Attractions / 22.07.2023

Palermo temperature by month. Palermo: history. What's the best way to get to Palermo?

Is there a sharp smell of salty sea and oranges in the air? Most likely, you are in Palermo, the capital of Sicily, located on the northwestern coast of the island near Cape Monte Pellegrimo. Sunny Palermo is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, conducive to year-round recreation. Find out on the Tour Calendar why it is best to vacation in Palermo in the second half of spring and the first half of autumn.

Tourist season in Palermo

Palermo is a restless port city of general chaos. People fall in love with him, returning again and again, or they leave him forever. There are equally magnificent beaches and outlandish reminders of the turbulent events of past times. As a result of the change of numerous nationalities dominating here, Palermo gained a large number of churches, cathedrals, chapels and architectural ensembles different styles and eras. So, contrary to popular belief, tourists have something to see here. Palermo is full of true Sicilian life, which is so attractive to the common man. The holiday season opens, as throughout Sicily, at the beginning of May and ends at the end of October.

High season in Palermo

In the summer, hundreds of thousands of tourists travel to the southernmost corner of Italy in order to get acquainted with its culture, history and traditions, while enjoying the bright sun and sea. People also come here for a generous dose of adventurism and adrenaline in the blood, since the mafia to this day has a strong grip on the city “by the throat.” In July and August you can see the maximum influx of holidaymakers who brave the high temperatures and huge queues to the main attractions of Palermo.

Low season in Palermo

The low season in Palermo lasts from November to April, when the weather is cool by Sicilian standards. In fact, in winter, despite the rains, it is quite sunny and warm. You can walk for a long time and see any sights in the absence of jostling tourists. In addition, there are large discounts on entrance fees to the same attractions and hotels. So, in the low season, you can easily stay in the most luxurious hotel in the city, which is a frequent habitat of world-class stars, for the cost of a simple room in a 4* hotel in Rome.

Beach season in Palermo

Of course, a beach holiday is not what people come here for every summer, since most of the coastline of the port city is occupied by shipyards and ships. But still, swimming in such a hot Sicilian capital is simply unforgiving. The beach season in Palermo begins in mid-May, when the water temperature warms up to 19 °C-20 °C, and comes to an end in October with marks of 23 °C-24 °C.

Velvet season in Palermo

October in Palermo is a velvet period. Its undeniable advantages include the absence of stifling stuffiness, sweltering heat, an incredible flow of vacationers and quite reasonable prices. The water temperature remains at 23 °C-24 °C. If the weather does not disappoint with sudden rains, then the first half of March can safely be considered a velvet season.

It's festival time in Palermo

Throughout the year, Palermo hosts various festivals and celebrates religious events. The Avvinando wine festival takes place in mid-May. At the same time, as part of the International Beach Festival in Mondello, the windsurfing competition “Merit Cup Windsurf World Festival” is taking place. June is the time of the film festival under the natural auspices of nature and society “EcoVision Festival”. From July 9 to July 15, the oldest holiday is celebrated in honor of the patroness of the city, Santa Rosalia, who saved Palermo from the plague in the 17th century. This is a very spectacular festival with mass processions, concerts and theatrical performances. Other celebrations honoring the memory of other saints include St. Giuseppe in May, St. Madonna della Catena in August and St. Nicholas in December. During Easter week, parades and dozens of celebrations take place throughout the city.

Climate in Palermo

Palermo enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and warm, wet winters. However, the level of precipitation in winter period the city is small. Higher areas, just inland from Palermo, tend to experience cooler temperatures - it often snows here, while coastal areas of the city can experience temperatures of up to 15°C. A large abundance of sunshine is guaranteed throughout the year.

Palermo in spring

Spring in Palermo is a really warm time, although a little rainy. In March, the sun warms the air to 16 °C. In April, the city already enjoys 19 °C, and in May, just in time to welcome summer, it reaches as much as 23 °C. Palermo is literally coming to life: grapes and orange trees are blooming, and curious faces of tourists are increasingly seen among passers-by on the streets. In May, people flock to the beaches where various competitions and festivals take place.

Temperature and weather in Palermo in spring

	Weather in March	Weather in April	Weather in May
Temperature average	+13	+16	+19
Temperature during the day	+16	+19	+23
Temperature at night	+10	+12	+15
Water temperature	+14	+15	+18
Rain	10 days	9 days	5 days

Palermo in summer

For those who cannot stand high temperatures, summer in Palermo can be a real challenge. In June, the air temperature rapidly rises to 27 °C. July and August are the hottest months of the year, when the thermometer reaches 30 °C. But days with 32 °C and above are not uncommon. There is a sticky stuffiness, which in the evening gives way to slight relief when the air temperature drops to 23 °C - 24 °C. The average water temperature for the season is quite pleasant - about 25 °C. The city practically does not see precipitation - approximately 1-2 days every month.

Temperature and weather in Palermo in summer

	Weather in June	Weather in July	Weather in August
Temperature average	+23	+26	+27
Temperature during the day	+27	+30	+30
Temperature at night	+19	+22	+23
Water temperature	+21	+25	+26
Rain	3 days	1 day	2 days

Palermo in autumn

Early autumn is the ideal time to visit Palermo, as the weather is warm for a beach holiday, but not too hot for long excursions. November is generally considered the wettest month of the year. Although precipitation levels at this time are relatively low compared to other parts of Europe. From October to December the air temperature drops from 23 °C to 16 °C. Autumn in Palermo is undoubtedly one of the best climate periods in Palermo.

Temperature and weather in Palermo in autumn

	Weather in September	Weather in October	Weather in November
Temperature average	+24	+20	+17
Temperature during the day	+27	+23	+19
Temperature at night	+21	+17	+14
Water temperature	+25	+22	+19
Rain	5 days	8 days	11 days

The history of Palermo dates back 28 centuries. Over this vast period of time, the main capital city of Sicily knew many rulers and experienced times of prosperity and decline. Modern Palermo is full of bright colors, contradictions and attractions, as the rich history of past centuries has made it so.

The first information about Palermo appeared in 734 BC, when Phoenician sailors discovered the Sicilian island in the waters of the Aegean Sea.

Struck by the beauty of the area, they founded the port city of Sousse (Finnish Zyz - “flower”). For two centuries, the development of the city was completely dependent on Carthage. The Phoenicians influenced the formation of various crafts (jewelry, weaving, glass production) and architecture. Many buildings bear traces of Phoenician influence in the form of original ornaments, colorful stained glass windows, and scenes from pagan mythology.

Carthage lost power over Palermo in the First Punic War, losing leadership to Rome. Palermo was captured by the Romans in 254 BC. e.

It was necessary to complete the Punic War and preserve existing trade relations, therefore the city received special rights - municipalities. All townspeople were considered legal subjects of the Roman Empire and had the right of self-government. When the Romans won the Punic War, Emperor Octavian Augustus (lat. Octavianus Augustus) changed the status of the city.

The largest port of Sicily brought in too high income to allow its free development; Palermo was turned into a colony.

Over the course of 6 centuries, the Romans virtually devastated the region. However, believing legionnaires brought a new religion to Sicily - Christianity, which became the spiritual foundation of the people.

Barbarian influence of the Goths

From 440 to 515, barbarian peoples greedily attacked the defenseless colonies. The Roman Empire fell and the tribes of Vandals and Ostrogoths began to fight for Sicily. The winner was Theodoric the Great, the king of the Ostrogoths, who wanted to become famous as the successor to Roman traditions. The reign of the Goths was ended in 535 by the Byzantine Emperor Justin I(lat. F lavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus) .

Dominion of the Saracens

In the 9th century, Sicily “left” the hands of the Byzantine Emperor Michael II Travlus(Greek Μιχαήλ Β’ ο Τραυλός ). The story had a rather piquant twist: the admiral of the Byzantine fleet, Euphemius, was going to marry a Catholic nun. The emperor's anger drove the apostate to North Africa, where the military leader received the support of the Aghlabid dynasty. Euphemius helped the Saracen qadi Asad ibn al-Furat (Arabic: أسد بن الفرات) to capture Sicily. The Saracens strengthened the prosperity of sea trade routes and gave the city a new name - Balarm. The Greeks subsequently changed it to Panormos (Greek Πάνορμος - “safe haven”).

Norman Conquest

At the dawn of the 2nd millennium, the history of Palermo took place under the banner of the Norman conquerors. The Norman invasion began in 1061 under the leadership of Count Robert Guiscard (old French: Robert Viscart).

In 11 years, all the Saracens were driven out of Sicily. Sicily received the status of a kingdom under Roger II (Ruggero II di Sicilia), the twice-crowned ruler of Palermo. Roger skillfully maneuvered in the political struggle for spiritual power that broke out between antipope Anacletus II and Pope Innocent II.

Roger received his first crown from Anacletus. When the antipope lost the war for the papal throne, Innocent II reluctantly confirmed the coronation in 1139, according to the Treaty of Minyan. King Roger deftly ruled the country - for almost a century Sicily was the main maritime power in the Mediterranean.

The Normans built many majestic buildings in Palermo; the Palace of the Normans and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary are especially loved by the townspeople.

Establishment of the Hohenstaufen dynasty

Roger's death triggered a bitter struggle between his heirs. Initially, power fell into the hands of William I the Evil (Guglielmo I il Malo), who almost destroyed the dynasty and caused the uprising of the barons. Then control passed to William II the Good (Guglielmo il Buono), who established peace in Sicily, but left no legal heirs. Tancred of Lecce, Roger di Andria and Henry VI of Hohenstaufen (German: Heinrich VI) began to fight for the throne, who eventually managed to achieve the assertion of power over Sicily for his dynasty.

A surge of cultural development began in Palermo in the 13th century after Frederick II (German: Friedrich II von Hohenstaufen) transported the entire imperial court to the capital.

The King of Sicily led the 6th Crusade and was able to return power over Jerusalem to the Christians without a single battle, using exclusively diplomatic techniques.

Frederick II had unlimited influence on medieval science, since he founded the first higher education institution in Europe - the University of Naples. The Emperor was repeatedly excommunicated catholic church, called the Antichrist and a rebel. However, it was precisely thanks to his tough policy that Palermo gained unlimited influence over Sicily and became the epicenter of cultural development in Europe.

Sicilian Vespers

In the 13th century, power over Sicily went to Charles of Anjou(French: Charles d'Anjou), who ruthlessly suppressed any rebellion. The French gained universal hatred after the execution of the last heir of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, Prince Conradin. When Charles of Anjou began to distribute Sicilian landholdings (along with the peasants) to members of his dynasty, the patience of the people was exhausted.

The ringing of bells, calling the faithful to evening throughout Sicily, became the signal for the uprising. Sicilian rebels and the Aragonese crown under the leadership of Giovanni di Procida, came out with the slogan: “Death to all French!”. The battles were fought so fiercely that in a few weeks all the French were slaughtered on the island.

Spanish management

The crown passed to the Spanish Emperor Pedro III of Aragon(Pietro III d'Aragon), who sponsored the anti-French uprising. The influence of the Spanish king was not enough to achieve the collapse of the entire Sicilian kingdom. And since Pedro III openly refused to recognize the suzerainty of the pope, a black streak began for the Sicilians.

In 1799, power went to Ferdinand IV (Ferdinando IV), a representative of the Bourbon dynasty. Ferdinand IV tried to unite Naples and Sicily, which caused mass protests. In 1847, a large-scale riot began in Palermo, which quickly grew into an uprising throughout the state. In 1848, the royal power was overthrown and a provisional government led by parliament was established.

Italian period

Palermo became part of Italy in 1860 after (Giuseppe Garibaldi) achieved the final collapse of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

The Italian period brought long-awaited peace to the city. Peace was broken only once - during World War II, an aerial bombardment mutilated the ancient part of the city.

Modern Palermo is a quiet haven of affordable recreation. The city warmly welcomes tourists from all over the world, demonstrating the amazing architectural monuments of its great history.

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You know, I have never yet heard positive reviews about the main city of Sicily, Palermo. This place was criticized by everyone, even those who are not at all distinguished by hypocrisy and show-off. They said this: “What? Palermo? Sasha, after visiting the nightmare you have developed a morbid love for destruction and squalor, well, in that case you will like Palermo.” In response, I objected, saying, stop exaggerating, you have no idea what Bangladesh is if you compare a large European city with the garbage dumps of Dhaka. And you know what I can say after I visited Palermo? The truth turned out to be somewhere in the middle: Palermo turned out to be dirtier and poorer than I imagined, but still it is still far from Dhaka. However, given the incredible number of Bangladeshis who have filled Palermo, the cities are rapidly moving closer together and soon you will not have to take a long and tedious flight on Air Arabia to Dhaka, everything will be nearby, within the range of European low-cost airlines. But the most important thing is that I liked Palermo and its squalor even gives it some flavor. It was here that I saw the Italy that I saw in old films about Commissar Catani and the one that I read about from Mario Puzo -

I arrived in the city by airport bus, having flown here from Nice (about it). Frankly, despite the beautiful words in that report, I didn’t like Nice. A boring and poppy city, overcrowded with tourists and devoid of its “face”. In the evening I jumped off the bus in the center of Palermo, because my hotel was somewhere here, near the city theater. The first impression is quite okay, you must agree -

The hotel turned out to be in an old building, where the bathroom turned out to be larger than the room. It's funny, you'll agree -

In the morning I went for a walk around the city, and for the first 15 minutes of my walk I even thought: “I don’t know where my friends were hanging around, but Palermo is very beautiful and moderately neat, by Italian standards, of course” -

Yes, there is a certain flavor here, I thought, as soon as I stepped away from the main street. By the way, this is the grandfather of Zaporozhets-968. And I thought that at least Zaporozhets was a Soviet invention -

There is a condom vending machine in the middle of the street. Strange, but isn’t it enough to sell them in supermarkets and pharmacies? But then I looked closer and noticed a couple of priestesses of love nearby - yes, this is important to have consumables on hand -

Then a “Bajaj” (as they are called in India) rushed past me, and opposite there were Africans hanging out -

It turned out that there are tons of such “bajajas” in Palermo, an extremely popular form of transport -

Above I mentioned Africans. There are a lot of them in the city, but there are even more Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. Well, where there are many Bangladeshis, you will find Bengali cuisine. Did looking at these recruiting signs by the garbage dump give you an appetite? Then walk ten meters to the left. And I even went there. Not to eat, of course (memories from India, Bangladesh and others were too fresh), but just to look. Well, I looked, dirty, but colorful - I walked around the block where these guys live and saved on tickets towards Hindustan -

And yet, not all of Palermo belongs to Africans and Bangladeshis, just as not everything is dirty. There are very neat neighborhoods. The main thing is not to go deep into alleys -

Don't go deep into alleys, I said -

The old part of Palermo is called La Kalsa (I believe from the Arabic "al kal" - fortress). Unfortunately, apart from the walls surrounding it, little has been preserved. The city survived the carpet bombing of the Allies in 1943, which desperately drove out German-Italian troops from here -

Train Station -

The city is certainly interesting, it’s just a feeling that the Italians abandoned it for half a century and did not take care of their hometown at all, as a result it began to fall apart and deteriorate. Meanwhile, there are a lot of beautiful cathedrals, palaces, and simply interesting buildings of the 18th-19th centuries -

I walked around the beautiful part of Palermo for at least an hour, I even forgot that this is a city of contrasts. And so, turning into another alley, I came across an amazing structure. What do you think this is?

Freedom for Palestine is very important to the city's residents -

I have seen graffiti depicting these two guys on the walls of buildings many times. Who are they? Literally translated from Italian as “Easter and Giofrida are alive!” I think these are their nicknames -

It is likely that the building has been in ruins since 1943. There are many of these in Palermo -

By the way, I forgot to ask, how do you feel about friendly smoked carrion? In Palermo there is a place where several thousand corpses are stored underground, about which there is

Palermo was founded by the Phoenicians in 734 BC, then the settlement was called Sus (Zyz), which means "flower".
The good location contributed to the rapid development of trade and commerce, and the creation of a port - the main anchorage of the Carthaginian fleet - led to further growth of the city. During the Roman Empire Palermo remained an important and large port - Colonia Augusta Panormitanorum. It was not only a port, but also the granary of Ancient Rome.
The Romans were replaced by the Byzantines (535). In IX the Saracens conquered Palermo, making it the capital of Sicily and the most important trading center of the island.
At this time, more than 300 mosques were built in the city. But it was also a period of tolerance: neither Christians nor Jews were persecuted.
The Arabs also brought with them a new technology for irrigation, and with them the island was covered with citrus groves.
At the beginning of the 11th century, the Normans began to settle in southern Italy. And in 1130 the Kingdom of Sicily was founded, the capital of which was Palermo. The Normans proved themselves to be very talented and versatile rulers, they allowed their new subjects to maintain their identity. Even Norman architecture shows great flexibility and adaptability, combining Norman, Byzantine, Arab and Roman motifs. An example of this is a cathedral.

Cathedral. Palermo.

At this time, remarkable architectural structures were erected - churches and palaces. A brilliant court life was led, especially under Frederick II, who brought the entire imperial court here from Germany.
In 1266 Charles of Anjou captured Palermo. But in 1282 the inhabitants Palermo They raised an uprising directed against the French government, a war began that lasted nine years, during which time all the French were mercilessly persecuted and exterminated.
Peter of Aragon was then proclaimed king. The period of Spanish rule began. In 1618, the Thirty Years' War engulfed all of Europe, it was a difficult period for Sicily: high taxes, lean years, hostility of the people towards the Spaniards, all this resulted in an uprising that began in Palermo, and then covered the entire island. The rebels ousted the viceroy, lowered taxes and achieved the dissolution of the Senate. True, the viceroy regained his rights and took brutal measures.
In 1734 the city came under Bourbon rule. At the beginning of the 19th century, Ferdinand I (who was Ferdinand IV of Naples and Ferdinand III of Sicily) decided to unite the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, declaring a single kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
In 1848, unrest broke out against the Bourbon rule. A provisional government was created and the Sicilian parliament convened, but royal troops suppressed the uprisings.
In May 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi and 1000 volunteers landed on the coast of Sicily (in Marsala). After three days of fierce street fighting Palermo surrendered and was annexed to a united Italy. But in 1866, a riot broke out again, the riot was suppressed, but unrest and repression continued for another ten years - this is how Sicily got used to existing at the same time as the rest of Italy.
It was during the turbulent years of the 1860s that the Italian ruling elite first heard about the Sicilian mafia, which initially supported the power of landowners over peasants. And later it was modified into a well-organized criminal structure.
If the first World War bypassed Palermo side, the Second World city suffered significant damage during Allied bombing. 14 thousand citizens were left homeless and lived in shacks among the ruins of the old center, which was especially hard hit by the bombing. In the 1950s, the city was overwhelmed by a wave of newcomers trying to find work, and the need for housing increased.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s. a construction boom began, nicknamed the “ruin of Palermo.” When unique buildings and villas were demolished, and in their place, for example, parking lots were built.
But the city grew, during these years its population increased by 20%. New concrete houses were built, but the center was still in ruins, some ruins have survived to this day.

Modern Palermo – largest port and the fifth most populous city in Italy after Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin.
This is a colorful, noisy and chaotic city, with an indescribable atmosphere, loud and friendly people, delicious food and excellent wine.

The city's rugged charm lies in its layout: two main streets Palermo (via Maqueda And corso Vittorio Emanuele) run perpendicular to each other and intersect at Quattro Canti(Quattro canti - four corners) - square of the 17th century.

Quattro Canti. Palermo.

This is the meeting point of four historical quarters Palermo: Kalsa, Albergheria, Seralcadio and La Loggia.

On the sloping corners of Quattro Canti rises an ensemble of balconies, cornices and niches, symbolizing the four city blocks and the four seasons. At the bottom of each corner building there are fountains, above which there are sculptures of four Spanish kings - Philip II, Philip III, Philip IV and Charles V. Above the kings are the figures of Saints Agatha, Christina, Ninfa and Oliva, who are the patroness of the four quarters.
From this intersection, at the end of the huge corridors formed by houses, mountains are visible in three directions, and at the end of the fourth - the sea, a blue, bright blue spot that seems very close, as if the city had fallen into the water!

10 places to visit in Palermo
Palermo is a large and bustling city, so we decided to highlight 10 attractions from all the diversity that the Sicilian capital offers.

Sicilian Baroque

Baroque is one of the most expressive, vibrant and original architectural styles, which dates back to the Italian Renaissance of the early 17th century, it is characterized by luxurious decor, dynamically pretentious forms and the habit of breaking the laws of perspective.
Sicilian Baroque is not an independent style, but a special “deviation” from Baroque.
Sicilian Baroque is distinguished by its bright decorativeness, theatricality and color, and is a symbol of the luxury of the island nobility.

Palermo is a completely unique city! Sicily is generally very interesting and unusual country. Yes, yes, exactly the country, I didn’t wet myself. Of course, it is part of the Italian Republic (and it was Sicily that was one of the first to fall under the banner of Garibaldi). But still, in its mentality, traditions, history, Sicily is very far not only from Milan and, but also from Rome (you can read about Rome.

When I arrived in Sicily for the first time, I didn’t understand - is this the West or the East? In the life of the island, like in a drop of water, you can see the reflection of many civilizations, dating back to prehistoric times. More about this amazing place you can read

And Palermo is not only the capital, it is the heart of Sicily. In this city, all twenty-nine centuries of its history await at every turn. Having driven from one area to another, or sometimes simply turning into an inconspicuous nook, you can find yourself either in another country, or in another era.

What did I find here? Traces of the Sicans and Elims. Ruins that remember the Phoenicians and Romans. A port that has stood on this site since the Punic Wars. Ancient Greek crypts and Byzantine mosaics under one roof. Catholic churches in intricately rebuilt Arab mosques.

There are Norman castles and theaters that look like ancient temples. You can come to church not only for mass, but also for a concert of academic music.

Crazy street art suddenly appears on ancient city walls. In this, Palermo can easily compete even with.

Markets that would be the envy of any European city, and many oriental bazaars will be out of business. The Istanbul Bazaar will help you compare them.

After the anonymous high-rise suburbs, you will find yourself in the luxurious coastal area of Mondello with its Art Nouveau villas.

You will walk through the historical center with traces of shelling during the Second World War, where the pomp and pretentiousness of the Sicilian Baroque easily coexists with garbage heaps and abandoned houses.

How to get there

Palermo is a port city, so you can sail here. A day on a comfortable ferry can be a pleasant addition to your trip.

You can get there by train from all major cities Italy. But this is not at all convenient, and you won’t gain anything in price. The train is loaded onto a ferry from Reggio Calabria.

By car is also an option if you are an avid motorist. Remember that you will have to pay a lot for a car on the ferry.

By plane

Direct flights can be found without problems only during the season from May to November. In other months, both from Russia and from most European countries you will have to fly with a transfer. Moreover, the best option, both in terms of price and time, is not necessarily with a transfer in Italy. See options with Zurich, Munich, Malta. The cost of a flight varies significantly depending on the season. On average, prices start from 325 EUR for a direct flight and 179 EUR for a flight with transfers. You can compare offers from different airlines, for example.

If you decide to get to Palermo by plane, look for tickets to one of these airports:

Palermo airport

international Airport Palermo-Punta Raisi named after Falcone-Borsellino (IATA code - PMO, ICAO code - LICJ) is the second largest airport in Sicily, the ninth in Italy. You can fly to Alitalia and numerous European low-cost airlines: Ryanair, Vueling, Air One. Not the most convenient airport I've ever been to.

Two runways between the mountains and the sea and frequent strong winds make it one of the most problematic European airports for pilots. At night, life comes to a standstill. Just like transport. What remains is the not very happy prospect of sitting on uncomfortable chairs in a half-dead building or leaving by taxi. At night, you know, the drivers will rip your skin off.

If you have a connecting flight, your baggage may be unloaded onto a different belt than the baggage of other passengers on your flight. I encountered this situation twice, apparently this is in the order of things. So check the nearby conveyor first, and only then start worrying. It’s better, of course, not to be nervous, but to calmly go to the Lost&Found window and fill out the documents.

There are two budget ways to get to Palermo from the airport:

Trapani Airport

Trapani-Birgi International Airport (IATA code - TPS, ICAO code - LICT) is a military airport of the Italian Air Force, which several years ago became a civilian airport. It is small and quite cozy. Accepts flights from Alitalia, Ryanair, Meridianf Fly.

In all other cases, I advise you to fly to Palermo. Tickets from Rome, Milan, Pisa can often be found within 40 EUR.

You can sail to Palermo from Rome, Naples, Genoa, Livorno and even from Tunisia, if you suddenly find yourself there. But this is a completely different price. It will depend on the cabin class and route, of course. Here is a website where you can find out more details.

Clue:

Palermo - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

You can enjoy this city in any weather. What do you need to remember when planning your holiday in Palermo?

The most beautiful times in the city are Christmas, Easter, Santa Rosalia on July 14-15 and September 4. Saint Rosalia is the patroness of Palermo, a universal intercessor and favorite for four centuries. I will tell you more about these holidays later.

On the second or third weekend of September (dates are set about a month before the event) there is an ice cream festival. This is paradise for those with a sweet tooth! I don't know how many types of ice cream you can try, I've lost count. From classics of the genre to completely exotic ones - for example, from cactus and wine. I even saw beer ice cream and spaghetti-shaped ice cream.

In April, usually on the third weekend of the month, the city hosts a festival street food. This is also not a sight for those losing weight. For 5 EUR I ate so many goodies that I rolled like a bun.

August is not only one of the months of the high season, but also the time when everyone goes on vacation. And if it becomes sparsely populated, then (and therefore Palermo), on the contrary, suffers from an influx of people. This leads to not the most pleasant consequences: crowds of people, inflated prices, problems with parking and places in restaurants.

Palermo in summer

Summer, in my opinion, is not the best time to visit Palermo. Let me remind you that in Europe the beginning of the seasons does not coincide with the Russian calendar. Summer begins on the summer solstice and ends on September 21st. And it is on these dates that the weather in Sicily is very hot.

The hardest time, of course, is in August. It’s unbearable to be in the city, because as a bonus to the heat there is humidity, sometimes one hundred percent. The surrounding beaches are crowded, and there is no escape from the heat in the parks. The usual regime will have to be changed. A four-hour siesta at the peak of the heat, almost everything is closed. In restaurants, dinner is served no earlier than 8, or even 9. There is a slow pace in everything, unusual for Russians. It's not easy to adjust.

If you go to Palermo in the summer, then only to Mondello, by the sea. And in the late evenings, get out into the city.

From the end of May, the International Beach Festival takes place in Mondello for a week. Not only athletes, but also partygoers from all over Europe come here for the opening of the season.

Palermo in autumn

From mid-September both the influx of tourists and the crazy heat begin to subside. Autumn in Sicily is simply an ideal time for tourists. The bazaars offer a rich assortment of fruits and vegetables at ridiculous prices.

At this time you can catch the harvest festivals in small towns near Palermo and the festival of new wine. Sheer abundance and fun! Comfortable sea water temperatures last until the end of October. However, there are already, although not often, cool days and rain.

Palermo in spring

Spring is spring everywhere - even where there is no winter as such. I advise you to combine the excursion with trips to nature. And first of all to the Capo Gallo nature reserve.

Capo Gallo

An ancient lighthouse, rocks, sea, rare species of birds... Here you forget that literally a ten-minute walk away is the noisiest city in Sicily.

Getting there is very easy: from the city center by bus to the Mondello stop, and then on foot. Even if you walk slowly, admiring the elegant villas, in half an hour you will be in the reserve.

Easter

Getting to Palermo for Easter is a great success. It was one of the most spectacular and cinematic holidays I have ever seen. I felt like an extra on a film set.

Pascuetta

Very tasty in Palermo for Pascuetta, little Easter. This is the Monday following Easter, which is usually spent outdoors with a group of friends, wine and meat. Analogue of ours May holidays, but there is much less alcohol and fun. Those who did not go to nature are not upset and fry meat right on the streets.

When planning your vacation, keep in mind that on major holidays almost all museums and shops are closed, and transport operates on a special schedule.

In May the sea is still cool, suitable only for walruses, but sunbathing is great!

Palermo in winter

Throughout December and the first week of January, the city first prepares for Christmas, then celebrates, then sees off the holiday. So, not only in Russia the New Year holidays are long and fun.

One of the national entertainments at this time is live nativity scenes, theatrical performances on the theme of the birth and life of Christ.

All churches are open at this time. I would like to note that it is often difficult to get to the church in Palermo due to the shortened work schedule. Museums also welcome guests; there are a lot of tourists in December.

In January, sales begin throughout Italy (you can read about this in detail) and Palermo is no exception. So this is the perfect month to combine shopping and exploring the city.

February is the month of carnivals. They are not held in Palermo, but just half an hour by train to the lovely town of Termini Imerese, you will find one of the best Sicilian carnivals. A train ticket from the Central Station costs 4.50 EUR.

Winter in Palermo can be very different. Every day is the perfect time to sunbathe, and on the beach in Mondello you can meet tourists from Russia or Northern Europe. And other days, with wind, high humidity and a temperature of +10°C, you want to wrap yourself in a fur coat. And don't forget that many houses do not have heating. Be sure to check this point when booking your accommodation.

But the color of winter in Sicily is always bright - orange and yellow. It's the height of citrus season!

Palermo - weather by month

Clue:

Palermo - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

To ensure that your holiday in Palermo does not disappoint, you need to choose a hotel or apartment in the right location. This is very individual, so I will refrain from such advice. I’d better describe to you the main areas of the city.

Сentro historico

The historical center of the city is called Centro storico. It is quite small, but this is where most hotels, b&b, hostels, and apartments are located. For many centuries it has been customary to divide it into four quarters:

Kalsa(Kalsa);
Albergería(Albergheria);
Vuccheria(Vucceria) or La Loggia(La Logia);
Il Capo(Il Capo).

All these neighborhoods are very different, but their connecting link (that is, the center) is Quatro Canti. The map below shows approximate boundaries for clarity.

Kalsa

Let's start with Kalsa. When you leave the station building, you will find yourself there. As in any major cities, proximity to the station has its pros and cons. From the station, whether by train or bus, you can easily reach the towns you need in the vicinity of Palermo. And it will certainly be easy for you to get to any point in the city, including the airport. But it is always noisy and crowded here. As at any large station, pickpockets, gypsies and sharpers operate. Another good thing about this area is the concentration of all the riches of Palermo.

Churches, palaces, parks, squares, restaurants - there is everything here in abundance.

And there are a lot of offers for renting apartments. I don’t know about you, but I love staying in apartments in large cities. It helps me feel the atmosphere better, become a local for a few days or weeks. You can look at accommodation options from private owners and compare prices, for example. There are also many hotels, mostly in the mid-price category (from 50 EUR per night).

Albergeria

To the left of the station, west of Kals, is the Albergheria quarter.

Here are the largest and noisiest market in Palermo - Ballarò and the Norman Palace with the Palatine Chapel.

I would call this area a place of modest apartments. The prices are low, you can easily find a good option for 30–35 EUR. Walking distance to an excellent market and your own kitchen is, you see, a successful combination.

Il Capo

A quarter named after another famous market. Capo is the oldest bazaar in Palermo and, perhaps, the most cozy.

Another pride of the residents of il Capo is the Massimo Theater. On my own behalf, I’ll add that the best places for an aperitif and an evening hangout are also here. As well as a large selection good hotels and apartments (from the middle price segment to luxury, 150 EUR per room).

Vucceria or La Loggia

This same area is often called Vuccheria by locals (again, after the name of the market).

Once upon a time Vucceria was the busiest place in the city, but those days are long gone. The bazaar is alive, but not particularly cheerful. The desolation in these quarters is terrible.

Another name for the area is Mandamento di Castellammare, Castallemare. The tourist port of Palermo is located in the marine part of the quarter.

And the proximity of the port, like the station, leaves its mark: traffic jams, noise, a lot of garbage, strange-looking citizens, prostitutes. It is precisely in the area adjacent to the port that I would not recommend walking late in the evening or at night.

Don't get me wrong, the area is as safe as the rest of downtown. But he's too colorful. Personally, I really enjoy walking around La Loggia, but I wouldn’t want to live here. There are not many hotels in the area, and cheap apartments from 20 EUR per night are not a problem to find. B&B met from 30 EUR.

Centro moderno

The modern center is divided into two completely different quarters

Via liberta;
Borgo Vecchio.

Via Liberta

The modern center is the area north of the Teatro Massimo, along the streets via Ruggero Settimo and via Liberta. It's beautiful, clean, and has a lot of good shops. This is one of the most prestigious and expensive areas to live in Palermo. There are many good hotels in the area starting from 50 EUR.

Borgo Vecchio

The name of the area translates as " Old village" This was once an agricultural area near the city walls. Now it has turned into one of the most colorful urban quarters of the city.

Nothing in common with the elegant Via Liberta. the main street block leads to the commercial port, and crazy street art decorates the peeling houses. I get the feeling there that it is still deep on the outskirts, although for many years Borgo Vecchio has been one of the areas of the modern center of Palermo. There are a lot of inexpensive B&Bs and apartments in the area. Housing prices start from 30 EUR.

Stadio Renzo Barbera

Located next to Cento moderno is a modern area with good infrastructure and a convenient location. No longer the center, but not yet the outskirts. A stone's throw away is Via Liberta, which offers good shopping. In addition, from this area it is very convenient to get to both the historical center and Mondello. Unlike older areas, there is plenty of parking here.

There is a stadium nearby, and the area is named after it. So if you want to watch football games with some Southern passion, best place no residence to be found. Accommodation prices here start from 45 EUR.

Mondello

Although this area is officially part of the city limits of Palermo, local residents They consider it a suburb.

Mondello is a prestigious countryside area with an excellent beach and villas in the early 20th century Art Nouveau style. The center can be reached in 20–30 minutes from here. From Via Liberta you can even walk through the Parco della Favorita park. But this is in theory. In practice, I don’t recommend going to this park; although the place is beautiful, it is turbulent. But I digressed from the topic, about dangerous areas Read Palermo below, in the “Security” section.

The choice of accommodation in Mondello is huge - from cheap hostels to very expensive hotels, from modest apartments to luxurious villas with a private pool.

One more thing. Traffic jams are common in Palermo. Transport is not bad, but not like clockwork either. If you don't have a car, it's better to choose a hotel within walking distance of the main attractions.

What are the prices for holidays?

Palermo is an inexpensive city. Although, of course, it depends on what you compare it with. But by Italian standards the prices are very reasonable.

Lowest prices in Palermo that I could find:

Housing can be withdrawn from 20 EUR per day;
To rent a car from 90 EUR per week;
Get from the airport to the station by bus for 6.30 EUR
Directions in public transport from 1.40 EUR for 90 minutes;
Pizza from 4 EUR
Sandwiches from 1 EUR
Half a liter of wine from 1.50 EUR
Coffee from 50 cents.

Maximum prices, as elsewhere in the world, are difficult to find a limit. And this is definitely not for me, my option is economy, but without fanaticism.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

The whole of Palermo is one big attraction. Everyone here will find something that interests them, the main thing is to know where to look. I hope that my review will help with this.

Below I will describe everything point by point, but for now I would like to draw your attention to the fact that every first Sunday of the month, admission to most museums is free.

Top 5

I present to you my selection of places that you must visit in Palermo.

Palatine Chapel, Capella Palatina

The former private chapel of the Sicilian kings still regularly hosts Sunday masses. If you come here at 10:00, you can listen to the service in the place where Roger II, the creator of the Kingdom of Sicily, prayed.

The chapel was decorated with famous Byzantine mosaics, some of the most beautiful in the world, from the 12th to the 18th centuries.

Each king wanted to contribute something of his own, but these were only additions to the magnificent, mesmerizing decoration on the theme of the Book of Genesis.

The main mosaic cycles date back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

The chapel is located in the Norman Palace. So you should check it out at the same time.

This oldest royal palace in Europe, the main monument of the Arab-Norman style, undoubtedly deserves attention. Now, instead of kings, the President of the region of Sicily sits there with the regional Assembly.

Address: Piazza Indipendenza

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 8:15 to 17:00;
Sunday and holidays from 8:15 to 12:15.

Price: 6 EU R. Without visiting the Palace - 4 EUR. Admission to the mass is free.

Capuchin Catacombs (Catacombe dei Cappuccini)

This is a gloomy collection of mummies and skeletons in the dungeon of the active Capuchin monastery. Museum of the dead, which tell the living about the lives of past years. There is also a unique collection of documents, stories, and descriptions.

For three centuries, the Palermitans buried their rich and famous fellow citizens in a similar manner. This is a strange and slightly scary tradition. The cemetery was closed at the beginning of the 20th century.

Address: Piazza Cappuccini, 1.

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00 from 15:00 to 17:00;
Sunday and holidays from 9:00 to 13:00.

Price: 3 EUR.

Palermo Cathedral

More precisely, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Cattedrale di Vergine Assunta, Chiesa Madre. The main church, without which it is impossible to understand this city.

Byzantine mosaics, Arabic script, Norman arches, Gothic towers, classical frescoes and neoclassical bas-reliefs - this cathedral reflects the mixture of all eras and styles that Palermo is so rich in.

Many saints, kings and generals are buried here

Address: Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 19:00;
Sunday and holidays 8:00 to 13:00, from 16:00 to 19:00.

Free admission.

Pretoria Square (Piazza Pretoria)

The most pretentious, mannered, but at the same time the most beautiful and atmospheric place in Palermo.

The magnificent domes of the churches of San Giuseppe dei Teatini and Santa Caterina and the naked mythical figures of the once scandalous Fountain of Shame decorate the square in front of the Palazzo Pretoria, which houses the city hall.

Theater Massimo named after Victoria Emmanuel II (Teatro Massimo)

This is the third largest Opera theatre Europe with excellent acoustics. It was built by famous Sicilian architects (father and son Basile) in honor of the unification of Italy.

You don't have to listen to opera. For 8 EUR you can walk around the theater where Coppola filmed the third part of The Godfather. Tickets for the tour are sold at the theater box office. Address: piazza Verdi

Beaches. Which ones are better

If you come to Palermo in the summer, then not visiting the sea is simply a crime!

Mondello

The pride of Palermo, the most prestigious seaside area in all of Sicily. It is one and a half kilometers of almost white fine sand in an elegant bay.

Natural nature reserves Monte Gallo and Monte Pellegrino surround the most party-loving Sicilian beach on both sides. Don't forget about them!

The sand spit is divided into zones that transform into one another. Paid and free beaches replace each other, sometimes it is impossible to notice the border. The price range is quite large (from 0 to 20 EUR). This also applies to the rental of any equipment.

The only minus of Mondello is the huge number of people. At the height of the season it is impossible to get to the sea.

Everything else is just a plus. The water is clean, the sea is almost always calm and warm, the shore is shallow, the sand is soft. You will find bars and restaurants to suit every taste and budget, from street stalls to Michelin-starred fashion establishments.

How to get there: bus routes No. 603, No. 606, No. 614. By the way, here is one that will help you navigate Palermo bus routes.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

For me personally, going to churches in Palermo was much more interesting than going to museums. In them the city reveals its soul. There are more than three hundred churches in Palermo, and I will write a separate large article dedicated to them. For now, I’ll tell you only about three, which are usually poetically called “The Road of Perfection” (La Via della Perfezione).

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I have already written that churches give a much more vivid idea of Palermo than its rather modest museums. But I also have interesting finds in this segment. I will be happy to share it with you.

Parks

There are many city parks in the city, which is not surprising. The climate is conducive.

Tourist streets

The entire city center, whether it’s a street or an alley, is steeped in centuries-old history and urban legends. If you are interested, I will write about it. And now I want to talk about two squares without which Palermo cannot be imagined.

The most famous square in the city is Four Corners Square.

I think that her real name (Piazza Villena) is used only by officials. For all the residents of Palermo, for all the tourists, she is Quatro Canti. In fact, the square has not four corners, but eight. And around one of the corners is the gloomy and majestic church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini, which is called the Fifth Corner. The capital always and everywhere becomes a trendsetter, and it was with Quattro Canti that the Sicilian Baroque began four centuries ago. It is simply impossible to miss it; it is the heart of the city.

It divides the small city center into four almost equal squares: these are ancient quarters, each of which has something to brag about. No matter which way you turn, you are guaranteed an interesting walk.

Between the port and the station is located Marine Square, Piazza Marina.

On Sundays there is a flea market here. Oh, how colorful he is!

Beautiful dolls with porcelain faces sit on antique furniture. Sicilian carts, knight's armor, military awards, vintage outfits - you name it!

8 centuries ago there was a swamp here, but it was drained and a palace was built. During the Inquisition, heretics were burned in the square. Now, looking at the noise of the flea market and the cozy Garibaldi Park, it’s hard to believe how gloomy this place once was.

If you are not yet tired of the giant ficus trees in the Botanical Garden, then take a photo with the largest tree in Europe in the center of the garden. 20 meters in girth and almost 30 in height - very impressive.

What to see in 1 day

How to get an idea of the city in one day? Or in a few hours? The main thing is to choose the right route! I invite you to take a walk with me.

To make it easier to understand the interweaving of ancient streets, let's start with the Central Station.

10:00 We are standing in piazza Giulio Cesare. This is where the final stop of the express train and buses from the airport is located. Directly in front of us will be one of the central streets of Palermo - via Roma. This is where you will go.
10:20 Admiring the surroundings, slowly, in about 20 minutes we will reach the Basilica San Domenica. If we're lucky and find it open, we'll go inside. If not, we’ll admire the church and the square from the outside and go up for a coffee or cocktail at the rooftop bar. Be sure to take a photo!
11:00 Let's go for a walk around Vuccheria. Along Via Garrafello we reach the square of the same name. This is the very heart of authentic Palermo
12:00 Coming out after the confusing streets onto the arrow-straight Vittorio Emanuele, we will feel like we are in another city. In Palermo, traveling through time and space is very easy - sometimes you just need to turn onto the next street.

The map shows that we only need 1 hour 11 minutes. This is, of course, not true. Even if we don’t go to churches and drink coffee on the go, we won’t be able to walk five and a half kilometers without stopping. Too much beauty, destruction and a completely different atmosphere, possible only in Palermo, will meet us on the way.

Nearby Islands

Can you imagine the sea and the beaches on the small islands surrounding Sicily? If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend going!

Ustica

The fastest way to get from the port of Palermo is to Ustica. "Meteor" will get you there in an hour and a half. And this will be a separate adventure on your journey.

The price of such pleasure starts from 25 EUR depending on the season. Tickets can be purchased on the website or at the port ticket office. Ustica is a small but very interesting island, I especially recommend visiting it for diving enthusiasts.

Aeolian Islands

Here I will not go into details; you can read about these islands in my separate thematic article. However, even without any words you can see how picturesque they are.

How to get there

Food. What to try

The cuisine of Palermo is completely unique. Here you can try dishes that you will not find anywhere else in the world. For Palermitans, food is a national idea that unites everyone.

Traditional recipes have not changed for centuries, and Palermitans are as proud of their city’s cuisine as they are of their palaces and churches. And there is something!

Did you know that Palermo is the only European city that competes with such world street food capitals as Bangkok, and? And all this rests on a classic monumental foundation Italian cuisine, the best cuisine in the world. So I can confidently recommend the Sicilian capital for lovers of gastrotourism.

You could write a book the size of an encyclopedic dictionary about local food. To get you started, here are three dishes to give you a taste of Palermo:

Don't forget to read in the housing search section where the markets of Palermo are. You can save a lot of money by cooking yourself sometimes. Just in case, here is a map with large grocery stores in the center.

And, of course, don’t forget about the many small vegetable and butcher shops. Although they are a little more expensive, they are so interesting to buy products!

Details about Sicilian cuisine can be found in.

I am pleased to share with you the addresses of my favorite restaurants, bars, trattorias and eateries. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. But I want to clarify that the eateries in Palermo are such that sanitary doctors in Russia would lose sleep for a long time from the sight of them.

Budget

Mid-level

Expensive

Restaurants where you won't waste your money

Holidays

Saint Rosalia's Birthday

If you're in Palermo on September 3rd and 4th, don't forget to take part in the celebration of Saint Rosalia's birthday. Hundreds of people climb Monte Pellegrino on the night of September 4th.

The remains of the saint who saved Palermo from the plague were found in a cave on the top of a mountain. Now there is a chapel there.

But you need to know the Palermitans to understand that this is not only a holy pilgrimage, it is also entertainment!

Hiking up the mountain, spending the night under open air, watching the dawn in one of the most beautiful places in the world, festive processions from early morning - an indescribable atmosphere!

Festival of the Dead

Halloween is not celebrated on the island. Since the 10th century, it has been celebrating the Festa dei Morti, the Festival of the Dead. This is one of the most beloved holidays in Palermo. Remember the Capuchin Catacombs? The attitude towards the dead here is peculiar. Every year from October 30 to November 2, fairs are held in the city. The stalls in Piazza Poletiama and the markets are especially colorful. Don't be surprised by bone-shaped sweets.

If you're not used to it, mountains of such cookies can be intimidating. I advise you to buy and try - very tasty. And on the tables in every home there will be these sweets and fruit-shaped macaroons, so that not only living, but also dead relatives will sweeten their holidays.

New Year

Another holiday that Palermitans celebrate in piazza Poletiama is New Year. In Italy, including Palermo, it is customary to celebrate the New Year with friends (as opposed to family Christmas). A cheerful crowd gathers on the square to watch fireworks, listen to a concert, congratulate each other on the upcoming holiday, and simply to enjoy life. If you're in town in New Year's Eve, don't miss this fun!

Safety. What to watch out for

Shopping and shops

Remember, I wrote at the very beginning that Sicily is not really? So, this also affects stores. You won’t find shopping like in Milan, Rome, Bologna in Palermo. However, when you go to the shops on Via Roma and Via Liberta, you can easily find something for yourself. I will list a few places where you should go shopping purposefully.

Forum Palermo Centro commerciale

Palermitans love this huge store and often spend the whole day there with the whole family. So, it’s better not to go there on weekends and holidays, there are too many people. Here's the store.

The store is located on the outskirts, but you can get there without any problems. A tram route and several bus routes will help you. See the schedule and location of stops.

Sicily Outlett Village

The largest outlet in Sicily. Here you will find many brand stores and good prices all year round. This is not a store or commercial center, but a small beautiful town with restaurants, bars and playgrounds. Here's the official one.

It's not close, about two hours by bus one way. So budget a whole day for a visit. Here you can see the route schedule and prices. Bus stop nearby Central Station.

Bars. Where to go

Clubs and nightlife

Naturally, there are clubs in the city. But, if you want to go to a club to listen to good quality music, then you don’t need to go there. Either pop, or electro so hard that Radio Record is taking a break - that’s what they like to listen to in Palermo.

If you are interested in seeing how Palermitans, young and not so young, spend time drinking good cocktail in a relaxed atmosphere - then go boldly. By the way, it’s customary to go to clubs here when people are 40 or 50. The atmosphere at parties is very pleasant and relaxing. No scandals or showdowns. You don't have to worry too much about security. People in clubs just relax.

The main problem is the discrepancy with the schedule. Punctuality is not the strongest trait of the Sicilians, which also affects the operation of city buses and trams.

There are not as many routes as we would like. You often have to make transfers to get there.

On weekends and holidays, the number of operating public transport is reduced to a minimum. Be sure to check the schedule every day, because some holidays you don’t even know exist!

The websites of most transport companies remember the birth of the Internet. But it's better than nothing. So here's some help for you.

Tickets can be purchased from the driver (of course, they cost more). Purchasing a ticket at a normal price can be an exciting but nerve-wracking quest. Therefore, go to the store closest to the stop with the Tabacchi sign, there are always tickets there. And, importantly, they will always explain to you how and where to get there, even if often only schematically.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxis in Palermo are not so good. First of all, it's expensive. Secondly, it is difficult to find.

Standard price from the airport to the center is 50–55 EUR.
The standard price in the city is 1.20 per kilometer, minimum 5 EUR.

Taxis can be found in parking lots; it is not customary to stop a car on the street.

The sites I noticed:

Airport;
Railway station;
Piazza Verdi;
Piazza Politeama;
Quatro Canti;
Login English Park from via Liberta.

You can call a taxi by calling +39 392 9694466. In theory, they also understand English. If you are not sure that you can build a conversation, ask for help at any bar along your route.

Trams

The tram for Palermo is a young transport. The three lines were inaugurated on December 30, 2015, to the applause of officials and the curses of citizens. The difficult situation with traffic jams and the laying of rails for transport not even yesterday, but the day before yesterday, has only worsened.

All carriages are still new and in excellent condition. It's nice to ride.

The fare is 1.40 EUR for 90 minutes or 3.50 EUR for the whole day.

Here is a route map for your convenience.

Buses

The most popular transport in Palermo is the bus. The most convenient way is to plot your route around the city and mark the stops and numbers of the routes you need on it.

My advice: don’t be lazy and walk more. Of course, this applies to the historical center of the city. If you cannot do without transport, the bus is the most convenient option.

Fare payment

Standard price - 1.40 EUR for 90 minutes. If you plan to use it frequently public transport, it makes sense to buy tickets for unlimited travel by number of days.

1 day - 3.50 EUR;
2 days - 5.70 EUR;
3 days - 8 EUR;
4 days - 10.20 EUR;
5 days -12.50 EUR;
6 days -14.60 EUR;
7 days -16.80 EUR.

And don't forget to validate your ticket. Otherwise it will be considered invalid!

Transport rental

Renting a car for a holiday in Palermo, in my opinion, is the height of carelessness and carelessness. Of course, if you feel comfortable driving in Cairo or Naples, then no problem (you can look for options on aggregator sites and). I absolutely do not recommend it to everyone else. Below I will explain in detail why.

The specifics of driving in Palermo include the following nuances:

Traffic rules are observed every once in a while (this is especially annoying at numerous roundabouts);

The traffic flow is very dense;
Motorcyclists, as they say in Odessa, make nerves more than all other road users. By the way, horse-drawn carts, scooters and tricycles scurrying along the road are also a common sight (not to mention pedestrians);
There are many one-way streets and very narrow streets;
There are many small squares where bar tables are located almost on the roadway;
A restricted traffic zone that includes the entire center. The hours during which cars are allowed to travel there change frequently. Only residents of the exact block in which the zone is located can leave their car in the free parking lot;
Problem with parking;
Processions and demonstrations are common;
Expensive gasoline.

The photos will help you understand how difficult it is to drive a car in Palermo.

Palermo - holidays with children

Palermo is in many ways not the most convenient city for families with children. Old sidewalks and slippery cobblestones are difficult to walk on with a stroller. There are few playgrounds for children, and even fewer specialized children's menus in restaurants.

But all this makes up for the attitude of the Sicilians towards children. Your baby will be welcome everywhere: in museums, churches, parks, restaurants. It is not customary here to make comments to someone else's child. I never even saw a sidelong glance towards my two-year-old tomboy. Children in Sicily are the center of attention; they are literally bathed in universal love.

Where can I recommend going with children:

Palermo is one of those cities that help to understand the course of European history. Come, stroll through its intricate streets and luxurious squares, visit palaces and museums, stroll through local markets and attend mass together with city residents. Fall in love with Palermo, and then it will reveal its centuries-old secrets to you.

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Where is the Valuevo estate located?

Church of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Printers