The Palatine Chapel, a masterpiece of Arab-Norman art is the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Kingdom of Sicily situated on the second floor at the center of the Norman Palace in Palermo. The chapel is a great symbol of multi-cultural cooperation.

It is the main Roman Catholic church in Palermo, Sicily, also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral is notable for its unique mix of architectural styles, including Norman, Moorish, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical elements, reflecting the diverse history of the city. 

Palermo’s historic open-air markets, especially Ballarò, Capo, and Vuccirìa, are vibrant cultural experiences offering fresh produce, local delicacies, and street food. These markets are best visited in the morning when they are most lively, providing a glimpse into the city’s centuries-old traditions. You can expect lively vendors, colorful stalls, and the chance to sample unique street food specialties like panelle and stigghiole. 

The Palermo Steri Castle is known in English as Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri or Steri Palace. It was built by the Chiaramonte family in 1307 and served as their noble residence before becoming the headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition, a prison with graffiti by inmates, a location for customs, and now houses the Regional Gallery of Sicily. 

The Orto Botanico in Palermo is a historic botanical garden and research institution founded in 1789, featuring over 12,000 plant species, neoclassical buildings, and greenhouses. It serves as an open-air museum with a diverse collection, including tropical plants, citrus trees, and medicinal herbs, organized using Linnaean and other classification systems. The garden is open daily, though specific closing times vary by season, and includes amenities like a cafe and a shop. 

The Palermo Capuchin Catacombs are an underground labyrinth in Palermo, Sicily, housing the world’s largest collection of mummified corpses, with over 1,200 bodies on display in a somewhat macabre yet historically significant tourist attraction. The mummified remains are preserved through a chemical process involving formalin, glycerin, zinc salts, alcohol, and salicylic acid, and are arranged in galleries by profession, sex, and social status, including sections for priests, men, women, children, and families. 

More commonly, La Martorana. The church is named for its founder, George of Antioch (the Admiral, or “Ammiraglio”), and is also called La Martorana after the convent founded by the Martorana family adjacent to it. 

The Quattro Canti –Four Corners– is a central, octagonal Baroque square in Palermo at the intersection of Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele, marking the center of the city’s historic districts. Built between 1608 and 1620, its four curved facades feature sculptures of the four seasons, Spanish vice-kings, and the four patron saints of Palermo, alongside fountains representing the city’s rivers. Known as the “Theater of the Sun,” it is a popular landmark and a must-see for its architectural beauty and historical significance. 

The Fontana Pretoria, or “Fountain of Shame,” is a 16th-century Renaissance fountain in Palermo, Sicily, famous for its nude mythological statues. Originally created by Francesco Camilliani for a Florentine villa, it was bought by the Senate of Palermo and transported to the city in 1574. The fountain’s scandalous nudity led to its nickname, but it is now a treasured, iconic landmark located in the heart of Palermo’s historic center in Piazza Pretoria. 

San Giuseppe dei Teatini is a magnificent Baroque church in Palermo built between 1612 and 1677 by the Theatine order. Located at the central “Quattro Canti” intersection, it is known for its striking exterior with a distinctive blue and yellow majolica-tiled dome and its rich, ornate Baroque interior featuring stuccoes, frescoes, and columns. The church has a Latin cross plan, and the interior is a masterful example of Baroque art and architecture, despite some restoration efforts needed after World War II damage. 

The Oratorio di Santa Cita is a 17th-century building in Palermo, famous for its elaborate Baroque stucco work by Giacomo Serpotta, depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary and the Battle of Lepanto. Founded by a rich company for charitable works, the oratory features a stark exterior contrasting with its opulent, decorated interior filled with angels and other figures. Visitors can also find a 1695 altarpiece of the Madonna del Rosario by Carlo Maratta and mother-of-pearl inlaid benches. 

Palermo’s Casa Professa, or the Church of the Gesù, is a renowned Sicilian Baroque masterpiece, initially built by the Jesuits starting in the late 16th century with a simple design by Giovanni Tristano. It was later transformed into an elaborate Baroque church in the 17th century under Natale Masuccio, featuring opulent marble decorations, intricate stuccoes, and a vibrant color scheme. The complex also includes a sacristy, a small museum, and crypts, offering a rich cultural and historical experience for visitors. 

Palermo’s Jewish quarter, the ancient Giudecca, is located between Via Maqueda and Via Roma, marked by sites like the Arco della Meschita and the Piazza della Meschita. Though the community was expelled in 1492, remnants like the Giudecca Palace and inscriptions can be found, and there’s a modern effort to revive Jewish heritage, including the restoration of an old church into a place of worship. 

The Salinas regional archaeology museum of Palermo is the oldest and most important museum in Sicily. A treasure trove containing collections of immense value. Named after archaeologist and coin collector Antonino Salinas, the museum tells the story of western Sicily from Prehistory through to the Middle Ages.

The Galleria d’Arte Moderna (GAM) is an art museum in Palermo, housed in a former Franciscan convent and adjacent palace on Via Sant’Anna. The museum features paintings and sculptures from the 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on local Sicilian artists.

The opera house in Palermo is the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy and the third-largest in Europe. Inaugurated in 1897, it is renowned for its grand architecture, perfect acoustics, and a rich artistic tradition that includes operas, ballets, and classical concerts. Visitors can explore the magnificent interiors on guided tours or attend performances, which feature the theatre’s own orchestra, chorus, and ballet company. 

Mondello is a seaside neighborhood in Palermo, Sicily, famous for its long, sandy beach with turquoise waters, enclosed by Mount Pellegrino and Mount Gallo. Originally a fishing village, it became a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful Liberty-style villas and vibrant beach life, easily reachable by bus from Palermo’s city center. The clean, shallow waters are ideal for families, and it is a beloved “home beach” for Palermitans, offering a mix of private beach clubs and free public areas. 

Nautoscopio is a popular outdoor venue in Palermo, located on the beach near the harbor, offering cocktails, street food, and a vibrant atmosphere with live music and art in the summer months. It’s known for its beautiful sea views, relaxed beach vibe, and as a central hangout for both locals and tourists, combining elements of a beach bar, a music venue, and a cultural space. 

The Santuario di Santa Rosalia is a 17th-century church and pilgrimage site on Monte Pellegrino overlooking Palermo, Sicily, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Located in a cave where the saint’s relics were found in 1624, the sanctuary features a chapel, a marble statue of the saint, and “miraculous” water that drips through the rock. Visitors can reach the sanctuary by car or bus, or by making the pilgrimage on foot up the mountain. 

A famous Norman-Byzantine cathedral in Sicily, Italy, known for its spectacular mosaics and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by William II of Sicily in the 12th century, it represents a unique synthesis of Norman, Arab, and Byzantine architectural and artistic styles.