Travel: Things you must try, see and do in your first trip to Palermo (Sicily)

Palermo bedda which in Sicilian means beautiful Palermo and I completely agree – it was not only beautiful but also enchanting and so wonderful experience that brings you back in centuries and let’s you grasp a piece of history and life back than. People seems be appreciating every moment of the life, always smiling and so friendly wherever you go.  Maybe one of the main reasons for this happiness and goodness is the finger-lickin’ good food because we all know that full stomach makes happy heart.

This was my first time in Sicily and I must say I fulfill almost all the things from my Palermo wish list I prepared upon leaving.

The first thing we did, after we arrived and settled down in our apartment (I have started practice to use Airbnb) right around the heart of old town, we headed for a lunch at the nearby bar/pub/restaurant – Moltivolti which is great for place for lunch, quick bite or evening chill with live music as they organize events*.

Despite of waking up before the sunrise to hit the airport me and my boyfriend were ready to explore the old streets of the Palermo. After filling up our bellies we got armed with a map, charged camera and phones and wearing comfy shoes we hit the road. For our surprise the city was a lot smaller than we imagined so already in first day we managed to see a huge part of the center.

As said our apartment owner – you do not need map nor directions – you must live and explore on foot the city and this is what we did and it was the best advice ever, because we saw many places, side way streets and corners that we might have missed if just stuck to a strict tourist destinations.

One of the amazing things of Palermo is it’s cathedrals with wonderful ceiling paintings and colored glass mosaics.

At this corner are crossing the main roads and are found a famous Pretoria Fountain to make your wish.

Around also this corner is a great places for aperetivo and many artist shops where you can find from colorful ceramics to vintage shops.

I was absolutely smitten with the colors and typical Sicilian patterns in their table ware that I wanted to have them all, but stick just to a wonderful appetizer plate.

Continuing our sightseeing exploring tour we headed to to port and on our way we stopped at this park – Gardino Garibaldi which had wonderful trees and right along it was also a street vendors of jeweler and accessories.

..and than heading for a slow walk to the port. It’s perfect for a morning run or bicycle ride along the cost.

Not far away from the port was also San Domenico square with it’s small stores and sidewalk bars, lovely cathedral and la Vucciria street market (which nowadays are more a hang out place at weekends for young people at night and a small market at day).

La Vucciria (pronounced “vucchi-rEEa”) street market that’s one of the oldest Palermo’s street markets founded hundreds of years ago and can find some street vendors and bars. At night it gets live(especially on Saturday night) when young people goes there to hang out, have a street food or drinks.

Seemed that horse and carriage rides are quite popular for tourists heading to Palermo, what’s for me – I do not support this kind of animal torture in the city where the poor horse had to run on the hot asphalt streets.

This pictures were taken at Obicà mozzarella bar on a rooftop of a Rinascente shopping center. Wonderful Neapolitan restaurant with a view to the mountains and city. Absolute must try both – shopping and Mozarella bar (they serves even pizza, cocktails or lovely breakfast).  Good place to have a refreshing drink after walking all day.

Here are my Palermo must-see places on a map.

I always try to make my wish list at Google maps prior going, as comes handy before as well as after to share some tips.

You can also download my PDF map here to print out and take with you or if you want an elaborated Palermo guide – check out the Trip-Tipp complete Palermo sightseeing guide with pictures, maps and suggestions here.

That’s from the city views and first day, Palermo beach and teh rest of the trip will come up soon.

*My food experience stories will follow up on Food Friday post, so stay tuned*.