13 Very Best Things To Do In Palermo, Italy – Hand Luggage Only
Palermo is a fully sensible metropolis to discover in Sicily. It’s a type of cities that’s properly price visiting in its personal proper or as a part of a wider cease to see all the attractive locations in Sicily. That being mentioned, there are heaps of the very best issues to do in Palermo in its personal proper.
We beloved our time within the northern Sicilian metropolis of Palermo and it feels fairly a bit completely different from different cities in Sicily like Catania. We stayed three nights on our final go to to Palermo and it was completely epic.
So, that will help you get probably the most out of your time in Palermo, I’ve popped some complete gems that you simply don’t wish to miss once you go to. Have the very best time in Italy.
1.) Palatine Chapel
One of many issues that make Palatine Chapel so particular is that it varieties a part of the royal palace and dates again nearly 1,000 years. It’s gorgeous and the Muqarnas ceilings are simply one thing else. It’s so spectacular and influenced by Fatimid artwork that you simply typically see it in Islamic structure and rooms.
Now, the admission worth is a bit more than different related sights in Palermo, so maintain that in thoughts. Although, I’d at all times say to go, because it’s so pretty to see.
Afterwards, e book this scrumptious road meals tour in Palermo that takes place within the early night. It’s an effective way to seek out native eateries and check out native produce that typically will get neglected. We beloved the tour and the native information is so good.
Simply be sure you e book this meals tour prematurely as locations do fill quick.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to see in Sicily
2.) Quattro Canti (Piazza Vigliena)
Okay, so Quattro Canti is a typical piazza space in Palermo to go to. It’s proper within the coronary heart of the historic centre and properly price passing by means of as you ramble the bustling streets of town.
Historical past-wise, Quattro Canti dates all the best way again to 1608. Sculptures of collectible figurines are arrange across the courtyard. And admire the work by Pietro Novello.
While right here, be sure you take a gander contained in the Church of San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini. It’s completely beautiful and an excellent technique to see a few of that Baroque structure that’s so common in Sicily.
Oh, and don’t neglect that you simply’ve obtained the attractive Fontana Pretoria that’s just a few steps away. This implies it’s completely straightforward to go to each on the similar time. You’ll like it.
Getting peckish? Get your self over to Osteria Ballarò for dinner that’s simply off the market space. It’s completely pretty and the pasta is likely one of the greatest within the metropolis. Simply attempt to e book a desk prematurely, particularly on weekends – this place can refill quick.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Catania
3.) Teatro Massimo
The Massimo Theatre is definitely the most effective issues to do in Palermo if you wish to see a world-class opera efficiency. If you happen to don’t catch a present, the theatre itself is beautiful and even price reserving this epic tour to see its grandeur.
The tour itself takes round half-hour and is properly price becoming a member of when you love historic buildings.
Earlier than heading for the efficiency, seize a desk at Trattoria Del Massimo. It’s an informal however genuine Sicilian gem that basically is aware of its pasta dishes. Plus, their pizza was scrumptious and completely contemporary.
4.) Chruch of San Giovanni degli Eremiti
Nestled inside the historic space of Albergaria, San Giovanni degli Eremiti is properly price seeing while in Palermo.
Courting all the best way again to the twelfth century, it’s a very easy place to go to once you’re already heading to the Norman Palace that’s a brief stroll away.
As soon as inside, ensure to maintain your eyes peeled for the pink domes and all of the Arabesque influences inside the church itself.
Lastly, if you wish to take a look at extra of the beautiful chapels and church buildings in Palermo, ensure to see the church of St. Mary of the Admiral (Martorana).
Hankering for a gelato? Get your self over to Dolce Capo.
Now, it doesn’t appear like something important from the surface, however this place is aware of good gelato. We went again right here time and time once more. Strive the hazelnut flavour, it’s divine.
5.) Palazzo Abatellis
Afterwards, head to Palazzo Abatellis within the historic space of town.
Visiting is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Palermo when you’re concerned about artwork historical past. Inside, you’ll get to see the Virgin Annunciate, which was created by Antonello da Messina. It’s world-renowned and probably the most well-known work in all of Sicily. Plus, you’ll get to see Moses by Pietro Novelli.
Now, a go to will probably take round an hour and the proper stopping level when you’re heading to the Botanic Gardens of Palermo (which is gorgeous to see, too).
6.) Monte Pellegrino
Now, it’s probably you’ll have seen Monte Pellegrino a number of occasions while you’re visiting Palermo. In truth, it’s laborious to overlook!
The views from listed below are spectacular and it’s an amazing place for a stroll overlooking the northern Sicilian shoreline.
To make issues simpler, e book this Monte Pellegrino tour that’ll take you to all of the viewpoints and see the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia that’s embedded inside the rock itself.
It’s so price it and makes the entire journey tremendous straightforward.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Catania
7.) Ustica Island
Fancy just a few days away (or an extended day journey) from the bustling streets of Palermo? Then get your self over to Istica Island. Round 50km from the shores of Sicily, it’s the most effective issues to do in Palermo when you’re fancying a quieter expertise away from the crowds.
Now, to get right here you’ll need to board a ferry, with Siremar or Liberty Strains, over to the island and chill within the pure fantastic thing about this gorgeous spot.
The island itself is ideal for climbing and it’s nice if you wish to see a number of the wild and pure fantastic thing about Italy. It’s a Mediterranean gem.
Simply keep in mind, you’re not going to get the identical opening occasions and or choices for eating places or bars on the island. Preserve this in thoughts as choices could be extra restricted, particularly when you eat later within the night.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to see in Sicily
8.) Mondello Seashore
Sicilian seashores hit otherwise! We now have such a gentle spot for them, particularly when there are some pristine waters to go along with it. Modello Seashore is strictly that.
Actually, it’s the most effective issues to do in Palermo when you’re fancying a seashore day. Modello Seashore is round 4 kilometres from the historic centre of Palermo and fairly beautiful for a day journey.
If all that sea air has made you hungry, e book a dinner at Le Antiche Mura. Sure, it’s a bit of away from the beachside itself however the seafood is price it. They’ve contemporary catches of the day and it’s so yummy.
If you happen to’re much less of a seashore bum and like the open waters, e book this classic yacht tour across the Sicilian shoreline from Palermo. It’s a five-hour tour and completely tranquil because it takes in Mondello Seashore, too.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to see in Sicily
9.) Fontana Pretoria
To be sincere, the entire space round Fontana Pretoria goes to be one thing the place you’ll wish to stroll for a great few hours.
Dwelling to probably the most unimaginable fountains and marble statues, it’s most likely one of many cities most iconic spots.
Plus, proper subsequent door you will have the likes of; Palazzo Pretorio (the city corridor), the Church of San Cataldo and the Church of St. Nicholas.
To make issues simpler, e book this guided strolling tour of Palermo. Not solely will you get to see the primary sight of town, however you’ll additionally get to style so many native bites, too. We beloved it.
10.) Ballaro and Capo Markets
Okay, so Ballaro Market is a hive of exercise at the very best of occasions. It’s busy, loud and completely superb to go for a stroll. In truth, I’d go so far as saying it’s the most effective issues to do in Palermo when desirous to expertise town to its fullest.
Stuffed with contemporary stalls, native produce and trinkets to take dwelling, we completely beloved strolling the stalls which can be proper subsequent to the historic centre.
Alternatively, when you’re close to Carini Gate, ensure to cease by del Capo Market that’s enormous and has heaps of stalls. I believe we had a number of the greatest strawberries we’ve ever tasted from right here.
Simply keep in mind, this space will get actually busy across the weekends. If you wish to keep away from the crowds, go to early within the morning.
11.) Norman Palace
Typically known as the Royal Palace, ensure to spend a while exploring the advanced of the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni). We spent a great few hours right here and beloved each second. It’s simply the most effective issues to do in Palermo and completely price seeing when you love Italian historical past.
In spite of everything, it was the seat of the King of Sicily and the palace itself dates again properly over eight hundred years.
Simply be sure you e book these Norman Palace tickets prematurely. With these tickets, you’ll get to skip the road and get proper contained in the Royal Palatine Chapel, too.
Afterwards, take a wander across the Outdated Cloister of Saint John in Palermo (Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti) and the church of the Gesu that’s inside the historic space of Palermo.
They’re each so spectacular.
12.) Monreale Cathedral
If you happen to’re venturing a bit of away from the historic centre of Palermo, ensure to go to Monreale Cathedral and Abbey. It’s so gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Web site has probably the most superb cloister and delightful Mosaics within the apse.
To make issues simpler, e book this half-day tour round Monreale and to Cefalu, too. It’s the most effective issues to do in Palermo, particularly if you wish to discover the broader space of Northern Sicily.
Alternatively, e book this unimaginable tour of Monreale the Capuchin Catacombs are completely surreal to see. As soon as right here, you’ll get to see lots of of mummies and preserved members of excessive society inside the crypts themselves.
Sure, it might probably appear a bit of macabre however it’s a part of Palermo’s historical past and one spot price studying extra about.
13.) Piazza San Domenico
As you stroll across the historic centre of Palermo, ensure to go to Piazza San Domenico. It’s the most effective issues to do in Palmero when you’re wanting to go to a number of the smaller alleys and streets of the outdated centre.
As soon as right here, be sure you take a look at the Colonna dell’Immacolata (that’s proper within the centre). After all, you’re going to squeeze in yet one more church – the Church of Saint Domenico.
Getting peckish? Pop in for a chew to eat at Trattoria Al Ferro di Cavallo that’s been round Palermo for ages; and with good motive. Their grilled calamari is scrumptious.
15 Very Greatest Locations In Sicily To Go to
Examine Out The Very Greatest Of Nice Britain!
