Ballarò Market

A train ride that includes a ferry trip on its journey, this InterCity route connects Palermo to Rome and traverses Catania, Naples, the region of Calabria and Messina (among other places) along the way. Beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea coastline, Mount Vesuvius and the coast of Sicily accompany the ride. The entire trip takes around 12 hours.

The royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily, Cappella Palatina is the finest example of the Arab-Norman art in the city. Every inch is a jubilation of craftmanship, from the golden mosaics covering the walls, to the marble floors and carved, wooden ceilings. The chapel is located inside the Normans Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) and there's likely a queue at the entrance, so try to get here at the opening in the morning.

The grandiose Piazza Pretoria captivates with its fountain, spreading proudly in front of Palazzo Pretorio (City Hall) as one of the major symbols of Palermo. The Pretoria Fountain was sculpted by Francesco Camilliani in 1574 and initially placed in Florence for a few years, it was then bought by the municipality and transported to Palermo. The fountain is a true masterpiece and considered being one of the most beautiful fountains in Italy. The nude figures adorning the fountain has got the most prudish population of the city to nickname the square "Piazza della Vergogna", Square of Shame.

One of the major examples of Sicily's unique encounter of architectonic styles, Palermo's cathedral is the results of centuries of additions, redecoration and restorations. It was built on 1185 on the site of a former Byzantine church, which was used as a mosque during the 9th century and it encompasses Medieval, Gothic, Arabic and Neoclassical style. Climb up to the roof and enjoy a great view of the city.

Housed in a Renaissance monastery, Palermo's Archaeological Museum has a rich collection of Roman and Ancient Greek artefacts including many items spanning most of Palermo’s history. The highlights of the exhibition are the decorative friezes from the temples at Selinunte.

Ballarò is the oldest and widest market in Palermo where you can enjoy some exciting flavours and buy fresh produces. Resembling a colourful and buzzing souk, walking down the lanes of this busy street market will immediately show you how Sicily markets developed during the Arab occupation. Part of the experience are the jingles sung by the vendors to attract customers while offering samples to the passers-by.

Allegedly the best art gallery of Palermo, the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia exhibits artworks of Sicilian artists from the Middle Age, artifacts from the Arab period and paintings from the 17th and 18th century. Take your time to admire the stunning Palazzo Abatellis, built in the 15th century in the Gothic-Catalan style.

One of the finest examples of Medieval architecture in Palermo, the church San Giovanni degli Eremiti is famous for its red domes and architectural design that was greatly influenced by the Arabs during the 12th Century. This was originally a mosque that was later converted into a Christian church dedicated to Sicily's hermit monks. Walk along the pretty garden of regional plants and the ruins of the cloister.

Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri is a palace built in the early 14th century in Norman Gothic style that was used by the Inquisition as both tribunal and prison between 1600 and 1782. Conveying centuries of Sicilian history, this is one of the symbols of Palermo. The palace is today the head office of the University of Palermo, where visitors can admire the marvelous lecture halls with a decorated wooden ceiling from the 14th century or visit the Inquisition Museum with haunting graffiti and artworks of the prisoners covering the cell's walls.

Located in the Capuchin Monastery since 1599, the Catacombs houses 8,000 mummified bodies and skeletons of former residents of Palermo that died between the 17th and 19th centuries. It's a somewhat macabre insight into the customs and traditions of the Palermitan society of the time, with gender, religion, profession and social status rigidly applied to the disposition of the bodies.

The three Art Nouveau kiosks by architect Ernesto Basile appear like unexpected gems along the buzzing streets of Palermo. Built about the end of the 19th century, the kiosks once hosted the traditional Sicilian vendors of soft drinks and refreshing beverages but are today converted into tobacconists. Chiosco Ribaudo located in Piazza Verdi, the most famous one, is a crimson and wrought iron building adorned with golden letters. The second Ribaudo kiosk in Piazza Castelnuovo is decorated with colourful majolica and mosaics while the Chiosco Vicari, in front of the Teatro Massimo is a triumph of Moorish, Islamic and Colonial architecture.

A real hidden paradise easily reached with a few minutes walk from Mondello, Capo Gallo is a regional nature reserve encompassing the huge Mount Gallo, ending up in a rocky promontory towered by a lighthouse, some grottos and hidden sandy beaches surrounded by wild vegetation. Capo Gallo is also a good place for snorkeling, kayaking and hiking.

This little town with a population of 30,000 lies in the mountains southwest of Palermo. Its postcard-perfect views are only rivaled by the UNESCO-listed Norman masterpiece that is Monreale Cathedral, Italy’s largest medieval building which holds 6,000 square meters of Byzantine art. One of the most important examples of Norman architecture in Europe, the cathedral is cover in shimmering golden mosaics and also encompass Arab, Byzantine and Classical elements.

Ustica is a tiny volcanic island located 52 km from Palermo with which is linked by a regular ferry service. This heavenly retreat offers everything one may expect from a Mediterranean Island: hiking trails alongside the stunning grottos of the shoreline, crystal clear waters with natural pools and exciting snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities, including an underwater archaeological trail with Roman artefacts. Check out the tourist office in the main square of the island.

Just a 30-minute bus ride from Palermo, Mondello is a small coastal resort boasting long beaches of white sand and blue waters. Dominated by the towering art nouveau pier pavilion, Mondello hosts many excellent seafood restaurants, hidden Liberty-style villas and water sports opportunities. The area is popular with locals for its proximity to the city center and can get crowded during the weekends. Nearby is also the mountainous nature reserve of Capo Gallo, ideal for hiking and kayaking.