'''Palermo''' [http://www.palermotourism.com] [http://www.comune.palermo.it] is the capital of the main Italian island of Sicily, located on the north coast of the island.

Get in

By plane

'''Palermo International Airport''' is located some 32 km west of the city at Punta Raisi and has flights incoming from other Italian centres and major European cities on a regular basis. Half hourly shuttle buses provide inexpensive transport into the city centre (5 euros). There are 1-2 trains per hour, 50 minutes, ?8 (destination Punta Raisi). The usual taxi and car rental services are also available at the airport.

By ferry

Ferries steam between the port of Palermo and the following Italian ports on a regular basis: Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples Malta (Valletta) and Cagliari (Sardinia).

By Train

Through trains from Rome and Naples via the train ferry across the Messina straits.

Get around

On foot

Although Palermo is a fair-sized city, most of the interesting sites around the center can easily be reached on foot. Avoid the alleys, as some of them can be very dangerous and full of drug dealers and mafia people.

By bus

Get a 24 hour ticket for ?4. Many buses run on Via Roma. To ge to Pl Indipenza take bus 109 from the station.

By car

Eat

  • '''Il Proverbio''', Via Discesa 24, tel: ''+39091'' 6173267. Close to station and Quattro Canti. Great sicilian food. most dishes are ?4-6.
  • '''Al Chioschetto'''. Pz. Indipendenza Di Fronte N. 31. Close to the new gate. Excellent fresh panini and salads. They keep all the ingredients in a cooled glass counter, makes the panini from scratch when you order, using only freshly cut pieces of meat.
  • Antica Focacceria S. Francesco. ia A Paternostro, 58. n the small piazza in front front of S. Francecso church. ttp://www.afsf.it. ain courses ?15, Fast Food ?5. A deservedly popular top quality restaurant serving fine Sicilian food in the open air. Bookings recommended at weekends.

  • Le pergamene. iazza marina 48. ear of the "Palazzo chiaramonte steri. 91 6166142.

    Buy

  • '''Isola Saporita''' [http://www.lisolasaporita.it/], Corso Vittorio Emanuele 504. opposite the cathedral., tel: ''+39091''6527506. Good selection of wine, oil, marmelade, sauces, etc.
  • The '''"Pizzo free" shops''' are a group of shopkeepeers that refuse to pay the racket to the Mafia. The palermitan consumers sustain them by going shopping in their stores. You can find the list here: [http://www.addiopizzo.org/pizzofree_alfa.asp]
  • See

  • <listing name="The Official site of the museums in Palermo" url="http://www.comune.palermo.it/musei/lanciaindex_en.html"></listing>
  • the '''Cathedral''' - honey-coloured and Catalan influenced [http://www.siciliasud.it/luoghi-Palermo%20Cattedrale Virtual Tour Cathedral]
  • the '''Quattro Canti''' - the symbolic crossroads at the old centre of the city and the nearby small, but pretty '''La Martorana''' church with byzantine mosaics inside.
  • the '''Museo Archeologico''' thumb|The Orpheus mosaic
  • the '''Catacombe dei Cappuccini''', open daily 9am-12 noon and 3pm-5pm, donation on entry - the catacombs of the Capuchin convent located on the Piazza Cappuccini, just west of the city centre, contain over 8000 mummified ex-residents from Palermo and its surrounding villages, some merely clothed skeletons, other remarkably well-preserved and lifelike. Well worth a visit, interesting, if slightly morbid. Children may either find it exciting or terrifying and it must be the responsibility of their parents to think carefully before taking them.
  • the '''Palazzo dei Normanni'''. Inside, don't miss the mosaics in the '''Cappella Palatina''' and the old ''Royal Apartments''
  • the 'street markets', especially near the ''Piazza del Carmine'' and ''Vucciria''.
  • '''Monreale''' - a village/suburb 8 km west of Palermo, sitting on the hill with a great view back towards the city and the sea. Be sure to visit the Duomo (Cathedral) and it's cloisters too.
  • the '''Piazza Pretoria''', including the '''Fontana Pretoria'''
  • '''The Gesu Church''' is one of the most architecturally important highly decorated in Palermo. Constructed between 1564?1633, it's late date of completion resulted in an abundant use of polychrome marbles on both floors and walls. This form of decoration, which gradually evolved in Sicily from the beginning of the 17th century, was to mark the beginning of the Sicilian Baroque period, which was to give Sicily almost an architectural national identity.
  • '''San Giovanni degli Eremiti'''. Via dei Bernadetti. Tel: ''+39 91'' 6515019. Old church ruin and nice garden. The ?6 admission ensures that the lovely garden is quiet and peaceful. Open mo-sa 9am-7pm.
  • '''Cappella Palatina''', Piazza Indipendenza, Tel: ''+39 091'' 7054317. Chapel with mosaics. Open mo-fr 9-11. 45am and 3-4.45pm. Sa 9-11.45am. Su 9-9.45am, 12-12.45pm.
  • '''The Zisa and the Cuba''', arabic-norman royal palaces. The Zisa is in Piazza Zisa; the Cuba in Corso Calatafimi. [http://www.siciliasud.it/luoghi-La%20Zisa%20Palermo Virtual tour La Zisa]
  • Sleep

    Budget

    Mid-range

    <!-- please remember to link to the official page of the accommodation -->

  • [http://www.travels-booking.com/city/italy/palermo.en.html Palermo Hotel Reservations]
  • Florio Park Hotel. ontrada Magaggiari. The Florio Park Hotel is a first category hotel complex located by the sea on a beautiful golden and sandy beach. Inside a 4 hectares park , the hotel has 17 pavilions (1 or 2 floors),surrounded with a luxuriant vegetation, that gather 204 rooms and 6 suites. In the central building you'll find the reception desk and the wide and elegant hall, the restaurant , the excursions office, the American bar, the bazaar the TV room.

  • Bed and Breakfast Panormus. ia Roma, 72 - 90133 Palermo. 039-0916175826. nfo@bbpanormus.com. 91-6175826. ttp://www.bbpanormus.com/. Three stars in historical center of Palermo Near to the central station and well linked to boat port and airport of Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Good service/price ratio. B & B Panormus is in a beautiful liberty palace built in 1915. Moreover, Panormus is near (few minutes by feet) to the most important attractives of Palermo (4 Canti, Massimo theater, Cathedral, Pretoria plaza...), typical market called Vucciria and commercial places. TV color, airconditioned, hair dryer, heat, freezer, reserved bathroom( outside your room, not to ruin the original "liberty" ceilings and pavements). Info about monuments, museums, concerts, typical restaurants. Car parking is near.

  • Hotel Casa Giuditta. ia Savona 10 - Piazza Kalsa. ttp://www.casagiuditta.com/. Located in the historical city center of Palermo, opposite the sea. Offers rooms and self-catering apartments with 17th century style decorations. Fully furnished with all mod cons: a/c, washing machines, kitchen with oven, freezer, dishwasher, satellite TV. Children welcome.

  • Saint Thorn Guest Club. ia Spina Santa 210, Capo Gallo, near Mondello. Located inside the 'Capo Gallo' nature reserve in the hills outside Palermo, offering stunning views across Mondello's beach. Free parking in the nearby private street, or inside the villa for ?5; swimming pool; free internet. All rooms have en suite baths, TV, hair dryer, a/c, fridge, own outside access. Two rooms have kitchenette, with minimum stay of 5 days. Downtown Palermo is about 15 mins by bus/car, Mondello 10 mins, airport 20 mins.

  • Le Casette. ia Torretta 7, Sferracavallo, nr Mondello. A group of 1 and 2-bedroom self-catering apartments, on Sferracavallo's seafront close to Palermo. Simple but comfortable studios have an outdoor yard, for relaxing during the day and romantic dinners by night. Sferracavallo has good public transport connections to Palermo, and is close to the Capo Gallo nature reserve. A good base for visits to Isola delle Femmine, San Vito Lo Capo, up to Erice, Mozia, Marsala, Selinunte, Segesta. Le Casette is 30 meters from the sea and 2 km from Mondello, the famous resort area of the Palermo city coast.

  • Al Giardino Dell'Alloro. icolo San Carlo 8, Palermo. n the Via Alloro in the historic center, 1 block from Piazza San Francesco. 39.091.6176904. iardinodellalloro@katamail.com. ttp://www.giardinodellalloro.it. 35-45 per person. Excellent central location on a quiet street.

  • '''Hotel Gallery House''', Via Mariano Stabile 136, 90139, Ph. +39.091.6124758 Fax +39.091.6124779. [http://www.hotelgalleryhouse.com/]. In the heart of Palermo, Hotel Gallery House offers elegant classy rooms for business or pleasure visits.
  • '''Hotel Italy'''. Via Roma 62, 4. floor, 100 meter from the train station. Tel: ''+39091'' 6230656, email: hotelitalia62@hotmail.com. Good clean rooms with new bathrooms, AC, TV, and balcony with clotheslines. ?60, no breakfast.
  • '''Hotel Conchiglia D'Oro''',Viale Cloe, 9, 90151 Palermo Ph. +39 091.450359, Fax: +39 091.450359 [http://www.hotelconchigliadoro.com/en/index.htm]. In Mondello, between Villas and gardens, unwind from the summer chaos, Hotel Conchiglia d_fOro welcomes guests in a sober environment enriched with comfort and service for an excellent stay. Check the web for more infos.
  • '''Hotel Joli''',Via Michele Amari, 11, 90139 Palermo Ph. +39 091.6111765, Fax: +39 091.6111766 [http://www.hoteljoli.com/en/index.htm]. Hotel Joli is a true jewel as far as hospitality is concerned, where rooms adorned with frescoes and the finest decor as well as the most modern services and comfort, provide the traveler the most delightful of stays.
  • Villa D'Amato. ia Messina Marine 180 - 90121 Palermo. 39 091 6212767. nfo@hotelvilladamato.it. 39 091 6213057. ttp://www.hotelvilladamato.it/en/index.htm.

  • ''' Villa Cefala''',Via SS 113, 48, 90017 Santa Flavia - Palermo Tel. +39 091.931545, Fax: +39 091.941616 [http://www.tenutacefala.it/en/index.htm]. The Villa Cefala farm holiday offers charming rooms in a period residence thirty minutes from Palermo overlooking the sea on Sicily's northern coast.
  • '''NH Jolly Palermo''', Foro Italico, 90133, +39 091 6165090 [http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/italy/palermo/nh-jolly-palermo.html?action=search]. The NH Jolly Palermo has 237 spacious rooms and a congress centre with 2 meeting rooms, all equipped with natural light, located on the picturesque Gulf of the city and enjoys breathtaking views across the sea.
  • Splurge

  • '''Excelsior Palace Hotel''', Via Marchese Ugo, 3, 90141 Palermo Ph. 0039 091 7909, Fax: 0039 091 342139 [http:// www.hotelexcelsiorpalermo.com]. One of the oldest and most renowned luxury hotels in Palermo. 4 star, near the harbour and the English Garden.
  • '''Grand Hotel et Des Palmes Palermo''', Via Roma 398, 90139 Palermo Ph. 0039 091 6028111, Fax: 0039 091 331545 [http://www.grandhoteldespalmes.com]. Large and luxurious 4 star in the centre of Palermo, with exquisite interior design and high quality service. Also one of the oldest and best known in the city.
  • Quintocanto Hotel e Spa. orso Vittorio Emanuele 310 - 90100 Palermo. 39 091.348426. ttp://www.quintocantohotel.com/en/index.htm. 8.11536821035723. 3.360941410064697. nfo@quintocantohotel.com. 39 091.7302738.

  • '''Hotel Residenza D_fAragona''', Via Ottavio D'Aragona, 25, 90139 Palermo Ph. +39 091.6622222, Fax: +39 091.6622273 [http://www.residenzadaragona.it/en/index.htm]. Elegant and opulent, filled with modern comforts and impeccable services, the rooms at Hotel Residenza D'Aragona are the best for those who are traveling for business or pleasure to Palermo: in the historical center, near the grandiose Politeama and Massimo theaters. Single from 80? Double from 120?.
  • Hotel Ucciardhome Palermo. ia Enrico Albanese, 34/36 - 90139 Palermo. 39 091.348426. nfo@hotelucciardhome.com. 39 091.7302738. ttp://www.hotelucciardhome.com/en/index.htm.

  • '''Hotel Villa Igiea Palermo''', Salita Belmonte 43, Palermo Ph 0039 091 631 2111, Fax: 0039 091 547 654 [http:// www.hoteligieapalermo.com]. Stunning 5 star Villa and hotel complex in the hills overlooking Palermo and the bay ? the ultimate luxury paradise holiday accommodation. Also offering health spa, tennis courts and a fantastic Greek swimming pool that overlooks the sea from on high!
  • Cope

    Palermo's main APT Tourist Office is located at Piazza Castelnuovo 35, open Mo-Fr 8am-8pm and Sa 8 am-2pm. English spoken. A branch of the tourist office also exists at the airport. Get a free map from one of the blue information booths.

    Internet

  • '''Internet Shop'''. Via Napoli N, 32. Tel: ''+39 091'' 584146. 13 computers, E2.5/hour. Wireless internet.
  • '''Mediapoint''' Via Maqueda 221, tel:''+39 091'' 6113332. close to 4CANTI, 4c/min. Picture backup in CD or DVD, memory cards available.
  • '''Aboriginal Internet Cafe''', Via S. Spinuzza 51, close to Teatro Massimo, Tel: ''+39 091'' 6622229, [http://aboriginalcafe.com]. Also serves beer and drinks with obscene names.
  • Stay safe

    Beware of pickpockets and motorcycle-riding snatch thieves targeting handbags, wallets and mobile phones.

    Women should not walk alone at night in the historical centre of Palermo and travellers could be wary of La Kalsa, the neighborhood between Via Roma and the water, at night. The area is being renewed and gentrified, but is probably still one of the riskier places to be at night.

    Vehicle theft is a major problem in Palermo, so the use of private, secure car parks is to be preferred.

    Avoid going outside the city center, but to Mondello (beach and clubs), Sferracavallo (great restaurants), Monreale.

    Get out

    Palermo is the main hub for buses and trains in Sicily. The main station - '''Stazione Centrale''' is near the centre. Most of the long-distance buses leave from just round the corner. The shuttle to the airport leaves every half hour on the half hour until 11pm from the eastern side of the square in front of the train station.

    By train

    Regular, quite fast trains to: Messina & Milazzo (for the Aeolian Islands)(more and quicker than the busses to these two), Trapani and Enna. Less frequent to other destinations.

    By bus

    Regular, fast buses to Catania, Taormina, Trapani, Enna, Agrigento, and Syracuse. Loads of other places served too.

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