Palermo
Country: Italy · Region: Western Mediterranean · Currency: Euro
Palermo is Sicily's capital on the northern coast, featuring a thousand years of history with stunning Arab-Norman architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, and renowned local cuisine. The cruise port provides easy access to UNESCO-listed monuments and cultural attractions in the city center.
Top sights
Palatine Chapel, Palazzo dei Normanni, Palermo Cathedral, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Monreale Cathedral, Catacombe dei Cappuccini
Things to do
- Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina)
- One of Palermo's artistic gems featuring magnificent mosaics and Arabian-style decorations among the most beautiful in the world, located inside Palazzo dei Normanni.
- Palermo Cathedral
- Honey-colored and Catalan-influenced cathedral where Frederick II is buried in a porphyry sarcophagus dyed with imperial purple.
- San Giovanni degli Eremiti
- Church notable for its brilliant red domes showing Arab influences from the 12th century, with a €6 admission including access to a lovely peaceful garden.
- Monreale Cathedral
- One of the greatest examples of Norman architecture begun in 1174, featuring a cloister with 228 small columns with decorations influenced by Provençal, Burgundian, Arab and Salerno medieval art.
Beaches
- Mondello
- Beach accessible by bus 806 from the city center.
Where to eat
- Stuzzicandoci
- Best place to eat delicious arancina in downtown Palermo with quality ingredients and courteous staff.
- Pani câ Meusa, Porta Carbone
- Offers excellent typical Palermo street food sandwiches and local delicacies.
Bars and nightlife
- The Bar Brothers
- Great little bar for beers and cocktails with seating on the street and beers from €2.50 to €3.50.
Forecast for Palermo
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Getting around
Most interesting sites in the city center are easily reached on foot; alternatively use the 24-hour bus ticket (€4) or rent bicycles and e-scooters available throughout the city.
What to eat
Try local specialties like panino con la milza, panelle, and arancina at street food vendors and sandwich stands in the old city center; numerous trattorias and pizzerias offer traditional Sicilian cuisine.
Tips
Purchase a 24-hour bus ticket for €4 to explore the city efficiently, or take the free Centro Storico bus which covers all main tourist areas.
Best for
History, Arab-Norman architecture, street food
More ports in Western Mediterranean
Ajaccio · Barcelona · Cadiz · Cagliari · Cannes · Cartagena (Spain) · Florence and Pisa (Livorno) · Genoa · Ibiza · La Spezia · Malaga · Marseille · Messina · Monte Carlo · Naples · Palma de Mallorca · Rome (Civitavecchia) · Salerno · Valencia · Valletta · Villefranche