Jan

10

Palermo Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

palermo.jpgA trip to Palermo
The island of Sicily is also known as the ‘ball’ that the Italian ‘boot’ is kicking. The people here are hospitable and the rugged landscape reflects its denizens, who have carved a living from the arid climate by growing many types of vegetables and making some of the best olive oil in the world. The biggest tourist draw in Sicily is its capital city of Palermo, situated in a beautiful bay at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. The city has a proud architectural heritage, and simply ambling around the town is never dull.

Flights to Palermo

Palermo International Airport is located in Punta Raisi, about 18 miles west of central Palermo. Flights arrive here multiple times daily from cities all across Europe. Transportation from the airport into the city is reasonably priced, with shuttle buses leaving every 30 minutes. Trains also leaving twice an hour but cost a bit more than the bus.

Palermo is on the north coast of the island, and there are frequent ferries between the Sicilian shore and the Italian cities of Genoa, Naples and the Sardinian city of Cagliari. Ferries are also used to connect with the train line from Rome. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Palermo try Thomas Cook.

Palermo


Sightseeing in Palermo

Italy is a Catholic country, and Palermo’s most impressive monuments are understandably churches and cathedrals. Some of these religious edifices rival more well-known buildings in Florence or Rome. The city centre is negotiable on foot, with many of the sights within walking distance of each other. The big three of Palermo are the Royal Palace, Capella Paletina Chapel and Palermo Cathedral.

The façades of these stunning buildings aren’t the only noteworthy art in Palermo however; there are three main museums that contain interesting and beautiful artefacts. After you get your fill of art, archaeology or ethnography, head for the nearby beach.

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Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Like any capital, Palermo sports all the dining, drinking and boozing options you’d expect. There are a huge variety of restaurants serving both Italian and international cuisine, and enough bars to ensure every social sect has somewhere convivial to hang their hats at.

The food in Sicily is similar to the rest of southern Italy, with lots of simple dishes made exquisite through attention to freshness. The local wine is more than worthy to wash the delicious food down with. This is also one town where you should not hesitation to order a sandwich from a café, as many of the eateries bake the bread as and when you order.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Just as Palermo has many nightlife facilities, it also has plenty of places to shop. The urban Italians are a typically stylish lot, and with Italian designer shops, the right pair of eyes and the right credit limit, you should be able to kit yourself out suave enough to fit right in.

Once you’re confident in your new threads, there are many places of interest within reach of Palermo, such as Montreale Cathedral, a medieval Norman structure that is easily reached on daytrip from the city. The smaller islands around Sicily are also worth a look if you’re into isolated beaches and grottoes.


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