Location: Province of Palermo
Top Things to do in Province of Palermo
What to do and see in Province of Palermo, Sicily: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do
The Province of Palermo (Italian: provincia di Palermo; Sicilian: pruvincia di Palermu) was a province in the autonomous region of Sicily, a major island in Southern Italy. Its capital was the city of Palermo. On August 4, 2015, it was replaced by the Metropolitan City of Palermo.
Restaurants in Province of Palermo
1. Museum of tiles Stanze al Genio
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 581 reviews
Reservations required!! The museum is open year round for a visit but you must book your visit by email or phone. For reservations just call a few hours before the appointment and agree to the tour. The visits are carried out only in Italian / english.
Reviewed By 344lindag - Province of Arezzo, Italy
I'm not sure how a museum can be so unassuming from the outside yet is a real gem inside. There is only a small name on the buzzer to enter but what lies inside is wall to wall ceramic tiles and also displays of vintage pieces and furniture. Entrance fee included a personal guided tour in english or italian. A wonderful experience.
2. Palazzo Conte Federico
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 787 reviews
The palazzo is in the center of the old city only a few steps away from the Norman Palace. the Cathedral and the Market Ballarò. The oldest part of the palace is an Arab-Norman Tower of the 12th century. You can observe verious architectural styles, high painted ceilings of the 15th century, baroque ceiling frescoes by Vito D'Anna and Gaspare Serenario, various collections and original furniture. Since Count Federico's family, which can be followed back to the Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich II, has lived in this palace for centuries, the personal atmosphere makes a visit to this historical building a unique experience.
Reviewed By debm224
Small group tours with a member of the Federico family, who have lived in this fascinating historic building for many generations. A Norman tower from the original Palermo city wall is incorporated into the palazzo, and the history of the city is demonstrated with examples from renovations and additions. This is also a family home, with the cat’s climbing frame, portable heaters etc sitting alongside old treasures. We were welcomed by one of the sons, who was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic to share the family history - it was a highlight of our visit to Palermo.
3. Museo del Motorismo Siciliano e della Targa Florio di Termini Imerese
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 212 reviews
Reviewed By 299marcelj - Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil
During Targa Florio Classica in October this year we visited this wonderful place owned by Nuccio Salemi. Nuccio immediately opens litterally all doors for you and makes you feel welcome as if you are part of his family. And to be honest, within an hour you actually ARE part of the family. What a coincidence that the artist who made the wall painting also was present. You can see him on the picture next to Nuccio. Dear Nuccio, thanks again for your warm welcome and great hospitality. Keep up the good work, and we surely will be back! Kind regards, Marcel Joris, Netherlands
4. Nobile e Monumentale Chiesa dell'Immacolata Concezione al Capo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 272 reviews
Reviewed By patriciamP6718EZ
I agree with the reviewers who found the baroque beautiful and overwhelming. One feature that I found stunning was the use of Pietra Dure on four side altars. The guides said this was not Florentine artistry, but native Palermitans who executed it, making it all the more remarkable. Realizing it was built in 1622 it is a wonder that it was built directly across the street from the more ancient church of Sant Ippolito, which was the parish seat from 1309. So, don't miss that church if it's opened when you visit.
5. Museo dell'Acciuga
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 301 reviews
A Museum that narrates the history of Anchovy, from the legend to present days, through ancient documents, tools used for fishing and salting.
Reviewed By rosannabalistreri - San Diego, United States
If you happen to be near Aspra, you cannot miss to visit the Museo delle acciughe (museum of anchovies). The props that recreate a snapshot of life in Sicily as a fisherman, the stories explained by the savvy and witty Michelangelo Balistreri together with his way of singing you through every corner of the museum with local poetry in Sicilian dialect make it all a unique and extraordinary experience. I don’t want to give you any spoilers, but if you are familiar with some of the best Sicilia cinematography, I promise you will live an emotional moment in one particular room - I know I did! Michelangelo will win you over with his incredible knowledge of facts and history paired with an outstanding sense of humor.
6. Gastronomia Armetta dal 1926
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By W7668NSgianlucal
If you visit Palermo, you can’t skip this wonderful shop. You will find here the best food ever, especially cheese, salami, ham and excellent wine. Teresa and Gino, the 2 owners, are really experts in local food and will take care of your desires???? If you are a Slow Food addicted, don’t miss it ..... Gianluca
7. Oratorio di Santa Cita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 676 reviews
Reviewed By conrad57 - Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
A must see in Palermo. Religious baroc architecture, overwhelming beauty of religious / historical sculptures and baby figures. Take a brocure or a guide to read and know more details about the figures and art, it will for sure make your visit more interesting and detailed
8. Chiesa del Gesu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,250 reviews
Reviewed By edinburgher2 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Tucked away in a side street in old Palermo and in close proximity to Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria and Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana) so very easy to visit all three. We didn’t visit the crypt or the museum, only paid the E2 to visit the church interior. Entering inside, expect one of these “jaw -dropping moments” as the interior is almost overwhelming. The more you look at individual carvings, the more detail you see and the skill of the carvers is obvious. Hours could be spent here. Cannot recommend this enough. The high ratings are totally justified.
9. Oratorio di San Lorenzo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 583 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
This is a tiny but stunning chapel to the left of St Francis’ church. I might have overlooked it but I was intrigued by the story of the stolen Carravaggio painting that was taken from the altar of the small chapel one night in 1969. Listed on the FBI’s list Top 10 Art Crimes, the nativity scene is the most valuable still-missing work of art in the world. Who stole it remains a mystery and it’s never been recovered. To add to the poignancy, it was one of the last paintings Carravaggio did. A year after completing it, he had died in unknown circumstances at just 38 years old. A life-size copy hangs in its place instead. Although it was the art-heist story that drew me in initially, the oratory really was very beautiful. Splashes of gold around the altar highlight the pure white of the rest of the oratory. The interior is entirely covered with snowy white stucco ‘putti’ (cherubs) and scenes from the lives of St Frances and St Lawrence. I’ve heard it called the cave of white coral. It really does look a lot like that. It is only small (just the one room) but the decoration is so detailed that we spent some time there. The cherubs are a playful tangle of chubby limbs and baby wings and are just gorgeous. It struck me that it would be impossible to concentrate on prayer and not be distracted by these fanciful, lively creatures. Other details include the exquisitely detailed mahogany pews, patterned with mother-of-pearl and ivory and the gruesome scene of St Lawrence who was painfully and slowly martyred by being tied to an iron grill over a fire of coals. In a brilliant display of bravado, he is supposed to have said before dying, “I am well done. Turn me over”. TIP - the ‘Circuito del Sacro’ ticket gives you a discount off the entry price for this and a dozen or so other churches. Just ask for it at the first church you visit.
10. Palazzo Mirto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 587 reviews
Reviewed By ClaudLondon - London, United Kingdom
I loved this Palazzo. The visit is like travelling back in time and see how the aristocracy used to live 250 years ago in Europe. Silk wall coverings to every room, fine furniture, murano crystal chandeliers, precious finishes, exotic porcelains...A mix of rococò, neoclassic and Empire styles. They even have period carriages on display on the ground floor. The visit is self guided. The visitors are supplied with a guide translated in many languages and the staff is very kind. Ticket is as cheap as €6. Would recommend it!!
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