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
5.0 based on 5 reviews
5.0 based on 34 reviews
This puppet theatre (& workshop) was well worth the trek to the port area from the centre of town tourism (in which lots of less authentic puppet shows are on offer). Tucked away behind the Ibis hotel in a fascinating little residential street we entered this magical world. The show is in Italian (of course) but although my husband and daughter do know any Italian and my husband is not usually a fan of such things, we were all enthralled throughout. Our six year old daughter was treated so well, they let her sit on stage, gave her a backstage tour, let her play the pianola and even made the puppets kiss her. She laughed out loud the whole way through the show! This is a wonderful family business with father doing the puppeteering and his little son (my daughters age) playing the pianola. So very very magical. Lets keep this tradition alive!
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Luxury and antique shop ,where it's possible to find antiques,old paintings,scultures,ceramics,luxury and fine furniture, silver and jewelry, objects of art,European and asian art.
5.0 based on 5 reviews
4.5 based on 1,725 reviews
The traditional center of Palermo called "Quattro Canti" (Four Corners) is located at the intersection of Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda, making it the heart of this city's old historic district.
This central square was a really good starting point for exploring Palermo. We started our day here at the crossroads of Palermo’s two main roads, Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. It is a striking and unusual square. On each corner there are 4 matching concave Baroque buildings, all facing inwards towards the centre. If you stand in the middle and tilt your head right back to look up, they create a circular frame for a blue sky and almost seem to be curving in on you. It’s quite a strange effect. The facades are highly ornate, with curves and flourishes, columns, cherubs and fountains. There is a heavy dose of Baroque theatricality. Why have one cherub, when you can have 20 or more? Each facade has corresponding symbolic features that form a theme. Starting at the ground level, each one has a fountain. Together these represent Palermo's 4 rivers. Above that, is a figure representing one of the 4 seasons. Higher again on the second tier, is one of the Spanish kings. Finally, if you cast your eyes to the top level, each façade has one of Palermo's 4 patron saints (Sant'Oliva, Sant'Agata, Santa Christina, and Santa Ninfa). Read together, the symbolic meaning is to do with hierachy and power. The kings have power over nature but the divine power of God and the saints is the most powerful of all. There are all sorts of interesting detail if you look closely. After a while, we noticed that Spring is a young woman with a bouquet of flowers, whilst winter is an elderly person, nearing the end of their life and carrying an urn. Later in the day, when we came back this way, the square looked different again. The sun had shifted so that it was shining on a different facade giving quite a different effect. Grime and soot from traffic have blackened the buildings over time but it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to consider how stunning they would have looked when new and the stone was gleaming . NEARBY: From the Quattro Canti, we walked 2 minutes around to Pretoria Square, Santa Caterina church and the wonderfully named ‘fountain of shame’.
4.5 based on 480 reviews
We really enjoyed this visit and I would highly recommend it and the delightful Katerina who was our guide. The building is in a sad state of disrepair but this gives it a particular beauty. It only cost €5 and takes 30 mins.
4.5 based on 21 reviews
This is a welcoming Anglican church and a truly beautiful one. The Sunday service was good with fine organ music, enthusiastic congregation and a thoughtful sermon.
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