Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Monreale Cathedral
Palermo, Italy
A hilltop cathedral glittering with some of Europe's greatest mosaics.
City · Italy · Sicily
Palermo
Sicily's capital: a chaotic, layered city of Arab-Norman churches, street markets and street food.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Palermo matters
Palermo has been ruled by Phoenicians, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards, and it shows. Golden mosaics glow in a royal chapel, domes in red hint at the Arab influence and baroque churches hide down lanes thick with market stalls. Street food here is a pleasure: arancine, panelle and sfincione. The city is rough around the edges, but it has soul, and the crowds are far smaller than in mainland hotspots.
Talking points
- The Arab-Norman monuments of Palermo are part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
- Street food includes arancine, fried rice balls with various fillings.
- Markets like Ballaro and Capo are open-air and lively.
- The day trip to Monreale for its mosaics is a must.
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What to see in Palermo
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Palatine Chapel
Palermo, Italy
A royal chapel entirely covered in gold mosaics.
Market
Ballaro Market
Palermo, Italy
Palermo's loudest street market, full of produce and street food.
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Palermo Cathedral
Palermo, Italy
A cathedral that mixes Norman, Arab, Gothic and baroque styles.
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Cefalu Cathedral
Palermo, Italy
A Norman cathedral in a seaside town backed by a rocky headland.
Historic site
Capuchin Catacombs
Palermo, Italy
Underground corridors lined with preserved bodies, a sobering and unusual sight.
Entertainment
Teatro Massimo
Palermo, Italy
One of Europe's largest opera houses, with a famous staircase.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.