Published 28th Jun. 2021
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The best way to get to know Palermo on a holiday in Italy is on foot, as even experienced drivers will find it hard to get around, except perhaps during the slower-paced afternoon when Palermo falls asleep for a few hours before returning to the usual hustle and bustle. The pervasive sense of disorder, and the eclectic mix of styles and urban fabric (elegant avenues rubbing shoulders with ancient alleyways) make Palermo a fabulous city to visit. Discover how we would spend 24 hours in Palermo...
10 am
Take time to visit Palermo's churches: each has its own art and idiosyncratic spirituality. The Byzantine mosaics of Martorana and the architecture of San Cataldo, full of Islamic influences, are particularly impressive. Chiesa del Gesu is a must for its angels and stucco. Even today, attending Sunday Mass allows visitors to taste the fervour that takes hold of Sicilian churchgoers..
2:00 pm
Mercato Ballaro, stretching between Chiesa del Gesu and the Chiesa del Carmine, is like an oriental souq. The market offers fresh produce but also serves dishes prepared over open fires, served with the local speciality 'Pani ca meusa', bread filled with offal.
3:00 pm
This museum, founded in 1975, showcases an age-old Sicilian craft tradition and introduces visitors to the world of puppets. Perfect for nostalgic visitors and family holidays.
Palermo's Opera dei Pupi
4:00 pm
Head to Mondello to unwind from the chaos in some parts of Palermo. This former fishing village has become a popular spot for the people of Palermo who come to walk in the shade of its palm trees and enjoy a refreshing 'granita' (a sort of Sicilian sorbet). It's also the perfect place for a swim, located just six miles from Palermo (buses leave regularly from Politeama Square).
7:00 pm
Head to the pedestrian area between Teatro Massimo and Via Roma, where the streets are busy until late in the evening and filled with plenty of good 'osterias'. Order 'melanzane parmigiana' (a baked aubergine dish), 'pasta con le sarde' (sardines) and a Sicilian cannolo (pastry dough usually filled with ricotta cheese) to go with your coffee.
Italy is a holiday hotspot (for good reason), so our help in navigating the crowds is invaluable. From snapping up hard-to-come-by Vatican tickets (at the quietest times of day) to organising an archaeologist to guide you around Pompeii, our consultants have the insider intel to make your trip unforgettable. Stuck on where to stay? Our vetted accommodation options range from family-run ‘trullis’ in Puglia to big-name hotels in Venice. So, whether you're an adventurous family or a couple on a romantic retreat, we can find the version of Italy to suit you.
ENQUIRE NOWPractical advice and inspiration for your next trip
On a research trip to Umbria and Tuscany, our Europe specialist, Valeria, discovered that the best way to explore the Italian countryside is by car. During her road trip, she marvelled at Marmore Falls, admired the beautiful views over Lake Trasimeno and wandered through the UNESCO-listed village of Castiglione d'Orcia. From cooking classes to wine tastings, her trip was jam-packed with Italian delights.
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