Palermo 5-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Palermo Cathedral

   Honey-coloured and Catalan influenced. Frederick II, Barbarossa's grandson, died in 1250 and is buried here, far from his ancestral home above Hohenstaufen, Germany. Frederick's sarcophagus is of porphyry dyed with imperial purple.

2. Stop 2 · 6 min walk

   Palatine Chapel

   It's one of the artistic gems of Palermo: a chapel with magnificent mosaics and Arabian-style decorations, among the most beautiful in the world. It is inside of Palazzo dei Normanni.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Palazzo dei Normanni

   The oldest royal residence in Europe, the home of the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily and imperial seat of the Emperor Frederick II. The palace contains the Cappella Palatina, the best example of the Arab-Norman style of Sicily. Nowadays it is the seat of the Sicilian Parliament.

4. Stop 4 · 4 min walk

   San Giovanni degli Eremiti

   Church notable for its brilliant red domes, which show the persistence of the Arab influences in the 12th century, with its typical Arab-Norman style. The €6 admission ensures that the lovely garden is quiet and peaceful.

Eat · Stuzzicandoci: Best place to eat a delicious arancina in Palermo downtown. The owner is really kind and friendly. Quality ingredients and courteous staff.

1. Stop 1

   Museo Archeologico

   Museo Archeologico is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

2. Stop 2 · 28 min walk

   Catacombe dei Cappuccini

   The catacombs of the Capuchin convent contain over 8,000 mummified ex-residents from Palermo and its surrounding villages, some merely clothed skeletons, other remarkably well-preserved and lifelike. Well worth a visit, interesting, if slightly morbid. Children may either find it exciting or terrifying, and it must be the responsibility of their parents to think carefully before taking them. You can arrive via the tram line and a 10- to 15-minute walk. Your visit will not take longer than one hour.

3. Stop 3 · 26 min walk

   Church of the Gesù

   The Gesu Church is one of the most architecturally important in Palermo. Constructed between 1564–1633, its late date of completion resulted in an abundant use of polychrome marbles on both floors and walls. This form of decoration, which gradually evolved in Sicily from the beginning of the 17th century, was a mark of the beginning of the Sicilian Baroque period, which was to give Sicily almost an architectural national identity.

4. Stop 4

   Piazza Pretoria and the Fontana Pretoria

   In 1573 the Senate of Palermo bought a fountain intended for the Palace of San Clemente in Florence, with the intention of placing it in the square. The large central fountain is the focal point for 16 nude statues of nymphs, humans, mermaids and satyrs. In 1860, the fountain was considered the representation of corrupt municipalities, and Palermo nicknamed the square with the nudity of the statues, the Square of Shame (Piazza della vergogna).

Eat · Timilia: Very good pizzeria, a real delight. Also Vegan options. For those intolerant to gluten and lactose, the pizzas are gluten-free and the mozzarella is lactose-free.

1. Stop 1

   Praetorian Palace or Palace of the Eagles

   The building has an important role in the political life of the city, since it houses the mayor and the offices of the municipality of Palermo. Construction began in 1463. It is open for visits to see the sumptuous meeting rooms, the "Sala Rossa" (seat of the mayor), the "Sala Gialla" (seat of the municipal government), the "Sala delle Lapidi" (seat of the city council), and the "Sala Garibaldi".

2. Stop 2

   Monreale

   A village 8 km west of Palermo, sitting on the hill with a great view back towards the city and the sea. It is home to a historical Norman-Byzantine cathedral, which has been designated as one of several buildings named in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

3. Stop 3 · 1483 min walk

   Monreale Cathedral

   The cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture. It was begun in 1174 by William II and completed four years later. The church is a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily. The cloister has 228 small columns, each with different decorations influenced by Provençal, Burgundian, Arab and Salerno medieval art.

4. Stop 4 · 1439 min walk

   Palermo Botanical Garden

   Historical city botanical gardens featuring many collections of plants, trees, and aquaculture. The garden is associated with the neighbouring university and contains a number of experimental gardens to test acclimation of plant species to Sicily.

Eat · Maqueda Bistrot: Great place, very delicious pasta and the bruschetta with the mozarella is tasty. They serve both pasta and great burgers.

1. Stop 1

   Museo delle Maioliche (Museum of Maiolica Tile)

   Beautiful private museum of historical tiles produced both locally and in Naples. Guided tours available in English or Italian will take you through the techniques and historical considerations of tile making and its importance across Italy.

Eat · Vecchia Trattoria da Totò: The real Palermo cuisine. Informal trattoria with tables also outdoors. Good mixed fried food, excellent mussels. No English menu.

1. Stop 1

   Catania

   Listed as a next stop from Palermo. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Agrigento

   Listed as a next stop from Palermo. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Syracuse (Sicily)

   Listed as a next stop from Palermo. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.