Palermo

Located inside Normans Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni), the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily, Cappella Palatina is the finest example of Arab-Norman art in the city. Every inch is a jubilation of craftsmanship, from the golden mosaics covering the walls to the marble floors and carved wooden ceilings.

The grandiose Piazza Pretoria captivates with its fountain, spreading proudly in front of Palazzo Pretorio (City Hall) as one of the major symbols of Palermo. The Pretoria Fountain was sculpted by Francesco Camilliani in 1574 and initially placed in Florence for a few years. It was then bought by the municipality and transported to Palermo. The fountain is a true masterpiece and is considered one of the most beautiful fountains in Italy. The nude figures adorning the fountain have got the most prudish population in the city to nickname the square "Piazza della Vergogna", (Square of Shame).

One of the major examples of Sicily's unique encounter of architectonic styles, the Palermo Cathedral is the result of centuries of additions, redecoration, and restorations. It was built in 1185 on the site of a former Byzantine church, which was used as a mosque during the 9th century and it encompasses Medieval, Gothic, Arabic, and Neoclassical styles. Climb up to the roof and enjoy a great view of the city.

Officially known as Piazza Vigliena, Quattro Canti is considered one of the most fascinating landmarks of Palermo. Located at the intersection of Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, it has an octagonal structure shaped by the elegant facades of the buildings standing at its corners. During the day, the sun is always shining on at least one of the four facades: leading to this Baroque gem being nicknamed by locals "il teatro del sole" ("the theatre of the sun").

The Mercato di Ballarò is the oldest and largest market in Palermo where you can enjoy some exciting flavours and buy fresh produce. Resembling a colourful and buzzing souk, walking down the lanes of this busy street market will immediately show you how Sicily markets developed during the Arab occupation. Part of the experience is the jingles sung by the vendors to attract customers while offering samples to the passers-by.

Allegedly the best art gallery in Palermo, the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia Palazzo Abatellis exhibits artworks of Sicilian artists from the Middle Ages, artefacts from the Arab period, and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. Take your time to admire the stunning Palazzo Abatellis, built in the 15th century in the Gothic-Catalan style.

One of the finest examples of Medieval architecture in Palermo, the church of Saint John of the Hermits (Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti) is famous for its red domes and architectural design that was greatly influenced by the Arabs during the 12th century. This was originally a mosque that was later converted into a Christian church dedicated to Sicily's hermit monks. Walk along the pretty garden of regional plants and the ruins of the cloister.

Founded in 1781, the Orto Botanico di Palermo is considered to be a prestigious open-air botanical museum that has enabled in-depth studies on fascinating plants for about 200 years. Walk down the shaded pathways lined with subtropical plants, fig trees, Mediterranean herb gardens, local cacti, and hibiscus but don't forget to also check out the beautiful historical buildings where this restful paradise is set in.

Located in the Capuchin Monastery since 1599, the Catacombe dei Cappuccini houses 8,000 mummified bodies and skeletons of former residents of Palermo who died between the 17th and 19th centuries. It's a somewhat macabre insight into the customs and traditions of the Palermitan society of the time, with gender, religion, profession, and social status rigidly applied to the disposition of the bodies.

The three Art Nouveau kiosks by architect Ernesto Basile appear like unexpected gems along the buzzing streets of Palermo. Built about the end of the 19th century, the kiosks once hosted the traditional Sicilian vendors of soft drinks and refreshing beverages but are today converted into tobacconists. Chiosco Ribaudo located in Piazza Verdi, the most famous one, is a crimson and wrought iron building adorned with golden letters. The second Ribaudo kiosk in Piazza Castelnuovo is decorated with colourful majolica and mosaics while the Chiosco Vicari, in front of the Teatro Massimo, is a triumph of Moorish, Islamic, and Colonial architecture.

Festa di Santa Rosalia is a grand annual festival that takes place in July. The festival, which lasts six days, is dedicated to Saint Rosalia, also called La Santuzza (Little Saint) or Rusulia (in Sicilian dialect), Palermo's patron saint, and it commemorates the miraculous appearances of the saint in 1624 when the city was hit by the plague. This festival is full of dazzling fireworks, religious processions, live music, and sumptuous Sicilian delicacies.

A real hidden paradise easily reached with a few minutes walk from Mondello, Capo Gallo is a regional nature reserve encompassing the huge Mount Gallo, ending up in a rocky promontory towered by a lighthouse, some grottos, and hidden sandy beaches surrounded by wild vegetation. Among its inhabitants are falcons, buzzards, and owls, while the reserve beckons adventurers with opportunities for snorkelling, kayaking, and hiking adventures.