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Palermo tourist informationPalermo is busy, hectic, intimidating and interesting by turns. It's the city which most encapsulates Sicily, and it is the home to some of the region's most important tourist attractions. Palermo is Sicily's regional capital, and is a busy port city situated on the north-western coast of the island. In the Middle Ages, Palermo was one of Europe's leading cities, but nowadays the town is still trying to recover from twentieth-century years of blight. With a reputation as a hotbed for both petty and organised crime, Palermo's attractions as a tourist destination are frequently overlooked. There is some fine architecture to be admired, as well as good museums, churches, markets and restaurants. Among the most important tourist attractions of Palermo are the city's Norman Cattedrale and the Saracen-Norman-Spanish Palazzo Reale (or Palazzo dei Normanni), a former royal palace added to and altered over the centuries, and now the seat of the local parliament. You can visit parts of the latter building, including the Cappella Palatina, an exquisite chapel containing rich mosaics. Other sights include La Martorana, a splendid Norman church with a Baroque facade ,the imposing Teatro Massimo and Vucciria market (which features heavily in Peter Robb's Midnight in Sicily). Plays acted by marionettes are a local tradition, and you can visit the Puppet Museum (Museo delle Marionette) to learn more about the history of the art - and see a performance if you can. Museums include the Galleria Regionale in Palazzo Abatellis, and the fine Museo Archeologico Regionale, which contains archaeological exhibits from from the famous sites in western Sicily (due to close 2010-2012 for refurbishment). For those with more specialist interests (and strong nerves) it's worth making a trip to the macabre Convento dei Cappuccini's catacombs lined with the dead. One of Sicily's greatest buildings is just a short bus ride from the centre of Palermo: the cathedral at Monreale is famous for its Norman architecture and for the vast Byzantine-style frescoes which cover the interior. For a very different excursion from the city, take the bus to Mondello, the beautiful sandy beach where Palermo's residents flock in the sunshine. Palermo's tourist information offices are located at the airport, Stazione Centrale, and Piazza Castelnuovo 35. Travel to PalermoDirect trains run to Palermo from Rome (see the Transport section). The city's main station is Stazione Centrale. Ferries from Genoa, Naples, Sardinia (Cagliari) arrive and depart from the docks of the Stazione Marittima. Bus services from Palermo serve the neighbouring towns and countryside. It's best to avoid driving in the chaotic city. Palermo's airport is easily reachable by bus from the city centre Palermo accommodationPalermo accommodation covers a wide range of prices, although you shouldn't expect the same standard you might find in a quieter and more 'touristy' resort. However there are some good deals, and if you're in Palermo you're likely to be using your hotel as a base for exploring anyway.
Hotel Garibaldi****Good modern four-star hotel with large, comfortable bedrooms and tea-making facilities. Located in the modern part of town, close to an airport bus stop. Recommended.
Hotel Ambasciatori***This popular three-star hotel is right in the heart of Palermo, close to the railway station. Bedrooms are decent, but the best feature is the fantastic roof terrace with views over the city. >
My review of Hotel Ambasciatori
Hotel Bel 3***A three-star hotel outside Palermo for those who don't mind travelling to get into the city. Cheap, with free internet access, and good reviews from past guests.
Giorgio's House Bed and BreakfastExtremely helpful service at this budget bed and breakfast option, which is ideal for young people, and has a friendly host who organises tours. Excellent reviews from past guests who recount the new friendships they've forged here.
> Palermo accommodation search, with guest reviews and location maps. |
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Midnight in Sicily