This is part of a series of Wanderlust Women City Guides. We hope they offer you useful tidbits of information as you plan your solo journey to some of the most interesting places around the world.
Today’s guest writer is Cherrye Moore, of My Bella Vita, who packed up her Texas drawl and headed south……..all the way to Italy.
Palermo is bursting at the seams with eclectic vibes and contagious energy and no visit to Sicily is truly complete without a stop in the capital city. Between Sicilian street food, Arabic markets and centuries old architecture, there are more than enough attractions to fill your itinerary.
Top 3 Attractions:
It’s hard to choose just three attractions in Palermo, but for a bit of culture and diversity, here are my top three choices.
1. Palazzo dei Normanni - This is a Norman castle that was built between the 9th and 12th Centuries and is the current seat of Sicilian Regional government. It is considered to be one of the most remarkable Arab-Norman structures in the world. (Piazza Indipendenza, 1, Tel: 091 705 4317)
2. The Duomo – It was originally built by the Normans in 1184, but was remodeled over the years by the Goths and Spaniards and has Islamic and Neoclassical elements throughout the structure. The Royal Pantheon inside houses tombs of many of Sicily’s kings, most notably Roger II, the first King of Sicily who was coroneted inside the Duomo in 1130. (Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Tel: 091 334 373)
The famous portico by Domenico & Antonello Gagini / Photo: Piero Tasso
3. Catacombs – While perhaps a bit macabre, the Catacombs in Palermo offer a glimpse into Palermo’s royal past. The basement houses 8,000 Palermitani corpses dressed in their finest clothes, silks and lace, as well as the famous Rosalia Lombardo, a two-year-old girl who passed away in 1920 and was embalmed with a mysterious method that has perfectly preserved her body for more than 90 years. (Piazza Cappuccini 1, Tel: 091 212 117)
2. Good Restaurants:
Nothing like a spleen sandwich to whet the appetite / photo courtesy: Cherrye Moore
Some of the best culinary specialties in the country can be found in Palermo and there is no shortage of bakeries, rosticcerie, pizzerie and trattorie serving Sicily’s finest food. In addition to trying street food Milza (aka – voosteddi), also visit Antica Focacceria San Francesco or have thin-crusted pizza at the Beati Paoli Pizzeria (Piazza Marina, 50, Tel: 091 616 6634). While you are at it, be sure to try Sicily’s famous cannoli pastry and granita (Sicilian ice).
3. Hotels:
If you are looking for a hotel that is slightly off of the beaten path, but still within easy walking distance from the train station, as well as all of Palermo’s main sights, then consider Harmony B&B (Via Lungarini 48). It is located in a historical 15th Century palazzo on the outskirts of Palermo’s centro storico.
That’s where I stayed on my visit to Palermo a couple of years ago, and given its great location, good price/value ratio and friendly owners, it’s where I’d stay again. You can read my full review of Harmony B & B in Palermo.
4. Nightlife:
There is no shortage of nightclubs in Palermo, but for a more laid-back approach, visit one of the enoteca, or wine bars located near Teatro Massimo. At dusk, the locals will emerge from their homes, join their friends on the street and begin their nightly ritual … the passeggiata. Grab a seat at an outdoor table, order a glass of local Sicilian wine and enjoy the show.
5. Shopping:
There are three main markets in Palermo, but my personal favorite is the 700-year-old Kasbah-style Vucciria Market that runs down Via Roma toward Via Emanuele in the heart of Palermo’s historical center. It is open every day except Sundays until 2:00 PM.
6. Safety:
Like all big cities, standard safety practices, such as walking in well-lit areas and traveling with another person or group are recommended in Palermo. If you are a solo traveler in Sicily’s capital city, then book a hotel in a centrally located district and avoid the La Kalsa neighborhood near the harbor.
7. Best Tourist Tip:
Don’t map out every minute of your visit to Palermo. Plan to spend time meandering through the side streets, getting lost inside one of the outdoor markets and exploring less-famous palazzi and churches. The best of Palermo is often seen outside of the main attractions and is found when you least expect it.
Cherrye Moore is a Calabria tour organizer and freelance writer living in southern Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI, a company that sells affordable travel insurance and about life and travel in Calabria on her site, My Bella Vita. You can also visit her in person at her bed and breakfast in Catanzaro, Calabria.
