Palermo, Panormous, all harbour. This is the name that Phoenicians gave to it. Goethe said in his Italienische Reise that sky of Palermo is unforgettable.
You will be astonished by the apparently inexplicable old wealth of the old Palermo, but consider that before 1492 (discovery of Americas), everything around the Mediterranean Sea was THE world. And the middle of this world was Sicily. Very strategic for transports and trades which happened mainly with ships. Hence Arabs, French, Spaniards, Germans, Italians and so on conquered the island. We are sure you will have a book guide which will tell you everything. Fine. we tell you what we would do (randomly). Start from PIAZZA PRETORIA, the fountain is great. If open, go the “Martorana” church and the one in front, SANTA CATERINA church, one of my favourite churches in Palermo. The yellow marble that you see around is extinguished nowadays, so take your time to admire it. Walk along the entire Via Vittorio Emanuele, up and down. People from Palermo still call it Cassaro, from the ancient Arab name i.e. al-qasr (the castle which is in the north end of the street). From Piazza Pretoria go the QUATTRO CANTI, masterpiece of the Baroque art. Palermo is very Baroque in its inner soul, rich appearance to hide many poor things. The CATHEDRAL is gorgeous from the outside, nice from the inside. ORATORIO DI SANTA CITA, outstanding. CHIESA DELLO SPASIMO (church), unfinished church, very suggestive. Palermo town hall commissioned a painting to Raffaello, which was never delivered to Palermo and that now it is hosted at El Prado in Madrid. CHIESA SANT’AGOSTINO AL CAPO, go there and experience one of the Arab legacies, the open air market “Il Capo” or “Ballaro’”.

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GETTING TO PALERMO FROM THE PALERMO AIRPORT

From the Palermo airport there are two options to reach the city centre. You can get a cab at the exit of the airport - please keep in mind most cabs are cash only (should be around 35 EUR, but can vary depending on the hour). Or you can take the train to the Stazione Centrale which is a 10 minute walk or a short cab to the Quattro Canti area, the historical city centre. Train tickets can be bought at the airport or on this website.

If you’re planning a short trip around Sicily, we suggest you to rent a car. 

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HOTELS

EUROSTARS CENTRALE PALACE, Via Vittorio Emanuele 327

QUINTOCANTO HOTEL & SPA, Via Vittorio Emanuele 310

GRAND HOTEL ET DES PALMES, Via Roma 398

 

BREAKFAST

City: Antico Caffe’ in Via Principe di Belmonte 107.

City: Bar Costa in Via Maqueda 174. 

Mondello (sea side): Bar Alba. The must-have is cornetto with Nutella. Ice cream is good.

Mondello (sea side): Scimone. The must-have is ciambella (a donut, but forget the American ones).

 

LUNCH

Eat everywhere you feel like. Eat street food or in the small bars that you meet. You won’t make it wrong.

If in Mondello, go to “Calogero” (Via Torre di Mondello 22) to eat boiled octopus on the go. Don’t stay there for a full lunch, it’s not worthwhile. If in the city, you might want to go to “Buatta Cucina Popolana” Via Vittorio Emanuele, 176

 

APERITIVO

Mondello (sea side): Mida, Viale Regina Elena, 91 right in front of the sea.

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DINNER

City: Sardina Pasta Bar in Via dei Cassari 41/43

City: Molo Sant’Erasmo in Caletta Sant’Erasmo

City: Casa del Brodo dal Dottore, in Via Vittorio Emanuele, 175

Mondello (sea side) Sympathy in via Piano di Gallo 18

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AFTER DINNER

City: Ferramenta: Piazza Giovanna Meli, 8

Mondello: Mida, it's an aperitivo place. Go there and then follow the flow.

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GELATO

Gelato (Ice cream) is an institution in Sicily and Palermo. Quality average is extremely high.

Cappadonia Via Vittorio Emanuele, 403 or Piazzetta Francesco Bagnasco.

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SEA SIDE

Mondello > it’s the city beach, very nice in June and July (less in August, too crowded).

Capo Gallo > Marine natural reserve (via Gallo a Partanna Mondello). Rocks.