Palermo is a city full of contradictions and contrasts: baroque riot behind popular neighbourhoods, the chaos of markets and Byzantine gold, the chaos of Saturday night at the Vucciria and the quiet of Sunday morning, and again, the panino con la meusa and raw shrimp.

How to reach Palermo and where to stay

The airplane is the easiest and fastest way to get to Palermo. Falcone Borsellino Airport is located 35 km west from Palermo and is connected to the city by a shuttle service that leaves about every half hour. The best area to stay in is the Castellammare-Loggia or Libertà Politeama district. Walking on foot is the best way to get around the center, despite the distances. For trips out of town or outlying areas the bus is recommended even if you do not have to make reliability about punctuality due to traffic. Palermo can be visited all year round: even in winter the temperatures are pleasant. Opt for summer / late spring if you want to go to the beach. The best activities to do with children are walks in the various parks and certainly the trip to the sea in Mondello. And also they will certainly appreciate a puppet show. Free of charge, you can immerse yourself in the local atmosphere by shooting aimlessly in the neighborhoods and especially in the markets. Almost all attractions are paid, but they do not have excessive fees. Apart from the Marina, the Foro Italico, the Zisa and the Capuchin Catacombs, everything is easily reachable on foot from the center.

The 7 most special activities to do in Palermo

1-Take a gastronomic tour based on street-food in the markets: taste sfincione, arancine, panelle and cazzilli, bread ca meusa, stigghiole, frittola, quarume and all the specialties that have made Palermo the European capital of street food. The panino ca meusa must be eaten strictly by Rock alla

2-Watch a Puppet show and visit the Pasqualino International Puppet Museum

3-Visit Palermo underground and the Qanats of Arab origin, discover the secrets of the sect of the Beati Paoli, existing before the Mafia, and visit the water pipes of the ancient Arab plant

4 - Let yourself be conquered by the Palermo Pastry: Sicilian cassata, cannoli, torta sette veli, but especially the sweets of the cloistered nuns in the Convento of Santa Caterina.

5 - At the Morrettino museum discover the history of coffee at the Morettino Museum, with a collection of historical pieces, a library and collections from the world.

6-Visit the Casa Museo Stanze al Genio, a wonderful collection of majolica tiles inside a private building in Via Garibaldi in the Kalsa district.

7-Enjoy the nightlife at the Vucciria: in the evening stroll in the heart of this very characteristic district in the evening, when Piazza Garraffello and Piazza Caracciolo become a meeting place for young people between music, street food, bars inside shutters, outdoor grills. The market is the main stop on the street food tour, with drinks and tastings.

Different types of tours in Palermo

1-Ballarò, Explore the vibrant street market of Ballarò.

2-Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel

3-Cathedral

4-Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti, Piazza Bellini and Church of Martorana

5-Church of Jesus (Professed House)

6-Teatro Massimo

7 - Teatro Politeama

8-Walk between Cala and Foro Italico

9-Piazza Marina and Vucciria

A tour of three days in Palermo…

Day 1: Cape Market, Immaculate Conception Church, St. Augustine Church, Cathedral, St. John of the Hermits Church, Norman Palace, Capuchin Convent and Catacombs,

The Zisa Castle

Day 2: Teatro Politeama, Teatro Massimo, Salinas Museum, Quattro Canti, Fontana Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, Vucciria, Kalsa and Santa Maria dello Spasimo, Piazza Marina, Palazzo Steri, Garibaldi Garden

Day 3: Monreale, Mondello, Palermo underground

A tour of seven days in Palermo…

Day 1: Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel, Cathedral, Pretoria Square, Quattro Canti, Bellini Square and Martorana Church, Massimo Theater, Politeama Theater, Champagneria Walk

Day 2: Ballaro, Church of Jesus, Piazza Marina and Palazzo Chiaromonte Steri, Santa Maria dello Spasimo, Kalsa District (Street Art), Botanical Garden and Villa Giulia, Cala Promenade and Foro Italico

Day 3: San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Capuchin Convent and Catacombs, Zisa Castle, Cape Market, Immaculate Conception Church, Salinas Museum, San Domenico Church and Oratories, Antonio Pasqualino Puppet Museum

Day 4: Chinese Palace and Mondello

Day 5: Monreale and Cefalu (recommended guided excursion with pick-up and return to the hotel)

Day 6: Bagheria, Aspra and Mongerbino (Baia dei Francesi)

Day 7: Capogallo and Sferracavallo Nature Reserve