Palermo

Palermo, Italy

Capital of the beautiful region of Sicily, Palermo is a fascinating hidden gem and a busy port city that brims with energy. Continuously changing, this city has reclaimed its place among Europe’s cultural cities. Palermo is full of sights and treasures: from Baroque churches and glorious Norman-Gothic architecture to Art Nouveau villas and lively markets – the flamboyant spirit of Palermo can be found down every corner of the city's chaotic streets.

Population:

674,000

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

European emergency number: 112
Ambulance: 118
Police: 113
Fire brigade: 115

Opening Hours:

Shops in Palermo are usually open 9.00-13.00 and 15.00-20.00.
Large department stores are usually open all day.

Newspapers:

La Repubblica: www.repubblica.it
La Sicilia: www.lasicilia.it
Giornale di Sicilia: www.gds.it

The City

The Phoenicians founded Palermo as a trade port in 700 BC, and a long string of rulers followed. Carthage was the first to conquer it, followed by the Romans, the Vandals and Arabian rulers who transformed it into a magical city with mosques, minarets and markets.
During the crusades, the city was conquered by the Normans who continued building on the Arabian legacy of tolerance and enlightenment. That era is known as Palermo's "Golden Era".

Today tourists are discovering a city with an exciting mix of medieval areas with clothes hung on lines between buildings and elegant residential districts with palm trees and palatial villas. Palermo is a city with stunning historical sights, a mouth-watering gastronomy tradition, crystal-clear waters and an energetic atmosphere.

Do & See

Thanks to its rich and varied history, Palermo and its surrounding areas are full of architectural treasures just waiting to be discovered. Many of the sights are conveniently situated in the city centre: in the old town, you will find treasures like Palazzo dei Normanni, as well as the beautiful Santa Caterina Church and the spectacular Piazza Pretoria. For a getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, the beautiful volcanic island Ustica is a safe bet and will not disappoint you.

Dining

Sicilian cuisine is rustic but exciting, thanks to the influence of the many cultural influences the island has had over the years.
Eating at small neighbourhood trattorias is recommended, as is visiting the historical markets where the extraordinary street food tradition of Palermo can be enjoyed. From the glorious rotisserie products and Sicilian pizza to the freshest seafood specialties, Palermo won't let any culinary desire unfulfilled.

Cafés

Besides the excellent espresso, Palermo has some peculiar coffee-based alternatives of its own, like granita al caffè (frozen ice with coffee and whipped cream) or gran caffè (a cappuccino without milk).

To complement your coffee, choose among plenty of delicious patisserie products: try the famous dessert Cassata (a sponge cake moistened with fruit juices or liqueur and layered with ricotta cheese and chocolate chips) or the Sicilian cannoli stuffed with ricotta cheese and pistachio.

To have some tasty food at a bargain price, keep an eye open for the street food vendors and bakeries as you explore the city.