Palermo is a brash, fast-paced, eclectic city embracing its widely divergent origins. Sitting regally within its own wide bay, Palermo is the capital and jewel of Sicily. The bustle of 21st century street vendors echoes through and around the picturesque quarters and characteristic streets that encapsulates the city's 2700 year old history.

 

 

History

Palermo was settled in the eighth century BC, by the Phoenicians who named it Ziz. Their successors, the Carthaginians, named it Panormos but in 276 BC, Panormos fell to the Greeks until it became part of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 535 until 831, when it fell again to the invading Saracen Arabs ("Moors"). It remained under Moorish rule until, after a grueling and arduous five month siege in 1071, the Normans captured Palermo. The island was the place where east met west, and north met south. Palermo flourished as one of the wealthiest city of Europe until tarnished by postwar decay and mafia corruption in the twentieth century.

 

Art & Museums

For a first time visit to Palermo, visit the Duomo of Monreale where the most awe inspiring Greek-Byzantine mosaic work can be found or for a true, harmonious blend of Arab-Norman architecture, head to the Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio Church. Archeology buffs should seek out the Valley of the Temples. It has the highest concentration of Greek temples in the world. If you like a creepy shudder with your attraction, walk the Catacomb dei Cappuccini where 8000 corpses are dangling on the wall, the earliest ones dating back to the 16th century. The practice was discontinued in 1924.

 

Nightlife

IF you're looking for the bright lights in the night time, the best places are the lively piazzas, most notably Piazza Castelnuevo and Piazza Verdi. It's here that the tourists mingle with the locals for a fascinating night on the town. There's the moonlight stroll along at waterfront of Mondello Lido to cool down in the summertime and enjoy the peace and quiet. But if hunger is the motivation, look for the best little sidewalk cafes along the Via Principe di Belmonte.

 

How to get there

Fly into the Palermo International Airport in Punta Raisi and take the shuttle bus into town. Or hop on the ferry in Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples or Cagliari. The trains run on a regular basis from Rome and Naples. Once in the city, there are two minibus lines, taxis and car rental services for your convenience.