Guide to Sicily's capital: Top 15 attractions in Palermo

Porta Nuova Gate

Where better to start exploring Palermo than at its main tourist attraction? The Porto Nuova Gate symbolizes the entrance to the old town. They were erected in the 17th century, in honor of the victory of Charles the Fifth over the Turks, who had attempted to invade the land. Less than a hundred years after it was erected, the structure was destroyed, and two years later it was reconstructed.

The structure is quite tall, has a unique finish, and also resembles a triumphal arch. Porto Nuova is such a significant attraction that they are included in all the excursions you can find around this wonderful city.

Palatine Chapel

The Palatine Chapel is one of the oldest chapels in Palermo, a landmark of the Arab-Norman style of architecture. It was built as the house church of the Norman Palace and served as a place of prayer for Sicilian kings and later viceroys.

Its three walls are covered with palace buildings, only the southern facade, which has the appearance of a loggia of the XVI century with arches on Corinthian columns, overlooks the courtyard.

Guy de Maupassant, in his novel "A Wandering Life", called the Palatine Chapel "a beautiful religious jewel that the human mind could once have dreamed of".

Teatro Massimo

The largest European theater is rightly called the Massimo Theater. It was built since antiquity, so it retained ancient Greek features with elements of classicism. The theater was built according to the project of Giovanni Battista and built more than two decades. The designer never waited for the moment when the theater was completed and died, and the work had to be completed by his son.

The theater seats about three thousand people and has excellent acoustics, allowing you to fully appreciate the talents performing on this stage. The building itself offers guided tours in European languages, so you can safely go on one of them.

You can book a hotel in Palermo with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Palermo. It houses the relics of the patron saint of the city, St. Rosalia. The temple is considered the center of the Sicilian cult of this saint, known since the XVII century.

During the XII-XVIII centuries, the shrine was repeatedly rebuilt and combines features of Arab-Norman architecture, Gothic style and classicism. The cathedral is famous for the unique tombs of Sicilian kings and German emperors, during whose reign the Sicilian kingdom reached its heyday.

Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini

The Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini is considered one of the greatest examples of Sicilian Baroque in Palermo. The church was built in the early 17th century and named after St. Joseph and the Catholic order of the Theatines.

Today, the luxurious interior decoration of the temple attracts not only religious people, but also persistent connoisseurs of ancient architecture.

Marionette Museum

The museum is dedicated to the history of the origin and development of the main symbol of Sicily — puppets on strings, also called "puppi" or "marionettes". The museum is located in the central part of Palermo. In addition to the rich collection of puppets, there are performances twice a week. Every year, in November, the Marionette Museum organizes the big Festival of Morgana, the biggest theatrical festival in Sicily.

The collection of the Museum has more than 3500 exhibits: puppets made of wood, rag dolls, different heights and costumes. Dolls from different countries of the world very clearly reflect the characteristic features of their people. From the look of the dolls you can easily identify the region in which they were made.

Norman Palace

The Norman Palace was built in the 9th century, and over the course of history, details of the different cultures that lived in the area have been added to its exterior.

You can trace the history of the city through the details, knowing the distinctive features of each style, as well as what historical period the peoples lived here. Services are held here, as well as meetings of the religious assembly of Sicily, and these are the only days when you can't visit the cathedral and see its interior, also in different styles. You will be particularly struck by the Palatine Chapel with its amazing mosaics.

Regional Gallery

The Regional Gallery is housed in a building dating back to the 15th century and houses masterpieces of Sicilian fine art from the Middle Ages.

It is now one of the largest collections in the city and is also respected by the locals. Within the walls of the gallery are many paintings, each one preserving its own unique history. If you appreciate fine art, especially medieval art, this is the place to go, especially if you want to get to know more about the art itself and the unique style of Sicilian artists, as well as the history reflected in the paintings.

Museum of the Inquisition

The Museum of the Inquisition in Palermo is located right in the cell of the Inquisitorial prison in Palazzo Steri, where the monk Diego La Matina, according to legend, killed his torturer. This is one of the 16 cells of the famous prison of the XVII century, where hundreds of people were tortured during the Inquisition. Prisoners were kept there until 1782.

Subsequently, in 1970, the building of the Inquisitorial Prison became the property of the University of Palermo, but only recently the management of the institution was able to obtain permission to open a museum. Currently, the building is still undergoing renovation, and Diego La Matina's cell has become one of the first objects of the museum available to tourists. You can also visit the prisoners' cells and see the graffiti found in them: drawings of human figures and incantations of prisoners accused of witchcraft.

Pretoria Fountain

In the 16th century, a fountain was built in Palermo, also called the fountain of shame. It was commissioned by the local church as a concept of the nakedness of the soul before God, but the sculptor made the figures nude in the literal sense, thus the piquant folk name for the fountain.

The detailing of the construction was done at such a high level that parishioners, tourists and church officials alike were ashamed to look at it. Despite such a mistake of the sculptor, the fountain was not dismantled, and tourists can still come and look at it. We can assure you that the fountain is no less interesting than its history.

Palazzo Cubano

This country palace of the Sicilian kings is a monument of the Arab-Norman style. The palace was built by King William II the Good of Sicily in the neighborhood of Palermo, on the road leading to the royal residence.

After Sicily lost its independence, Cuba passed into the hands of different owners, in 1576 — 1621 a hospital was equipped here, in XVIII-XIX centuries under the Bourbons a cavalry regiment was stationed. At present Cuba belongs to the government of the autonomous region of Sicily, there is a museum of Arabian art.

Capuchin Catacombs

Capuchin Catacombs are mystical underground galleries, where there are more than 8 thousand unburied bodies, which have turned into mummies since the moment of burial. The remains belong to representatives of the local elite: nobles, prominent scientists, top clergy, etc., and some of them are embalmed, some of them are skeletons, the third group are mummies.

This is a unique, somewhat eerie museum where you can look at the sitting, standing and suspended bodies of the deceased: arranged singly or united in thematic compositions.

Ciza Palace

Ciza Palace was founded in the 12th century as the residence of the local monarch. Over time, it has experienced quite a few restorations and renovations, so its original appearance has not survived to this day.

In the 1970s, the palace was converted into a museum of Islamic culture, where you can see exhibits from all over the world. If you consider yourself a connoisseur of oriental culture, this museum will give you new knowledge and transport you back to past centuries.

Palermo Botanical Gardens

The Palermo Botanical Garden is an amazing place where you can see ripe oranges in early summer, admire ficus trees brought from Australia in the mid-19th century and simply walk around the 10 hectares of land.

More than twelve thousand plants are waiting for visitors, including huge palm trees, which create the feeling of being in a resort. Cacti, bamboo, various tropical trees and incredibly beautiful blue lilies that bloom in the Alps and Spain deserve special attention. At the entrance you will be greeted not by Palermo guides, as at other attractions, but by a bust of Vincenzo Tineo, a famous Italian botanist who worked at the local university in the 18th century.

Mondello Beach

Mondello Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Palermo, as well as the main resort in the whole area. Stretching for 2 km along the sea of amazing beauty, the spit attracts thousands of tourists and visitors every year.

Entrance to the coastal zone is free, and around dozens of fashionable villas, along which you can walk and admire the unusual architectural compositions. There is a natural park around the area, where you can organize a fun picnic with family, friends or by yourself.