Location: Palermo
Top Things to do in Palermo
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Things to do in Palermo, Sicily: The Best Churches & Cathedrals
Palermo is an urban melting pot characterized by history and culture so diverse that it often feels conflicted. Discover an intriguing range of architectural styles, from Arabian domes to baroque buildings, and enjoy delicious cuisine that spans a variety of origins. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel and the church of St. John of the Hermits. Art and music lovers won’t want to miss the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (the “GAM”), the Salinas or an opera or ballet at the Teatro Massimo.
Restaurants in Palermo
1. Nobile e Monumentale Chiesa dell'Immacolata Concezione al Capo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 272 reviews
Reviewed By patriciamP6718EZ
I agree with the reviewers who found the baroque beautiful and overwhelming. One feature that I found stunning was the use of Pietra Dure on four side altars. The guides said this was not Florentine artistry, but native Palermitans who executed it, making it all the more remarkable. Realizing it was built in 1622 it is a wonder that it was built directly across the street from the more ancient church of Sant Ippolito, which was the parish seat from 1309. So, don't miss that church if it's opened when you visit.
2. Chiesa Inferiore della Cappella Palatina
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 561 reviews
Reviewed By robinn669 - Farnham, United Kingdom
Housed in the recently reorganised Norman Palace there are few adequate superlatives. You just have to see it- ideally in the winter months when smart phone infection is least prevalent
3. Church of San Cataldo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 978 reviews
This small church of San Cataldo was built in 1160, during the Norman occupation of Palermo.
Reviewed By AndrewC5362 - London, United Kingdom
Although small, this is a building of such historic importance that no traveller to Palermo should miss it. The fabric has been very sensitively restored by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, whose chapel it is.
4. Chiesa di San Domenico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 352 reviews
This baroque church, built in 1640, is noted for its bell-tower decorated with Maiolica ceramic tiles from Caltagirone.
Reviewed By 873AmyB873 - London, United Kingdom
This church in a small square is simply stunning to look at. It’s also got the tomb of one of the anti-Mafia judges who was assassination by the mob, which is very interesting and also moving.
5. Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,631 reviews
This chapel is known for its superb gold Byzantium mosaics.
Reviewed By Jazzumbo - Campulung, Romania
Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (Church of the Admiral) was built about 900 years ago by Muslim constructors for an Orthodox Christian admiral – George of Antioch, who paid mosaic crafters from Constantinople to come to Palermo and decorate it with stunning Byzantine mosaics. One of the mosaics depicts George of Antioch praying to Virgin Mary, while another one shows the Norman King Roger of Sicily receiving the power and crown directly from Jesus. After the death of the admiral, the church became Catholic and starting from XVI century went under several transformations and restorations. Currently, some of the Byzantine mosaics, displaying messages in Greek language, are still visible near the Catholic frescoes painted in XVIII century, while the high altar is Baroque. Since George of Antioch was fluently speaking Arabic, there are also some Arabic inscriptions on two of the columns, so the mixture of styles and influences in this church is really mind-blowing.
6. Cattedrale di Palermo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,166 reviews
This cathedral was started in 1185 by the norman archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio. You can visit the Royal and Imperial tomb of Frederik the II, the urn with the relics of the patron Saint of Palermo Santa Rosalia, plus a treasury with a precious medieval crown and a crypt from the VII century. The church is free to enter, there is a ticket to access the monumental area composed by royal tombs, treasury, crypt and the roof.
Reviewed By israroz - Ra'anana, Israel
The location of the large and impressive building of the Palermo Cathedral is the place where a basilica was built in early Christianity and with the Muslim conquest of Sicily on the ruins of the Basilica a Muslim mosque was built, many Muslim motifs have survived to date and can be seen in several places in the Cathedral. The cathedral is rich in exceptionally large and remarkably interesting variety of works of art from different historical periods. Roof climbing provides the climbers a wonderful rooftop views of Palermo. Sunset hours are highly recommended. “NOT 2 B MISSED”
7. Chiesa del Gesu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,250 reviews
Reviewed By edinburgher2 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Tucked away in a side street in old Palermo and in close proximity to Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria and Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana) so very easy to visit all three. We didn’t visit the crypt or the museum, only paid the E2 to visit the church interior. Entering inside, expect one of these “jaw -dropping moments” as the interior is almost overwhelming. The more you look at individual carvings, the more detail you see and the skill of the carvers is obvious. Hours could be spent here. Cannot recommend this enough. The high ratings are totally justified.
8. Chiesa di Santa Maria dello Spasimo
9. Chiesa Santa Maria della Pieta'
10. Chiesa di San Matteo
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