WHAT TO SEE IN PALERMO?

Itineraries in Palermo

1) Palermo Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Mary of the Assumption, or simply Palermo Cathedral, is the main place of worship in the city of Palermo! Since July 3, 2015, it has been part of the serial site UNESCO: Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale! The city's main patron saint is Santa Rosalia to whom the chapel on the southern side is dedicated. The silver reliquary ark of the patron saint, made between 1631 and 1637, is an extraordinary masterpiece of the decorative arts, the highest expression of Sicilian Baroque, a highly refined work of skilled Palermo hands and a processional monument. The interior of the Basilica has a Latin cross plan with three naves divided by pillars with statues of saints. The exterior of the Cathedral offers, in addition to the main facade, three elevations of rare beauty. The four corner bell towers rise according to the architectural canons of the Norman-Gothic style. On display in the Sacristy is the "cathedral treasure": sacred vestments from the 16th to 18th centuries, fabrics, chalices, the gold tiara of Constance of Aragon, a splendid example of medieval jewelry with enamel, embroidery, gems and pearls. Spiral staircases provide access to the terraces: a visit to the exterior upper rooms allows a full view of the city skyline! The crypt contains sarcophagi from different eras!

2) Pretoria Square and the 4 Canti

Pretoria Square, or Piazza della Vergogna, is located a few meters from the Quattro Canti, the exact center of the historic city of Palermo. In the center of the square is the Pretoria fountain by Francesco Camilliani made in 1554. Three sides of the square are enclosed by buildings: the Praetorian Palace, seat of the municipality, the church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, and two baronial palaces: palazzo Bonocore and palazzo Bordonaro. Quattro Canti is the name of the octagonal square at the intersection of Palermo's two main thoroughfares: the Via Maqueda and the Cassaro. The architecture of the square is very simple, representing a perfect octagon formed by four buildings alternating with street outlets.

3) Maximus Theater

The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, known simply as Palermo's Teatro Massimo, is the largest opera house in Italy and among the largest in Europe. Halls, galleries and monumental staircases form an architectural complex of enormous proportions. Neoclassical-eclectic in style, it stands on the site of the Church of the Stigmata and the Monastery of San Giuliano, which were demolished in the late 19th century to make way for the grandiose building. On the pediment of the facade can be read the motto "Art renews peoples and reveals their life. Vain of scenes the delight where it does not aim to prepare the future." In the Pompeian hall, one can see a very special resonance effect, purposely achieved by the architect through a slight asymmetry of the hall, such that those in the exact center of the hall have the perception of hearing their own voice amplified out of all proportion, while in the rest of the room the resonance is enormous and such that it is impossible to understand from outside the rotunda what is being said inside.

4) Mondello

Mondello is a seaside hamlet and tourist resort of Palermo; it lies around a bay enclosed by Mount Pellegrino and Mount Gallo and is detached from the city center by means of the Favorita Park. The beach is considered the most famous in the capital and one of Sicily's most coveted coastlines on the national and international scene. It is also one of the capitals of Art Nouveau in Italy and the Mediterranean, thanks to the private Art Nouveau villas built during the 20th century. Mondello's coastline is characterized by fine, soft sand of a light-colored, organic nature, dotted with tiny fragmented shells; in fact, the beach arises from the decomposition of the many mollusks that live in the posidonia forest in the center of the gulf. Among the most iconic Art Nouveau buildings is the Antico Stabilimento Balneare one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau architectural works in Europe!

5) Cefalù and the Rock

Cefalù is one of Sicily's most famous seaside towns, located on the northern Sicilian coast, about 70 km from Palermo, it represents one of the largest seaside resorts in the entire region; despite its size, every year it attracts a huge flow of local, national and foreign tourists, who, in the summer period, reach three times the population! The town, which is part of the Madonie Park, is included in the club of The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, and its cathedral has been included in the UNESCO of Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale. The town, in its medieval core, is located under the rock of Cefalù, which dominates it and together with the cathedral characterizes its so recognizable profile. According to legend, the cathedral of Cefalù arose as a result of a vow made to the Most Holy Savior by Roger II, who escaped a storm and landed on the town's beaches. The real motivation seems rather political-military in nature, given its fortress-like character. On Vittorio Emanuele Street is the public washhouse known as the Lavatoio medioevale, which features a lava stone staircase leading to a series of tanks that are filled with water flowing from twenty-two cast-iron mouths. The Mandralisca Museum houses 15th-century paintings and other archaeological finds, as well as the very famous Portrait of an Unknown Sailor, a painting by Antonello da Messina.

6) Isola delle Femmine Reserve

The Isola delle Femmine Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located on the islet of the same name located about three hundred meters from the coast overlooking the municipality of Isola delle Femmine. It was created to protect the local floristic heritage and to encourage the stopover of wildlife species that linger on the island in their migratory movements. The seabed, has several archaeological finds from the Roman and Greek periods. The clarity of the waters allows excellent viewing for divers who dive to enjoy the natural beauty of the island's seabed.

7) Monreale

Monreale is part of the site UNESCO of Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale, with which it forms a single urban agglomeration. The city of Monreale came into being with the Normans in the 12th century; its most representative building is the cathedral, which has a composite style, as it combines different tastes that hark back to Northern European architecture and Arab art. The two massive and solemn towers flanking the entrance portico do not retain their original form. The interior, illuminated by the magnificent mosaics glittering with gold, is Latin cross-shaped, with the naves divided by columns surmounted by a sequence of ogival arches.

8) Norman Palace

The Norman Palace, also known as the Royal Palace, is located in Palermo and is currently home to the Sicilian Regional Assembly. The palace is the oldest royal residence in Europe, home of the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily, the imperial seat under Frederick II and Conrad IV and the historic Sicilian Parliament. It is part of the World Heritage UNESCO as part of the serial site "Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale." Externally, the building consists of multiple styles that blend on the different orders and the many facets of the various perspectives. The second level of the Loggia of Cortile Maqueda allows access to the Parliamentary Floor, which, through the Mattarella Corridor, allows the path between the rooms of the royal apartments. With access from the loggia on the first level of Cortile Maqueda, the Palatine Chapel, a three-aisled basilica dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, is presented.

9) Piano Battaglia

Piano Battaglia is a hamlet of the municipality of Petralia Sottana, a holiday and winter sports resort. It is located in the heart of the Madonie massif, between the mountain complex of Pizzo Carbonara and Mount Mufara, in a landscape and environmental context of high value. With the construction of a cable car at the base of Mufara in the 1960s and then two ski lifts on Mufara, Piano Battaglia became the only ski resort in western Sicily. Piano Battaglia is home to a beautiful beech forest and is the starting point for countless hikes to be made in the high Madonie Mountains. Piano Battaglia is home to an interesting geological trail that offers the possibility of observing spectacular fossil coral formations from the Mesozoic, belonging to the domain of the Panoramide Carbonate Platform. Nestled between the mountains of Piano Battaglia is the small lake of Mandria del Conte, a perfect place for mountain walks in contact with nature.

10) Ficuzza Forest Nature Reserve

The Bosco della Ficuzza Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area located in the municipality of Corleone.It is an area rich in streams with a torrential character, forming several natural ponds, the so-called "gorghi." The gorgo is a pond, usually temporary, with winter and spring flooding and summer dry phase. The best known natural or semi-natural gorges in the Ficuzza Forest are two: the Gorgo Lungo and the Gorgo Tondo, the latter also known as the Gorgo del Drago di Godrano. The Gorgo del Drago is a few hundred meters away from Gorgo Lungo and was once wide, though always shallow, and almost permanent. It was transformed in the early 1800s into a fish-farming pond for the amusement of King Ferdinand III of Sicily. The landscape is striking: the whirlpool is embedded in a wooded basin and is accessed by crossing a small, particularly wet valley and is home to the marsh turtle. The reserve is home to 80 percent of the animal species, including birds and wildlife, of the entire region.

11) Santa Flavia and Capo Zafferano

Santa Flavia is a seaside resort overlooking one of Sicily's most beautiful gulfs. Santa Flavia is known for Sant'Elia a smaller and more romantic Sicilian seaside village. Adding to the charm of the landscape is a small white house surrounded by the sea, with a classic sloping roof. In the village, in an inlet among the rocks, lies a charming cove. In the municipality of Santa Flavia also falls the area of Capo Zafferano, a small promontory that juts out into the Tyrrhenian Sea, from it, proceeding westward, begins the Gulf of Palermo on which the Conca d'Oro overlooks. At the end of the promontory is an active lighthouse that was a military garrison during the two world wars. The path leading to the promontory allows you to appreciate the mountain overhanging the sea and be in the company of numerous seagulls. In the Capo Zafferano area, there is the Lido del Carabiniere beach: a private equipped beach that can be accessed only by a modest fee.

12) Capo Gallo Reserve and Hermit's Semaphore

The Capo Gallo Oriented Nature Reserve is a protected natural area, located in the municipality of Palermo, its territory, whose extension is about 586 hectares, is characterized by a heterogeneity of habitats and the presence of numerous endemic species, which is why it is included in the list of sites of Community importance. The reserve area includes several caves of considerable archaeological interest due to the evidence of ancient civilizations found within them. Mount Gallo ends in a promontory, called Capo Gallo, on which there is a lighthouse marking its location. The promontory is located in the northwestern part of Palermo and separates the two gulfs of Mondello and Sferracavallo, which are home to the city's seaside districts of the same name. The coastal side of the Capo Gallo Reserve extends westward to Punta Barcarello and, given the karst nature of the rocks, the sea has molded them into the most bizarre shapes, forming a series of fascinating caves, such as the Oil Cave. In ancient times these caves were inhabited by man, and in some of them prehistoric graffiti and other archaeological finds of considerable importance have been discovered. At the top of the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve stands the semaphore of the Hermit building of Bourbon origin inhabited by a man named Nino, known as Isravele, who decided to lead a hermit's life.

13) Ballarò Market

The Ballarò market, the ancient and ever-lively heart of Palermo, stretches from Piazza Casa Professa to the bastions of Corso Tukory, reaching Porta Sant’Agata. It is the city’s oldest market and still one of the most frequented and vibrant spots, enlivened daily by the famous abbanniate—the loud, sing-song cries of vendors, who with their unmistakable Palermitan accent promote the freshness and quality of their goods. A maze of crowded stalls, wooden crates overflowing with colorful fruits and vegetables, intense scents of spices, freshly caught fish, meats, and produce from the surrounding countryside—this is Ballarò, a buzzing world of voices and flavors that has accompanied the city’s daily life for centuries. Alongside fresh products, visitors also find household items and, above all, Palermo’s famous street food: hot panelle and crocchè, roasted onions, boiled octopus, quarume, the celebrated pane con la milza (spleen sandwich), and many other delicacies that make every stop at the market an authentic gastronomic experience. The origins of the name Ballarò are wrapped in legends and theories: some say it comes from Bahlara, a village near Monreale from which Arab merchants arrived; others link it to the Indian king Vallaraya, or to Arabic expressions meaning “market of mirrors” or “place of the fair.” Some suggest a connection to the Ballarò family, who in the 15th century collected taxes on goods sold here, or even to a captain in the service of Ferdinand II of Aragon. Whatever its origin, Ballarò remains the beating heart of the Albergheria district and an emblem of the most authentic Palermo. It is not just a market, but a sensory journey through the city’s history, a place where Arab, Norman, and Spanish traditions merge in the colors and scents of everyday life, offering visitors a vivid and genuine glimpse of the Sicilian soul.

14) Vucciria Market

The Vucciria is one of Palermo’s most famous historic markets, along with Ballarò, Il Capo, the Lattarini, and the Flea Market. It lies in the heart of the Castellammare district, between Via Roma, the Cala harbor, and the Cassaro, spreading along Via Cassari, Piazza Caracciolo, Piazza del Garraffello, and Via Maccheronai. Its name derives from the French boucherie (butchery), which in Palermo became bucceria and later vuccirìa, a word that in Palermitan dialect means “confusion.” And indeed, confusion—of sounds, colors, and scents—has always been the soul of this market. Originally a place for slaughter and meat sales, it later became a bustling market for fish, fruit, and vegetables, eventually turning into the most important hub of old Palermo, so much so that it was known as the “Great Bucciria.” The history of the Vucciria is closely tied to that of the city itself. Already in Arab and Norman times, thanks to its proximity to the Cala harbor, the area was frequented by Genoese, Pisan, Venetian, and Amalfitan merchants. In 1783, Viceroy Caracciolo redesigned the space, making Piazza Caracciolo the market’s beating heart: he built porticoes for stalls and a fountain with four little lions around a small obelisk. Over time, the layout changed, especially with the opening of Via Roma, but the piazza remains the enduring symbol of the Vucciria. Walking through its alleys means diving into a world teeming with voices and life: the abbanniate of vendors, stalls piled high with fresh fish, meat, vegetables, and fragrant spices, and the typical marble balate slabs used for displaying goods. The Vucciria is not just a market—it is a microcosm where Palermo’s history is reborn, with its Arab, Spanish, and Mediterranean influences, and where food becomes narrative and identity.

15) Mount Pellegrino and Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia

Mount Pellegrino, the “sacred promontory” of Palermo, rises 606 meters above sea level, closing off the northern edge of the city’s gulf. Its imposing limestone mass dominates the Conca d’Oro and has fascinated travelers and artists for centuries: Goethe, on his celebrated journey to Sicily, called it “the most beautiful promontory in the world.” Over the centuries, hermits and monks chose the mountain as a place of spiritual retreat, and it preserves treasures of both nature and history. Among its 134 caves and karstic cavities are the Addaura Caves, famous for their Upper Paleolithic graffiti—extraordinary evidence of prehistoric life on the island. Today Mount Pellegrino forms part of a nature reserve and is a favorite destination for hikers and pilgrims. Its lookouts offer breathtaking views: from Mondello and its golden beach to the bustling heart of Palermo. Adding to its symbolism is the Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia, patron saint of Palermo. Perched 429 meters high, almost embedded into the rock, the sanctuary dates back to the 17th century and is a site of devotion and pilgrimage. Every year, thousands of faithful climb the staircase leading to the sacred cave where the relics of the Santuzza rest. Since 2018, the sanctuary has also housed the “Treasure Rooms,” a small museum with historic, artistic, and religious objects linked to the cult of the saint. Overlooking the city as well is the elegant profile of Utveggio Castle, a pink-hued building originally constructed as a panoramic hotel and now a landmark visible from all over Palermo. Mount Pellegrino is not only nature and spirituality—it is the symbolic heart of the city, where history, faith, and landscape merge into a single unforgettable image.

16) Caccamo Castle

Caccamo Castle is one of the grandest and best-preserved Norman fortresses in Sicily and all of Italy. Perched 513 meters above sea level, on a rocky spur at the foot of Mount Rotondo, it towers over the valley of the San Leonardo River and the emerald-green waters of Lake Rosamarina. At the castle’s base sprawls the medieval village of Caccamo, with its maze of stone houses and alleys, Baroque churches, and noble palaces—all dominated by the fortress above. Beneath the lake’s waters lies a hidden treasure: the Chiaramonte Bridge, built in 1307 by Manfredi I Chiaramonte and dedicated to the Virgin. The fortress itself was held by the Chiaramonte family from 1302 to 1392, during which time it was expanded and made virtually impregnable, resisting even Aragonese assaults. Later, Giacomo De Prades added towers, stables, and grand halls, including a courtroom and the great armory hall. By the 15th century, the castle reached its peak splendor: it was then that Giovanni Alfonso Henriquez, viceroy of Sicily, granted Caccamo its coat of arms—a horse’s head surmounted by the Trinacria—which still represents the town. Decline eventually followed, worsened by the 1923 earthquake that damaged parts of the structure. But legend is also woven into its history: it is said that within the walls wanders the ghost of a young girl, daughter of a local lord, forced by her father into a convent to keep her from loving a soldier. She died of sorrow, but on full-moon nights she still appears, dressed in white and holding a pomegranate. Tradition says that whoever eats it without spilling a single seed will gain immense treasure, while those who fail will be condemned to wander alongside her forever. Caccamo Castle is more than a fortress—it is a living memory of medieval Sicily, suspended between history and legend.

17) Historic Villas of Bagheria

Bagheria, known as the “City of Villas,” is the most populous town in the province after Palermo. It overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, between the gulfs of Palermo and Termini Imerese, with the Consona and Giancaldo mountains rising behind it. Along the coast lies the picturesque fishing village of Aspra, famous for its tradition of anchovy fishing and processing. What has made Bagheria renowned worldwide, however, are its 18th-century villas—magnificent aristocratic residences that earned it the title of “City of Villas.” Around twenty of them were built between the 17th and 18th centuries as summer retreats for Palermo’s nobility, eager to escape the capital’s strict atmosphere and enjoy the coastal landscape. Villa Valguarnera, with its scenic design, and Villa Palagonia, famous for the enigmatic grotesque statues that adorn its perimeter, are prime examples of symbolic architecture. Many scholars have interpreted their designs as references to alchemical philosophy, with allusions to transformation and the “Great Work,” depicted even in the layout of gardens and decorative details. While some of the villas now stand partly abandoned, others have been restored and opened to the public, becoming unmissable stops for those wishing to explore 18th-century Sicilian art and history. Strolling through these residences means entering a suspended world of shaded gardens, grand staircases, and frescoed halls that have inspired writers and travelers of all times. Bagheria is not just an open-air museum: it is a vibrant town that preserves its ties to its maritime and farming roots, and the birthplace of artists and filmmakers such as Renato Guttuso and Giuseppe Tornatore—the latter dedicating his celebrated film Baarìa as a declaration of love to his hometown.

18) Capuchin Catacombs

The Capuchin convent of Palermo, located in the Cuba district and annexed to the Church of Santa Maria della Pace, dates back to the 16th century. Yet what has made it world-famous are its undergrounds: the Capuchin Catacombs, which are in reality an extensive cemetery rather than early Christian catacombs. Since centuries past, they have been visited by travelers—including many on the Grand Tour, like Guy de Maupassant—fascinated by this unique blend of history, faith, and mystery. The galleries, dug at the end of the 1500s in Gothic style with ribbed vaults and pointed arches, form a rectangular burial network. Around 8,000 bodies lie here, never precisely inventoried, but arranged with strict order: men, women, clergy, soldiers, notables, and even young brides who never reached the altar. The mummies, dressed in Sunday clothes or gala uniforms, stand or lie as though preserving a fragment of their earthly lives. Children are also present, gathered in small groups—a poignant testimony to rituals reflecting society’s distinctions.The first interment was Brother Silvestro of Gubbio, on October 16, 1599. His body still greets visitors at the entrance. The friars’ preservation method involved months of drying: organs removed, the bodies drained on terracotta racks, then washed with vinegar, stuffed with straw, and redressed. In epidemics, quicklime or arsenic baths were used. Among the most famous remains is Antonino Prestigiacomo, a farmer embalmed in 1844 using an endovascular arsenic technique. Yet the undisputed symbol is little Rosalia Lombardo, who died at just two years old in 1920 and rests in a glass coffin. Her perfectly preserved body appears merely asleep, earning her the nickname “the Sleeping Beauty of Palermo.” Walking these corridors is a silent, surreal experience—at once striking and moving. It is not only a record of past funerary practices but also a journey through Palermo’s collective memory, where faith, science, and legend intertwine.

19) Zisa Castle

The Palace of the Zisa, its name from the Arabic al-ʿAzīza (“the Splendid”), rises just beyond Palermo’s ancient walls, once set in the lavish royal Norman park of Genoardo (Jannat al-arḍ, “the paradise on earth”). This vast garden, dotted with pavilions, pools, and orchards, stretched from Altofonte into the heart of the city, serving as a courtly retreat. Construction began under King William I and was completed around 1167 by his son William II, who made it his favorite summer residence. Over the centuries, the Zisa underwent many changes, notably in 1635, when Giovanni Sandoval added Baroque elements while preserving its Middle Eastern charm. The exterior appears as a solid, harmonious block, with three horizontal levels. The main façade opens onto the famous Fountain Hall, the palace’s architectural and symbolic heart. Here, water once flowed from a rear fountain across the floor through channels and octagonal basins—a refined system that both enchanted guests and cooled interiors in the Sicilian heat. The hall features intricate marble inlays and a mosaic frieze with natural motifs, reflecting the fusion of Arab and Norman cultures. Above the entrance arch is a Baroque fresco, the “Devils of the Zisa”—enigmatic figures said to defy exact counting, as their number seems to shift with each glance. The palace also boasts an ingenious ventilation system, with chimneys and air ducts ensuring constant freshness—a testament to the court’s technical knowledge and comfort. Today the Zisa hosts the Museum of Islamic Art, with ceramics, sculptures, and inscriptions from across the Mediterranean, evoking Palermo’s role as a crossroads of cultures. The Zisa is not just a monument—it is a living memory of when Sicily bridged East and West, embodying harmony and symbolism that still speak across the centuries.

20) Foro Italico

The Foro Italico of Palermo, once called the Passeggiata della Marina, is a vast seafront green area in the heart of the Kalsa, stretching from the Cala harbor to Villa Giulia. It is one of the city’s most beloved spaces, rich with history and urban transformations. Created in 1582 at the order of Viceroy Marco Antonio Colonna, it turned the coastline into an open public promenade. Enlarged and embellished in 1734, it became the nobility’s open-air salon and a favorite leisure spot for citizens. Known during Bourbon rule as the Foro Borbonico, its name was changed by the Sicilian Parliament after the 1848 revolts to Foro Italico, marking a new civic identity. Later briefly renamed after King Umberto I, assassinated in 1900, its original name never disappeared from common usage. World War II left it devastated and abandoned for decades. Only in the late 1990s was it revitalized, reclaiming its role as a great seaside garden. Today, the Foro Italico blends history and modernity. Architect Italo Rota’s colorful bollards—modeled on Francesco Laurana’s bust of Eleanor of Aragon—separate lawns from the bike path, while whimsical sofa-like benches invite rest facing the sea. Totem sculptures decorated with maritime motifs punctuate the path, creating dialogue between art and landscape.The Foro Italico is once again a place of life, meeting, and contemplation, where Palermo embraces the sea in harmony between past and present.

21) Politeama Theatre

The Politeama Garibaldi Theatre—commonly called the Politeama—is one of Palermo’s landmarks, standing in Piazza Ruggero Settimo at the end of Viale della Libertà. Considered the “heart” of the city, it now hosts the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra. Designed by architect Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda, it was conceived as a “people’s theatre”: accessible yet monumental. Its architecture recalls the models of antiquity: the circular layout evokes the Roman Pantheon, while the façade resembles an amphitheater, with a double tier of Pompeian-style arches and entablatures. The vast horseshoe-shaped hall could originally accommodate up to 5,000 spectators, with two rows of boxes topped by a large gallery. The main entrance is a spectacular masterpiece: a triumphal arch crowned by Mario Rutelli’s majestic bronze quadriga of Apollo driving the horses of Victory. On either side stand powerful bronze horses by Benedetto Civiletti, completing the imposing frontage. Still today, the Politeama is not only a theatre but a symbol of Palermo’s identity, representing with elegance and grandeur the city’s enduring artistic vocation.

22) Sferracavallo

Sferracavallo, a picturesque fishing village near Palermo, lies at the foot of Capo Gallo, where the sea meets the mountains and time seems to flow more slowly. Part of its territory belongs to the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve, while its clear waters are protected by the Capo Gallo – Isola delle Femmine Marine Reserve, a treasure chest of biodiversity and underwater beauty. Its curious, ancient name is said to derive from the roughness of the road that once “unshod the horses”—a memory also recorded in the writings of the Marquis of Villabianca. Today the village is centered around its small harbor and the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano, patrons of fishermen, whose feast in September fills the streets with devotion and folklore. Sferracavallo’s history is long and fascinating: its caves tell of a distant past, with remains of hippopotamuses and elephants found in the Grotta dell’Impiccato, and ancient ceramic artifacts preserved in the Grotta del Pecoraro and Grotta Conza, at the foot of Monte Billiemi. In later centuries, two coastal towers from the 15th and 16th centuries guarded the village, protecting it from pirate raids. Today Sferracavallo is cherished by both Palermitans and visitors for its authentic soul: a place where the scent of the sea mingles with that of freshly caught fish served in the many local restaurants. And where the beautiful Barcarello beach, with its crystal-clear waters, offers days of sun and relaxation in one of the most enchanting corners of the Palermo coast.

23) Regional Archaeological Museum – Antonino Salinas

In the heart of Palermo, inside the former convent of the Filippini Fathers at Olivella, stands the Antonino Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum, one of Sicily's most prestigious cultural institutions. Its rooms house one of the richest archaeological collections in Italy, capable of recounting the history of the island from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages through unique artefacts that bear witness to the passage and encounter of different peoples: Phoenicians, Punics, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, not to mention evocative artefacts from the Etruscan and Egyptian worlds. Among the most famous treasures is the Stone of Palermo, an exceptional engraved chronicle of the Ancient Egyptian Kingdom, a document of inestimable value that links the island to distant civilisations. Alongside this, there are artefacts from underwater excavations: amphorae, anchors, lead weights, oil lamps and inscriptions that bring to light the Mediterranean trade routes travelled by the Punics and Romans. Founded in 1814 as a National Museum, it became a Regional Museum in 1977 and bears the name of Antonino Salinas, an archaeologist and numismatist from Palermo who directed it for over forty years, helping to make it an international reference point. On the second floor are exhibits from prehistoric cultures, with finds from caves in the Palermo area and smaller islands, such as Levanzo, rearranged thanks to the work of the late Sebastiano Tusa. The museum's collections do not only come from excavations, but also from acquisitions and private donations which, over the centuries, have enriched the exhibition heritage, creating an itinerary that spans millennia and makes the Salinas a privileged place for understanding the long and complex history of Sicily.

24) Albanesi Plain

Nestled in the mountains west of Palermo, Piana degli Albanesi is a unique place, guardian of a fascinating history and cultural tradition rooted in the heart of the Balkans. Founded in the 15th century by Albanian refugees fleeing the Ottoman advance, the town is now the most important centre of the Arbëreshë community in Sicily. Walking through its streets, one can still perceive the strength of an identity that has never been lost over the centuries: the Albanian language continues to live on in the daily lives of the inhabitants, while the Byzantine rite is reflected in the architecture and atmosphere of the churches. Among these, the Church of San Demetrio, of Greek rite and dating back to the end of the 16th century, and the evocative Church of San Giorgio Megalomartire, the oldest in the city, which retains its solemn beauty intact, stand out. The link with their roots is celebrated above all during Easter, when the community gathers for intense Byzantine rites, enriched by the participation of the inhabitants in splendid traditional Albanian costumes. It is one of the most spectacular and heartfelt festivals in Sicily, attracting visitors from all over the island and beyond, offering an experience that intertwines faith, identity and tradition. But Piana degli Albanesi is also a land of authentic flavours: it is home to fine olive oil, quality cheeses and, above all, the renowned fresh ricotta, the main ingredient of cannoli considered among the best in the whole region. A gastronomic heritage that, like the churches and festivals, reveals the deep soul of this community. Completing the picture is the large artificial lake, a mirror of water that embraces the town and reflects its mountainous contours, a favourite destination for those who love trekking and outdoor walks. A landscape that combines nature and memory, offering travellers an experience that is both a cultural discovery and an encounter with an unknown Sicily, rich in charm and authenticity.

25) Abatellis Palace

In the heart of Kalsa, along Via Alloro, stands Palazzo Abatellis, one of the best-preserved late medieval residences in Palermo. Built at the end of the 15th century in Catalan Gothic style, it has a rectangular layout with a large porticoed courtyard, elegant loggias and two crenellated towers framing the monumental entrance portal. Since 1953, it has housed the Regional Gallery of Sicily, which contains important works of art from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. Here you will find masterpieces by artists such as Antonello da Messina, Francesco Laurana, Antonello Gagini, Van Dyck, Bronzino and Vasari, displayed in a museum layout designed by Carlo Scarpa, considered a jewel of 20th-century museography. Among the most famous treasures are Antonello da Messina's Annunciation, Francesco Laurana's delicate bust of Eleonora d'Aragona and the extraordinary fresco of the Triumph of Death, a powerful and disturbing symbol of medieval art. Today, Palazzo Abatellis is not only a splendid architectural testimony, but also a place where art and memory intertwine, offering visitors a unique journey through Sicilian figurative culture.

26) Palace of Cuba

La Cuba, also known as Palazzo della Cuba, is one of the jewels of Arab-Norman architecture in Palermo. It is located in the Cuba-Calatafimi district and was once part of the vast Genoardo, the “paradise on earth” desired by the Norman kings as a place of delight, surrounded by lush gardens and cool waters. Built in 1180 at the behest of William II, the Cuba was a pavilion intended for the court's leisure and rest, designed to enjoy the climate and surrounding nature. The name derives from the Arabic Qubba, meaning “dome”, and its simple and elegant structure still reflects the architectural wisdom of that time. The rectangular building is marked by four towering structures that enrich its sides, while inside there are three communicating rooms. In the centre of the main hall was a marble fountain, the symbol and heart of the palace, which served to cool and make summer days more pleasant. The decoration of the rooms was enriched by refined muqarnas, typical Arab ornamental elements in the shape of a faceted dome. But the Cuba is not just architecture: it is also a place of literary memory. Giovanni Boccaccio, fascinated by the charm of Palermo and its parks, chose this pavilion as the setting for a novella in the Decameron, which tells the story of the love between Gian di Procida and the beautiful Restituta, who was kidnapped and offered as a gift to King Frederick III of Aragon. Today, walking among its sober and monumental walls, one can still perceive the atmosphere of an era when Palermo was described as “most happy”, a city that united cultures, arts and knowledge, and which celebrated beauty and harmony between man and nature in its delightful residences.