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  2. What to see in Palermo?
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What to see in Palermo?

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Planning to visit the Sicilian capital but don’t know where to start? Then you're in the right place. In this short guide, we've gathered all the information you need to organize your trip. Get ready to immerse yourself in centuries of history, markets full of street food, and admire the Arab-Norman style of the historic center.

The most important places to see in Palermo

From Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, to Spaniards, the great variety of peoples that inhabited Palermo has left the city with an enormous artistic heritage. The first thing you should know is that the Sicilian capital has the second-largest historic center in Europe, but luckily it’s so compact you can even visit it in a single day. 

  • The Palazzo dei Normanni: also known as the Royal Palace, today it houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly. Inside, don’t forget to visit the Palatine Chapel decorated with Byzantine mosaics. On July 3, 2015, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site—so it’s no surprise that it's one of the most visited palaces on the island. 
  • San Giovanni degli Eremiti: with its exterior resembling an Oriental-style building, you'll feel like you're in North Africa for a moment, but in fact, it's a Romanesque church, one of the city's iconic landmarks.
  • The Cathedral of Palermo: known simply as the Duomo, it’s the main Catholic place of worship in Palermo. Along with the Palazzo dei Normanni and the cathedrals of Cefalù, it has also been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 2015.
  • The Ballarò Market: along with Vucciria, Il Capo, Lattarini, and the Flea Market, Ballarò is one of the city’s historic markets. Inside, you can find typical Palermitan dishes ready to eat like boiled or baked onions, panelle, crocchè, octopus, and other Sicilian delights.
  • The Quattro Canti: located in Piazza Villena, it represents the baroque heart of Palermo. Here the four quarters of old Palermo meet: Kalsa, La Loggia, Il Capo, and Albergheria, forming a distinctive octagonal square.
  • The Martorana Church: located in Piazza Bellini, the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, also known as San Nicolò dei Greci but commonly referred to as the Martorana Church. Step inside and you'll understand why it’s considered one of the most beautiful Byzantine churches in Italy.
  • The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo: the world’s largest and most extraordinary collection of mummies is right here in Palermo. With over 2,000 perfectly preserved mummies, you can get a close look at thousands of Palermitan citizens of various ages, religions, and social classes, still dressed in their original clothes.
  • The Pretoria Fountain: also called the Fountain of Shame due to its nude statues, the Pretoria Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in Italy. Fun fact: it was built in Florence and had to be dismantled into 644 pieces—some inevitably damaged—to be transported to Palermo.

Palermo: the ultimate street food city

From starters to desserts, with all the local products and countless traditional recipes, you can create a complete—and delicious—menu. From arancine to panelle, it’s no surprise that Palermo was named the European Capital of Street Food. And if for once you’re not counting calories, we recommend trying the spleen sandwich and sfincione.

Where to stay in the city of Palermo

If you want to enjoy the historic center, we recommend staying at the B&B Hotel Palermo. With a typical restaurant on the top floor and a beautiful terrace overlooking Piazza Pretoria, you can finally enjoy your well-deserved vacation in the city’s most charming neighborhood.

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  2. What to see in Palermo?