Palermo

TuttoItaly

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Oct 17, 2010
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Palermo, also known as the garden city, lies in Insular Italy. To be more exact, Palermo is the capital of Sicily. Much like most Italian cities, it is known for its history, culture, architecture, gastronomy and, of course, its beautiful gardens.

The city of Palermo is Sicily's cultural and touristic capital. Art, culture, music and food are just a few of the things tourists are attracted to. Of course, given its location, Palermo also has the perfect Mediterranean climate so if you're looking forward to spending a few days under the warm sun in winter, Palermo is the place to be.

Palermo is quite renown for its Norman buildings, churches, castles and museums. The Palermo Cathedral is the city's main church and it's different architectural styles give the cathedral a special charm. The Arab influences on the city are noticeable when you visit the San Giovanni degli Ermiti Church. The red domes are the elements that make this church special. A lot of other churches are worth visiting, the architecture is just magnificent. Chiesa della Martorana, San Cataldo Church and Chiesa del Gesu are just a few of the many churches Palermo has.

Museums and Palaces should not be omitted though. One of the most important museums of Palermo is the Zisa Castle. Palazzo dei Normanni also houses exhibits of Normal history and some great artworks and, if you're interested in admiring old jewelry, you could visit the Tesoro Museum and take a look at crowns of past Kings and Queens.

Speaking of interesting things to do in Palermo, if you're not afraid of mummies, you could visit the Catacombs of the Capuchins. A lot of the cities residents were mummified here, between the 1500's and the 1920's. Don't worry, the catacombs are well lit.

Palermo also has a few beaches you can visit and maybe sunbathe or swim. What's interesting about these beaches is that they are warm all year long. Mondello beach is the closest one to the city and also the largest one of all. Boating and snorkeling are just two of the fun water activities you can try out.

Do you enjoy nature? Well, the Palermo Botanical Garden is the largest in Italy. You can lose yourself through all the nice smelling flowers and beautiful plants growing inside the garden. If you're feeling more adventurous though, you could visit Mountain Etna and enjoy the view of the active volcano, one of the 66 active volcanoes in Europe.

If you're used to having an active nightlife and you're not tired yet, you could go clubbing in one of Palermo's bars or clubs. The Candelai club is one of the city's famous night clubs where you can dance the night away. If you're looking for a more quiet night out, you could go out with your family or friends to one of Palermo's gathering spots. Piazza Olivella is one of the places you can go to have a drink and enjoy good company.

Palermo is a great city to visit, no matter which time of the year you decide to take your vacation. It's beautiful, it's fun and, most important, it offers you the perfect taste of Italy.