any ideas for palermo?????

[eliopia]

hi,we have a whole day in palermo,can t decide what is the best way to spend it,any must see???ship tours or easy to do it on our own???????????

[carlmm]

Palermo is very easy to do on your own, either walking or using buses/taxis. You could spend a couple of days there. The city was founded in the eighth century BC and is full of history from the last thousand years.

The minimum to visit are the cathedral and the Capella Palatina.

The cathedral hosts for example the tombs of several Sicilan kings including Frederick II (also emperor of Germany) who was buried in 1250.

In the impressiv 12th century Palazzo dei Normans (named after the Normans who enlarged and refitted the magnificent structure) you will find the splendid Capella Palatina, representing the apex of the Arabo-Norman genius and build from 1130 to 1140 when it was adorned with extraordinary Byzantine mosaic. Important, impressive and just beautiful.

 

With a good guidebook or map you can find many other gems im Palermo. Churches like San Francesco d'Assisi (1255-1277), ruins like those of San Giovanni degli Eremiti with its monastery and gardens, the Fontana Pretoria (mid 15th century) and the lively street markets are just examples.

Well worth to visit is also the Palazzo Mirto. This palace date froms the 18th century and remains as it was with its original furnishing. The last family member lived there until, if I remember right, something like 1970. While many buildings in old Palermo are almost destructed and even this looks from the outside quite badly, you can see how Sicilian noble families lived in better days.

 

Plenty to see. Enjoy.

[eliopia]

thank u for that many information ,looking forward to visit all these places,can u please tell me how to get to town from the port?is it far?any recommendations for where to eat???thank u again.

[carlmm]

You are welcome.

The cruise terminal is right in the city. When you leave it, the most historic part of the town is to your left.

It is best to get a map beforehand or right at the port. The furthest point away, you probably want to walk to, is the Norman palace, maybe 45 minutes if you do not rush but ignore all the other sights on the way.

Yet, as said there is so much more to see. With a map you can easily determine the location of the places you like to see and find your way.

 

If walking all day is too much for you, of course taxis are available.

If you walk straight ahead from the terminal your reach a huge square with a theatre. From here you can take a bus which runs along a major streets with many 19th/early 20th century buildings and passes the cathedrale before reaching the palace. Bus tickets need to be bought at a tabacchi, a tobaco shop.

[eliopia]

this is what we will do,we will take the bus to the palace and walk our way back through the city,thank u ,you were a great help.

[CoralReef]

There is a very helpful website at www.seepalermo.com .

 

We are planning to bus to Monreale first, then come back to Palermo and walk around and see the Norman Palace/Palatine Chapel... then maybe one of the markets, or the botanical garden. We also plan to visit at least one pastry shop!

[eliopia]

thank u susan for the link ,it is very helpful ,hope u will enjoy your trip ,waiting for your report when u get back.:)

[swcruise]

There is also a HOHO bus in Palermo, the tickets can be bought at the terminal and the bus is up the main street outside the terminal. It is a nice way to see Palmero and while away a few hours. We found a number of nice restaurants near the port which is suprised me as they usually get better the further up town. I am sorry that I can't remember their names. One was on a corner on the left hand side of the street as you head up town from the port, the 2nd was a local food shop where we bought water and round the back they had the most amazing place that made pizza, salads, spaghetti etc. Delicious...