About Palermo
Palermo is the capital of Sicily which is the largest island in the Mediterranean sea and sits at the bottom of Italy in close proximity to Tunisia and Malta. With a population of 676,000 and a greater metropolitan population of 1.3 million, it serves as the islands cultural and economical centre.
Cave drawings have been found in Palermo and human settlements have been dated as early as 8000 BC. Initially under Roman Control, once the empire started to collapse, Palermo came under Germanic control and then subsequently Arabic rule and finally Christian conquers in the 1000’s.
Why Palermo is Italy’s best-kept secret
As the train pulled into Palermo’s central station, I plotted my way out, checking schedules for the next train north. Was there anything in Palermo that was worth sticking around for? I’d never heard other backpackers mention it, and the only thing I knew about the city was its history as an epicenter for Sicilian Mafia.
As fate would have it, this would not be my last time in Palermo. I fell in love with a Sicilian-Canadian, and now Palermo is a regular stop on our family visits. With every trip, I fall more in love with Palermo’s unique character. The gateway city to the rest of Sicily, it is the Sicilian capital of culture, food, architecture and history, it’s the centre of Sicilian government, as well as the islands largest port. With low tourism rates (in comparison to the rest of Italy), Palermo offers an Italian experience like no other, free of long line-ups and crowded cathedrals
Fascinating history
Palermo was founded in 8th century BC, so it goes without saying that the city has a long and vibrant history characterized by Arab and Norman rule, immigration, and Mafia presence. Since the early 2000s, an Anti-Mafia movement has developed, and you will see evidence of this in Palermo. Intrepid tours that visit Palermo include a walking tour with a local guide, who will tell you more about this movement.
Another example of Palermo’s fascinating history is the Capuchin Catacombs, which date back to 1599 and serve as an “open” cemetery, which shows the history of mummification in Sicily. The Capuchin Catacombs initially housed only the bodies of Friars, but from the 1700s on, those of esteem (i.e. the rich) could buy their place in the catacombs. Mummification alongside the Friars was a symbol of status and dignity reserved for the wealthy. Today, the catacombs are a worthy tourist destination, particularly macabre compared to others around Europe.
Sicilian food
Sicily is famous for its distinctive food. While Italian staples such as pasta and pizza are readily available, a visit to Sicily isn’t complete without arancini, cannoli and granita. All coffee shops and bakeries sell arancini, and there are many different types, so grab a couple throughout your stay. Cannoli are a decadent staple: tube-shaped shells of pastry dough, with a creamy ricotta filling. Granita is very distinctively Sicilian. It is a semi-frozen desert made of ice and sugar, and is often flavoured with local ingredients, like fresh lemons.
Best Things to Do in Palermo
You’re planning to visit Palermo, the capital of Sicily, during your next trip?
To help you plan your stay in town, I have prepared a list of the 21 best things to do in Palermo, with all the points of interest. As always, it’s accompanied by my best tips!
In addition, I will also give you examples of itineraries to visit Palermo in 1, 2 or 3 days without missing any must-see attractions. And at the end of the article, you will find the list of my favorite hotels in town. Yep, the ones offering the best value for money in the city!
Palace of the Normans
Let’s start this list of the best things to do in Palermo, with one of the most visited monuments, the Norman palace (Palazzo dei Normann in italian). Just so you know, it’s sometimes also called Royal Palace of Palermo.
The Norman palace, located on Piazza Independenza, is the perfect representation of the cultural mix in Palermo. Built to accommodate Arab emirs, it was then occupied by the Normans who expanded it, and then by the Spaniards. Nowadays, it’s the headquarters of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.
The architectural style is cosmopolitan and keeps traces of the different nations that inhabited it. In the Palace, what I preferred was the courtyards, gardens and King Roger’s Room. The hunting scenes mosaics are impressive!
But the Norman palace’s jewel is the Palatine chapel, a masterpiece of Arab-Norman-Byzantine style. The chapel was commissioned by King Roger II to accommodate the royal family’s masses.
The most impressive thing in the Palatine chapel are the magnificent golden mosaics, decorating both walls and ceiling. Some of them even represent human figures, which wasn’t common at the time.
It’s the most beautiful Byzantine chapel in Palermo, and is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in Sicily.
Palermo Cathedral
Not far from the Palace of the Norman, go up the street in Via Vittorio Emanuele and you will find Palermo 2nd must-see monument: the Palermo Cathedral. It’s for me the best place to visit in the capital of Sicily!
From the outside, the cathedral is simply magnificent. I was particularly impressed by this large building unique architecture, a true melting pot of styles, much nicer on the outside than the Norman palace!
You can visit the crypt and see the tombs of kings and queens, including the tomb of King Roger II. There is also the treasury of the cathedral, a collection of royal jewellery from the 12th century.
While you’re here, you should really climb up on the cathedral roofs to admire a beautiful panorama over the whole city.
