Free walking tours in Palermo and what to see

Must-sees

Palermo, the capital of Sicily, blends Arab, Norman and baroque traces. Its Arab-Norman ensemble, which also includes the cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start at the Norman Palace and its Palatine Chapel, covered in golden mosaics and with an Islamic-style wooden ceiling. Close by are the cathedral, with additions from several periods, and San Giovanni degli Eremiti, with its red domes.

At the Quattro Canti crossroads, Via Maqueda meets Via Vittorio Emanuele. A few steps away are Piazza Pretoria, with its great marble fountain, and the church of the Martorana, with Byzantine mosaics, next to San Cataldo. The Ballarò, Capo and Vucciria markets are the place to try street food. To the north rises the Teatro Massimo, and on the outskirts it is worth going up to Monreale to see its cathedral and cloister.

Free tours and guided visits

Palermo does have free walking tours, covering the historic centre on foot with a guide. There are guided tours of the Norman Palace and the Palatine Chapel, and private tours of the city. Boat trips to the Capo Gallo nature reserve leave from the port, and there are day trips to Cefalù. For something different, a cooking class teaches you to make pizza and gelato.

How long to spend

Two days let you see the essentials: the Norman Palace, the cathedral, the Quattro Canti, the Martorana and a market or two. Three is better, to add Monreale and an afternoon on the beach at Mondello. With more time, Cefalù is less than an hour away by train.

Where to stay

The historic centre, between the cathedral, the Quattro Canti and the Kalsa, is full of apartments and hotels in restored palazzi, and everything is on foot. The Politeama and Via Libertà area is more modern and orderly, with city hotels and shops. In summer, Mondello offers accommodation by the beach, with buses to the centre.