10 Places to visit in Palermo and surrounding areas

What are the points of interest to visit in Palermo? Here for you a list of the 10 things you can not miss!

Palermo shows proudly the witness of its glorious past which lives in the greatness of its artistic and architectural heritage. In the “city of delights” Arabic domes, baroque churches, liberty style buildings, neoclassical theatres, green spaces from eighteenth century and teeming historic markets, like the Arabic ones, coexist.

It is impossible not to be fascinated by this undeniably splendid city which unfortunately shows on many of its monuments the signs of neglect and decay that will easily be overshadowed by the sweetness of the weather, the joyfulness of the people and the outstanding food!

In this post we propose the 10 most important things to do and see in Palermo.

1) La Cattedrale di Palermo (Palermo’s Cathedral)

It’s in 1185 that the construction of the Cattedrale di Palermo is completed. The immense religious building consecrated to Virgin Assumption, sits in an area that was previously occupied by a Cristian Basilica. It was transformed by the Saracens into a mosque and later was reconverted into the Cristian cult by the Normans. Remodelling and restoring made over centuries, changed its original aspect characterised by the presence of different architectural styles. The main front, included between two towers, presents itself with a wide fifteenth century arcade in Gothic-Catalan style, the dome is from the late baroque period, while the most antique part is represented by the apse with beautiful Arabic-Norman decorations. The interior, rebuilt according to Ferdinando Fuga’s project in the XIX century with a neoclassic style, has the shape of a Latin cross with 3 aisles. Here rest the bodies of the Sicilian royalty, amongst which those of Federico II and Ruggero II, and those of Santa Rosalia (Saint Rosalia), patroness of Palermo. Other tombs are kept in the crypt from the VI century. In the treasure rooms, it’s possible to admire Queen Costanza from Aragon’s tiara, together with other precious objects found into the real sepulchers.

2) Chiesa della Martorana (Martorana’s Church)

Built in 1143 by Giorgio D’Antochia, Ruggero II’s admiral, the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio is also known as “Martorana”. This is because in 1433 it was given, by the king Alfonso D’Aragona, to the Benedictine nuns of a close convent founded by the noblewoman Eloisa Martorana. Despite the transformations during the XVI and XVII centuries (the baroque front is an example), this fascinating sacred building preserves the original Arabic-Norman style like demonstrated by the square body surmounted by a hemispheric dome and the bell tower opened by arches, and three orders of large, mullioned windows. The inside of the church presents in its tallest wall, the subarches and the dome, magnificent Byzantine mosaics, considered the oldest in Sicily. Central focus of the mosaic decoration is the image of Christ Pantocrator surrounded by archangels, apostles, saints, and prophets. The circle of mosaics is completed by the Nativity of Jesus, the Transit of Mary, the Annunciation of Mary, and the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Just next to the Martorana, you can visit the San Cataldo Church, with beautiful Arabic red domes. Founded around 1200, it covered different functions including being used as a Post Office! Today it’s completely recovered and being looked after by the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

3) Cappella Palatina e Palazzo dei Normanni (Palatine Chapel and palace of the Normans)

The Cappella Palatina sits inside the Palazzo dei Normanni, built in the paleopoly, the oldest and highest part of the city. The Cappella Palatina, meaning the chapel of the mansion, was wanted by Ruggero II from Altavilla, first Norman to be king of Sicily, who used it as private chapel in 1130. Once its external appearance was totally different from today. There is almost nothing left of the original front since it has been incorporated from other more recent structures. At the beginning it was isolated with the apse facing East like wanted by the Byzantine tradition. The chapel was built in a moment of creativity by artists of different origins and sensitivity. The result was a masterpiece where the tolerance policy of Ruggero II can be recognised. The king wants to show us that this is the place where the Eastern and Western culture met, but not only them. If we carefully observe the floor, we can notice some mosaics made of precious stones like porphyry, rather than glass. So, this demonstrate that the floor is Arabic as well as the palms stylized onto the walls above which we can see the Byzantine mosaics. The Byzantine are made from two layers of glass with a very thin layer of gold in between. What shines is gold, like the word of God. Here Arabic Normans and Byzantines worked together thanks to the tolerance policy adopted by Ruggero II. At that time no everyone could read and write, therefore Ruggero II adopted a language that everyone can understand. Like an illustrated book that everyone can see, an illustrated book that tells Christ history, the Genesis, the Old Testament, and the story of the Saints Pierto and Paolo (Peter and Paul).

4) Piazza Pretoria (Praetorian Square)

Considered by many one of the most beautiful fountains in the world, the Fontana Pretoria (Praetorian Fountain) is one of the most representative symbols of Palermo. It was initially built in Florence and later it was moved to Palermo, after been purchased by the citizen senate. Inside it is decorated with allegorical statues representing mythological deities and the four rivers of Palermo: Oreto, Kemonia, Papireto and Maredolce. Praetorian Fountain was renamed by the citizens “Fontana della Vergogna” (Fountain of Shame), probably because of the nudity of the statues that make part of it. There are many legends about this fountain. One of the most popular and curious is about the nuns of the convent just next to the fountain: it seems that the nuns, horrified by the nudity of the statues, manifested their indignation cutting clean the genitals of the statues. Beyond the legends and their truthiness, we know for sure that the Praetorian Fountain has a unique story that deserves to be told. Maybe not everyone knows that the fountain was originally planned and built in Tuscany and was then moved to Palermo.

5) Teatro Massimo (Massimo Theatre)

The Teatro Massimo is one of the most representative jewels of the city of Palermo. It is the biggest opera house in Italy and the third in Europe, after the Paris Opera and the Vienna State Opera. Imposing, elegant, in one word, beautiful. It is impossible not to be fascinated by its huge charm.

On its front, above the six columns of the entrance, a sentence reads “L’arte rinnova i popoli e ne rivela la vita. Vano delle scene il diletto ove non miri a preparar l’avvenire”. Impossible to translate, but it easy to explain its meaning. This sentence is full of wisdom and deals with the importance of art: it restores people and reveals their life, but it’s vain if it’s used just to “have fun”. The construction of the theatre started on the 12th of January 1875 by the architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, who won the concourse announced by the major Antonio Starabba, and developed the project. The works were completed by Ernesto Basile who replaced his father after his death. The opening was on the 16th of May 1897 with Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi. The two statues at the entrance of the theatre are the Tragedy, by Benedetto Civiletti, and the Lyric, by Mario Rutelli. Even the inside is imposing and elegant. A visit to the big saloon is absolutely advised. The shape of horseshoe and its perfect acoustic are the characteristics that makes it so famous. From the stage you can admire the roof made like a wheel, which is composed by eleven elements representing the Triumph of Music by Luigi Di Giovanni on Rocco Lentini’s project.

6) The markets of Vucciria, Capo, Borgo and Ballarò

The markets of Palermo represent ideal places for an authentic dive into the past, showcasing the oldest traditions of the people of Palermo. The markets are flanked by ramshackle neighbourhoods, buildings in ruins echoing with silent memories. Visitors enter through old ruined gates (once important signs of the city limits), emblematic borders between past and present, history and life; or through streets and alleys, guided by the intense smell of the sea.

The four most important historic markets of Palermo are: the Vucciria, the Capo, the Borgo Vecchio and the most famous market of Ballarò, right in the heart of the city.

The Vucciria market is characterised by a pleasant mix of voices, smells and noises, in a corner of the city where the time seems to have stopped. It is the oldest popular market in Palermo and extends throughout piazza Caracciolo and surrounding areas. Initially it was a meat shop and was enclosed by arches. Today it is a completely outdoor market where the stock (meat, fish and fruit) is displayed in the typical stalls on specific marble boards called “balate”. Back in the day it was commonly called the big Bucciria, from the French boucherie which means butchery.

The Capo is a well-known market in Palermo which takes the name from the neighbourhood it sits in. It was formed in the period of the Islamic Sicily on the edge of the river Papireto, and it was populated by the Schiavoni, pirates who used to trade slaves. It extends from via Carini to via Beati Paoli, and from via S. Agostino to via Cappuccinelle. The Augustinians created a community in this area as their headquarters were in the convent adjacent to the fourteenth century church of S. Agostino. One of the main gates is Porta Carini, near the Palazzo di Giustizia (the Justice’s Palace). Through this gate the path tightens and widens across the stalls which stand outside the putii (the shops). People often block the path because they stop to look at the stock, negotiate, taste and purchase.

The market of Ballarò extends from the piazza Casa Professa to the ramparts of Corso Tukory towards Porta Sant’Agata (Saint Agata’s Gate). It is the oldest market in Palermo, visited daily by hundreds of people of all ethnicities and animated by the so known “abbanniate”, the loud recall of the sellers who, with their typical colourful accent, are trying to attract the attention of the people passing by. It is open till late afternoon and offers typical Palermo cooked food ready to take away by people on their way home. These foods include oven baked or boiled onions, panelle (chickpea fritters), cazzilli (potato croquettes), boiled greens and vegetables, octopus and quarume (veal’s interiors). Palermo is one of the most active and bustling cities in Sicily and offers many options for night life in exotic and oriental dream locations.

One of busiest spots is the area is the market of Borgo Vecchio between piazza Sturzo and piazza Ucciardone. This market is the only one that stays open until late attracting many youngsters to gather here to organise their night out.

7) Quattro Canti (four cantons)

8) Mondello

Mondello is the favoured tourist destination of the Palermitans, as it is located a few kilometres away from the city centre. Once a fishing village, it transformed into an elegant and rich bathing area that developed and progressed until the end of the 90s. Today this locality retains its heritage of historic villas, some of which are semi-abandoned whilst others have been restored over the years. The bathhouse, completely restored a few years ago, is now home to a prestigious nautical club and the famous Charleston restaurant. In the town of Mondello, which is still partially used by the old local fishermen, there are several restaurants where you can eat great fish and seafood whilst either standing or seated.

Not far from the town there is the Capo Gallo Reserve established in 2001, where, for a small entrance fee, people can swim in one of its small sandy coves or beneath the cliff. The reserve is also an ideal place for trekking; from the entrance via a dirt road that runs alongside the sea, you get to the far end where there is an ancient and fascinating lighthouse, now in complete abandonment. In Mondello prestigious sailing boat regattas are regularly organised by the Circolo della Vela and the Roggero di Lauria rowing club. The Windsurf World Festival, organised by the Club of Albaria, takes place every year in May and the best surfers from around the world participate. In Mondello it is also possible to rent a variety of boats, sailboards, take part in diving courses, scuba diving and kitesurfing. The village offers all essential services: buses, pharmacies, supermarkets, restaurants, self-service shops, pizzerias, sandwich shops, mini-golf, tennis courts and discos (only in the summer season).

9) Monreale

Monreale is a town born from the Norman invasion and the resulting introduction of people from different cultures and religions. The trade coming from Northern Europe brought the town an avant-garde influence and an architectural foundation with a new innovative aesthetic.

This new way of life soon merged with the pre-existing traditions left by the Romans, the Arabs and the Byzantines. Wandering through the cobbled streets of Monreale you immediately feel at home because of the welcoming atmosphere and can enjoy visiting small shops selling the typical multi-coloured Sicilian miniature carts. The large square is crowned by the prestigious Duomo di Monreale (Monreale’s Cathedral) which in 2015 became a Unesco World Heritage Site. The construction of the wonderful cathedral is linked to a quarrel between the sovereign William II of Altavilla and Palermo’s curia: this quarrel led to the foundation of the Cathedral, which became a religious point completely independent from the clerical dimension of Palermo. The Cathedral is the result of Arab and Byzantine labour. Externally it presents itself with a front placed between two asymmetrical towers and embellished with white marble which decorates the three arcades. The arched portal overlooks the massive bronze door through which you enter, transporting you to a silent and breathtaking interior. The two rows of nine columns on each side surround the main aisle and invite you to raise your eyes to the beautiful ceilings covered with spectacular cross beams enriched with gold to heighten their aesthetics.

10) Cefalù