Palermo

4 quieter places to add to the big sights: viewpoints, markets, walks, small museums and local favourites.

4 places in Palermo

Hidden Gems~£3

Capuchin Catacombs

Cuba

A macabre underground gallery of preserved bodies, a unique piece of Sicilian history.

  • Suggested time: 45 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Daily, roughly 9:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00

Hidden Gems~£6

La Zisa

Zisa

A Norman-Arab summer palace with a cool, mosaic-lined hall and a fountain, built in the 12th century.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Closed some Mondays

Hidden Gems~£5

Palermo Botanical Garden

Kalsa

A 19th-century botanical garden of huge trees and glasshouses, a peaceful escape from the busy centre.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Outdoor lovers

Daily

Hidden GemsFree

Cefalù

Cefalù

A pretty seaside town with a Norman cathedral, a sandy beach and a pretty old harbour, an hour east of Palermo by train.

  • Suggested time: Full day
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Beach lovers

Open all day

Hidden gems are the quieter alternatives to the headline sights. Prices, hours and booking advice are approximate, so check the official site before you go.

The big sights in Palermo