Art Nouveau Kiosks

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

• Address:

  Piazza Verdi and Piazza Castelnuovo, Palermo

Ballarò Market

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

• Address:

  Via Ballaro, Palermo

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 7am–7:30pm, Sun 7am–1pm

Botanical Garden

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

• Web:

  www.ortobotanico.unipa.it

• E-mail:

  ortobotanico@unipa.it

• Address:

  Via Lincoln 2, Palermo

• Phone:

  +39 091 2389 1236

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 9am–8pm, Sun 10am–8pm

Cappella Palatina

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

• Web:

  www.federicosecondo.org

• E-mail:

  fondazione@federicosecondo.org

• Address:

  Piazza del Parlamento, 1, Palermo

• Phone:

  +39 091 705 5611

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 8:30am–4:30pm, Sun 8:30am–12:30pm

• More info:

  Last admission on hour before closing time

• Subway:

  Underground: station Orleans. Bus: 304, 104, 108, 118, 105, 110

Capuchin Catacombs

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

• Web:

  www.catacombefraticappuccini.com/en

• Address:

  Piazza Cappuccini, 1, Palermo

• Phone:

  +39 091 652 7389

• More info:

  From Piazza Indipendenza, it's a 15-min walk along Via Capuccina

• Subway:

  Underground: Palazzo Reale-Orleans station. Bus: 109 or 118 to Piazza Indipendenza.

Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

The Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria in Palermo attracts visitors from all corners of the globe with its remarkable Sicilian Baroque architecture and ornate decor: the walls are full of ornamental paintings and there are vibrant frescoes, intricately carved statues, and stunning colourful marble interiors. Don't miss out on the magnificent majolica cloister and the view from the rooftop terrace. The bakery located inside the complex sells sweet treats prepared with century-old recipes from Sicily's convents.

• Web:

  www.monasterosantacaterina.com

• E-mail:

  info.monasterosantacaterina@gmail.com

• Address:

  Piazza Bellini, 1, Palermo

• Phone:

  +39 091 271 3837

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5:30pm