Hotels in Palermo

As the capital city of Sicily Island, Palermo presents its visitors a fantastic tapestry of history, culture, architecture and food. This complex metropolis first became a settlement over 2,700 years ago and is situated on the island's north-western Tyrrhenian Coast. There are eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making Palermo a magnet for history buffs. However, this vibrant and characterful city offers much for those seeking modern pleasures, too. Foodies can find their spiritual home here, and there are also some fine beaches situated very close to Palermo.

As such an attractive destination for escaping the city or a beach-break, Palermo boasts itself as a great host. Holiday accommodation is plentiful, with all types of lodgings available, including B&Bs, luxurious all-inclusive resorts and hotels. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding cheap hotels in Palermo.

Neighbourhoods of Palermo

An eclectic tapestry of districts is what you’d expect from this historical, cultural melting-pot city. Still, it is a thoroughly modern capital. Some of the most popular districts to visit are:

• Vecchio Centro: The ‘Old Town’ is a place that retains an olde-worlde market charm. There are many sights to explore among rows of faded houses and narrow streets, spanning from the giant Pretoria Fountain to contemporary works of street art.
• Castellammare: This neighbourhood is awash with antique architecture, but it's also home to the bustling Vuccaria Market. After sundown, there’s a pulsating nightlife.
• The Marina: Relax on the huge rocks and watch the ships pass by. The hive of activity is along the seafront, and you can enjoy a fresh-fish dinner in one of the many fine restaurants.
• Albergheria: Despite the seemingly decrepit appearance of the houses and narrow alleys, this is one of the city’s most distinguished neighbourhoods. A great place to sightsee, buy local foods, plus enjoy many local arts and crafts.

What to see and do in Palermo

Where to start? Whatever pursuits you prefer to perform while on holiday, Palermo can deliver or provide. Since Palermo is blessed with some stunning beaches, let's start with:

The Beaches

The furthest one away is 20-kilometres away, but all are easily reachable by bus or car. These are some of the more popular beaches to explore:

• Mondello, a city beach with golden sands and a vibrant seafront.
• Addaura, a popular beach for divers.
• Capo Gallo, a stunning beach but not so easy to access.
• Capaci a lovely, safe beach that's ideal for families.

Sites and Attractions

Just a tiny representation of the array of attractions and activities the city offers are:

• Cappella Palatina: A must-see for every visitor. First built in 1130, this breath-taking chapel features a honeycomb-style ceiling, incredible golden mosaics and inlaid marble flooring.
• Cattedrale di Palermo: Centuries of multiple reworkings resulted in this architectural hotch-potch, but it it's still full of fascination and interest.
• Museo dell'Inquisizione: a museum housed inside the 14th-century Palazzo Chiaromonte Steri. It offers one-hour guided tours through the historical Catholic Inquisition.
• Galleria Regionale della Sicilia: Housed inside the 15th-century Palazzo Abatellis and considered the best of Sicily's art collections, you can view works from the Middle Ages through the 18th Century.
• Palazzina Cinese & Parco della Favorita: A highly exotic and pagoda-inspired pavilion. The grounds used to be a retreat for King Ferdinand IV and his wife, Maria Carolina.

What to eat in Palermo

Sicilian cuisine represents all of the many different cultures that have existed on the island, which marks it distinctly different from the mainland's Italian cuisine version. The food in Palermo is typically Sicilian-style and largely emphasises fresh fish and seafood. Some of the must-try dishes include:

• Arancine: Baked or deep-fried rice balls with various fillings.
• Pani Ca Meusa: A popular street-food treat comprising a bread roll filled with sliced, grilled lamb spleen and lungs.
• Pasta alla Norma: A pasta dish with locally grown vegetables and herbs, served with a dollop of salted ricotta.
• Sarde a Beccafico: Sardines stuffed with breadcrumbs, raisins and pine nuts.
• Cassata: An ubiquitous, liqueur-soaked sponge cake with candied fruits, ricotta and green marzipan covering.
• Cannoli: A legendary pastry that is in every bakery! Each pastry showcases several flavours, along with a traditional filling made of sweetened ricotta.

Typical events and festivals in Palermo

Festivities in the city reflect the diversity of the landscape and people, with highlights that include:

• Settimana delle Cultura: An annual one-week event filled with exhibitions, concerts, cultural activities and live shows.
• Avinando WineFest: A showcase of the tastiest Sicilian wines.
• World Festival on The Beach: A week-long festival in Mondello dedicated to water sports by day and parties by night.
• Verdura Festival: A huge celebration of all music types.
• Festa di Santa Rosalia: A celebration to honour the city’s patron saint.

How to move around in Palermo

An excellent public transport network enables visitors to reach any part of the city and beyond. There is also a metropolitan railway system with over 90 bus routes, plus an efficient tram system. Coaches connect Palermo with many other main Sicilian cities and towns. It is also never a problem trying to find a taxi.

The climate in Palermo

With its Mediterranean climate, summers are long, dry and hot. The winters are mild and quite rainy. Palermo is one of the warmest cities in Europe. The hottest month is August, while December is the coldest. Temperatures are known to dip below zero during winters and reach highs of over 40° C in the summer.