Location: Palermo
Top Things to do in Palermo
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Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Palermo, Sicily
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. Museum of tiles Stanze al Genio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 581 reviews
Reservations required!! The museum is open year round for a visit but you must book your visit by email or phone. For reservations just call a few hours before the appointment and agree to the tour. The visits are carried out only in Italian / english.
Reviewed By 344lindag - Province of Arezzo, Italy
I'm not sure how a museum can be so unassuming from the outside yet is a real gem inside. There is only a small name on the buzzer to enter but what lies inside is wall to wall ceramic tiles and also displays of vintage pieces and furniture. Entrance fee included a personal guided tour in english or italian. A wonderful experience.
2. Palazzo Conte Federico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 787 reviews
The palazzo is in the center of the old city only a few steps away from the Norman Palace. the Cathedral and the Market Ballarò. The oldest part of the palace is an Arab-Norman Tower of the 12th century. You can observe verious architectural styles, high painted ceilings of the 15th century, baroque ceiling frescoes by Vito D'Anna and Gaspare Serenario, various collections and original furniture. Since Count Federico's family, which can be followed back to the Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich II, has lived in this palace for centuries, the personal atmosphere makes a visit to this historical building a unique experience.
Reviewed By debm224
Small group tours with a member of the Federico family, who have lived in this fascinating historic building for many generations. A Norman tower from the original Palermo city wall is incorporated into the palazzo, and the history of the city is demonstrated with examples from renovations and additions. This is also a family home, with the cat’s climbing frame, portable heaters etc sitting alongside old treasures. We were welcomed by one of the sons, who was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share the family history - it was a highlight of our visit to Palermo.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. Museo Falcone - Borsellino
6. 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.
7. Norman Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,972 reviews
Reviewed By Sunshine631869
I didn't bother with the full visit. Just focused on the Capella Palatina which is enough, to be honest, because every inch is covered in lavish Byzantine mosaics illustrating biblical scenes. There's also plenty of Arabic influence, particularly in the geometric patterning of floor and wall tiles. You could study it for hours and you wouldn't begin to take it all in. Absolutely glorious! There's also an exhibition about the history of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Norman Palace on the ground floor. It's a bit haphazard and the English translations on the interpretation boards are absolutely shocking. It's almost impossible to follow them. You'd think they'd get native speakers to approve them but no, they just print up nonsense. Get what you can out of it but go for the mosaics. They are the real deal.
8. 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.
9. Palazzo Steri - Chiaramonte - Carcere dei penitenziati
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 716 reviews
Reviewed By nelliebly722018 - Sicily, Italy
Guided tour, some given in English, of the Palazzo of one if the most important families in Sicily as well as graffiti by prisoners held there afterwards when it was used as a prison by the Spanish Inquisition. The tour is very informative - great way to learn more about the very layered history of Palermo - originally the center when it was an active Arab trading port, a ruling family’s palazzo with a private chapel, then repurposed as a prison. Restoration design was started/planned by Carlo Scarpa and completed by others after his death.
10. Oratorio di Santa Cita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 676 reviews
Reviewed By conrad57 - Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
A must see in Palermo. Religious baroc architecture, overwhelming beauty of religious / historical sculptures and baby figures. Take a brocure or a guide to read and know more details about the figures and art, it will for sure make your visit more interesting and detailed
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