Palermo Half Day Excursion

Overview

Palermo, the largest city on the largest island in the Mediterranean. It is famous for its food, its beautiful churches and castles, and the charm of its bustling (often hectic) streets. An ancient city dating back well over two thousand seven hundred years, it has a long and complex history. With your Through Eternity guide you will unpack that fascinating history while sampling a little of the sun soaked culture of this most Mediterranean of cities.

Description

Palermo sits on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the north side of the island of Sicily. In its many iterations it has been Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman and Italian. All these cultures are reflected in its streets. Sicily could make a claim to be the most invaded place in history, with everyone wanting a piece of it over the centuries. When you come to Palermo it is not difficult to see why. This four hour tour of the city leaving from the cruise port pier will give a great overview of the city, some its most important sites while delving into the streets that make Palermo so special.

Some highlights of your tour with Through Eternity include:

 

Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina

On the highest hill in the town stands an extraordinary building. Originally constructed as an Arab palace before the invasion of the Normans, it is now home to the Sicilian parliament. The great Norman adventurers of the 11th and 12th centuries changed Europe and their legacy is as strongly felt in Sicily as anywhere. Robert “the fox” de Hauteville and his descendants founded a kingdom that would last all the way up until the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Nowhere is the glory of the Normans better felt than in the Cappella Palatina, with stunning mosaics that dazzle to this day.

 

Palermo Specialities

Palermo has Michelin star restaurants and fine dining of your choice, which your Through Eternity guide will be happy to recommend. It is in street food that this city stands out in our opinion, and on this tour as we walk you will be able to sample some classics. Arancini are always a winner, fried rice balls stuffed with various fillings. Saint Lucy, is the patron saint of the blind, and in Sicily on her feast day these balls of flavor are traditionally eaten. For the more adventurous souls on our trip you could always try Stigghiola, veal or lamb intestine covered in spices and grilled. It is excellent, though not for the faint of heart.

Palermo Cathedral

The Cathedral of Palermo dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary serves as a microcosm of Palermo’s rich history. Numerous different styles proliferate from Norman to Neoclassical. There are no clean lines in history and this building is a textbook example of this, the influence left and felt by different architectural styles through the centuries. Its famous portico leads into a treasure trove of art through the centuries and a burial place for kings, queens and emperors. Keep an eye out for the heliometer, a type of astronomical measure, projecting the summer and winter solstices on the floor of the Cathedral.

Explore this and more with your expert Through Eternity guide on our tour of Palermo!

 

Our Tour

Our tour is designed for visitors to have a good grounding in the city for further exploration. Or particularly for visitors from the cruise terminal who may have limited time in the city and it can leave from the cruise ship pier. This would be a perfect option to get the most from your time in Palermo. Wear comfortable shoes, we cover a good amount of ground at an easy pace on this tour. The tour includes admission to sites, transportation and an expert guide from Through Eternity.