What to see in Palermo

This page presents the main remarkable sites and places of Palermo, among which it is possible to stroll and walk through the streets of the city.
Depending on the time you have available, suggestions for visits are then offered for two days or more.
→ Read also the general presentation of Palermo.
→ The itinerary for discovering the districts and streets of Palermo.

The main sites of Palermo

1. Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel
   An emblematic royal residence, this Arab-Norman palace houses the sumptuous Palatine Chapel, famous for its golden Byzantine mosaics, a masterpiece of the 12th century.
2. Cathedral of Palermo
   A majestic building blending Arab-Norman, Gothic and Baroque styles, built in the 12th century. It reflects the complex history of the city, with its early Christian origins and its successive transformations.
3. Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti
   An Arab-Norman jewel with its distinctive red domes, near the Norman Palace. Its peaceful cloister adds to its medieval charm.
4. Piazza Bellini with the churches La Martorana and San Cataldo
   Located near Piazza Bellini, these Norman churches offer Byzantine mosaics (La Martorana) and a sober but striking architecture with its three red domes (San Cataldo).
5. The Quattro Canti
   This Baroque square, at the crossroads of Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda, is the historic heart of Palermo. Its concave facades adorned with statues of the seasons, Spanish kings and saints are a symbol of the city.
6. Piazza Pretoria and Pretoria Fountain
   A stone’s throw from the Quattro Canti, this square houses a spectacular fountain surrounded by statues, bordered by the senatorial palace and the Baroque church of Santa Caterina.
7. Palace of the Zisa
   A Norman palace in Arab style, former royal residence, located a little away from the historic center, now a museum.

More ideas for 2 days and more

1. The Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum
2. Vucciria Market and district
3. The Ballaro district market
4. The Regional Art Gallery of Palazzo Abatellis
5. See one or more of the main palaces: Chiaramonte Steri, Archbishop’s Palace (diocesan museum), Norman palace of la Cuba.
6. Some churches of Palermo: Gesù, Saint Francis of Assisi and Santa Maria della Catena.
   → See also the section dedicated to the Churches of Palermo.
7. The Teatro Vittorio Emanuele and Teatro Politeama
8. The Capuchin Catacombs
9. Noble palaces, such as the Palazzo Mirto (also a museum), the Palazzo Valguarnera, Palazzo Butera, and Palazzo Conte Federico.
   → See also the section dedicated to the Palaces of Palermo.
10. The Palace of la Cuba, located at the entrance to Palermo on the Corso Calatafimi, a Norman palace once surrounded by water, an Arab-Norman vestige outside but close to the historic center.
11. Piazza Marina
12. Port of Cassaro and Foro Italico
13. Botanical Garden and Villa Giulia
14. In the surroundings: Monreale Cathedral 10 km away, Mount Pellegrino just north of Palermo, then 10 km from the center Mondello and its beach which precedes Capo Gallo.

Monuments of Palermo and map

Information

Sources and external sites

• Tourism section of the municipality: turismo.comune.palermo.it
• Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palermo