Palermo undeniably has something special; a beauty and personality that make it both splendid and “decadent”.

The city’s multicultural heritage is the natural and magnificent result not only of the different dominations, but also of the different cultures that lived in our territory.  Most of them, over the millennia, have left a tangible trace; from the artistic and cultural heritage to the customs and culinary tradition.

Among the countless places to visit in Palermo, there are 5 that should not be missed. All sites are located in the historic centre of the town and are easily accessible on foot through pedestrian areas.

Please always check the opening hours, which may vary depending on the day and time of year.

• Teatro Massimo
• Martorana Church
• Dolceria” (Bakery) and the Cloister of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria
• Ballarò Market
• The Palatin Chapel

TEATRO MASSIMO

The Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house, dominates Piazza Giuseppe Verdi with its grandeur. It has a long and complex building history and after 23 years it opened its doors on 16 May 1897. At the time of its inauguration, the 7730 square metre theatre was the third largest in Europe, second only to the Opéra in Paris and Vienna. According to the initial design by architect G.B.F. Basile, the theatre could hold about 3,000 spectators, but today, due to safety regulations, the number has been reduced to about 1,300. It is also well known for its excellent acoustics and the “Symbolic Wheel” in the ceiling, made up of eleven panels that open upwards to allow ventilation of the room. The theatre is open daily for guided tours.

MARTORANA Church

Located in Piazza Bellini, the marvellous church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, a stop on my Arab-Norman Palermo tour, was only later named Martorana. Built in the Norman era by the will of the great Admiral George of Antioch (during the reign of Roger II), the church is a splendid testimony to “cultural and artistic syncretism” and to a golden age. Today it is characterised by the coexistence of different periods of activity: the splendid mosaic decorations inspired by Byzantine iconography from the medieval period and the changes made in the following centuries. The Martorana church is included in the Arab-Norman itinerary of Palermo, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.

“DOLCERIA” (Bakery shop) and the Cloister of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria

Behind a door, a place full of charm and history opens up. Thanks to the renovation project inside the former convent of the Dominican cloistered nuns, the historic pastry shop that the nuns ran for centuries has been brought back to life. In a wonderful atmosphere you can rediscover ancient flavours. Our confectionery tradition is very rich and ‘baroque’ triumphs visually but is above all a ‘delight’ to the palate. A very important role was played by the cloistered nuns. Secret recipes gave rise to rich sweets: “I sospiri di monaca”, almond pastries, “Frutta Martorana” and cassatelle just to name a few.

BALLARO’ MARKET

Palermo is its markets and street food. Palermo is also a wonderful culinary experience, unforgettable moments of smells, colours and flavours. The Ballarò market, of Saracen origin, will be a unique experience for anyone who decides to explore it.  You will experience moments of local life in a unique atmosphere Our gastronomic tradition is very rich and many cultures also come into play here. Panino con  panelle,  crocchè, the famous arancine, panino con milza and much more.

THE PALATIN CHAPEL

Built by the king’s Roger II of Altavilla will after his coronation in 1130, it is the jewel in the crown of the Norman Palace, which dominates the oldest part of the city. Dedicated to St Peter the Apostle, it represents the meeting of the different cultures and religions present on the island in the 12th century and promoted by the Norman kings. The coexistence of Byzantine, Islamic and Latin elements has created a ‘unique’ architecture embellished with splendid mosaics. The Palatine Chapel is included in the Arab-Norman itinerary of Palermo, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015.

You could visit the Teatro Massimo first; then take Via Maqueda and, after passing the Quattro Canti and Piazza Pretoria, you will immediately discover Piazza Bellini where you will find the Martorana and the ancient convent of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria. The Ballarò market in the Albergheria district is also an ideal place for a lunch break. Walk along Via Vittorio Emanuele (opposite the sea) to reach the splendid Palatine Chapel, located inside the Palazzo dei Normanni.

Author: V. Danila Castro licensed tour guide of Sicily.

The first permanent settlement Zyz (“Flower”, as its founders called it) arose between two rivers and overlooking the sea.

Today, there are several villas and gardens in the extensive urban area, some of which enrich the ancient city area:

•  Il Parco d’Orléans

•  Villa Bonanno

•  Villa Garibaldi

IL PARCO D’ORLÉANS

The gardens are in the area where the Kemonia stream once used to flow. Near Piazza Indipendenza, the Park d’Orléans, reopened to the public on 5 August 2021, is close to the homonymous Palace, seat of the Presidency of Sicilian Region.

Its fascinating botanical heritage includes palms, araucarias and several Ficus Macrophylla. It is home to many different species of birds, including pink flamingos and parrots. There are also fallow deer, fish and tortoises.

VILLA BONANNO

The garden is located in the historic centre of Palermo, in Piazza Vittoria, a few steps from the Cathedral. It was laid out in 1905 by the will of the mayor Pietro Bonanno, after whom it was named, and designed by the architect Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda.

The public garden is characterised by green spaces and tall palm trees. The square was once called “Piano del Palazzo” because the great Palazzo dei Normanni or Royal Palace overlooks it. The Palazzo dei Normanni has been the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly since 1947.

VILLA GARIBALDI

The Garibaldi garden, one of the stages of my Palermo historical districts tour, is a public garden in Piazza Marina. It was built on a project of the architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile and named after Giuseppe Garibaldi to celebrate the recent unification of Italy.  

Villa Garibaldi houses several species of tropical and subtropical plants and the Ficus Macrophylla with its aerial roots, planted in 1864 and one of the largest in Europe.

To enjoy the gardens, I recommend a visit to the parks especially in spring, summer or autumn. You can start the itinerary by exploring the Park d’Orléans, in Piazza Indipendenza; then you can continue walking  through the majestic Porta Nuova and stop at Villa Bonanno. The walk, a downhill route towards the sea, continues along Via Vittorio Emanuele. Surrounded by important buildings, you will reach Piazza Marina, home to the splendid Villa Garibaldi.

Author: V. Danila Castro, licensed tour guide of Sicily.

An urban journey, part of the project promoted by the Fondazione Falcone and the Questura of Palermo in collaboration with the Presidency of the Regional Assembly and the Fondazione Federico II.

The sculptures, 54 dogs, move along an urban journey, installed in May 2021 in the bunker room, then moved to the Questura of Palermo. Since 7 January 2022 they have been displayed at the Palazzo dei Normanni. The “stray pack becomes an attentive guardian of the memory of a city that has suffered and managed to rise again‘.

The Palace and the splendid Palatine Chapel, a World Heritage Site along with other buildings, have been part of the Arab-Norman itinerary since 2015. The heart of the itinerary, the Chapel, represents both architecturally and decoratively the extraordinary ‘encounter’ between different cultures.

Cefalù, located on the northern coast of Sicily within the Park of Madonie mountains, is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Picturesque and fascinating, in addition to the artistic and cultural value of its historic charming center is also famous for the beautiful seaside with golden sandy beach and crystal clear sea. The historic center  dominated by the Cathedral, a wonderful building of the Norman era (World Heritage Site by UNESCO), should be explored exclusively on foot getting lost in the countless streets and alleyways.

Let’s discover Cefalù together and let yourself be seduced by its beauty!

Traditions and Crafts tour is a new guided walking tour around the historic Palermo centre, from the Loggia district to the old Cassaro, that will let you discover another facet of the town and the ancient local crafts’ tradition that still survives.

Join Traditions and Crafts Tour and let’s discover Silversmiths, puppeteer masters, chair repairers and hat-makers together.

This Traditions and Crafts walking tour lasts about 3 hours, is for small groups only and is on request. It takes place in the mornings, Monday to Friday only. 

The Teatro Massimo is one of the largest in Europe, it covers 7.730 square meters and it is famous for its excellent acoustic too. At the time of its first opening, 16 May 1897, it was the third theatre in Europe, after the opera houses in Paris and Wien.

The Teatro Massimo was built in 1875-1897 on a project by the architect Giovanni Battista Filippo Basile and finished by his son, Ernesto Basile. The monumentality of the exterior is inspired by the choice of classic style. The main entrance dominates the square: six imposing columns and a staircase flanked by two bronze groups representing “Opera” and “Tragedy”. The huge auditorium, acoustically perfect, today hosts up to 1.247 people. The ceiling or the “Symbolic wheel”, is decorated in the shape of a flower with eleven petals that can be raised to allow the exchange of air.

Did you know that the theatre was closed for renovation work for about 23 years and reopened on May 12 1997?

However today guided tours are available to explore its beautiful auditorium and the most interesting halls!

Enjoy the visit!

Spectacular and delicious dessert made with sponge cake (pan di Spagna) layered with ricotta cheese, covered with marzipan and decorated with candied fruits and royal icing. It is traditionally an Easter cake, eaten in Sicily in winter or spring and of course around Easter time. However, Sicilian cassata is so popular that nowadays you can find it all year round.

Let’s Discover its flavor; walk through the city center and enjoy “sweet moments” in one of the pastry shops of the town; “Pasticceria Costa“, a pastry bar very close to “Four Corners” square or the “Confectionary” (la Dolceria) of the monastery of Santa Caterina.

Anima Mundi is a magical and unforgettable experience. An immersive journey of light games, special effects and sounds will transport you to an enchanted and imaginary place “populated by fantastic creatures and in contact with the soul of the world“.

The Botanical Garden of Palermo was founded in 1785 and it became very famous in a very short time. A wide open-air museum that houses a precious vegetable heritage, a large variety of species coming from every part of the planet. It is the most relevant didactic – scientific structure of the Botanical Science Department of Palermo’s University.

From 1 July to 3 October 2021, the Botanical Garden will be the protagonist of a show that will make you dream. “Anima Mundi” is appreciated by both adults and children.

Have you ever seen in Palermo or Sicily a ceramic vase resembling a Moors head?

Have you ever heard about their story?

During the Moors domination in Sicily there was a beautiful young girl who lived in the Kalsa neighborhood, here in Palermo. She used to take care of her plants on the balcony of her house, every day. One day an handsome young Moor saw her and was fascinated by her beauty: he soon declared his love to her. After a while, she discovered that her lover would return to his country where his wife and children were waiting for him.

She decided then to take her revenge…you want to know how the story ends? Come with me! Join Palermo historical districts tour and let’s discover it together.

This has always been my QUESTION. After many years I’ve found the answer: I’ll eat both of them!

Depending on which side of the island you’re on, these fried rice balls will change name: Arancina (Palermo and Western Sicily) or Arancino (Catania and Eastern Sicily).

Arancine or Arancini (plural) are breaded and deeply fried rice balls stuffed with different fillings.

The most traditional are:

• Rice Arancine with meat ragù, filled with meat ragù sauce, slow-cooked with tomato sauce, and peas.
• Rice butter Arancina, filled with ham and mozzarella cheese or bechamel.

The name, which can be translated as “little orange”, probably derives from their shape and colour that reminds of an orange (in Italian “arancia”). 
It is said that its origin dates back to 9th-century when Sicily  was under Arab rule.

Today, Arancina/o is the symbol of Sicilian street food!

Amongst the most popular finger food or street food they can be found all year round.

Come with me! Join Palermo Markets and street food tour and let’s discover ARANCINE/I together!