13 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Palermo - Atlas Obscura

Unusual
Attractions
in Palermo

Capuchin Monastery Catacombs

Catacombs with thousands of well-dressed mummies.

The Martorana

This mosaic-lined medieval church was built by the world's first admiral and still holds mass in ancient Greek.

Santuario di Santa Rosalia

Cave shrine on Monte Pellegrino.

San Giovanni degli Eremiti

Behind medieval walls in a corner of bustling Palermo is a breathtaking former mosque once inhabited by a wolf-taming hermit.

Cappella Palatina

Every inch of this chapel is covered in craftsmanship from across the world.

Palazzo Chiaramonte

Haunting graffiti left by prisoners of the Spanish Inquisition.

La Zisa

This Arabesque Italian castle was built with a primitive, if ingenious, air-conditioning system.

Porta Nuova

This triumphal 16th-century arched gateway leads to the oldest street in Palermo.

See All 13 Things to Do in Palermo See All 13 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Palermo

Brioche con Gelato

Some Sicilians start their day with this decadent combination.

Cassata Siciliana

The seductively delicious Easter cake once made an entire convent neglect its prayers.

Frutta Martorana

Sicilian nuns once hung these sugary "fruits" from tree branches.

Stigghiola

The streets of Palermo are filled with the smell of succulent, sizzling lamb intestines.

See all 5 things to eat in Palermo See all 5 things to eat in Palermo

Atlas Obscura Trips

Sailing Sardinia’s Hidden Coastlines

Community Forums / Southern Europe / Italy

Top Discussions in the Italy Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Mi presento	2 October 7, 2019	490	October 7, 2019
Palazzo Altieri	1 September 26, 2019	365	September 26, 2019
Orto di Olmo	1 November 14, 2019	144	November 14, 2019
Departing Seattle the week of Oct. 1st. for Italy	2 September 18, 2019	247	September 18, 2019
Villa San Marco	1 October 30, 2019	384	October 30, 2019

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Palermo, Italy

Launch Map

Palermo Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Palermo Activity

phantwan wants to go to Capuchin Monastery Catacombs

stsuleymanov has been to La Zisa

jennymo wants to go to The Martorana

jennymo has been to Galleria delle Vittorie

esterakostanjsek wants to go to Capuchin Monastery Catacombs