Destinations – City Guide

Palermo

The cathedral and the Fontana Pretoria, Teatro Massimo and the Quattro Canti, street markets and lanes of the old town, Mondello beach, the restaurants and hotels from our Palermo directories, with Monreale and Cefalù, in photos.

126 photos and clips

The Foro Italico seafront and the old port, with Monte Pellegrino beyond

Sunrise light over Palermo and the Conca d'Oro hills

The rooftops of Palermo glowing at sunset under a dramatic sky

The port of Palermo at dusk, below the cliffs of Monte Pellegrino

The sun setting behind a Baroque dome above Piazza Pretoria and its fountain

The Fontana Pretoria seen from above, with the dome of Santa Caterina

The marble statues and stairs of the Fontana Pretoria in warm light

Sixteenth-century statues on the Fontana Pretoria

The Baroque facade of the Quattro Canti, where Via Maqueda meets Via Vittorio Emanuele

The rooftops of Palermo Cathedral at dusk, with the dome and pinnacles

The walkway on the cathedral roof, leading towards its bell tower

The Arab-Norman towers of Palermo Cathedral

Palermo Cathedral rising above the palms of its garden

The Gothic arches linking Palermo Cathedral to the archbishop's palace on Via Matteo Bonello

A cathedral bell tower against the mountains that ring Palermo

The cathedral dome and towers against the hills of the Conca d'Oro

A majolica-tiled dome above the rooftops of the old town

The red domes of the Arab-Norman church of San Cataldo

The columns of Teatro Massimo, with one of its bronze lions

A bronze lion sculpture between the palms outside Teatro Massimo

Teatro Politeama Garibaldi and its bronze chariot in late-afternoon light

Piazza San Domenico, with its column, palms and Baroque church

Palms and paths of a garden below a dome in central Palermo

Monte Pellegrino above the bell towers and roofs of the centre

A narrow lane of balconies opening onto a sunlit dome

The cathedral glimpsed at the end of a narrow street of balconies

Mondello beach and its villas at golden hour, seen from above

Cliffs above the coast at Mondello, seen from the air

Turquoise water and limestone cliffs in the bay of Mondello

The Liberty-style bathing pavilion on its pier at Mondello

Rows of umbrellas along the shore at Mondello, from above

Fishing boats in the small harbour of Mondello

The mosaic columns of the cloister of Monreale Cathedral

The golden mosaics of Monreale Cathedral, a short ride from Palermo

Cefalù at golden hour, between its rock and the Tyrrhenian Sea

Cefalù from above, an easy day trip along the coast from Palermo

The Norman cathedral of Cefalù framed by palms

Café tables along a quiet street in the old centre

A three-wheeled Ape van on a street leading towards the cathedral

An Ape van and passers-by in a lane below a Baroque dome

Coloured lights strung across a sunlit street

Crochet decorations hung between the balconies of a street

Market awnings filling a street of the old town, seen from above

Stalls of fruit and vegetables in one of Palermo's street markets

A scooter and a red car in a narrow lane of ochre walls

A Vespa parked in front of street art in the old town

An orange tree heavy with fruit below a balcony

A small fruit and vegetable shop with garlic hung by the door

A Liberty-era corner palazzo in central Palermo

Sicilian lemons piled high at a Palermo market

Pomegranates, citrus and a pineapple on a market stall

Boiled octopus with lemon, a Palermo street-market classic

Tomatoes, aubergines and greens at a Palermo grocer

Oranges and split pomegranates on a market stall

A dish finished with an edible flower at Aja Mola

An octopus dish on a blue table at Aja Mola

Tables laid with flowers on the seafront terrace of Alle Terrazze

The terrace of Alle Terrazze looking across the turquoise bay

Pots steaming in the kitchen of Bisso Bistrot

Baroque facades and a dome seen from outside Bisso Bistrot

Vintage furniture and the bar inside Buatta Cucina Popolana

Shelves of vinyl records and books at Buatta Cucina Popolana

A bowl of noodle soup with egg at Bye Bye Blues

An oyster and small tasting plates with a glass of red at Bye Bye Blues

A cassata-style dessert in a cut-glass bowl at Charleston

White tables among plants on the terrace of Charleston

A beccafico dish served beside a copy of Il Gattopardo at Charleston

Filled pasta with crisp pork and herbs at CR21

Ring pasta with mussels and herbs at CR21

The dining room of CR21 with its green chairs

An oyster on a bed of seaweed at Gagini

A raw fish course in a stoneware bowl at Gagini

A glazed dish with a green sauce at Gagini

Palms and the sea beyond the veranda of Il Delfino

Spaghetti with clams at Il Delfino

Fried red prawns at Il Delfino

The shaded outdoor terrace of L'Ottava Nota in the Kalsa

The kitchen pass below the lettering of Locale Palermo

Vintage frames and guitars on the walls of Locale Palermo

A set table near the bar at Locale Palermo

A plated course with gold cutlery at Mec Restaurant

A bright green soup on white linen at Mec Restaurant

A fish course with a green sauce at Mec Restaurant

A plated dessert in warm candlelight at Osteria Ballarò

A pasta dish served at Osteria Ballarò

A dish crowned with crisp greens at Osteria Ballarò

A bottle of wine on a set table at Osteria dei Vespri

The vaulted dining room of Osteria dei Vespri

Sauce poured at the table at Osteria dei Vespri

Checked tablecloths under the lemon tree on the terrace of Osteria Maqueda

A citrus dessert at the restaurant of Palazzo Branciforte

Baked pasta in a cast-iron pot at the restaurant of Palazzo Branciforte

Seared tuna with peppers and olives at the restaurant of Palazzo Branciforte

The dining room of Quattro Mani with its large colourful paintings

Red prawns with tempura at Quattro Mani

A plate of pasta held up inside Taverna dei Canti

A dessert decorated with candied fruit at Trattoria del Massimo

The entrance of Trattoria del Massimo

Red and white tables in the dining room of Trattoria del Massimo

A pan of pasta with toasted breadcrumbs at Vossìa

The garden pool of Bastione Spasimo seen from above

The facade and garden of Bastione Spasimo

A room under a stone vault at Bastione Spasimo

A guest room at Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel

A planted terrace over the rooftops at Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel

The courtyard plunge pool among banana plants at Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel

Marble columns and chandeliers in a hall of Eurostars Centrale Palace

The marble lobby of Grand Hotel et des Palmes

The winter garden with a grand piano at Grand Hotel et des Palmes

The terrace restaurant of Grand Hotel et des Palmes with a view of the hills

The cloister lounge of Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa

The lobby of Hotel Federico II Central Palace

A dining room at Hotel Federico II Central Palace

A room with a Palermo mural at Hotel Federico II Central Palace

Breakfast on the terrace of Mondello Glam Hotel, overlooking the bay

A hot tub on the terrace of Mondello Glam Hotel

A bright Prestige room at Mondello Glam Hotel

A room at Palazzo Balsamo with tiled floor and a balcony door

A junior suite at Palazzo Balsamo in soft natural light

Fresh pastries and honeycomb at breakfast at Palazzo Balsamo

The facade of Palazzo Brunaccini

A suite with a white sofa at Palazzo Brunaccini

Breakfast on a balcony with flowers at Palazzo Brunaccini

The patterned corridor carpet of Palazzo Cartari

A bedroom with embroidered cushions at Palazzo Cartari

Where to eat, stay and walk, with practical tips for your visit.

Read the Destinations – City Guide

Photographers and venues are credited on each image.