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.

Added by CPilgrim

The Martorana

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

Joel Cusumano

Added by Joel Cusumano

Santuario di Santa Rosalia

Cave shrine on Monte Pellegrino.

atimian

Added by atimian

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.

Joel Cusumano

Added by Joel Cusumano

Cappella Palatina

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

The F

Palazzo Chiaramonte

Haunting graffiti left by prisoners of the Spanish Inquisition.

Added by marcohilo

La Zisa

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

The F

Porta Nuova

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

Dr Alan P Newman

Added by Dr Alan P Newman

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

Unique
Food & Drink
in Palermo

Cassata Siciliana

Gastro Obscura

Cassata Siciliana

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

Gastro Obscura

Susan Van Allen

Added by Susan Van Allen

Brioche con Gelato

Gastro Obscura

Brioche con Gelato

Some Sicilians start their day with this decadent combination.

Gastro Obscura

CLWakenshaw

Added by CLWakenshaw

Frutta Martorana

Gastro Obscura

Frutta Martorana

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

Gastro Obscura

Abbey Perreault

Added by Abbey Perreault

Stigghiola

Gastro Obscura

Stigghiola

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

Gastro Obscura

Dr Alan P Newman

Added by Dr Alan P Newman

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

Atlas Obscura Trips

Rome Behind Locked Doors: Music, Magic, and Secret Crypts

Join us as we go beneath Rome’s streets and behind its locked doors to explore hidden and overlooked places, witnessing a capital city that most tourists rarely experience—strange, magical, and filled with intrigue.

Community Forums / Southern Europe / Italy

Top Discussions in the Italy Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Where is your favorite place to eat and see something unusual in Rome?	1 July 23, 2019	571	July 23, 2019
Uffizi Gallery Trip	3 July 30, 2019	396	July 30, 2019
Stumbling Stones of Rome	3 July 24, 2019	534	July 24, 2019
Recognize authentic Murano Glass	3 June 18, 2019	506	June 18, 2019
'Il Babuino' ('The Baboon')	1 July 26, 2019	284	July 26, 2019

New Post Visit the Forum

Explore Palermo, Italy

Launch Map

Palermo Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Palermo Activity

minagrandolfo wants to go to San Giovanni degli Eremiti

minagrandolfo wants to go to Palazzo Chiaramonte

minagrandolfo has been to Cappella Palatina

minagrandolfo has been to Santuario di Santa Rosalia

minagrandolfo wants to go to Cappella Palatina