Palermo Districts Tour with local guide will let you uncover a part of the historic town center with some  charming neighborhoods, often left out by those  who visit Palermo only for a few days.

An interesting itinerary through two ancient districts: Loggia, which, in the middle age was the preferred residential area of merchants; and Kalsa, which developed during the Islamic domination.

A pleasant guided walking tour from Piazza San Domenico, scenographic backdrop square for the Church of San Domenico (one of the largest and most important in the city) to Piazza Marina; discovering the differences between past and present.

Through interweaving alleys, we’ll reach the heart of the Vucciria. Born as an open-air market where  animals were slaughtered and meats sold, “Vucciria” was one of the most important food markets in Palermo.  Over the centuries it has undergone several transformations and despite its glorious past, has suffered the gradual impoverishment of its original role, becoming since the 2000s center of the city nightlife.

Our walking guided tour continues strolling  along the mandamento “Tribunali” enjoying beautiful squares: from Piazza San Francesco to Piazza Magione, named after the church of SS. Trinità, also known as Magione.

Once we reach  the ancient medieval Kalsa district (the Arabic Al-Halisah, meaning the “elect”, the “pure”), we’ll visit one of Palermo’s most evocative open air sites: “Spasimo” -Church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo – (temporarily closed).

The walking tour will end in Piazza Marina; one of the most beautiful and largest squares in Palermo. Piazza Marina was often used for public feasts and celebrations as well as for public executions. Surrounded by remarkable buildings, including the famous Palazzo Chiaramonte also known as “Steri”, the center of the Piazza is adorned with a charming garden, Giardino Garibaldi. Very interesting are the impressive Ficus Macrophylla, commonly known as Moreton Bay fig tree or Australian banyan tree with long aerial roots, one of which is now reputed to be amongst the largest in Europe.

The Baroque Palermo tour is a guided walking tour that takes you to explore less beaten tracks.  If you are already familiar with the most famous sites in town, the Tour of the Baroque in Palermo will lead you to explore some stunning sites enjoying the beautiful traces of the Baroque era (17^th and 18^th century). Opulent decorations and splendid architectural works in Palermo, were expression of power and opulence. An uninterrupted mantle of decorations, stucco works and frescoes; precious treasures revealing their “vibrant soul”.

Thanks to the Baroque Palermo tour you will relive the constructive enthusiasm of the 17^th century; streets and squares (Via Maqueda, i “Quattro Canti”), and the old Cassaro. The architectural and decorative “Baroque” style and its different forms, facades of the noble palaces, religious buildings (Churches and Oratories) generally speaking, the “city centre” committed to representation and appearance; a competition between aristocracy, religious orders and congregations.

Baroque tour Palermo: Baroque decorations

The building and embellishment of Churches played a primary role. Entering the Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, uncover the splendour and opulence of the ornamentation covering walls; the amazing flow of polychrome marble inlays, sculptural elements and frescoes.

Oratories held a very relevant role too. Venues used for worship and Confraternity meetings, they were annexed to prestigious Churches. No external signs of their internal use, the large rectangular hall concealed the pomp of decorations inside, reserved only for the brotherhood.

The Oratories indoor decoration is largely the work of Giacomo Serpotta, one of the greatest European sculptors (1656-1732), who chose “stucco” to express his art, achieving very original results.

Be enchanted by the dazzling white of the interior of San Lorenzo Oratory, one of Giacomo Serpotta’s masterpiece. On the wall the so called “Teatrini” (small theatres) representing the story of S. Lawrance’s life and S.Francis’s life enriched with allegoric female satues of “Virtues” and a multitude of putti that interact with the little theatres or are busy to play.

On the altar the replica of the lost Caravaggio masterpiece: the Nativity with Saints Lawrence and Francis of Assisi. Painted in 1609, the work was stolen between 17 and 18 October 1969 and since then, various theories have emerged about its fate. The painting, cut from its frame, is the subject of legends and controversial stories.

Choosing what to visit in Palermo is quite difficult due to all it has to offer. There are so many alternatives; if you don’t want to focus on a single characteristic but wish to explore different aspects of Palermo without getting tired, I suggest Middle Ages and Baroque Palermo walking tour rich in contents and at the same time very easy due to the proximity of the sites.

A 3 hour guided tour will disclose some of the town’s most representative Norman and Baroque sites.

Middle Ages and Baroque Palermo tour will unveil authentic jewels of the city, Medieval mosaics and architecture, colorful baroque marble inlays. End up in the lively and colourful food market Ballarò.

Middle Ages and Baroque Palermo Tour: the sites

Middle Ages and Baroque Palermo tour will lead you through history from the 12^th century all the way to the 17^th, without having to walk miles. Taking you through the 17^th century Via Maqueda and revealing  “Quattro Canti” (four corners). In the attractive Piazza Bellini two churches built during the Norman era, are evidence of “cultural syncretism” and Palermo’s Golden Age. You will be amazed by the precious interior mosaics of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio or Martorana, carried out according to the Byzantine iconographic tradition. Next to the Martorana, the Church of San Cataldo discloses the deep secrets of Islamic architectures.

In the same square, you can admire the Church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, built in the late 1500s and annexed to the Dominican convent founded in the fourteenth century. Beyond a linear façade you uncover one of the most stunning examples of Baroque decoration in Palermo. You will be overwhelmed by the splendour of an uninterrupted flow of amazing marble inlay wall ornamentation, sculpted elements and frescoes.  If you wish, can also go up to the rooftop for a breathtaking view of the city.

You can rest en route at “The secret of the Cloister”, the Confectionary (La Dolceria) of Santa Caterina and enjoy a traditional sweet made according to the ancient recipes handed down by the nuns.

The exploration continues through alleyways, leading you to the backstreet market of Ballarò, one of the most famous historic outdoor markets in Palermo. Here, all your senses will be awakened: the abbanniate of sellers shouting their wares; displays of colorful fruit and vegetables; the smell and smoke of grilled food lingering in the air will point you in the right direction for a culinary trip through Palermo’s past till present day.

This guided walking tour will allow you to admire and appreciate some of the most beautiful monuments of the Arab-Norman itinerary of Palermo, which was recognized as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2015.

The guided tour of the Arab-Norman route is, in fact, dedicated to the wonderful testimonies left by the Norman rulers of the Altavilla dynasty; a golden period in the history of Palermo and all of Sicily that culminated in real masterpieces of high and unique artistic value. After about two centuries under the rule of the Arabs, the Normans conquered much of the island, reaching Palermo. The Norman conquest brought the island back into the orbit of Christian religion and Western culture but the Norman kings succeeded in merging the different cultures they found in the territory, from the Islamic world to Byzantium to the West.

We’ll trace the splendid history of the Norman kings who ruled from 1130 allowing a peaceful coexistence of different cultures, languages and religions. Thanks to the Arab-Norman itinerary of Palermo, I will lead you to the discovery of Saint John of the Hermits whose charm of volumes and red domes captures anyone who visits it making this place one of the symbols of Palermo. You will be won over by the rare beauty of the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (Martorana), an architectural jewel that integrates the Byzantine shining language of mosaics in the original body, with the developments of the following centuries. The church of San Cataldo and the great harmony of oriental taste that comes from the perfect combination of volumes.

You will be surprised by the extraordinary coexistence of Latin and Byzantine architectural elements present in the Palatine Chapel, gem of the Royal Palace. Its wonderful muqarnas ceiling by Arab craftsmen will leave you breathless, while the sparkling mosaic decoration will dazzle you. You will be captivated by the grandeur and long history of the Cathedral, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption. This Eclectic and fascinating building has, more than any other, undergone major changes throughout the centuries.

Lunch break: the old town offers many options to enjoy our typical local dishes.

Do you want to “immerse” yourself in our historic markets and experience them firsthand? Do you want to discover the flavors of our tradition and the street food of Palermo? Are you curious to know the ancient origins of some of our typical dishes?

The tour of the Historical Markets of Palermo will allow you to explore the markets of Ballarò and Capo. A 3 hour walking tour of Palermo; I will take you through an itinerary that, before reaching the maze of narrow streets that characterize the districts of the Markets, will also give you the opportunity to admire buildings, streets and charming squares (Teatro Massimo, Via Maqueda and the “Quattro Canti”).

So get ready to live a day as the locals do in Palermo and share with me this experience: you will discover another face of Palermo, a city that manages to convey its history through the markets.
A playful adventure: lunch or snack, remember that at the market, street food is always “strictly” eaten with your hands. But don’t worry, during our tour I will show you how we eat our street food.

You’ll see what a magical “mixture” of smells and colours the  Markets of Palermo are, a journey into the past. Sometimes strong flavors but processed with simplicity.

Palermo markets: Ballarò and Capo

Welcome to Ballarò open-air market! Colors, abbaniate (vendors yelling their goods), smoke of grilled food, peeled prickly pears, spices, calia (chickpeas) and seeds and popular food welcome you with joy.

Ballarò is a market of Saracen origin that even today resembles a Middle Eastern souk. A place that lives and has evolved and expanded over time, occupying part of the ancient district of Albergheria; an ever changing multi-ethnic area. You will find that, by popular tradition, nothing goes to waste here. Thanks to street food, in the markets survive ancient dishes such as stigghiola (entrails of kid, lamb or veal) cooked on the grill or in the boiled version quarume and  the panino with the spleen.

The markets tour will also lead you to the Capo open-air market, another market of great charm. The visit will be fascinating thanks to the presence of monuments often hidden or otherwise not easily visible and perhaps for this reason even more fascinating.

Even the Capo will conquer you with its street food. No fear for vegetarians or for those who do not want to deal with somewhat “strong” flavors. Our street food will offer you some excellent and tasty alternatives, such as the Sicilian Pizza also known as Sfincione, the sandwich with the panelle (chickpea fritters), the crocchè (potato croquettes), the famous arancine (rice balls)  and much more.
The Capo will also captivate you with its varied display of meat, fish and vegetables. It will be a riot of colors, the colors of Sicily and Palermo.

Travelling to Palermo for the first time? Looking for Palermo guided walking tours? Then look no more! Here is the best one for you.

3 hour walking tour of Palermo with private tour guide will let you discover the most famous attractions of Palermo’s historic city center, one of the largest of Europe.  You will stroll through the long history of the eclectic and multicultural Palermo; see the tangible traces left by different populations; traditions and customs that have made Palermo a city of surprising beauty. Admire baroque churches and domes; neoclassical buildings and historic markets. A city rich in ancient history, art, legends and intriguing stories; I will lead you through the most famous streets and squares of the old town, uncovering hidden winding alleys, too.

Walking tour Palermo: the sites

During the walking tour of Palermo the impressive Teatro Massimo will enchant you; going on Via Maqueda, a very attractive road opened in 1600, walking through a pedestrian long street until we reach the Quattro Canti (four corners).

Just a few more steps and you’ll find yourself in Piazza Pretoria, with  the Pretoria Fountain, also known as the Fountain of Shame; Piazza Bellini, one of the most charming squares in town. Here are the Churches of San Cataldo e Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio also known as la Martorana, notable examples from the Norman age; witnesses of Palermo’s ancient splendors when in the XII century it was the Capital of the Norman kingdom of Sicily.

Time for a sweet break? At the Bakery Shop – Dolceria – of the Monastery of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, former Dominican monastery, you will taste such delicacies as cannoli and almond pastries produced today just like they were centuries ago. You will be amazed by the impressive and magnificent Cathedral of which we will visit the interiors.

Narrow streets and alleys will lead you to the old Capo Historic Market.  Here you will experience local life, strolling among the stalls full of fruit, vegetables, an amazing array of dried fruits, spices, fish and meat. A blend of vibrant colours and fragrances create an unforgettable atmosphere.