Location: Palermo
Top Things to do in Palermo
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What to do and see in Palermo, Sicily: The Best Historic Sites
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. 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.
2. Palazzo Drago Airoldi di Santa Colomba
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 96 reviews
Palazzo Drago Airoldi di Santa Colomba è annoverabile per posizione e sviluppo tra le dimore storiche siciliane più interessanti del Cassaro, l'attuale Via Vittorio Emanuele. Il recente restauro ha riconsegnato splendore alla struttura. La visita guidata permette di ammirarne l'architettura, gli interni con i soffitti affrescati e numerose opere d'arte.
Reviewed By tdyer_1999 - Rome, Italy
This was a lovely discovery in the heart of Arab-Norman Palermo, a stone's throw from the Cathedral. The palazzo was originally built in the 11th century apparently and developed in the centuries that followed. The current owner has lovingly restored the 18th and 19th century cieling frescoes and put on display an eclectic art collection comprising paintings, sculptures, ceramics as well as personal memorabilia dating back through his own family. He takes you on a personalised guided tour of the various rooms of the 'piano nobile' punctuated by historical and contemporary commentary. He is as full of character as the palazzo itself! An hour very well spent!
3. 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.
4. Palazzo Asmundo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
This beautiful palazzo is decorated with frescoes featuring allegorical scenes, painted by Gioacchino Martorana, a Sicilian artist of the eigteenth century. Inside the buiding you can also admire various collections: furniture from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, paintings, French and Napoleonic china, Sicilian ceramics and a variety of fans, embroideries, vases and other antiques.
5. 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.
6. 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
7. Villa Malfitano
8. San Giuseppe dei Teatini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 610 reviews
Reviewed By AlexSwallow - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Palermo has lots of stunning churches, but of the ones I saw this is the standout for both architecture and atmosphere. Really worth a visit.
9. Church of Saint Augustine - Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
10. Chiesa di San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi
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