Out of the many tourist destinations in Italy, Palermo still manages to stand out from the rest. Palermo is Sicily’s main capital. It’s rich in history, magnificent architecture, large markets, and restaurants among others.
It’s one of the biggest islands that sit in the Mediterranean Sea. Palermo’s close proximity to Malta and Tunisia makes it a favorite to most tourists. Generally, it’s a thriving city that’s full of life while giving you a breath of the fresh Mediterranean breeze. So, what are some of the things that you can do in Palermo?
Swim at Mondello Beach
Mondello beach is a stunning location with beautiful views. Originally known as a fishing village, this small borough has significantly grown over the years. It’s now one of the top tourist destinations in the autonomous Sicily region. The contrasting blue skies and the white-painted architecture makes it a picturesque destination. As one of the popular tourist’s sites in Palermo and it, therefore, gets really crowded. The white sandy beach, the cool shore breeze, in addition to the numerous boat rides makes this places one of the places that you must visit in Palermo.
If you are visiting Mondello beach, there is a wide range of activities to engage in. it doesn’t matter whether you are an adult or a kid. From boat rides, swimming, to sun basking, there is definitely something enjoyable to engage in. The sunsets and sunrises on this beach are also captivating. So, if you want content to post on your social profile, this is one of the best places to visit in Palermo.
Eat At the Ballaro Market
Ballaro is a well-known market in Palermo that’s filled with locals and tourists alike. It’s the biggest and also the oldest market in this city. Its reputation breaks borders and it’s known globally for its uniqueness. Located right in the central area of Palermo, Ballaro is the perfect place to rest and take a meal after a morning of exploration.
Once you reach this place, you will be hit by a tantalizing scent of different cuisines. The broad food variety will also capture your attention thanks to their rainbow colors. From the delicious seafood to the local cuisine, eating at the Ballaro market is obviously among the top things to do while you are in Palermo. The clean streets are dotted with compact dining tables, giving you an opportunity to sample different meals before you can make an order. You can also purchase take away fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, meat, and cheese among others. The fun thing about Ballaro is that the vendors are always shouting and screaming to attract customers. Well, this is a unique and interesting way of advertisement.
Eat Spleen Sandwich At Focacceria San Francesco
Focacceria San Francesco’s spleen sandwich is captivating and mouthwatering. Not only will it capture your attention but it will also engage your taste buds. Even when you are full, you will still crave for more. The tasty meal is usually cooked for several hours. After that, it can be served with ricotta, pecorino, or bread.
Eating the spleen sandwich at Focacceria San Francesco is simply an amazing experience. The restaurant’s ambiance, as well as the surrounding environment, make everything enjoyable. If you are in Palermo for a couple of days, you will not only eat here once but a couple of times more.
It’s worth noting that Focacceria San Francesco specializes in various cuisines. They include Mediterranean food, Italian food, and delicious southern-Italian cuisine. If you love fast food or are interested in vegetarian-friendly meals, then your needs will be well-catered to while you dine here.
Learn about Plants at Orto Botanico di Palermo
There is nothing as refreshing as visiting the Orto Botanico di Palermo. The wide range of tropical plants is simply amazing. This garden is not only an academic institution but it’s one of the best places where you can interact and feel nature.
Orto Botanic di Palermo has a vast variety of tree species. With a history that dates back to 200 years ago, this garden will help you understand how certain plants evolved. Besides that, you will learn about the distribution of various tropical and subtropical plant species found in the Sicily region.
Note this garden also supports numerous variety of plant species. They have different sizes and shapes. Besides the tropical and subtropical plants, there is also a massive plant collection of the Mediterranean origin. Visiting the Orto Botanico di Palermo gives you an opportunity to understand the climatic conditions of the Palermo city. The garden supports over 12,000 living plant species. This means that’s its climate is favorable enough to accommodate massive flora and fauna.
Climb to the top of Palermo Cathedral
Climbing the top of this cathedral is definitely worth your time and money. The architectural design, as well as the Silica color of this magnificent building, will capture all your attention. It’s a place that’s rich in history that dates back to 1185. From the outside, this cathedral is impressive. The gigantic building features multiple architectural styles which simply add to its impressive appearance. This is enhanced by the beautiful additions from the Neoclassical and the renaissance period.
Walking through this phenomenal landmark will leave you in awe. Note that visiting the church is usually free. But if you want to get a view of the crypt, treasury, and the nearby area, then you have to pay. The treasury has a collection of paintings, jewelry, and objects. The crypt, on the other hand, is the cathedral’s bottom floor. It has unique granite columns which offer support and it’s well-decorated with stone coffins. With just a few euros, you can climb the top and get beautiful panoramic views of the city. This is one of the renowned places in Palermo, so, you can’t miss tourists here.
Final Thoughts
Palermo is a versatile city that’s welcoming to everybody. Whether you are interested in outdoor activity, sampling different cuisines, learning about nature, or engaging in beach activities, there is something for everyone. As Sicily’s economic and cultural center, this city has significantly evolved to become an attractive tourism capital.
As word of warning Palermo has the craziest traffic ever seen in Italy. So drive only if you are really confident dealing with lack of proper road signs, speeding vehicles, and congestions. Also many drivers do not respect the road priority so be always alert for who is around you and where he or she is going.
Mondello beach can get extremely congested during weekends and from the first weeks of June. Having said that the sea water is not the cleanest thatyou can find around. Still worth a visit to Mondello when it is not so busy.