DISCOVERING ANCIENT PANORMUS
“Words cannot describe the ethereal light that floated around the coast when we arrived in Palermo on a stupendous afternoon. The purity of the surroundings, the suavity of everything, the softening of the colours, the harmony of the sky, the sea the land…those who have seen them once do not forget them for the rest of their lives..” (J. F. Goethe)
The main attractions of the city can be reached on foot within five minutes, including the Politeama Theatre, a jewel of 19th century architecture, and a little further on the Massimo Theatre, the third largest and most magnificent in Europe. The main shopping streets of Via Libertà, Via RuggeroSettimo and Via Roma are a short walk away, just like the cafés, restaurants and nightclubs.
Together with Ballarò, il Capo and la Vucciria, BorgoVecchio is one of the four historic markets of Palermo. It is situated in a sixteenth century quarter, originally inhabited by fishermen and sailors, and later by craftsmen and traders who gave it the market character it still has today. It is now also a place where many young people meet up at night at the various pubs and taverns in the area.
FOOD & WINE
IN SEARCH OF THE AUTHENTIC TASTE OF PALERMO
The taste of its famous street food, the most delicious sweets, as well as really fresh fish and the excellent gastronomic tradition of a thousand years of history. In Palermo the palate holds an eminent position. The city is the quintessential place for good food. The centre of the city offers a wide range of pubs, restaurants and eateries for a quick lunch, elegant dining or an aperitif.
The best in street food is to be found in the Capo, Ballarò and Vucciria markets, which are worth a visit in any case,because of their unique atmosphere.The colours, sounds and smells will make you want to lose yourself among the stalls, piled high with meat, fish and vegetables. You can taste “frittola” (fried offal), “panic’a’meuza” (bread roll with spleen), bread rolls with “panelle” (fried squares of chick pea flour) and “crocché” (potato croquettes), “stigghiola” (lamb guts), “sfincione” (a type of pizza) and many other kinds of Palermo street food.
If you have a sweet tooth, you just cannot miss a visit to the most important patisseries of Palermo, for a “cannolo” filled before your very eyes, a brioche with ice cream or a slice of Sicilian cassata.
The area of Piazza Olivella and Via dell’Orologio is one of the central points of the city’s nightlife. It is full of places to have an aperitif, taste some street food or listen to a live concert. A sandwich and a beer late at night can always be found in Via deiChiavettieri, the street that leads to the Vucciria market square, and in the area of Piazza Rivoluzione and Piazza Sant’Anna, which are lively late into the night.
SHOPPING
HIGH FASHION, AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SPECIALITIES, CERAMICS AND REGIONAL CRAFTS.
A visit to Palermo should certainly include a shopping trip in search of the best that this great city has to offer. Via Libertà and Via Ruggero Settimo are the main shopping streets, where you will find boutiques selling the most exclusive high fashion designer labels and the signs of the biggest names in jewelry and luxury goods. There is also a wide range of international chain stores with clothes, accessories, household goods, books and music.
Big names, and also small shops dedicated to making Sicilian crafts, where you can buy the island’s traditional colorful ceramics or the regional agricultural and food specialties.
