Heaving street markets, an energetic pace of life and buildings that betray the course of history - spanning Moorish, Gothic, Byzantine architecture and more – Palermo is a breath of fresh Sicilian air. Whether you’ve got a passion for opera, food or design, you’ll find plenty to sate your appetite here.
Sicily’s ancient history
Palermo is one of the best places to visit if you want to learn more about the ancient history of Sicily. There are so many locations within the city that have historical significance that you’ll struggle to decide which to explore first.
Cappella Palatina is a wonderful place to start as it’s considered to be one of the best examples of Byzantine architecture in Europe. Take the time to study the wonderfully detailed mosaics and appreciate the glorious colour of the striking interior.
Another star attraction is the Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs. Here you can journey deep underground to see bodies that have been preserved through various points in time. It’s a fascinating if macabre insight into this burial ground and you get an insight into different embalming techniques. It’s not for the squeamish, however.
A musical adventure
Palermo is also home to Italy’s largest opera house, Teatro Massimo. It’s world renowned for the incredible acoustics it provides and is worth a visit if you have a passion for opera or simply want to appreciate the lavish interior. Film fans may even recognise it from the iconic scenes shot here for The Godfather III.
The city also has a lively nightlife scene, with coffee bars open until late in the night playing relaxed music. Bottiglieria del Massimo Champagneria is one of the most popular places in Palermo. Park up for the night and drop by - they offer a vast selection of different Champagnes that you can sip and savour in the elegant surroundings.
Get a flavour of Palermo
Palermo is renowned as one of the foodie capitals of Sicily. There are many sublime restaurants to choose from but the city is probably better known for its wonderful selection of street food.
You’ll find a number of markets across Palermo including the Vucciria and Capo markets. On the fringe of these is where you can often find the best street food that the city has to offer. Arancini is one of the many star attractions, and comprises of fried risotto rice balls available with a variety of different tasty fillings, a treat you should certainly try al fresco.
Soak up Sicily
Car rental in Palermo brings many other exciting towns and cities within easy reach. 100km away on the SS624 is the port of Sciacca. Explore miles of soft, sandy beaches that are often quieter than other sunny hotspots across the island, perfect for relaxing and taking in the serene sea view.
You’ll also find Marsala less than two hours away from Palermo. With ancient ruins to explore and an exemplary nature reserve, it’s a wonderful contrast to the city and offers a scenic trip across stunning Sicily as you make your way there.