Best Things to Do in Palermo 2024 | Best Cities in the World #52: Palermo

Explore Palermo's UNESCO Sites, Ancient Churches, and Coastal Beauty

Table of Contents

A. About Palermo

The main city and capital of Sicily offers impressive and unique art-historical treasures, and archaeological sites as well as lively markets, dramatic coastlines, and bathing pleasures. It features not less than 12 UNESCO sites, over 230 ancient churches, and one of the largest historical centers in Europe.

While there are so many great Italian cities, Palermo is often not getting the recognition it truly deserves.

Over the last decade, Palermo has revitalized itself and become much cleaner, safer, and easier to navigate with much more pedestrianized streets. It's a real joy to explore this city. Palermo is vibrant, but still (surprisingly) a relaxed place with a very distinct, almost tangible unique atmosphere.

# PALAZZO DEI NORMANNI (Norman Palace or Palazzo Reale) 6

This striking palace is famous for its royal apartments (including the Pompeian Room and the Ruggero Room), the Hall of Hercules, and foremost (on the first floor) the stunning Cappella Palatina.

At first, an Arab fortress, then the residence of the Norman kings, the Palace is since 1947 the seat of the Sicilian Parliament. From the roof you can enjoy a wonderful view over Palermo.

Palace World Heritage Site: since 2015 (Part of Arab-Norman Palermo) | Open to the public: year-round

by Jules Vaulont / CC BY-SA 4.0

# PALERMO CATHEDRAL 6

Dating back to the 12th century, this unique and majestic cathedral mixes vastly different architectural styles.

Visit the crypt to see the impressive Imperial tombs (including the tomb of King Roger II the sarcophagus of Frederick Staufer) then climb up on the cathedral roofs and enjoy a spectacular view over Palermo.

Roman Catholic Cathedral | Viewpoint World Heritage Site: since 2015 [Part of Arab-Norman Palermo] | Completed: in the Middle Ages with subsequent additions until the 18th century | Style: Romanesque, Norman, Gothic, Baroque, Neoclassical

by Carlo Pelagalli / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Piazza Pretoria (Piazza della Vergogna) 5.5

Piazza Pretoria is dominated by its spectacular Renaissance fountain (even more breathtaking at night) with its procession of divinities placed in concentric circles. It is also known as the square of Shame due to the sixteen nude statues of nymphs, humans, mermaids, and satyrs that adorn the intricate fountain.

💡 Originally intended for a private villa (Palace of San Clemente) in Florence, the fountain was bought in 1573 by the Senate of Palermo and moved to Palermo in 644 pieces.

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