Bellini
At the crossroads of Piazza Vigliena, known as “Quattro Canti”, there is an extraordinary concentration of churches and historical monuments. It starts from Piazza Vigliena itself, the “Quattro Canti” precisely: this intersection is marked, in the 4 corners, by 3 orders of Baroque statuesrepresenting, from bottom to top, the 4 seasons of the year, the 3 Spanish viceroys + Charles V and, finally, the 4 patron saints of Palermo before the advent of Santa Rosalia.
Continue with Piazza Pretoria , known as “Piazza della Vergogna” due to the fountain adorned with nude statues right in front of the monastery of the cloistered nuns of Santa Caterina .
In the adjacent Piazza Bellini stand out the church of San Cataldo , a typical example of Arab Norman architecture, with the square shape and the red dome at the top, and the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio , known as “La Martorana”. Very small and full of Byzantine mosaics,fruit martorana , the work of the Benedictine nuns of the nearby convent founded by the noblewoman Eloisa Martorana.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Crossroads between via Vittorio Emanuele and via Maqueda. From Central Station take bus 101 for 4 stops – Get directions
• Hours: always accessible
• Ticket cost: free

5 – Cathedral

The Cathedral of Palermo is certainly one of the most evocative places in the city . Its mammoth structure and a set of different styles and architectures that testify to the history of this building. Built around 1185 and dedicated to the Holy Virgin Mary of the Assumption, since 2015 it has been part of the Unesco heritage for the Arab-Norman itinerary of Palermo , which also includes Cefalu and Monreale.
The archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio wanted it to be built and decided to have it built on an existing Muslim cult building. The structure of the church was then modified over the centuries, with renovations and additions, such as those of the fourteenth century which saw the elevation of the four bell towers. Between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the southern and northern porticoes were built.
The structure of the Cathedral is a Latin cross, with 3 naves divided by pillars with statues of saints that were part of the decorations of the Gagini tribune. Inside you will find the imperial and royal tombs of Henry VI, Frederick II, the Empress Constance and Roger. Also in the cathedral there is also the Treasury room, where you can admire sacred vestments from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century and the gold tiara of Constance of Aragon.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: via Vittorio Emanuele. From the central station Take bus 101 for 4 stops, get off at Via Vittorio Emanuele and proceed on foot for about 800 meters – Get directions
• Hours: Mon-Sat: 9: 00-17: 30. Sunday: from 9:00 to 13:00
• Ticket price: free, € 2.00 to climb the roofs

Look for the details and climb the rooftops in the evening : the Cathedral of Palermo is full of details and curiosities. You think that on the first column to the left of the main arcade, there is still a sura from the Koran dating back to the Arab period, when it was still a mosque. In addition, in the evening we organize visits to the roofs of the Cathedral, a wonderful tour of the most hidden corners and with an amazing view!

6 – Castello della Zisa
To visit the Castello della Zisa you will have to move a little from the historic center, but the game is worth the candle. This splendid palace was built in 1165 as a summer residence for the royal family. What surprises is undoubtedly the exterior of the building, characterized by a large park with pools that run along its entire length, gardens and pergolas.
The interior, on the other hand, today remains bare of that beauty that had characterized it over the centuries. However, the Arab architecture remains inside the rooms, with an impressive symmetrical and stereometric study to ensure the desired ventilation, coolness and humidity in the various rooms. Very beautiful is the Sala della Fontana, the columns and the frescoes on the ground floor, which seem to hide a legend. It’s up to you to discover it.
Since 1991 the Zisa has housed the Museum of Islamic Art.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: From piazza Castelnuovo (in front of the Politeama) take bus n. 124, 108 0 106 for 8 stops – Get directions
• Hours: Mon-Sat: 9:00 am – 6:30 pm. Sundays and holidays 9: 00-13: 30
• Ticket cost: Full € 6.00. Reduced € 3.00

Find and count the Devils of the Zisa : in the entrance arch that separates the vestibule from the Sala della Fontana there is a representation of Olympic divinities (Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, …). It seems that in reality it is not a question of divinity, but of devils! According to the legend, the devils guard a treasure: it seems that only those who manage to count them correctly twice will find the treasure, because every time you try it, the accounts do not add up due to their shuffling!

7 – Catacombs of the Capuchins
Photo of Gmihail.
Photo by Habanero666. A slightly macabre but decidedly particular place: “The place where the living meet the dead”, as we read on the site dedicated to the cemetery of the Convent of the Capuchin Friars in Palermo. And this is not a trivial way of saying: the sentence fully clarifies the reason why the friars began to mummify the corpses, that is, to give relatives the opportunity to continue meeting their loved ones, just as if the latter were alive. Hence the idea of ​​improving natural mummification processes and extending this practice to the Palermo bourgeoisie. For this reason, from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century, thousands of people, mostly notables, decided to entrust the bodies of their deceased to the Capuchins in exchange for rich donations. This practice ended in the early 1900s, with the significant exception of Rosalia Lombardo , a two-year-old girl mummified (but artificially) at the behest of her father and still housed in her catacombs.

The complex is divided into “corridors” : the corridor of the Capuchin Friars, the oldest and most central nucleus; the corridor of prelates; the corridor of women, dressed in embroidered dresses, while virgin women are in the Chapel of the Crucifix; the corridor of men; children’s chapel and family corridor, where entire families were brought together; the corridor of professionals, with the mummified bodies of doctors, painters, lawyers, officers and soldiers, including that of the painter Velasquez.

Be careful not to take pictures, especially with the flash !
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Piazza Cappuccini 1. From the station, almost 3 km on foot via Via Serradifalco – Get directions
• Hours: open every day of the year (including holidays) from 9.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00. Closed on Sunday afternoon
• Ticket cost: € 3.00

The little girl who seems to be sleeping : the undisputed protagonist is little Rosalia Lombardo, placed in a glass urn. Her face is perfectly intact, plump, fresh. It seems that conventional methods of embalming were not used for little Rosalia: according to some, her body was treated with chemicals, but the truth is she died with the doctor Solafia who takes care of its conservation.

8 – Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina
The Palazzo dei Normanni, otherwise known as the Royal Palace, was a decidedly sumptuous palace, rich in frescoes and mosaics. To stand out among the various “apartments” is without doubt the Palatine Chapel , originally the church of the royal family.Fully decorated with Byzantine mosaics and wooden stalactites, it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in all of Sicily .
The Palace, however, was not only the residence of the royal family, but also the residence of the Spanish Viceroys, who chose it as their “home” during the sixteenth century. In that period the Norman towers were demolished (except the Pisan tower) and two internal courtyards were added as well as other reception rooms. Among these stands the Sala d’Ercole, which takes its name from some frescoes portraying the 12 labors of Hercules, made by Velasquez. Today a part of the palace is also the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly .

SEE ALSO : Visit Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo: timetables, prices and advice
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Piazza Indipendenza 1. From Central Station take bus 109 to Indipendenza – Get directions
• Hours: Mon-Sat: 8: 15-17: 40. Sundays and holidays from 8:15 to 13:00
• Ticket price: full € 14.50, reduced € 12.50

Heaven … of the Koran ! Yes, the ceiling of the Palatine Chapel, a Catholic Christian church, has 750 paintings representing the Koranic paradise! Dancers, peacocks, monsters, scenes from the life of the Islamic court, symbolisms of the pleasures of the senses and the spirit. An incredible demonstration of religious and cultural integration.

9 – Mercato Storico del Ballaro
Photo by freshcreator.

The oldest market in Palermo, of Arab origin as well as that of the Cape and the most famous of the Vucciria, and a real riot of colors, flavors, smells, sounds. A crazy synaesthetic contagion that extends throughout a neighborhood, with stalls and shops (Putie) that showcase all the merchandise: fruit and vegetables, meat, fresh fish still alive. And still a lot of street food , ranging from sandwiches with panelle to “Pollanche”, boiled corn on the cob, boiled potatoes, octopus, prickly pears and so on and so forth. An experience not to be missed.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: From the Central Station, take corso Tukory and access the market from Via Dalmazio Birago (don’t worry, you will find out) – Get directions
• Hours: always accessible (preferably in the morning, and more in turmoil)
• Ticket cost: free

Visit the market also in the evening and discover the street art : if during the day you go to the market to shop, in the evening it has become a nerve center of the Palermo nightlife, with many pubs, clubs and stalls that enliven the nights. Also recently, in the redevelopment of the area, many artists from Palermo have decorated the walls of the neighborhood with beautiful murals, especially in the square called Ecce Homo.

10 – Church of the Gesu or Casa Professa
Photo by Andrea Schaffer. It is probably the most important Baroque church in Palermo . In the Albergheria district, on the edge of the Ballaro market, there is an impressive triumph of Baroque. From the outside you would not think, but the interiors are an uninterrupted succession of decorations, with opulent stuccos, frescoes, marble ornaments, mixed marbles and tramischi, all made by the greatest exponents of art and sculpture of the seventeenth century: Serpotta, Marabitti, Vitagliano , Pietro Novelli, Paolo Amato, Camillians.

In 1892 the church of the Gesu was declared a National Monument .
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: piazza Casa Professa 21, bus n ° 104 or Green Line – Get directions
• Hours: From Monday to Saturday from 9:30 to 15:30. In August from 9:30 to 18:30
• Ticket cost: € 2.00

11 – Church of the Martorana
Photo by User: Matthias SuBen. Built in 1143 by Admiral Giorgio d’Antiochia, faithful servant of the Norman king Roger II, the Martorana church is one of the most fascinating Byzantine churches in Italy . For some, even the most beautiful of all due to the contrast between the Arab-Norman style, which is why it is included in the heritage protected by Unesco , and the subsequent Baroque additions of the ‘600. In 1433 Alfonso of Aragon ceded the church to the nearby Benedictine monastery founded by the noblewoman Eloisa Martorana (hence the name of the church). The church is part of the assets of the Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi and despite being subject to the Holy Seefollows the Orthodox liturgical calendar. The mosaic decorations inside are the building’s strong point. Above all, the “Christ Pantocrator” on the top of the dome.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Piazza Bellini 3. From the Central Station take bus 102 to the “Roma-Lattarini” stop – Get directions
• Hours: Mon-Sat 8:00 – 13:00 and 15:30 – 19:00. Sundays and holidays 8:30 am – 9:45 am and 11:45 am – 1:00 pm
• Ticket cost: Full € 2.00. Reduced € 1.00

The origin of the “martorana fruit” : around 1500 the emperor Charles V arrived in Palermo after the victory of Tunis. The church’s orange garden was bare as it was September. So the nuns made some almond paste fruits, and decorated the orchard which took on an almost fairytale aspect! Thus were born the “fruits of martorana”.

12 – Piazza Marina, Palazzo Steri and Giardino Garibaldi
Photo by Dedda71. At the end of the Cassaro, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, towards the sea, is one of the most beautiful squares in Palermo . Here in Piazza Marina in fact there is the imposing Garibaldi Garden, with specimens of Ficus Magnolioides as large as a football field that cover the whole square with their branches.On Sundays in the square there is a beautiful antiques market , with precious pieces and items for collectors, such as vinyls, panini sticker albums, etc.
All around, a sequence of historic buildings , such as Palazzo Mirto, Palazzo Abatellis (seat of the Sicilian Regional Gallery and which houses Antonello da Messina’s masterpiece, the Annunziata ), Palazzo Galletti di San Cataldo.
Among these, the Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri, seat of the rectorate of the University, stands out. The palace houses at least 3 areas of amazing value: The Museum of the Spanish Inquisition, with the prisons where those accused of heresy were held. Here you can still see the writings on the walls of the condemned, made with blood, urine and tuff scratched off the walls (in some cases, there are real masterpieces); the original painting of the Vuccira by Renato Guttuso); a fourteenth-century room with a wooden ceiling unique in the world , frescoed with stories from the Old and New Testament, tales of chivalry, the Trojan War, Tristan and Isolde, the Judgment of Solomon, etc.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Piazza Marina. From Central Station take bus 101 to the “Roma Lattarini” stop. Walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele for about 500 meters – Get directions
• Hours: The square is always accessible. Palazzo Steri Tue-Sat 09: 00-13: 00 and 14: 30-18: 30. Sunday 10: 00-14: 00
• Ticket price: Full € 5.00, reduced € 3.00. The ticket includes accompaniment with a guide

Discover the secrets of Vucciria : Guttuso’s canvas hides many curiosities. Did you know, for example, that among the women portrayed there are both the wife and … the lover of Guttuso
And that there is also Guttuso himself …

13 – La Kalsa
Photo by trolvag.
Photo by Alessandrobottone. Visiting the Kalsa (from the Arabic al-Khalisa) means immersing yourself in what for centuries has been the privileged place of politics, finance and culture in Palermo. There is so much to see in this area.

Palazzo Mirto, Palazzo Abatellis and the Oratorio dei Bianchi are the places where the glorious past of Kalsa and Palermo is jealously guarded.
Palazzo Mirto was for four centuries the home of the oldest Norman family in Sicily, the Filangieri Conti di San Marco, later Princes of Mirto.

Palazzo Abatellis is a museum space with numerous medieval, modern and archaeological collections accumulated during the 19th century thanks to private bequests and the suppression of religious corporations. In particular, here are the masterpieces of the Annunziata by Antonello da Messina, and the Triumph of Death , by an unknown artist, but of such stature as to inspire Picasso for his “Guernica”.
Finally, the Oratory of the Whites and seat of the Noble, Primary and Royal Company of the Holy Crucifix. Here, among other things, it is possible to admire the wooden door “Bab el Fotik”, renamed “Porta della Vittoria” by the Normans who put an end to the long Arab domination in the city.

Finally, here is also Piazza Magione , a sort of esplanade with a green lawn and all ruined buildings around it. These are the remains of the bombings of the Second World War. In the evening, Piazza Magione is a meeting place for young people from Palermo. In the square there is also the splendid Church of the Magione .
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: From Central Station take bus 103 to the “Vittorio Emanuele – S. Maria Della Catena” stop – Get directions
• Hours: from Tuesday to Saturday 9.00-18.00. The Oratorio dei Bianchi is also open on Sundays from 9.00 to 13.00. All closed on Monday
• Ticket cost: € 10.00 for a combined ticket valid for 3 days. Reduced € 5.00

Street art and street food at Kalsa : this area is also known for being the birthplace of Falcone and Borsellino. All around Piazza Magione and on the edge of the neighborhood, towards the Cala, there are murals both in their honor and of various kinds. The most beautiful is the one in Via Mura della Lupa, near the Cala. Also, in Kalsa square you can find Chiluzzu, one of the best street food in the city!

14 – Chiesa dello Spasimo
Photo by Cristiano Drago.
Photo by Rino Porrovecchio.
Photo by Rino Porrovecchio. Located in the Kalsa district, roughly behind the Botanical Garden, the Church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo is a real experience. Unlike the very rich Baroque and Arab-Norman churches of Palermo, this oneit has a single nave in bare stone and … in the open air . The collapsed ceiling was never rebuilt, and this gives the space an exciting universality. Also very symbolic is the tree that rises at the end of the nave for the entire length of the wall, up to exceed it.
In reality it must have been a very important church, just think that a canvas was commissioned by none other than Raphael (now kept at the Prado in Madrid).
Today it has found a different intended use, and it is in fact a privileged location for music and film reviews , as well as the headquarters of the Brass Group of Palermo: attending a concert here is priceless!
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Via Dello Spasimo, 10 – Get directions
• Hours: every day 8: 00-20: 00
• Ticket price: full € 2.00 reduced € 1.00

15 – Botanical Garden and Villa Giulia
Photo by Federica Di Fiore.
Photo by Dedda71. Another green area of ​​the city with an exotic charm. Founded in 1789 and designed by the French architect Leon Dufourny, with its yellow and red buildings and the central Gymnasium, it looks like a piece of Africa in Sicily .
The Garden and the Villa are not attractions to visit, but real places to stay, to be experienced for at least half a day. With the chirping of birds in the background, you can stroll admiring the various plant species ordered in a precise manner according to the order of Linnaeus. Greenhouses, aquatic systems, orchards, aromatic plants, palm groves … do not miss the ficus magnolioides, the largest in Europe!
Villa Giulia, in turn, and theoldest garden in Palermo . It is a square divided into four with a circular space in the center and various esoteric elements.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Via Lincoln 2 / b. From the Central Station take bus 102 (Roma – Palazzo Ganci stop), then continue on foot for about 900 meters – Get directions
• Hours: winter 9: 00-18: 00, summer 9: 00-20: 00
• Ticket price: Villa Giulia free. Botanical garden € 5.00, reduced € 3.00

16 – San Giovanni degli Eremiti
Photo by Ciambra.
Photo by Palickap. Medieval Norman church, famous and easily recognizable from the outside thanks to its deep red domes , in Moorish style, a clear reference to the period of Arab domination. However, its interior is also worth a visit. The cloister and its gardens are truly splendid , and represent the perfect place to rest from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The church itself has very simple lines, with undecorated interiors and bare stone. To amaze and fascinate is the right mix of Muslim and Norman style .
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Via dei Benedettini, 20. From the Central Station take bus 110 to the “Imera – Colonna Rotta” stop. Walk for approximately 540 meters – Get directions
• Hours: 9: 00-18: 30
• Ticket price: Full € 6.00, reduced € 3.00

The ticket may seem expensive (€ 6.00), according to many it is not worth it and it is better to limit yourself to the outside. We believe instead that it is worth it, the cloister is a corner of paradise, and if you are in Palermo you certainly don’t want to miss a milestone of Arab-Norman architecture.

17 – Gli Oratori Serpottiani
Photo by Stendhal55. The oratories of Palermo are an impressive casket of treasures and stuccoes , one of the greatest examples of the mastery of the master Serpotta and his followers. Putti, festoons, garlands, naturalistic motifs decorate these rooms in a surreal way, which have become real exhibition museums.
There are many oratories in Palermo: that of the Whites, in via dello Spasimo alla Kalsa, that of Saints Peter and Paul, between the Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace, the Oratory of SS. Rosario in San Domenico, the latter with canvases by Borremans and Van Dyck , the Oratory of the SS. Rosario in Santa Cita, with the “theaters” of the mysteries of the SS. Serpotta’s Rosary. The history of the Oratory of San Lorenzo is particular: here in 1969 the painting of the “Nativity with Saints Francesco and Lorenzo”, a masterpiece by Caravaggio, was stolen.. The painting was never found, and today the niche houses a copy. Finally, the Crypt of the Oratorio della Morte in Sant’Orsola, in which for the first time the master Serpotta enriches his figurative repertoire with motifs related to death (skulls, skeletons, bones, …). In this oratory there is also a system of hatches and collets for the conservation of corpses.

18 – Mondello
Photo by Andrea Calcagno. We specify: Mondello is not a town near Palermo, it is a district of the city . It is a relatively modern, rich, elegant area. Unbelievable that it was born from the reclamation of a marshy area! Today it is the beach of Palermo, full of Art Nouveau villas, tree-lined avenues, with a splendid beach of white and golden sand, beaches, bathing establishments, kiosks, restaurants and clubs. In the summer it explodes with people and it is not easy to find a free corner on the beach.

Here there is also an alleged “haunted house” : it is a libery villa which, according to the stories, was used as a brothel by Nazi and Fascist soldiers during the Second World War, and who were killed by an invasion of the allies.
It is 12.5 km from Palermo. It can be reached via the SS113, the E90, but it is very nice to arrive from the internal road of the Parco della Favorita up to Viale Margherita di Savoia. Journey time 20 minutes – Get directions.

19 – Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia on Monte Pellegrino
Photo by Gaetano Ceravolo.
Photo by Giuseppe ME. Located almost on top of the promontory, the sanctuary is located inside a cave , recalling the miraculous discovery of the saint’s bones that saved the city of Palermo from the plague of 1600. Entering the ravine, on the left, the statue of the saint is in fact placed on a canopy, in white marble and with a golden foil robe.
The people of Palermo usually do “l’acchianata” (the climb) on foot to the sanctuary in the evening between 3 and 4 September. Votive chapels have been installed to mark the stops along the way. It starts from Largo Antonio Sellerio and climbs the “Old Staircase” in a distance of about 4 km. After reaching the sanctuary, we recommend that you also stop at the Belvedere in front of the large statue of St. Rosalia overlooking the sea. On the way to the viewpoint you will cross the Gorgo S. Rosalia, an artificial pond. The difficulty of the route is medium-low, the most demanding part is the initial jump with a good difference in height.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: on foot from Largo Antonio Sellerio go up via Santuario Monte Pellegrino (La Scala Vecchia) for 4 km. By car from via Pietro Bonanno – Get directions
• Hours: Fri-Sat-Mon 10: 00-18: 00. Sunday 8: 00-18: 00
• Ticket cost: free

Holy water comes from here – take a look at the ceiling. The dome is covered with metal sheets that convey the water that comes out of a crack in the rock. This channeled water is used to fill the stoups at the church entrance!

20 – Chinese Palace
Always outside the center, at the end of the Favorita park, is the Real Chinese Casina , this exotic building whose construction was commissioned by Ferdinand I of Bourbon, IV king of Naples. The Chinese building is a real Wunderkammer, that is a marvel characterized by various decorations, tricks and amenities, but also symbolisms and esoteric meanings that cannot leave indifferent.

Inside, note the mathematical table , an ingenious structure that protected the privacy of Ferdinand IV since the king did not like to be observed while he was intent on eating. In essence, it is a mechanism of pulleys and pulleys which, through circular holes, makes ready dishes rise and then bring them back down as soon as they are finished. In this way it was avoided that they were served and brought by the servants, and the meal could be consumed in absolute privacy. To communicate with the servants there was an articulated system of bells and ribbons colored according to the dishes. A similar example is also found in Versailles.
Practical info: directions, timetables and prices

• How to get there: Viale Duca degli Abruzzi. From Central Station take bus 616 (stop Duca Degli Abruzzi – Chinese palace) or 544 (stop Resurrezione – Duca Degli Abruzzi) – Get directions
• Hours: Tue-Sat 9: 00-19: 00. Sundays and holidays 9: 00-13: 30
• Ticket cost: free

Also visit the Parco della Favorita and the surrounding gardens : while you’re there, take the opportunity to visit the beautiful Parco della Favorita, the largest urban park in Europe. The Chinese building is inside this park. If you are with children, almost adjacent there is also the “Citta dei Ragazzi”, a free playground surrounded by a grove with rides, ponds and … Dinosaurs!

Other attractions to visit
The Foro Italico a gigantic esplanade with an English lawn that is almost on the seashore

Entrance to the historic market of Vucciria

Hall of Palazzo Valguarnera-Gangi

the Chamber of Wonders

Sorgenti del Gabriele, an ancient

Cloister of the Cathedral of Monreale

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The Foro Italicoand a gigantic esplanade with an English lawn that is almost on the seashore; and the perfect place to take a break from the hectic life of the center. At the edge of the area is the Parco della Saluta, a large outdoor play area overlooking the sea.
In addition to the famous Ballaro, we recommend that you also take a tour of the other markets of the city : Vucciria and Il Capo. In reality, the Vucciria as a market is now a bit decayed, but in the evening it is an impressive anthill of people, including music, small bars, kiosks and street food stalls.
In Palermo there are Art Nouveau buildings and villas of an almost embarrassing beauty: the Valguarnera-Gangi Palace is worth a visit, where the film “Il Gattopardo” was shot (visits by reservation only for groups of at least 20 people), Palazzo Braciforte, Villa Niscemi, Villino Florio, Palazzo Ajutamicristo, Palazzo Mirto, Palazzo Butera and many others.

An incredible recent discovery is the Chamber of Wonders , found by chance in 2003 during the works in an apartment of a couple from Palermo. It seems to be a Muslim place of meditation, rich in Arabic characters, written in gold and silver, the vault painted with designs of oil lamps.
In the agricultural department of Palermo there is the Fossa della Garofala, in the Parco d’Orleans area. It is a real geological oasis, originally home to an Arab irrigation system as well as citrus groves, but also a quarry for building material in the Punic and Roman times.
On the other hand, the Sorgenti del Gabriele, an ancient “water temple” which still supplies the Palermo aqueduct, are part of the Arab water system. A very suggestive visit to one of the many underground sections of the city.

And again the many churches , such as the very particular one of the SS. Salvatore, overlooking the Cassaro, with an elliptical plan and also used as an auditorium; or that of the Madonna della Mercede al Capo, which hides an entrance to the basement of Palermo linked to the events of the Beati Paoli sect.
In the end,Monreale with its famous Duomo (€ 4.00) and the cloister. You can do it with a half day guided excursion.

7 things to do in Palermo
Take a gastronomic tour based on street-food

Attend a puppet show

Visit underground Palermo and the Qanat

Let yourself be seduced by the Palermo pastry

Discover the history of coffee at the Morettino Museum

Visit the Casa Museo Stanze al Genio

Enjoy the nightlife at the Vucciria

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1. Take a gastronomic tour based on street-food in the markets: taste sfincione, arancine, panelle and cazzilli, pane ca meusa, stigghiole, frittola, quarume and all the specialties that have made Palermo the European capital of street food. The ca meusa sandwich should be eaten strictly by Rocky alla Vucciria! more info and reservations here
2. Watch a puppet show and visit the Pasqualino International Puppet Museum
3. Visit the underground Palermo and the Qanat of Arab origin: discover the secrets of the sect of the Beati Paoli, according to many precursors of the Mafia, and visit the tunnels and water pipes of the ancient Arab plant.
4. Let yourself be seduced by the Palermitan pastry : the Sicilian cassata, the cannoli, the Setteveli cake, but above all the sweets of the secret pastry of the cloistered nuns of the former Convent of Santa Caterina.
5. Discover the history of coffee at the Morettino Museum , a very interesting exhibition of historical pieces, a library and collections from all over the world.
6. Visit the Stanze al Genio House Museum , an impressive collection of majolica in a private house in via Garibaldi in the Kalsa district.
7. Enjoy the nightlife at the Vucciria : in the evening, Piazza Garraffello and Piazza Caracciolo become an impressive meeting place for young people among music, street food, bars inside shutters, outdoor grills. This area, up to the port in via Chiavettieri, is the hub of the Palermo nightlife.

What to see in one day
Visiting Palermo in one day is possible but be prepared to walk a lot. Wear comfortable shoes and if you visit the city in summer, bring a good supply of water (in the central hours of the day you could suffer from the heat). For more info discover the complete itinerary.

Distance covered : 6 km / 1 h 16 min (show map)

1. 9:00 – Ballaro
2. 10:30 am – Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel
3. 12:00 – Cathedral
4. 13:30 – Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti, Piazza Bellini and Martorana Church
5. 14:30 – Church of the gesu (Casa Professa)
6. 15:30 – Massimo Theater
7. 16:30 – Politeama Theater
8. 18:00 – Walk between Cala and Foro Italico
9. 19:30 – Piazza Marina and Vucciria

SEE ALSO : Palermo itinerary in one day

What to see in 3 days
Three days are a good amount of time to quickly visit all the main attractions of the Sicilian Capolugo. Furthermore, with the right organization, you can carve out a relaxing afternoon in the fantastic sea of ​​Mondello

1. Day 1 : Capo Market, Immaculate Conception Church, Sant’Agostino Church, Cathedral, San Giovanni degli Eremiti Church, Norman Palace, Capuchin Convent and Catacombs, Zisa Castle
2. Day 2 : Politeama Theater, Massimo Theater, Salinas Museum, Quattro Canti, Fontana Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, Vucciria, Kalsa and Santa Maria dello Spasimo, Piazza Marina, Palazzo Steri, Giardino Garibaldi
3. Day 3 : Monreale, Mondello, underground Palermo (Qanat)

SEE ALSO : 3-day itinerary in Palermo

What to see in 7 days
Having 7 days at your disposal, you will be able to appreciate the charm of the city and its many facets more than well. You can enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in the province and explore the Unesco heritage in the surroundings through organized excursions.

1. Day 1 : Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel, Cathedral, Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti, Piazza Bellini and Martorana Church, Massimo Theater, Politeama Theater, Promenade Champagneria
2. Day 2 : Ballaro, Church of the Gesu, Piazza Marina and Palazzo Chiaromonte Steri, Santa Maria dello Spasimo, Kalsa district (Street Art), Botanical Garden and Villa Giulia, Walk Cala and Foro Italico
3. Day 3 : San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Capuchin Convent and Catacombs, Zisa Castle, Capo Market, Immaculate Conception Church, Salinas Museum, San Domenico and Oratori Church, Antonio Pasqualino Puppet Museum
4. Day 4 : Chinese building and Mondello
5. Day 5 : Monreale and Cefalu
6. Day 6 : Bagheria, Aspra and Mongerbino (Bay of the French)
7. Day 7 : Capogallo and Sferracavallo Nature Reserve

SEE ALSO : Palermo itinerary in 7 days

Plan your stay in Palermo: tips, flights and hotels

The plane is the easiest and fastest way to get to Palermo . Falcone Borsellino Airport is located 35 km west of Palermo and is connected to the city by a shuttle service that leaves approximately every half hour.

The best area to stay is the Castellammare-Loggia or Liberta Politeama district, but according to your needs you can find the directions here.

Walking on foot is the best way to get around the center , despite the distances. For trips out of town or outlying areas, the bus is recommended even if you do not have to rely on punctuality due to traffic.
Palermo can be visited all year round: even in winter, temperatures are pleasant. Opt for the summer / late spring if you want to do some sea too.
The best activities to do with children are walks in the various parks and certainly a trip to the sea in Mondello. And they will certainly appreciate a puppet show.
For free you can immerse yourself in the local atmosphere wandering aimlessly in the neighborhoods and especially in the markets. Most attractions are paid, but they don’t have excessive fees.
Apart from the Marina, the Italic Forum, the Zisa and the Catacombs of the Capuchins, everything is easily reachable on foot from the center.