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Palermo Travel Guide

Travel to Palermo - Cosmopolitan Capital

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The largest and most cosmopolitan city in Sicily, Palermo was founded around a natural harbour on the north-west coast of the island. Spanning almost three millennia, the city’s history offers the visitor a multitude of cultural sights and stunning architecture as well as great restaurants and excellent shopping.

The principal city and administrative seat of the autonomous region of Sicily, Palermo is also the capital of the Province of Palermo. Founded in the 8th century BC by Phoenician tradesmen, the city came under Roman rule until the Roman Empire was split and Sicily and Palermo came under the rule of the Eastern Byzantine Empire.

More recently, Palermo suffered heavy damage during the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943, however in 1947 the city received an important boost when Sicily became an autonomous region with extended self-rule. Despite this self-rule Palermo has had to endure the rising power of the Mafia which dominates Sicily as well as southern Italy. Palermo is a city with a distinctive cultural identity, beautiful palaces and churches, colourful markets and delicious food.

Attractions in Palermo

A visit to the Duomo di Palermo is highly recommended. An impressive 12th-century cathedral combining a wide variety of architectural styles, housing the tombs of Sicily’s kings along with a Treasury containing precious objects from Sicily’s history.

Other sights worth a visit are the Palazzo dei Normanni which contains the stunning Cappella Palatina where you can see the wonderful mosaics. The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, containing some 8000 mummies and provide an extraordinary historical record. The Archeological Museum houses artifacts from Etruscan, Carthaginian, Roman and Hellenistic civilizations.

Activities in Palermo

Allow 2 – 3 days to visit the main sights in city but also to have some time to relax, sitting atone of the outdoor cafés on Via Principe di Belmonte.

Relaxing

A visit to Palermo Botanical Gardens, 30 acres of tranquillity within the city, gives the visitor a chance to relax and unwind.

Getting Around

The easiest way to get around Palermo is by using the network of public buses which cover each corner of the city. A ticket valid for a full day can be purchased, allowing the visitor to travel from place to place with ease.