Palermo, Italy skyline: the 50 most iconic buildings and best views in Palermo

We enjoyed visiting Palermo Cathedral. Highly recommend climbing to the rooftop. It was €7 per adult and €4 for under 18. Spectacular views of Palermo, really gives you a great feel for the city. We were there during 5pm mass and experienced a procession and a busy church. Highly recommend.

Magnificent cathedral and museum complex with roof top access covered with the complete ticket- €18PP, kids under 11 yrs are free or €1. Well worth the tour, all rooms have an explanation sheet and pamphlets available in multiple languages. Well preserved piece of history.

I visited this magnificent cathedral in May, and it was truly one of the highlights of my trip to Palermo. The moment you approach the building, you’re struck by its grand façade and unique mix of architectural styles — Norman, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical — all beautifully layered through centuries of history. It’s a place where art, faith, and culture come together in a breathtaking way. Inside, the cathedral is just as impressive. The soaring arches, intricate details, and serene atmosphere create a powerful sense of history. It’s fascinating to walk through and imagine all the generations that have passed here. The royal tombs are especially interesting, offering a glimpse into the city’s rich past. Don’t miss going up to the rooftop — the panoramic view over Palermo and the surrounding mountains is unforgettable. The combination of history, architecture, and scenery makes this place truly special. ✨ I was genuinely happy to visit this incredible site. It’s not just a monument, but a living piece of Palermo’s soul. Absolutely worth a visit!

Set in a beautiful square alongside its museum. The cathedral had a very modern feel. We did get in without waiting in line however, the building was very busy with tour groups. I would recommend heading to crypt which really is fascinating. For those who wish you can also access the upstairs via a dtstcase hidden behind a panel in the main building. For individual travellers tickets can be bought from their ticket office @ 18 Euros. The office also has toilets available at 1 Euro per person.

We came out of a narrow street to the north east and were greeted by this massive building and nice open space. The stonework is so well preserved for 900 years old and the inside is kept spotless clean. We didn't have time to tour the museum and rooftop walk but I believe 18euro allows access to both. There is a bronze line on the floor with pictures of several constellations that shows the passing of the sun through the window on certain days. Very interesting to find that in a church. There are a few large statues outside in the spacious piazza that are also worth a close look if you have time

Visited the Palermo Cathedral while in town and wow — it’s absolutely beautiful. The architecture and deep history are truly stunning, and its UNESCO status feels well-deserved. We wandered for a while and found plenty of great photo spots. Entry is paid, but worth it. Definitely a must-see when in Palermo. Saluti!

Obviously a must-visit for any trip to Palermo. A mixed of cultures, styles and design. The real beauty is the exterior, as the inside was very simply rennovated years ago during a process to make the cathedral more resistant to earthquakes. The main church is free but opt for buying the roof ticket for €7pp for a great view of that exterior as mentioned

What a magnificent building! Beautiful on the inside and outz it felt magical being inside. We came a few days ago to watch a jazz show, the performers were amazing! It was very hot inside where we were sitting in the booth though (hence why I gave a 4-star review instead of 5), I'd advise to have a fan with you.

Well worth a walk around the city to find it. Many great things to see in Palermo and this is one of them. Some good coffee stops nearby and good gelato everywhere. Add it to your city tour.

A true architectural masterpiece in the heart of Palermo Teatro Massimo impresses not only with its stunning exterior but also with its beautifully decorated interior and perfect acoustics. The atmosphere inside feels like stepping back in time elegant, grand, and full of history. Even from the upper seats, the sound is crystal clear. The location is central and surrounded by many great spots to explore.

We were incredibly lucky to have Teatro Massimo di Palermo literally on our doorstep. The architecture is stunning and absolutely photo-worthy. It’s also famous from The Godfather Part III, where the assassination of Apollonia was filmed. We loved passing by day and night, always catching a new angle. Overall, it’s a must-see and an easy stop while exploring Palermo. Saluti

We headed out early from Syracuse to do this hike. 1.2 km down the ravine to this little oasis. Getting there was an easy drive until we got a km away. Then you are on a very rocky, narrow road- praying that no one is coming the other way. Several larger vehicles parked at the start of the narrow road - i assume the passengers walked in. There are clean washrooms available for use at the top of the hill. We were given an estimate of 40 minutes down and an hour back. I’m not in the best of shape so was worried about the trip back up. Although I had already been doing a lot of steps and stairs for the past 13 days. We made it both ways in less than the estimated time told to us. The route was a mix of rock steps, loose rock and a few flatter spots- just to keep you going. lol It’s nice to be able to sit and have some lunch dangling your feet in the cool water. The temperature heated up as we descended. We were glad that the temp outside was around 24. I think if it was warmer it would slow the hike back up the hill as there isn’t a lot of shade to rest in. A beautiful hike and we certainly recommend it.

Lovely place to visit and if possible to go for an opera show. I was lucky enough to find tickets for the Barber of Seville during our three days stay in Palermo. The acoustics of the theater are famous, not to mention the classy style of the place. An unforgettable memory for me.

I had guided visit [italian and english] which made the experience very interesting. Teatro is beautiful and deserves the visit, highly recomended. A bonus the round shape room with special echoing voice effect

Beautiful four corner monument unfortunately, despite its beauty, there’s trash everywhere. One fountain is trickling over mold. All other fountains are not running and filled to the very top with TRASH! So sad they are not maintained. Beautiful statuary. Be aware traffic runs through there so be on guard you don’t get run over.

One of Palermo’s most iconic spots! The four baroque facades are stunning, especially when lit by the sun. A perfect place to stop, take photos, and admire the historic heart of the city.

Where the two main roads cross, the magnificent hits you with full effect. The tourist stop regardless of whether walking alone or definitely when on a guided tour.

Absolutely loved Quattro Canti in Palermo! This iconic Baroque square is like an open-air museum, every corner is a masterpiece. Located at the crossroads of the city’s four historic quarters, it’s where art, history, and urban life come together. The four curved facades are beautifully adorned with statues representing the seasons, Spanish kings, and Palermo’s patron saints, it feels like you’re standing inside a grand theatrical set. Whether you visit during the day or in the evening, the atmosphere is magical. A must-see when in Palermo!

Very touristic, but thanks to the police, it was safe. Local artists are also enriching this place. We went there during the Santa Rosalia festival, but I bet it is magical in the early morning.

A corner unlike 1 I’ve ever seen. The history behind the statutes is fascination. Nice place to take pictures. Also a great meeting place when traveling with others not staying in your hotel. Close to many other sites, restaurants and stores.

The baroque architecture at this crossroads is stunning, and it truly feels like the heart of the city. During the day, it’s beautiful to admire and take photos, but at night the atmosphere becomes even more special. People often gather here, and sometimes you can even see dancing and music in the square. A lively and cultural place that shows the real spirit of Palermo!

The waitress was an absolute delight! She took a great care for everything and help me with every request I had. The food was tasty, just like the dessert. I really enjoyed this place and would recommend it aswell (in the jungle of bars and restaurants on that street this was a right choice)

Lovely, slightly larger cafè and restaurant on a very pleasant commercial street, an extension of Via Emmanuelle towards the bay. Wonderful coffees and pastries, and a nice looking but simple menu with a little something for everyone, including salads. I went back to try their Caesar Salad and it was terrific; lots of most chicken, crispy lettuce and the right amount of tasty dressing. Has both indoor and outdoor seating. They take care of you with good service and good food!

We stopped at this bakery, and I'm so happy we did! Their cannoli is out of this world. I've been eating cannoli all over Palermo for the past few days, and this was honestly the best one I've had. We also tried a piece of a special Palermo cake. It was absolutely delicious! Do yourself a favor and get a cannolo or cake or anything else—you won't regret it.

A very tasty, delicious and comfortable place! With good attention and the food was fantastic. Spent 9 days in Palermo and went to have breakfast - lunch in there about 5 or 6 times. Cappuccino was glorious! I just loved it!! Thanks to Mariana and Vincenzo! 🫶🏻 Have to come back.

Amazing little "pub" (such as Italian call Cafe houses). You can have nice breakfasts, a qucik lunch, several coctails, amazing and delish dessserts, wines and excellent service. Inside and outside tableservice.

Beautiful food and perfect service. Vincent was very friendly and welcoming. Would highly recommend 👌

Undercooked Eggs Benedict, lacked taste, server forgot we ordered, another server almost brought us someone else's order, took over 30 minutes for the food to arrive. Do not recommend, unless you have no other options.

The Pretoria Fountain is a masterpiece of Renaissance art that has been both lauded and reviled since its inception. This beautiful fountain, often dubbed the "Fountain of Shame" by locals due to its numerous nude sculptures, exemplifies the city's rich heritage and creative flare. Originally designed for a Florentine nobleman's private gardens, the fountain underwent considerable changes after being acquired by the Palermo Senate in 1574. Its transfer to the center of the city, Piazza Pretoria, sparked both appreciation and criticism. The abundance of naked images portraying gods, goddesses, nymphs, and legendary animals sparked concern among Palermo's more conservative people. The fountain's elaborate form, which consists of three concentric circular basins, is a masterwork of late Renaissance sculpture with clear Florentine influences. The highest basin is the smallest, and the lowermost is the largest. The ensemble is decorated with various statues and smaller fountains, resulting in a visually magnificent display. Visitors can freely observe this prominent sight at any time of day or night. However, daylight hours provide the best circumstances for observing the complex features of the sculptures. As evening falls, the fountain is lighted in a most fascinating way, casting a mystical spell over its watchers.

A beautiful square with an impressive fountain at its center. The atmosphere is lively and charming. At the moment, some renovation work is ongoing, but it’s still well worth a visit.

Beautiful fountain in the heart of Palermo! The sculptures are impressive and full of detail, and the square around it feels very lively. A must-see stop when exploring the city’s historic

Lovely piazza, with the stunning Fontana della Vergogna at its center, a masterpiece of marble sculptures featuring gods, nymphs, and animals. The surrounding architecture, including the City Hall and nearby churches, adds to the square’s historic charm. Piazza Pretoria has also appeared in several films and series, including the recent version of Il Gattopardo and Netflix’s Ripley, which makes it feel even more cinematic in person. A beautiful and iconic stop while exploring the city!

Beautiful outdoor fountain just off the main streets at four corners. Currently has no water.

Stunning fountain ⛲️. But it was under renovation unfortunately when we got there 😪. Still we got the vipes ✨️🇮🇹

I came across the Fontana Pretoria (Fontana della Vergogna) in front of the Town Hall in the Piazza Pretoria. Just amazing to go around and see the outstanding carvings! It was commissioned in 1554 for a villa in Florence and later transported here to Sicily. It has more than 50 white marble statues of mythological figures. It was nicknamed the "Fountain of Shame" due to all the nude statues!

Top sightseeing highlight in Palermo. The Norman Palace and the Palatine Chapel with gold mosaics are the must see. The chapel is undergoing refurbishment and part of one wall was covered in September 2025. It should be finished in early 2026. It didn’t stop us from getting good views of the mosaics. The Royal Apartments are not as interesting but are included in the ticket. The Garden are the same, nice to stroll around. There was a special exhibition on with photographs from Elliott Erwitt (1950-70s) which was fascinating. There are photos of Marilyn Monroe, JFK, etc. We went on Sunday morning and arrived at 8.15am for the 8.30am opening. We were the first there! Better to buy your tickets online as there was a long queue to buy them from the ticket office. We felt that we got our moneys worth from the visit.

Just wow! The chapel is exceptional even though it was under renovation. The audio guide is awful and dull. Recommend to generate your own using Wikipedia and NotebookLM. The royal apartments also have some beautiful rooms and mosaics. After 10am the queue at the ticket office was getting pretty long even end of October.

Interesting place to visit, but definitely not worth the ticket price ( €15 + €5 audio guide). There are too many parts unaccessible for visitors. The chapel is very interesting because of rendezvous of collaboration of artists from the Islamic and Christian worlds. I was lucky there was an exhibition of Elliot Erwitt presenting his amazing photography. Be aware that for the audio guide you have to leave your id and there are no earbuds. It’s just and iphone!!!

Waiting time at the ticket counter was around 45 minutes, and admission (€18.50) includes an exhibition that must be booked together. After that, there was another 20–30 minutes of waiting at the entrance. Restrooms cost €0.50 furthermore after the security check (similar to the airport). Inside, there is simply no information at all - no panels, no guides, no interactive features. It is such a pity that the rich history of this place is withheld from visitors. There are also no seats for those who may need a rest. Part of the Cappella Palatina is currently under renovation. That said, the mosaics are truly stunning, often shimmering in gold, within a palace dating back to 1160. Despite these shortcomings, it remains an impressive historic site that is worth experiencing at least once.

Best to buy tickets online. We had to wait in line a long time to buy tickets. Once we had a ticket, there was no wait to get in. I heard that the tour bus rush is in the morning. Best to go in the afternoon. The chapel was incredible. Also, visit Friday-Monday so that you can see the royal apartments. They are worth seeing. Disappointed that the WC wasn’t free.

Visited on a rainy day. Bit of a wait for a ticket and to enter but well worth the price. An Elliott Erwitt photo exhibition was also on, and very good. The palazzo architecture and artwork are impressive, ranging across time periods and styles.

Well, impressive murals in the chapel, but half of the display was being renovated and behind screens. Then the royal apartments on the second floor were closed - only open at the weekend. The gardens are nice, but… so of the three things you buy your ticket to see you get one and a half. Disappointing.

Really beautiful beach outside of Palermo, easy to reach via public transit grabbing the 806 bus. Plenty of spaces to sit around the beach, both free and for purchase. The water was beautiful and the landscape around the city surrounded by mountains is sublime.

The beach itself is very beautiful with warm and transparent water. But the problem is infrastructure, only one public toilet, a lot of dirty, not enough garbage bins. Not enough small groceries. But anyway, maybe this is generic problem for touristic places in Italy, or Sicily. In total, amazing place to visit and swim for a few day, as for long term vacation is not adopted yet.

We visited in mid to late September, and it was still quite busy. Sandy beach and clear water. 🏖️ It was easy to find space, even in the free public areas, though towards the eastern end of the beach (near the rocky side) there was a faint smell of sewage in the air. Loads of noise due to some people playing loud music on speakers and noisy vendors along the beach. It’s a good option for a quick beach trip not far from Palermo city, but overall we preferred Cefalù Beach, which was cleaner and quieter.

A really nice beach to relax and enjoy. You can take a 10mins bus ride from the city and a few minutes walk to get there We visit there in May the weather is nice, sun light and not too hot. It’s a really good time to visit.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Palermo, it is accessible by car and even by bus. You have the private side with excellent rates, a place and shower available and even toilets. The first line is free for anyone who has their own parasol. I also recommend it especially if you are for a long stay. You also have outdoor showers and toilets. There are local restaurants and a very cute little port. I wish you an excellent stay and don't forget to return early in the day if you use the bus and to observe the times of the last bus. 🌹

Beautiful beach 🏝️ The sand is soft and golden and the sea is warm and clear. Such a beautiful spot in Sicily. Annoying that in high season, private places take most of the space on the beach (I HATE THIS - many other things you could do in this world and Sicily but they choose to try charge people €20 minimum for a bed). There’s plenty of free space on the beach so enjoy that.

A very beautiful beach and sea! It’s lovely for swimming, the water stays shallow for quite a distance, reaching only up to your hips even several meters in (for a smaller-sized person). Both the beach and the sea are clean and very pleasant. The only downside is that the beach is packed with sunbeds, leaving little space for people who don’t want to pay for one and just want to lay down a towel. Other than that, it’s easily reachable by bus from Palermo, no need for a private taxi. The bus works just fine and is very convenient. Highly recommended!

A true masterpiece in the heart of Palermo. The church is filled with breathtaking marble work and incredible art in every corner. With a ticket, you can enjoy a small guided tour near the altar and visit a 2 floor museum. The museum is small but the church is really worthy. A wonderful and enriching experience that’s well worth the visit.

Very impressive More than 2000 sculptors have modeled more than 100 figures. In the 1950s, the ceiling, which was destroyed during the war, was renovated. Based on black and white photos, the painter has released the colors. Note Snoop Dig as Jesus in the big window at the end 🤪

This is a must-see church! Absolutely breathtaking sculptures, windows, colors, and detail everywhere. This church is an excellent example of the baroque style of architecture.

Absolutely beautiful!!! The artwork, marble statues and carvings were extremely impressive and definitely a sight to see. The festive activities outside the Church were in full celebration to commemorate Italy’s Liberation Day.

Absolutely stunning church! Looks like it was recently restored, perfect condition. We came in and a wedding was about to start, so we couldn’t get the full extent, but we were able to sit in rear pews to admire the church

This is the most beautiful and elegant church I've ever seen. I've long dreamed of visiting it, and it's finally happened—it's magical. It's breathtakingly beautiful. The delicate mosaic designs are stunning.Made from various shades of marble. A fantastic feat of human art.

The building facade is unassuming and you might walk by without even noticing it, but the inside is stunning. A baroque style design with a generous use of marbles. Worth stopping by.

Guided tour on the hour from 9am is only means of access. Friendly guide but echoey rooms and her Italian accent made understanding challenging. The tour felt rushed, and there was no unaccompanied time allowed in the rooms. Would have liked to linger to look at the drawings and words written by those incarcerated during the Inquisition. Instead took lots of photos to look at later, including of text which I'll have to translate.

React! Guttuso painted "La Vucchiria" in 1974 and donated the painting, as a gift, to his friend, the rector of the University of Palermo. Today, they've hijacked the painting and are profiting from it in ways its author never did. They've turned a selfless tribute to the city into a mandatory guided tour that costs 8 euros and is held every hour, lasting 45 minutes. La Vucchiria is the last room. And, what do you not interested in learning about the building's inquisitorial history? A university, a center of universal knowledge and culture, shouldn't be like this. Guttuso's La Vucchiria should be freely accessible to everyone, thus respecting the genesis of the work conceived by its author.

This museum is well worth the visit. The guided tour is informative and gives you a thorough history of the palace. Our tour guide, Michela, was very knowledgeable and helpful during the visit. We enjoyed her insights!

I visited Palazzo Steri in Palermo and had a great experience. The guided tour was much more interesting than I expected. Our guide – I think her name was Helena or Eleni (sorry) – was excellent. Her English was very good, and she clearly knew a lot about the history of the place. She explained everything in a very engaging way and answered all the questions with detail and enthusiasm. I definitely recommend visiting if you’re in the area.

The palazzo itself is very nice and full of history but the visit is mandatory guided, cost 20 € for 2 persons and last only 40mn with the impression that the guide want to expedite quickly. It is high price for such a short and very limited visit.

The graffiti made by the prisoners of the Spanish Inquisition is the star of the show here. If you're in Palermo, make sure you don't miss it.

So interesting! 3 main parts: 1. The prisoners' cells from the time of the Inquisition when anyone could find themselves locked up by the Church - possibly because you were of the wrong religion (in the eyes of the Inquisitors) or possibly because your neighbour wanted your house and accused you of wrong-doing so you'd be sent to this prison. The 'graffiti' drawn by the prisoners is at the other end of the spectrum from the gold mosaics of Palazzo Reale and Mondello but it is just as compelling and memorable. 2. Parts of the house which belonged to the Chiaramonte family who were so important they even had their own style of architecture and decoration. 3. An exhibition which is centred around a famous painting of Vucciria market. You have to take a guided tour which is included in the price. It departs on the hour. We were the only ones on our tour. We told our excellent guide - Daniele - that we were learning Italian and he was brilliant at speaking slowly and doing English when it was needed. I'm sure they are used to offering different languages. We bought a combined ticket for 12€ with the Botanical gardens - for that you also get an audio tour and map of the gardens which made them even better.

Originally the home of a leading citizen, this is a very large palace which now hosts an extensive collection of Renaissance art. Although it can't compete with collections in places such as Firenze or Rome, it is still a very respectable exhibition and is well worth a visit. It's on several floors, and there is a lift (elevator). There are decent toilets.

Ok museum. Basically composed of three bigger rooms. "The triumph of death" was great to see, but the ticket costs 10€ and it's a pretty quick experience. If you take into account the prices for most art museums in Europe, that have much more to offer, this one was pretty overpriced and underwhelming.

This was one of the many palazzi in Palermo. One that is a little unknown maybe? So many works. So little people. Great information in every room on the artwork. Many at least 500-600 years old. Take a look at the photos. Mine and others. You get a great sense of the building. And the art. So well preserved and presented too. A must

The exhibits very interesting. The display of them needs attention.

I really liked this museum. It is not big , but is is situated in very nice building ( properly palazzo Abatellis) and has a nice collection of religious paintings, wood carvings and marble statues and bareliefs . Also the restorators are working directly in the museum halls. We had a chance to see the process of art restoration

Very beautiful paintings (and air condition)

A magnificent building and an interesting collection of Sicilian art. Some works important in the history of art, for example in the birth of surrealism. An amazing Arabic map of Eden.

This museum is truly extraordinary. The collection spans the entire history of Sicily, from the earliest indigenous cultures to the Greek period and beyond, with artifacts and treasures that are nothing short of breathtaking. What I loved most is that it’s not overwhelming. Everything is displayed on a single floor, making it very easy to navigate while still feeling incredibly rich in detail. The explanations are clear and highly informative, with descriptions also provided in English, which made the experience seamless as an English speaker. Every piece tells a story and gives you a sense of the deep roots of Sicilian culture. If you’re a history lover, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and significance of ancient civilizations, this is an absolute must-visit. Truly unforgettable.

What a gem to find nestled in Palermo! You could happily spend an hour rushing through, but why? Their are thousands of items to pore over and be amazed by. 2700 year old pieces of history right before your eyes!!!!!

Great place if you want to understand the ancient history of Sicily. Truly unique artefacts. Everything is in English as well so it's easy to understand.

This is extremely well laid out museum with clear labels and interesting explanatory notes in English and Italian. Not too big, set in an ornate building.

It was fun walking in and spending a little time at the turtle pond before going further. There were several pieces that I really enjoyed focusing on, I spent about an hour here.

That's exactly how a museum should be, every single explanation and by every single i really mean it has a proper translation into english and the panels are big so nobody has to force their eyes, every single object well described, big halls with very well displayed exhibitions about how the temple's decoration would be back at the time, vr devices, really classy bar with fair prices, toilettes and gift shop with good prices too, not expensive ticket, to be fair it seems that there was a second floor that was closed and no indications whatsoever....it's a small but in a overall really enjoyful experience

Nice experience. Many Greek era pottery and temple items. Recommend.

The park is actually beautiful and a nice place to start exploring Palermo, but it doesn't really provide much shade and nothing seems to be working as it's not very visited. Probably better when not in scorching heat hours... Entrance is free, but note this is not the botanical garden.

Nice decent size park, next to Botanical garden. Plenty of benches to sit on, but not many in shadow if looking to hide on a hot day. It's also gets locked up in evening so check times before going.

This beautiful park is near the seafront and next to the Botanical Garden. It actually was the first public garden in Palermo. You must come here to see its elegant Neoclassical exedrae in semicircular structure with recesses, which stand around the fountain in the centre of the park. Very unusual statue in the fountain in the centre. Along the avenues there are busts of famous personages of the city. Feast for the eye and your soul is resting here... among the Art and History. Splendor!

Rundown, needs attention. The bones are good, but the plantings (weeds) could use some love. Has the potential to be lovely

Villa Giulia (Park) Villa Giulia is a peaceful park along the boulevard and near the beach, offering a slightly deserted feel but with beautiful sculptures of Roman gods and ancient trees. Despite the quietness, it’s a lovely place to walk through and appreciate the statues and lush greenery.

Lovely, quiet gardens, a refuge from the often clamorous Palermo streets.

Great park, sadly is abandoned and not well maintained. We enjoyed walking around 👍

7€ to see a courtyard Was cute but other than the 3 red domes and the cute courtyard Sure it was an interesting setting but 7€ you can visit much interesting/pretty/ overall aesthetically worthy places

A beautiful and tranquil medieval ruin. Although the entrance fee is a little on the steep side, it's an amazing place to take your time admiring the architecture and relaxing in the shade.

Very cute gardens and intresting chapel but in no way worth the 8 euros they charge. Skip.

Ticket 8€ /person is too expensive and nothing interesting inside

Not much to see for the price inside. Quite plain inside with a beautiful mosaic floor. Has a fun history - it used to be a post office!

Important part of the Sicilian heritage dating back from the Byzantine Empire! This place is giving you a different view of all churches and places you can see in the city. Worth seeing it as it is near the main attractions. The entrance is €6 per person over 18 and you would need approximately 30 minutes. It is a nice place to refresh in a hot summer day in Palermo.

One of the UNESCO World Heritage sites, very close to the nearby Norman Palace. I wouldn't recommend this place as a must-see but if you have a particular interest in Arab-Norman architecture a visit is worthwhile. Please note you cannot climb up the bell tower from this church.

It says on Google that it is open but actually it is closed for public. We tried to enter on 2 different occasions without any success.

Must see alert!! Definitely in my Top 3 places in Palermo, alongside with Terrasini and via Libertà. You are going to me shocked when you come insede. It seems to be a Jazz School from outside, but do come in, you're in the right address. Let yourself wonder at this place. Watch the birds, feel the atmosphere. Don't miss it, it's truly amazing!

Little church from the 13 century partly destroyed during the middle of the XIX century and finally completely destroyed during the second world war. The only walls that remains gives a notion of how it was before. A large part of the garden is not accessible and still is in process of being renew. Not the best place to see in Palermo but one the only place where you can feel the war effect.

A beautiful place to visit on your own. Also a great concert venue.

Without an event on this roofless church, I’d guess, loses most of its charm. Went there on a quiet day and though it’s an interesting place to see I wouldn’t bother visiting it again unless a concert or a film screening was on.

Beautiful place in the heart of Palermo, they do weddings, and it’s the core of the Brass Centre, a jazz school famous in all Italy. highly recommended

My favourite place in Palermo. I would love to see a concert in this church without a roof. Always a good place to find some quiet space in the turbulent parlermo.

Porta Nuova, which means "New Gate," is a famous historical monument and the entrance to Palermo, Sicily. It is located at the northern end of the Norman Palace, at the beginning of Corso Calatafimi, and serves as the entryway to the Cassaro, the city's oldest and most important avenue. According to historian Tommaso Fazello, the first gate was built in the 15th century and was known as Porta dell'Aquila, or Eagle Gate. However, the people of Palermo lovingly renamed it Porta Nuova, a name that has remained. This aristocratic entrance received extensive renovations in the sixteenth century to commemorate Emperor Charles V's victory against the Ottoman Turks in Tunis. A catastrophic explosion in 1667 nearly destroyed the gate, but it was later reconstructed under the expert supervision of Gaspare Gruccio, who also created the sculptures. The façade facing Piazza Indipendenza is ornamented with four powerful pillars, each with images of Moors conquered by the brave Charles V. Visitors are welcome to view this architectural gem from the outside at no cost.

A truly beautiful building, remarkable not only for its architectural elegance but also for the layers of history and culture it embodies. Its design reflects both artistic refinement and the social values of the era in which it was created

A landmark which we saw every day while in Palermo and which I really like for its strange beauty. It's a landmark, a gate you can pass through to get into the historical centre of Palermo, so obviously no waiting time or tickets.

Dirty and dangerous outside. Broken sidewalks and steps. Assaulted by street children trying to steal. Then they threw rocks at us. Not a blade of grass in sight. All cacti and palm trees on the outer grounds. One sickly fountain. No security anywhere.

Loved the architecture, I wish there would be some plate to read about the history of this gate.

Porta Nuova is an impressive historic city gate with grand architecture and intricate details. It’s a perfect quick stop to admire Palermo’s history and take a few photos while exploring the city center.

A grand gate busy with traffic and adjacent to the main Palermo Palazzo dei Normanni. Good architectural works on it. It’s next to the palace which is exquisite.

Very limited things you can see. Most of the places are not allowed for entry (unless you have a special exhibition ticket). Be aware: The most famous Jesus mosaic is currently under construction! There is a nice little garden you can go and rest.

Absolutely astonishing. A must-visit place if you are in Palermo. The chapel is a UNESCO site, and a marvellous piece of religious art. For me it was breathtaking to finally see in real life something I studied in school years ago! The palace is also quite nice to visit, as well as the royal garden. I was also lucky and during my visit there was also a photographic exposition, which was very well organised in my opinion. The staff is super kind and available! Mind that on Sunday morning there's going to be the Holy Mass (in Latin) and so for an hour or so you cannot visit.

Its big but beautiful. You can see the combination of the three ruling ethnicities on Sicily in the palace. I advise to buy tickets online, then you have no wait. The queue for the ticket office spans the whole east to west of Sicily

It was worth the price (around 20€ per person). You also have a temporary exhibition (photos gallery) from an artist. You can spend almost two hours inside.

Most of the Chapel and Palace N/A for viewing (either in scaffolds, or just NO WAY for the visitors). Chapel is in need for restoration , no doubt, long due. Online ticket asked to arrive 15 min earlier for security check, however the staff didn't want you earlier . Staff didn't care about the money, that visitors paid, behaved angry and rudely towards strangers (bold man on the photos), but spending time kissing each other and having fun.

The Palatine Chapel blends Byzantine, Norman, and Arab art like no other. The golden mosaics are stunning, and the wooden muqarnas ceiling is breathtaking. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015, a powerful symbol of Sicily’s multicultural past.

Worth seeing! Same beautiful mosaiscs as in the Monreal cathedral but mixed with baroque art. Fun fact - all the marzipan fruits you see in Palermo - it all began here!

This garden is a wonderful place to explore, especially on a warm day. The shaded paths and lush environment offer a peaceful spot to cool off. There’s an impressive variety of Mediterranean plants, trees, and succulents—perfect for nature lovers or anyone curious about regional flora. The on-site café with outdoor seating adds to the relaxing atmosphere. Tip: Bring some insect repellent, as mosquitoes can be present in certain areas. Highly recommended for a tranquil and affordable break!

Fantastic potential, but sadly run down. The entrance is well looked after and looks impressive. However, the deeper you go the more neglected the place is. Dying plants, rampant weeds, and cracking concrete unfortunately ruin what could be an oasis of vegetation in the city. The complaint may seem trivial, but the fact that there is an entrance fee means they are generating income, it just seems like it’s been allocated to places other than maintenance. Overall, I would recommend spending time elsewhere in Palermo.

The most wonderful botanical garden, a need to visit! A vast collection of plants, wonderful walkways and one-of-a-kind exhibitions (currently). The gift shop also sells really cute things, books are sadly all in italian.

We visited the Palermo Botanical Garden and absolutely loved it. It’s peaceful, full of life, and somehow feels timeless. Walking under those huge old trees, surrounded by exotic plants and quiet corners, you forget you’re right in the middle of the city.

Absolutely beautiful botanical garden. There's a stunning variety of plants and the gardens are so peaceful and calming to walk through. The ficus ginseng tree planted in 1845 is stunning. This was my favourite thing we did in Palermo outside of eating incredible food.

Unlike some of the negative reviews, I actually like the rough state of the garden. It has cool post apocalyptic vibe and its style fits perfectly with the rest of the city. Most of the plants are in good condition. The only downside for me are the mosquitoes

We loved wandering around this garden. Spent about 90 minutes there. At 17:30 on a Thursday it was super quiet, only a few other visitors, so a good time to go. If you go, make sure you see Italy's "Tree of the Year 2022" - it's #20 on the map and we have never seen anything quite like it - it's incredible.

It is and interesting church that used to be private, but the price of 3 euro is pretty high compared to othe churches such as Gesu that are 2 euro and are way bigger and magnificent. The good thing is that it was not crowded.

Very beautiful, you can buy a ticket and visit two churches with similar architecture , they are near to each other also if you show this tickets in some other churches, you can get a discount for a next tickets .

Originally used as a private church. Very beautiful three dimensional church somehow feels different every others.

Simple yet unique little white stucco chapel... Oratorio di Santa Cita was a simple yet unique little chapel/oratory used as a place of assembly and worship. The entrance was at best non-descript, but upon entering, the white stucco interior was quite striking. We had purchased for Euro5 a ticket to enter which included Oratorio di Santa Domenido, as well as discounts to enter multiple other churches/attractions.

Unusual religious spaces. Given the cheap entry free it’s definitely worth seeing. Really appreciated all the details on the walls but would have liked to have a bit more explanation on the concept of oratorios.

I saw this on BBCs Sicily Unpacked in 2012, and looked incredible. To actually be there is mind blowing - spectacular - I'm lost for words. Thank you Andrew Graham-Dixon for sharing this with us. You must go and see it for yourself.

Beautiful chapel with white relief sculpture on the walls with gold accents. The complex sculptures give an appearance of a painting with the dark shadows and bright highlights while maintaining an elegant and minimal feeling. The entry cost is 4€ or for 2€ more for added entry to the connected church a combined visit. If you have visited any other churches in palermo where you pay a fee, then save your ticket stub since they are part of the religious circuit and will save you 1€ per entry. Likewise if this is your first church, save the entry stub and you will receive a discounted entry in other churches.

For me the view from the roof was great. The stewards in the church and monastery were helpful and polite. I wish I could say the same about the ladies serving behind the counter at the bakery. Perhaps it’s too busy. Other than the physical location at the monastery I found the bakery touristic. To buy pastries I would personally recommend to try and find a more genuine bakery. The small garden in the courtyard is lovely, though.

Small church (undergoing restoration s of September 2025) but still worth the visit. We bought the more expensive ticket (10€) to go to the church, monastery and on to the roof. This was worth it for the city views as we couldn’t access the main cathedral roof due to a Sunday service was ongoing. The bakery has many sweet treats and they are big and tasty. Of course you pay for the cannoli by weight so the big ones cost more!

We visited the Church and Monastery of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria in the heart of Palermo. It was truly a revelation. From the outside, it looks almost unassuming, but step inside and you’re greeted by an extraordinary Baroque interior overflowing with stucco, marble, and gilded ornamentation. The sheer level of detail is breathtaking. It’s one of those places where your eyes don’t know where to rest first. The adjoining monastery offers a quieter, more reflective experience. It’s easy to imagine the cloistered life the nuns once lived here, moving between the peaceful courtyards and the elegant corridors. One of the highlights is climbing up to the terrace, which offers a panoramic view of Palermo. A host of rooftops, domes, and the mountains beyond. It’s one of the best viewpoints in the city. This visit was one of our favorites in Palermo — a blend of art, history, and tranquility in the middle of the city’s vibrant chaos. Take time to explore both the church and the monastery. The terrace view and the pastries alone are worth the modest entry fee.

Currently under construction, both from the inside and outside. Therefore you don't get to see it's entire beauty for 3€. If you buy the ticket for 8€ you can also visit the monastery. The garden inside is really beautiful!

so beautiful place 🤍 we took tickets to see Church, Monastery and rooftop, really beautiful and peaceful place. Good to see, and very tasty patisserie cafeteria inside after the tour 😜

Incredible church! Very unique!! The marble inlays are incredible. Also, there was a pass-through turnstile for the nuns to provide things into the church.

Great baroque church with 3€ entrance per person. It's still accessible except the altar area, which is covered with a high green fence. All of the paintings and decorations are available together with the fake remains of the Saint.

It was closed for remodeling at the time we arrived. However, we visited the oratory which was magnificent and an unexpected gem. It is related to adoration of the rosary. (There are two in close proximity and you absolutely have to see them all! Ask the associate working where the other one is as they will know and, it’s close. Keep all entry tickets to churches as you get a discount if you show them.) it was one euro each admission. It’s a small rectangular room decorated to celebrate the life of the Holy Mother on one side and the life of Christ on the other. The alter has a huge, magnificent painting by Van Dyke. Please take time to see these. They are secret gems in Palermo we knew nothing about. We found them our last day there. You will be in awe.

This 17th/18th Century cathedral is an exquisite example of Sicilian Baroque construction. The inside has various chapels such as the Chapel of St. Joseph that is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The entire cathedral with its paintings and alter is remarkable. Tombs of Sicilians who have made important contributions to society rest here such as Giovanni Falcone.

The Church of Saint Domenico, located in Palermo, Italy, is a historically significant religious building. It showcases a blend of architectural styles, including Gothic and Baroque, and houses important artworks. This church is not only a place of worship but also a cultural treasure that provides insights into the city's artistic and religious heritage.

Another church in the city with a nice piazza, however nothing special and like any other beautiful Italian church.

Church of San Domenico was impressive from both the exterior and interior views. Its location in the city, as well as the dominant position overlooking its piazza, spoke to the building's importance. The interior of the church was striking with an uninterrupted expanse of large columns and arches. Coupled with some incredibly beautiful works of art, the church was a worthwhile stop.

Very beautiful architecture with a lot of history. If you are in Palermo you you need to check it.

Its Dominican Church in Palermo and one of the important church in town. Its have impressive classical facade and also have a lot of history.

Magnificent church with stunning views! Definitely worth the visit compared to the Palermo Palace!! Only a short bus ride 15 min. from the Palace. Tickets for the bus were cheap - €2.80 for 2 round trip. Had really old church records that were cool. The ticket line was a bit long due to tour groups, but moved quickly.

One of the Most Beautiful Churches I’ve Ever Visited Absolutely stunning! Be sure to get the full ticket – the view from the rooftop is breathtaking. It’s best to visit right when it opens, as it can get quite crowded later with large tour groups arriving by bus.

The Duomo di Monreale is one of the most extraordinary cathedrals I have ever visited — a true masterpiece of Norman architecture in Sicily. Located on a hill overlooking Palermo, the cathedral impresses from the moment you arrive with its majestic exterior and breathtaking panoramic views of the valley below. The interior is simply unforgettable. Every inch of the walls and ceilings is covered in magnificent golden mosaics, telling biblical stories with incredible artistry and precision. The image of Christ Pantocrator in the apse radiates a spiritual power that leaves a lasting impression. The combination of Norman, Byzantine, and Arab influences creates a unique and harmonious atmosphere that reflects Sicily’s rich cultural history. Don’t miss the cloister, a peaceful courtyard surrounded by elegant arches and beautifully carved columns — each one different, a true work of art. It’s a perfect place to take a quiet moment and admire the craftsmanship. Visiting Duomo di Monreale feels like stepping into another time. It’s not just a church; it’s a treasure of world heritage and one of the most remarkable places in Italy.

Stunningly beautiful Norman cathedral in Monreale, the birthplace of my wife’s grandmother and locale where her grandparents lived before emigrating to Rochester, NY in 1902. Wish we could have spent more time in Monreale, but we enjoyed seeing this wonderful cathedral. Definitely do the tower walk, worth the money.

Absolutely a must to visit ,truly beautiful and a joy to walk around even if your not religious. Light airy resembles the ceilings of the Sistine chapel . Uplifting experience and real bird of paradise plants in the square.

If you only have a chance to visit one UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, its got to be Palermo Cathedral Monreale. I visited on the three consecutive days and splits the visits into three activities: 1. Main Cathedral & Cloister 2. The Archbishop's Palace & Ruano Chapel 3. The Terrace, Bell Tower & Main Cathedral The entrance to the main cathedral (Duomo) itself is free but there is a 12 euro charge for Ruano Chapel, cloister and terraces. You have options of a morning and after entry with a two hours break in between It's worth the visit and won't be disappointed

This place is stunning, definitely worth visiting, however stupid charging really takes the shine off. I'm not complaining that we had to pay, that wasn't the issue, it's that at the desk we paid to get in, I specifically asked for the ticket for "everything", and the man behind the desk confirmed "yes everything". Imagine my surprise then when we get in and can't find out how to access the cloisters. Oh that's a different entrance around the side. So we go out to find this other entrance and guess what, they want more money to see the cloisters. It's the same building! Extremely sneaky and felt like we were being scammed. If they'd just included this in the price to start with we'd have paid but refused given the deceitful way they'd sold tickets, after all you can see it from above as part of the main ticket. So we walked back around to the main entrance and in the 2 minutes we'd been gone they'd closed the gates for a 2 hour lunch. They literally seen us go out to try to find the cloister entrance and never said anything, no signs except on the gate when it is closed. There were plenty of people still inside and we showed our tickets and explained but they refused to let us back in, we only had the chapel left, which they could see on the ticket and which took all of about 5 minutes, we'd have been in and out before the majority of the other people, common sense should have prevailed. So had to hang about for a couple of hours to complete the last part of our tour. You could tell the staff were actually taking pleasure in it. Really amazing place let down by downright greed and poor staff.

better preserved than the one in Paris. No need to que for long. Can take credit card for ticket payment. The actual entrance is near the shop, not the gate, dont miss.

So incredible! If for no other reason go too see the old clothes worn by the deceased. About a 30-40 minute tour through it. Little Rosalia was difficult to see. You had to stand behind a barrier and could not easily look in to see her sweet face. You cannot take photos. Getting there was a pain. We took an expensive taxi to and from central Palermo to get there. (Worth it) Afterwords, tour the adjacent Cappuccini Cemetery above it. A wonder of art and beauty. My husband was in awe of the number of flowers relations leave for family members.

Incredible sight, incredible preservation of history. Macabre, humbling, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wish they had more signs perhaps with some context for the people interred there, but it was still interesting.

The Cappuchin Crypt / Catacombs is the right place to come for something totally spooky and unique! I loved my visit contemplating death and seeing the outfits over the skeletons of people dead for hundreds of years. Amazing!

The place is both moving and unsettling — corridors lined with mummies and skeletons dressed in centuries-old clothing, from children to clergymen and members of the upper class. That said, the site feels a bit neglected — dust, wear on the displays, and a lack of clear explanations in foreign languages make it harder to fully grasp the historical value. If you’re looking for something truly unusual, it’s a must-see — but for the sensitive eye and heart, it can also be quite disturbing.

This was such an interesting place, however i did have experience many emotions. Seeing the bodies of children, peasants, clergy, the wealthy... out in the open.... was a bit surreal. I had such a mix of curiousity (wondering what happened in their last moments), yet I also felt disrespectful, like I was invading something that should remain private (not on public display). It reminded me of the reality of our immortality. Fascinating, glad I went, but one time is enough for me. (No picture taking allowed!)

Wow, a must do if you are in Palermo. The queue can get quite long (even before opening time) but it moves quickly. You can only purchase the tickets at the entrance, not online. The visit lasts for about 30-40 minutes, it is very impressive but I wished they printed some posters to explain what we were seeing - or at least given us a brochure at the entrance.

A fitting monument to one of Sicily's greatest heroes, Giovanni Falcone. People have not forgotten him and his sacrifices for the island and continue to bring flowers, candles, and more. Please join them! The memorial garden is beautiful, yet naturally, the energy can still be heavy and dense - unsurprisingly, considering what happened here in 1992. But likewise, there is also a huge amount of love and appreciation. His memory lives on🙏

Beautiful monument of the tragedy at Capaci near Palermo

We visited on the anniversary of the Capaci bombing, which was very emotional. A really important memorial garden that will remain an important part of our visit to Sicily.

Historic Palermitan iconic monument A must visit place

The victims and facts this monument is about, would merit a better access to the place. The forthcoming 30th anniversary of the attack would justify a full refurbishment of the monument!

You can see it from the highway!

A place to reflect and to learn. The park is small but meaningful. I was very moved

It's a beautiful church. The artwork is exceptional and is a good example of the history in the area. My suggestion is to clarify when you enter that there is an extra ticket to go onto the roof. You would sell way more tickets if people knew they needed to pay extra upfront.

Breathtakingly gorgeous. Entrance is 3 euros. Well worth it. To walk the 139 stairs to the rooftop costs another 7€, but offers some great views

This church is a must-visit! For only €7, you can explore the rooftop, cupola, sacristy, sanctuary, and the main church. The staff (la gente che lavora lì) are incredibly kind: they explain everything with patience and care. I was the only visitor at the time, yet they never rushed me and even turned on the lights so I could take better photos. Truly a beautiful experience!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Padri Teatini – Palermo Absolutely overwhelming and deeply emotional the moment you step inside. ✨ The beauty, the silence, and the atmosphere fill you with awe and peace. 🙏 An extraordinary piece of culture and architecture — the details, the light, the artistry… everything feels sacred and timeless. 🕊️ A true hidden gem that leaves a lasting impression on the soul. ❤️🇮🇹

One of the best churches I've seen roof top terrace 7 euros well worth the 360 views Church was stunning and down stairs is very old and run down in good way thou

Amazing church to visit as you can go to the roof and have the Palermo city view from the top. But inside of the church won’t disappoint you with its beautiful architecture!

One of the best churches in Palermo, really a must see. Very beautiful inside with intricate decorations and paintings, baroque style. You have to pay to enter, but really it's worth it.

The day I visited entry was free. It is worth a visit to have a glimpse into the aristocracy life of the 18th century. What I loved most was the stables with marble drinking spots for the horses and iron straw holders, absolutely classy! A lot of furniture is in place and it is not a huge spot to visit so you can add it to your visit of Palermo. From there it is easy to visit the Palazzo Abatellis museum and the churches of Casa Professa, San Cataldo and Martorana. Also nearby is piazza Pretoria and the theatre. Very fascinating all the small Side street, take the time To Sit down and enjoy a refreshing granita. Just to be on the safe side, hold your purse tight! Parking may be a problem but we left the car in full no parking area by giving 1 euro (when we returned) to an old man who said “don’t worry, you won’t be towed”! He was right!

A bit worn off, but totally worth the visit and the 6€ (don't buy the pack, we did and the second Palazzo is meh and oratorio dei bianchi has free admission and is in a very sketchy part of town; also is very small).

Real shame that second floor is closed. Tour is not complete. Beside of that, really leaves an impression! One of the best places I have visited in Palermo! Ask for a brochure that will guide you through. It's very useful, although typed in Word on paper, a bit outdated.

A great place to visit if you are interested in what a palazzo looked like in the past centuries. No guided tour, a bit worn off, but a lot of interesting things to see.

Hidden away gem, $6 entry fee was great value for a real look back in time to how other people lived, amazing opulence

A great little find, how the nobles lived back in the day! Completely worth a visit, and all for only €6!

An interesting surprise. The outside doesn't match with what is inside. Grandeur from the past. Absolutely worthy to spend your time there. Took me more than an hour and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Step back in time, offering a blend of history, art, and stunning landscapes. The villa itself is an architectural gem, surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens filled with exotic plants and centuries-old trees. Inside, I was captivated by the impressive art collection, including works from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as antique furniture that speaks to the villa’s rich history. The highlight of my visit was the peaceful atmosphere, perfect for leisurely exploring the grounds and soaking in the beauty of both the villa and its surroundings. Whether you're an art lover, history enthusiast, or simply seeking a tranquil place, Villa Malfitano is a hidden gem in Palermo that’s well worth the visit!

A very nice museum with a very spacious and historical garden. The house is in a good condition, the interior is arranged nicely. You have access to almost every room. A major point of critique is the lack of audio guides or tables that provide some background to the rooms you are visiting. The museum was not crowded at all allowing a very relaxed visit.

Wow!! This place is SO romantic! I love the soft maintenance of the grounds and the sense of what once was. Be sure to take the path that doesn’t look like anyone else did…you’ll find unexpected things at the end of each one!

Visiting Villa Malfitano in Palermo is interesting and informative — a magnificent house with numerous rooms, each beautifully decorated. What somewhat diminished the enjoyment of the visit was that the staff member was impatient and wanted us to hurry through the tour. Rather inappropriate in such a large house with so much to see.

The garden is a variety of imported fauna…. Well kept, But the Villa Structure Itself Is gorgeous

Villa Malfitano is simply awesome. It is a villa of a family Whitaker, englishmen installed in nineteenth century in Palermo. It contains the nice interiors with original affairs of that epoch. Villa can be attended in guided visit that lasts about 1 hour and should be reserved in advance. Just phone them at least 1 day before and book your visit. The garden is also very nice and is available in free visit.

I really wanted to visit this museum, so I double checked their working hours and headed towards the villa. The park and the villa seemed abandoned. When I came up to the villa, the door was closed, even though it was about 3 hours before it was supposed to close. I knocked multiple times, but no one answered. They should state their working hours more clearly. But the villa looks beautiful from the outside, I can only wonder how it looks on the inside though…

Absolutely a must visit place. I 100% recommend this place. It was packed with art from earlier centuries to contemporary pieces. Many beautiful and unique pieces of furniture. The terrace is like cut out from the Bridgerton world and the rooftop view is otherworldly. I recommend you to plan your visit thoroughly so you'll have enough time to see everything properly (at least 2 hours because we had one hour and it was simply not enough in my opinion to let everything sink in).

An oasis of peace and aesthetics. A beautiful palazzo that seems to be more of an insider tip. Especially on the first and second floors, the combination of tradition and modernity is aesthetically stunning. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea? What's more, the building itself with its beautiful patio, great terrace and 365-degree panorama on the roof is almost worth a visit.

This was definitely the most beautiful place we visited in Palermo. The museum as a whole is truly breathtaking. Each room has its unique story with its colourful walls, ceilings and beautiful exhibits. There is so much to see from the past to modern day art. The experience was well worth it and I would highly recommend visiting when visiting Palermo.

It was definitely the most beautiful place I visited in Palermo, especially the rooftop — it was truly breathtaking. The ticket price was absolutely worth it, and you can also enjoy a wide range of artworks. Highly recommended!

It was a wonderful vacation — an amazing villa I had the chance to visit. Truly unique. A perfect harmony of nature and architecture, the beauty of Sicily itself, and the beauty of the building’s design — this villa, so carefully restored. At the same time, fascinating fragments of the original structure have been revealed and displayed, something you can admire and draw inspiration from. Beyond the exhibits themselves and the contemporary design pieces, you can simply enjoy the design of the spaces. It’s a blend of classical elements and modern restoration. In my opinion, it turned out absolutely stunning. And then there’s the magnificent rooftop structure and terrace, a place you simply don’t want to leave. Taking in the view, surrounded by this breathtaking garden… It’s just a pity there was so little time to spend at the villa. Simply being there is already inspiring.

Palazzo Butera is a stunning Baroque-style aristocratic palace located in the historic Kalsa district, facing the Mediterranean. Originally dating back to the late 17th century, it reached its present architectural grandeur in the mid-18th century. The palace was the residence of the noble Branciforte family, later the Princes of Butera, and its monumental size is second only to the Royal Palace of Palermo. Architecturally, Palazzo Butera impresses with its terraced facade overlooking the sea, frescoed halls with ceilings up to 7 meters high, and intricate stucco work and vibrant frescoes by artists such as Gioacchino Martorana and Olivio Sozzi. The palace features two grand 'piani nobili' (noble floors), both richly decorated and historically significant, offering a rare glimpse into aristocratic life in Sicily. The building harmonizes its historic Baroque elegance with contemporary art installations from its current function as a center for cultural innovation and art exhibitions. The palazzo has undergone extensive restoration, transforming it into a vibrant cultural hub that blends its glorious past with modern artistic expressions. It houses the remarkable art collection of Massimo and Francesca Valsecchi, who have revitalized the palace with a focus on artistic and social innovation. Here you can admire the dialogue between the ancient frescoed halls and contemporary artworks, making Palazzo Butera a must-visit for art lovers and those interested in Sicilian history and aristocratic heritage. Beyond its architectural beauty and art collection, the palace offers spectacular views from its long sea-facing terraces. Visiting Palazzo Butera provides an immersive experience into both Palermo's rich history and its dynamic contemporary art scene.

Fabulous new hidden gem of a modern art gallery. Very friendly cafe staff and architecture restoration as interesting as the art.

The place is a hidden gem for sure. The outside is poorly preserved but the inside looks amazing. Everything is original. The smoking room has even leather on the walls as it was back in the days…you can feel the smell of leather and cigarettess. Unfortunately you can’t take photos (I asked but I didn’t get a clear answer, even though I see many online) I went early in the morning so I was the only visitor, and I was watched every step of the way. I took a photo only from the room on the outside and I asked for permission. For 10€ I would expect more information

The guided tour consisted of a person following us without saying a single word to us. Otherwise the building is beautiful. However, if one is interested in learning something about the history of the city another palazzo with a real guided tour is more suitable.

Small but amazing. it was just the two of us and we enjoyed the assistance of an English speaking guide to help us through each room. Located in the Plaza Bologna, you'd miss it if you weren't looking for it. Great history.

Absolute gem which we found whilst wandering in Palermo. Behind the once beautiful facade, there is an amazing history. Just being able to see behind the massive doors is amazing. Then up the wide staircase to see the fantastic stain glass doors. Several rooms are able to be viewed including a grand entrance, day room and smoking room with original leather walks. Definitely worth a visit!

A sort of hidden gem in Palermo, very beautiful palace (but not so big), we enjoyed the small tour over the rooms. The 5 starts don’t include the 15€ price, which is kind of a lot

"NO PHOTOS allowed", told the girl guiding me, and this is quite disappointing! Even more now that i see many pictures published, so it was a lie. Medieval look like staircase is the entrance trough glass decorated doors made just a century ago. You will then enter the great music hall with an interesting wooden ceiling. As to the rest i was impressed only by some items like the remains of a tilefloor with the family emblem hanged on a wall, and a marvellous secretaire. Anyway with such a bad behaviour from staff, i recommend to visit instead Palazzo Mirto where you find kind staff ready to give you lots of information and let you pic as much as you want and there you find really much more deserving to be photographed.

This guide does not give any introduction at all. He only made us feeling like a watch, who watched us all the time to avoid any unpossible damage from us and didn't allow people to walk around, must follow his way. Not worthy the ticket without service and felt unrespectful, unfree, and being forced. Very bad experience 🙄

Came here after the tour and it shined a little more light on the subject so it’s worth doing if you do the tour, otherwise you may be left asking more. Staff are friendly. It’s good to have something like this and hopefully more good things will come of it, but there wasn’t much in the modern sense here, it all seemed quite historical despite the mafia still having a presence and it would be nice to see more of how things are being made better for Palermo, a city that absolutely needs help and community cohesion.

A very educational museum where you can learn a lot about the social and underlying causes behind the development of this type of activity. Admission is free, but I would encourage of leaving a donation

This is the place in Palermo if you want to learn about Mafia. It includes photos as well as description of the terryfing history. The entrance is free but you can donate to support the cause - which I highly recommend. The staff was amazing and answered a lot of the questions I had even providing me with further resources.

Such an incredible experience at the No Mafia Memorial. There was a young gentleman that spoke to us in detail about the mafia and he was so insightful. So much to be learned about the IMPACT on Sicilian people (and wider). There is such a glamorisation of Mafia (in movies etc) and the local people can be forgotten about. It was truly moving, emotional and hard to think about the sacrifices people made and lives that were taken. The fact that this is a free experience (Donations can be made) tells us what the Sicilian people care about for Sicily.

Such an important place to visit when in Palermo. Very well curated exhibition which was an eye opener to the history of the mafia and a memorial to the victims. It highlights the bravery of those who tried to reduce mafia power and put murderers behind bars. It was free to enter with a voluntary donation. We were very keen to do this after seeing the time and effort put into organising and running this organisation.

Great exhibition, very interesting. Nice counterpoint to the glamour of The Godfather, and good to get a bit of history of where it all started.

Very memorable place , the exhibition touches your heart - it’s free entry but if you can please donate to support them

Very beautiful, you can buy a ticket and visit two churches with similar architecture , they are near to each other also if you show this tickets in some other churches, you can get a discount for a next tickets

Been there on June 17 mid morning and found it shut. Strange thing is when i asked info about the oratory...at the staff person at the San Domenico church entrance...he replied..."doesn't belong to us".

Beautiful church which can be viewed in 20 minutes as it’s one room full of decorative art.

Much lesser quality than S. Cita but the tickets are sold together so it is worth a visit.

A masterpiece and a must see!

Oratorio is beautiful, but I can't understand what's wrong with palermitans: today this Oratorio is free but I pay for two Oratorio 5 euro

Nice church, well worth a visit.

Interesting small museum displaying fossils and artifacts from Sicily. Good displays of the geology and shaping of the region.

Pretty nice Museum, a bit hidden tough. A lot to see and learn. Definitely recommend it

Very interesting little geological museum. It’s a 3 floor museum ordered chronologically, starting from the dynosaure period (Trias, Jurasic, Cretacae), prehistorical period, and finaly the anthreposcene. Some artifacts are very nice, specially the stones and fossils. It seems that this museum haven’t changed since the middle of the XX century.

The collection of the museum is of great quality, it includes a lot of holotypes (unique specimens on which new fossil species have been established). However the exhibition furniture is very outdated and poorly maintained. There are also a lot of specimens that come from outside Sicily. This is ok, because they portray the same epoch or environment, but it is not explicit in the narrative of the exhibition, only when you read the small identification plates of each fossil does it become clear. The first section about the origins of Sicily and it's vulcans is also very informative. The exhibition area is divided into three floors. Among the exhibits there is a gypsum crystal that contains a drop of water from the Mediterranean 6 million years ago and the oldest human skeleton ever found in Sicily, from the Upper Paleolithic.

Great little museum! Not very big, but the exhibits held our attention and those of our kids and we enjoyed our experience. We were greeted by a friendly and professional clerk, and we were almost the only ones in the museum on a Friday morning so we could take our time without feeling crowded or pressured. Fun visit. Our favorite room was the elephant room. We also enjoyed the microscope in the room across from the elephant room, and the kids learned how to use and focus it.

It's cheap enough, 4EUR, but a little underwhelming. Also it closes for lunch, which caught us out.

A fun little museum for kids, worth seeing for the elephant exhibit which is really relevant to Sicily!

If you are down at the Cala, this is an interesting all the church to see. It is called St Mary of the Chains because during medieval times there was literally a chain attached to the church which closed the gates to the city port.

Built basically in Gothic Catalan style derives its name from a nearby chain blocking entrance to the harbour. Among various tombs there is also a Roman sarcophagus! P.S. Restart is a good idea not so well functioning.

So many beautiful churches in Palermo, one is more interesting than other. Must see city.

Well maintained and used for all ceremonies. The location is superb .

A Very attractive and historically important place.

Very nice

Good

Great sports center. As an American, I have to say that there are very few concessions for food and drink. I think that this is very common in Mediterranean stadiums. But great sight lines and adequate seating.

A beautiful stadium with a unique scenery - Mount Pellegrino. You can feel the history here. Great that you can enter free of charge. A must see for all football fans.

Amazing atmosphere, make sure to take sunscreen and a cap with you, most of the seats are directly in the sun

**Stadio Renzo Barbera**, also known as **Stadio La Favorita**, is the home stadium of the **U.S. Città di Palermo**, the city's football team, located in **Palermo**, Sicily. It is one of the most important and iconic sports venues in the region. The stadium is named after **Renzo Barbera**, a former president of the Palermo football club who made significant contributions to the team’s development. The stadium, with a seating capacity of around 36,000 spectators, is known for its passionate and loyal fan base. It hosts football matches, including Serie A games, as well as other events such as concerts and cultural activities. The atmosphere during home matches is electric, with fans creating an exciting and vibrant environment in support of their team. **Stadio Renzo Barbera** has undergone several renovations over the years to improve facilities and maintain its status as one of Italy's notable football venues. For football enthusiasts and visitors to Palermo, a visit to the stadium is a must, especially if there's a match scheduled, as it offers a chance to experience the energy and culture surrounding Sicilian football.

The stadium looks very nice and clean. You should go – it’s quite an experienc

Stadium itself maybe is quite cool and very impressive but it gets two stars for lack of ticket office where you can buy a ticket before the game as on every normal stadium... it's quite a problem when match takes place at 3pm when nearby points when you can get a ticket (few hundred meters away) are having a break for siesta and open again during the second half. This makes no sense at all!

Awesome experience watching Palermo FC. The singing and chanting lasted all game. If you sit in the home team endzone you will be in the thick of it. Just as reviews say washrooms aren’t great especially for my fiancé but guys have no problem.

The Maredolce Castle (Italian: Castello di Maredolce), also called Favara Palace (Italian: Palazzo della Favara), is a medieval building of Palermo. During the Siculo-Norman age it represented one of the "Solatii Regii" of the Kings of Sicily in the capital city. It is located within Favara Park, in the neighbourhood of Brancaccio.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME/ENERGY getting here!! NOTHING to see!!

Free entrance. However, the castle is almost empty. Not really worth visiting. I happened to pass by the street so I went to check what is inside. It was empty when I went there around 11am aside from the 3 people. However, if you want to see an architecture with an Arab style then you can visit this.

We had not planned to end up here, but our bus broke down and forced us to look for thing to do. We were given a spontaneous tour through the castle with interesting information and experienced the true Sicilian hospitality. Can't thank the guys enough, 100% recommendation!

Everything closed. Cannot get in

Guided visit made it more interesting

I❤️

I can't recommend this. I think there are far more interesting places to visit in Palermo. The location of the building is nice, though (a place I would not have otherwise visited). Also, the guide who explained the Florio family did a good job. However, the tour is literally 1 room, and 8 euros is too much for 1 room, especially considering the room is not in great shape. Perhaps the owners who live in the rest of the house should consider opening up more of the building to visit.

A wonderful place full of history! And the neogothic building with mural paintings is amazing. Highly recommend the visit if you are around the corner. The visit is guided tour and provided in Italian. But you can contact them in advance for an English tour. We were very lucky to have Luca who spoke English very well as our guide. He was very knowledgable and shared his passion for history and beauty with us.

Top

Amazing, I loved the place, the garden and the story about the place! Thanks for the guided tour! Worth the $$

Ok

Bella

(Translated by Google) A beautiful guided tour in a location rich in charm and history. Accompanied by a friendly guide, who shares a wealth of historical information and personal anecdotes, you'll immerse yourself in the historical epic, from the dawn of history to the heights of splendor and fall of the Florio dynasty that made Sicily great. Highly recommended! (Original) Bellissima visita guidata in una location ricca di fascino e storia. Accompagnati da una simpatica guida con le sue tante informazioni storiche e aneddoti di vita personale, ci si immergerà nell' epopea storica dagli albori, al massimo splendore e caduta della dinastia Florio che ha fatto grande la Sicilia. Consigliato!!!!

Walked in here thinking it was Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti, paid €3 pp for an average church and climbed up a small tower with really not much of a view

Free to visit on the first Sunday of the month but they delayed the opening hours on purpose. We ended up not waiting because it was 10am already and we had limited time to visit Palermo. They even wanted to sell 3euro ticket to climb up and see the view.

Its interesting how it got so many positive reviews. I would have given a minus 1 if I could. This is clearly a tourist trap due to its proximity to San Giovanni degli Eremiti. I felt cheated at the end of my visit. The so-called pano view was not the greatest either… as you can see from other posters, the tree is blocking the roofs of San Giovanni degli Eremiti. Not to mention the climb has some serious Heath and Safety hazards. Save your money and go get a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Cheers!

This was an unexpected find. You get some great views of the Church of St John of the Hermits from the tower, and the underground grotta which is included with the price of admission is amazing too. At half the price of the nearby church, this is a great deal.

Visiting this church is an amazing experience. I wore a helmet for the first time in church. It's a priceless experience 😁😁😁

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the other reviews about this church... The only worth are the views from the roof, a part from that, it seemed a joke... The place is messy and not well take care of, and the 'museum' and the figures pretending to be scary in the 'secret cave' are just ridiculous. Don't waste your money there, there are better things to do in Palermo!

Lovely Church.

Nice

A wonderful community!

Small and special

(Translated by Google) An Anglican Church in the historic centre, built in 1871 by the English traders who settled in Sicily, Joseph Whitaker and Benjamin Ingham and the English community who had settled between Marsala and Palermo. The Church stood on land opposite Palazzo Ingham, now the Hotel delle Palme, and is in neo-Gothic style with valuable mosaic decorations inside. On the left apse is the Marsala Chapel with the altar and various objects from the Anglican Church of S. Giovanni in Marsala closed in 1928. Inside there are various commemorative plaques of soldiers of the Second World War, English, Americans and Canadians, who died during the landing in Sicily. In the small garden nearby there are various birdhouses, a symbol of the English love for nature. (Original) Una Chiesa Anglicana nel centro storico, costruita nel 1871 dai commercianti inglesi stabilitisi in Sicilia, Joseph Whitaker e Benjamin Ingham e la comunità inglese che si era stabilita tra Marsala e Palermo. La Chiesa sorgeva su un terreno di fronte al Palazzo Ingham, oggi Hotel delle Palme, ed è in stile neogotico con all' interno decorazioni musive pregevoli. Sull'abside sinistra è la Cappella Marsala con l' altare e vari oggetti provenienti dalla Chiesa Anglicana di S. Giovanni a Marsala chiusa nel 1928. All' interno vi sono varie targhe commemorative di soldati della seconda guerra mondiale, inglesi, americani e canadesi, morti durante lo sbarco in Sicilia. Nel piccolo giardino vicino vi sono varie casette per gli uccelli, simbolo dell' amore inglese per la natura.

(Translated by Google) It was a very pleasant surprise to be able to visit this splendid church, which has always been closed (except on Sundays). Thanks to the initiative of the Touring Club, we were guided in the discovery of this nineteenth-century jewel created by the great Whitaker and Ingham, who contributed to the wealth of our city. The combination of the Romanesque language of the structures, the mosaic decorations typical of Byzantine and Norman Arab art, the stained glass windows and floors from London is wonderful. The focal point of this splendor is the apse, rich in decorations and with a particularity: the heads on the corbels that support the marble pillars representing important figures for the Church and the English Reformation, including Saint Augustine of Canterbury and Queen Elizabeth I. The entire United Kingdom is represented by the four capitals placed on the sides of the altarpiece behind the altar and representing, England with the rose, Ireland with the shamrock, Wales with the iris, and Scotland with the thistle. Absolutely worth seeing. (Original) E' stata una piacevolissima sorpresa poter visitare questa splendida chiesa, da sempre chiusa (se non la domenica). Grazie all'iniziativa del Touring Club, siamo stati guidati nella scoperta di questo gioiello ottocentesco realizzato dai grandi Whitaker e Ingham, che hanno contribuito alla ricchezza della nostra città. Meraviglioso il connubio tra il linguaggio romanico delle strutture, le decorazioni musive tipiche dell'arte bizantina e arabo normanna, le vetrate e i pavimenti provenienti da Londra. Punto focale di questo splendore è l'abside, ricchissima di decori e con una particolarità: le teste sui peducci che sorreggono i pilastri di marmo che rappresentano figure importanti per la Chiesa e la Riforma inglese , tra questi Sant’Agostino di Canterbury e la regina Elisabetta I. L'intero Regno Unito è rappresentato dai quattro capitelli posti ai lati della pala dietro l’altare e che rappresentano, l’Inghilterra con la rosa, l’Irlanda con il trifoglio, il Galles con l’iris, e la Scozia con il cardo. Da vedere assolutamente.

(Translated by Google) There is a glimpse of England in the heart of Palermo, in this Gothic and Byzantine style church. Taking advantage of the "Via dei Tesoro" festival, I managed to visit this small but slender Church towards the sky but closed between the buildings, always seen when passing through Via Roma. Beautiful experience because in addition to being particular on the outside it is also beautiful on the inside, clean and well-kept. Of particular interest are the windows, the stained glass windows and the rose window, masterfully decorated and representative with the Madonna and the Saints. Wow also the beautiful golden mosaics of the apse, the baptismal font and the organ. In the “Marsala Chapel”, with marble and alabaster cladding, there is the tombstone of Joseph Whitaker. Church to visit. (Original) C’è uno scorcio di Inghilterra nel cuore di Palermo, in questa chiesa in stile gotico e bizantino. Approfittando del festival “la via dei tesori” sono riuscita a visitare questa Chiesa piccola ma slanciata verso il cielo ma chiusa tra i palazzi, sempre vista passando in via Roma. Bellissima esperienza xké oltre ad essere particolare esternamente è anche bella dentro, pulita e curata. Di particolare interesse le finestre, le vetrate e il rosone magistralmente decorate e rappresentative con la Madonna ed i Santi. Wow anche i bellissimi mosaici dorati dell’abside, il fonte battesimale e l’organo. Nella “Cappella Marsala”, con rivestimento marmoreo e alabastro, si trova la lapide di Joseph Whitaker. Chiesa da visitare.

(Translated by Google) Very particular church known to all Palermitans because it is nestled in the dense urban fabric of Via Roma. Built at the end of the nineteenth century, it is characterized by a three-nave plan, a neo-Gothic exterior while the interiors are inspired by Arab architecture and with Byzantine mosaics. A real mix of genres inspired by Sicily's resignation. The wooden floor and the underlying heating (no longer working today for safety reasons) and the very small "city forest" located at the back are very particular. (Original) Chiesa molto particolare e nota a tutti i palermitani perché incastonata nel fitto tessuto urbano di via Roma. Costruita a fine Ottocento è caratterizzata da una pianta a tre navate, un esterno neogotico mentre gli interni si ispirano all'architettura araba e con mosaici bizantini. Un vero miscuglio di generi ispirati alle dimissioni di Sicilia. Molto particolare il pavimento in legno ed il riscaldamento sottostante ( oggi non più funzionante per motivi di sicurezza), ed il piccolissimo "bosco di città" che si trova sul retro

The monument it is placed in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. It is a beautiful angel surrounded by trees. It is dedicated to the people who have died in the first war. If you get the bus from the airport to Palermo it is on your way. 😉

Very interesting statue

It was middle of nowhere. We were not aware it was there it suddenly shown itself. It is very interesting and should be seen but it is far away from other attraction points.

Monument to WW1 veterans.

Ok

Great

Amazing statue

A very pleasant museum right in the city center. It has an interesting collection, and I happened to visit on a hot summer day — I was the only visitor at the time. It felt like a private VIP tour, which was a unique experience for me! The way the historical ceiling frescoes, the building’s architecture, and contemporary art pieces are combined is truly impressive. Also, when it’s too hot to walk around the city, visiting a museum like this is a perfect idea!

It was a nice experience in Palermo at the end of our vacation, the young pianists did good job of taking us out of loaded touristic day full of sights and contrasts of Palermo, and transferred us to the top height of classical music. Great performance of 2 talented brilliant boys! Wishing them all the best!

It's nice that there is now a museum coffee shop here. It's a shame that the prices are at tourist level: espresso doppio and small water instead of the normal price of €3.40, a hefty €5.80. So it's better to visit the surrounding coffee bars. Incidentally, the caffè there is also served hot 😉.

Excellent exhibition, free entry. Lovely building as well

Wonderful atmosphere with beautiful music to follow with it. Highly recommend it!

Intimate setting and nice sound throughout. Enjoyed both pianists.

Fully immerse ourselves with the piano recital provided by two talent prodigy at the event. Very proud that Palermo produces two futuristic piano legends. Well done and thank you organisers for the hard work! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I went on a Sunday and entrance was free. Nothing special though. You can just skip this and visit other castelli, bigger, with better views.

I and my family set on a Bench in the entrance area before the ticket office. It was a very hot day and we were sitting to decide if we want to visit the castello. A lady from the ticket office approached us and requested to leave immediately or to buy tickets. We were extremely disappointed by her cruelty and inhumane treatment. We left this place without any regret.

After a long day exploring Palermo we came by this Castello and thought about going in and probably would have. Because I was a little tired from walking I headed for the bench in front of the ticket office. The lady from the ticket office rudely yelled at me to buy a ticket or leave. Which incentivized me to do the latter. Probably more people would visit if the lady working there wasn‘t treating people like that. Her behavior is ridiculous and just a shame when you are having a great day in this beautiful city otherwise.

The remains of the famous Castello de Mare is the Fortress of Palermo and first defence of the city during the pirates era ! You can see some the remains of the castle and it's walls and enjoy a walk along close to the cruise terminal if you come on a cruise ship like me or you enjoy a walk on the shore side of the city !

Palermo is full of wonderful historical sites. Explore the city and try the hop on hop off buses.

I'm sure this once was a good place to explore. Now very overgrown with information points now damaged/missing. One of the staff members walked us around, unfortunately my Italian was as good as his English. Not really worth the long walk it took to get there.

The place was closed although you can climb some small walls to get in. Homeless people have taken refuge in the round fortification and the signs are illegible, but still interesting place to stroll around.

A place to visit but by reservation only. Turkish Muslim prayer room or meditation area from the early 19th century. Mystical scriptures on blue walls signifying what are thought to be a religious chant of some sort. Please leave the family a donation for opening their home to visitors and sharing this work of art with the world.

Nothing to see, really. Just another activity for tourists...

(Translated by Google) I was lucky enough to be in Palermo right during the reopening to the public - in small pre-booked groups - of yet another wonder preserved by this city full of contradictions. In this case, the wonder lies not only in the place, but also in the story of how it was discovered by the owner and how many surprises it has in store... and it's not over yet. It's a small room measuring 3.5 meters by 3.5 metres, but it's full of symbols, colour, magic, secrets. (Original) Ho avuto la fortuna di essere a Palermo proprio durante la riapertura al pubblico - in piccoli gruppi prenotati - dell’ennesima meraviglia custodita da questa città piena di contraddizioni. In questo caso, la meraviglia non sta solo nel luogo, ma anche nel racconto di come è stato scoperto dal proprietario e di quante sorprese ha riservato … e non è ancora finita. È una piccola stanza di 3,5 metri per 3,5 metri, ma è piena di simboli, colore, magia, segreti.

(Translated by Google) Thanks to the street of treasures, I had the opportunity to visit the Chamber of Wonders, a place hidden among the buildings of the historic center of Palermo. The walls are entirely covered with majolica of different ages, genres and colours, each of which has a story behind it! Drop by and you won't regret it! (Original) Grazie alla via dei tesori, ho avuto modo di visitare la Camera Delle Meraviglie, un luogo nascosto tra i palazzi del centro storico di Palermo. Le pareti sono interamente rivestite di maioliche di diverse età, generi e colori diversi, ognuna delle quali ha una storia dietro! Fateci un salto e non ve ne pentirete!

(Translated by Google) Unique and splendid to the point that the owners decided to call it "Chamber of Wonders" because everyone who saw it exclaimed "how wonderful!". It was found by chance during the renovation of the house that the current owners purchased in the heart of the historic center to live in. It is rich in Islamic symbols, but the writings on the walls also repeatedly report the Latin phrase "recto luce", well hidden among the other phrases in Arabic. It is said that in that all blue room, facing Mecca, Masonic and esoteric rituals originally took place: and this is also why it is so evocative and magical (Original) Unica e splendida al punto che i proprietari decisero di chiamarla "Camera delle Meraviglie" perché chiunque la vedeva esclamava "che meraviglia!". Fu ritrovata casualmente durante i lavori di ristrutturazione della casa che gli attuali proprietari acquistarono nel cuore del centro storico per abitarvici. È ricca di simbologie islamiche, ma le scritte sui muri riportano ripetutamente anche la frase latina "recto luce", ben nascosta tra le altre frasi in lingua araba. Si dice che in quella stanza tutta blu, rivolta verso La Mecca, in origine si svolgessero rituali massonici ed esoterici: ed anche per questo è così suggestiva e magica

(Translated by Google) A jewel set in the historic center of Palermo. I hope that the owners are able to find the funds to restore it because unfortunately it has been ruined by the numerous plaster coverings that the room has undergone. The owner is a perfect guide. You can see that he loves this place from how he talks about it and how he describes it. In my opinion, the two Art Nouveau frescoed ceilings in the two halls of the house that houses the Chamber of Wonders are also very worthy. (Original) Un gioiello incastonato nel Centro Storico di Palermo. Spero che i proprietari riescano a trovare i fondi per restaurarla perché purtroppo è stata rovinata dalle numerose coperture di intonaco che la camera ha subìto. Il proprietario è un cicerone perfetto. Si vede che ama questo luogo da come ne parla e da come lo descrive. Meritano moltissimo secondo me anche i due soffitti affrescati secondo l'Art Nouveau dei due saloni della casa che ospita la Camera delle Meraviglie.

(Translated by Google) The room is very unique and beautiful. The only thing is that it's perhaps a bit pricey for a 20-minute tour. But it's worth seeing. (Original) Camera molto particolare e bella. L unica cosa che forse per il prezzo è un po' troppo per 20 minuti di giro. Però ne vale la pena vederla.

(Translated by Google) A small crypt with a particular and centuries-old history, it houses the remains of the sisters of the convent of Santa Maria la Grazia who welcomed women of ill repute or courtesans who wanted to retire or retire, thus spending their last years in seclusion in order to atone for their debts. sins. The small crypt was discovered by pure chance during the foundation work of a nearby palace but today it has been completely restored and brought back to its former appearance with the original altar depicting Saint Francis and the mother abbess who founded the order and the strainers for drying the bodies (Original) Piccola cripta dalla storia particolare e lontana nei secoli ospita i resti delle consorelle del convento di Santa Maria la Grazia che accoglievano le donne di malaffare o le cortigiane che volevano ritirarsi o andare in pensione trascorrendo così gli ultimi anni in clausura in modo da espiare i propri peccati. La piccola cripta è stata scoperta per puro caso durante i lavori di fondazione di un palazzo vicino ma oggi è stata completamente restaurata e e riportata all'aspetto di un tempo con l'originale altare raffigurante San Francesco e la madre badessa che fondò l'ordine ed i colatoi per l' asciugatura delle salme

(Translated by Google) Visited during the "Le Vie dei Tesori" festival on the occasion of an exciting theatrical visit with the splendid interpretation of the actress Stefania Blandeburgo who moved the visitors to tears. Interesting place full of history (Original) Visitata durante il festival "Le Vie dei Tesori" in occasione di una emozionante visita teatralizzata con la splendida interpretazione dell'attrice Stefania Blandeburgo che ha commosso fino alle lacrime i visitatori. Luogo interessante e ricco di storia

(Translated by Google) You can't miss this beautiful visit (Original) Non potete perdervi questa visita troppo bella

(Translated by Google) In just a few meters so much history and culture. (Original) In pochi metri tanta storia e cultura.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful experience thanks to the streets of treasures! (Original) Esperienza bellissima grazie alle vie dei tesori!

(Translated by Google) CLOSED since at least 2018 (Original) CHIUSA almeno dal 2018

(Translated by Google) Beautiful (Original) Bellissima

YOU MUST take the comprehensive one hour tour of the palazzo. Mine was conducted by one of the sons, Nicolo Federico. The other guide is his brother; two tours each every day (11,12,13 & 14)for each brother. Either reserve online or pay when you arrive. I didn’t have a reservation & it was not an issue. It’s 15€. You should visit because it’s breathtakingly fascinating to see the building, its interiors, the rooms, the decor and listed to how the palazzo has evolved. The Federico family lives there but has kindly & graciously opened their home for the world to see. Funds collected from the reasonable price of 15€ are used to fund never-ending renovations & pay maintenance costs. The days when the nobility married rich American heiresses has long passed. What made this house museum visit extra special is that it’s conducted by the two sons who grew up in the home & will share many family stories. I also learned that one of the original city towers was incorporated into the architectural design. You will visit the tower as well. Did I convince you? I lived in Florence for 3 years in the Palazzo Canevaro & was fortunate to be a frequent guest at many of the palazzi owned by Florence’s noble families. Those palaces are very different and appear to have been built much more recently than the Palazzo Conte Federico (but maybe I’m mistaken). Both groups of palazzi are beautiful; do not pass up the opportunity to see this one and meet a family member. Ask them anything; it was one of the highlights of my visit to Palermo. I’m attaching a few pics. There are more (and better ones) online but these are pics of the parts of the palazzo Conte Federico that caught my eye. Hope you visit. Let me know if you enjoy it as much as i did. Leave a review after your visit. I visited this morning and had to share my experience with everyone now.

A living house museum inhabited by the descendants that built it 400 years ago. Sort of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” updated. Proud of their heritage and modest in the presentation. Worth a visit.

A fantastic tour given by one of count's sons. He was very friendly and open and cracked quite a few jokes. He also gave us some great insights into the history, both of Palermo and the castle, as well as how his parents have been part of the society, especially his dad the count who still likes to race drive. It was a really lovely tour, much better than your average museum tour. We got to look at family memorabilia and find out a bit about what it's like to grow up in a aristocratic family. You get to experience history all the way from 12th century to modern days starting from Palermo's defence towers. Then secret orders and all the way to modern day family. The tour runs once an hour for an hour, so if you want to get on the tour you have to arrive about 5-10 minutes before the hour to buy the ticket

An awesome place to visit! The tour was conducted by a family member. We had a time listening to the stories. It's amazing that they have been able to maintain it in the family for centuries.

I found out about this palazzo from a random tiktok video and I’m so glad I did. This was my highlight of Palermo. The decoration is fabulous and you can see this palazzo is so welcoming. The guided tour is made by one of the members of the family so they intimately know everything about its history.

Wow, this place is such a hidden gem! Must visit in Palermo. Hidden in a quiet street, it offers a nice oasis of peace in busy Palermo. The family history is very interesting but the personal touch makes this place truly great. 6 stars if I could.

The owner of the house- the heir of the family himself welcomed us and gave us a wonderful tour of the house, which was light, humorous, and full of love for his guests and the house. This is a hidden gem of Palermo, and you will be lucky to find it!