Unique Places in Palermo

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Located right in the belly on Palermo’s historic quarter, is the Mercato Ballaro. Ballaro is Palermo at its finest, serving up its best eats, drinks, and fresh produce and seafood in the city. Even though you may feel like you are in an Istanbul bazaar, you are still in Italy, where food remains the key to everything. If you are not in the mood to buy things, and cheap eats is your thing, well you are exactly in the right place! Ballaro is home to the best street food in the city. Try il pane con la milza, which is a sandwich made with some type of cow stomach, or something like that. If you just were completely grossed out with what I just said, try pane panella, a sandwich filled with a chickpea flatbread. Both are true delicacies of this great city.
After a quick and satisfying lunch, you must be ready to explore one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen. Located just off the road from the market, the Chiesa del Gesu' in the Casa Professa, is known around Italy for being an ornate and magnificent work of art. This cathedral is steeped in rich history, and is one of the most important baroque churches in Palermo.
Exploring Ballaro and the Casa Professa can make up a great early afternoon. If you are looking to be relaxed, this may not be your place. The market is usually a bit crowded, but it is crowded with locals, not tourists-this will make you feel like you really are Sicilian.

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Palermo makes a great base for exploring the western part of Sicily. Lots of places are within easy reach for a day trip so whether you have your own transport or are using public transport to get around you could certainly see some more of Sicily before you leave.

If a little bit of Greek Classicism takes your fancy, Segesta's Doric temple and theatre complex is about as good as it gets. Although it was never finished, the temple remains one of the most perfectly preserved in all the ancient world. With its 36 Doric columns, entablature and geisons (gables) all but completely intact and set in a truly idyllic lposition among hills and fields it's beautiful from any angle, but the best views of all is to be had from the road that winds up the hill to the theatre on the other side of the valley. A shuttle bus does the run up to the theatre, which is also in excellent condition.

It's easy to get to Segesta if you have your own transport. Whether you take the autostrada (the A29 to Tapani) or minor roads via Monreale and Alcamo, the scenery along the way on both routes is wonderful. The aurostrada's a bit longer (about 70km), the other route is shorter (50km) but much slower. Doing the trip as a loop you could visit Monreale in the morning and move on to Segesta after lunch - what a nice day that would be.

The isolation of the site makes access by public transport a little difficult, though by no means impossible and, realistically, Segesta would have to be your sole destination that day. There are no direct buses but there are 3 trains a day and the temple's a 20 minute walk from the station. Timetables to and from Segesta may help you decide whether to do it this way or book a day trip. Pack a picnic or eat at the restaurant at the site.

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Tindari is famous for both impressive Greek ruins of Tyndaris and the sanctuary with the black Madonna.
At first go to Patti, from the main square of the city there are buses to Tindari, but it goes quite rarely.

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Caccamo - on 521m high -is a day trip from Palermo.
At first you have to go to Termini Imerese (there is a frequent train service between Palermo and Termini), then you can go up by bus. The bus leaves in front of the Termini I. train station. It runs quite rarely, try to cath a morning bus.
From Caccamo there are fabulous views of the surrounding countryside. The castle was built by the Normans in XI.century. The medieval streets are very charming.

If you’re looking for a quieter spot away from the traffic the Piazza Indipendenza at the south end of the Corsa Vittorio Emanuele makes a good stop. Old men play cards, children chase each other, and the cats chase the pigeons. There are several sunny benches and a couple of cafes only a stone’s throw away.

I do not remeber the name of this little restaurant in Via Vittorio Emanuele.
Bur it was wonderful to have dinner just out on the balcony overhanging the street.
So when you are walking, remember to rise your nose up, you can make some funny discoveries.

When you wanna go to swim or just sunbathe... usually everybody goes to mondello... but if you don't like the crowdy beaches then you can go to "Addaura" or "Capogallo"... the sea water is cleaner and you can swim......

This fine building of 1750 must have originally been a palace, although poorhouses were often lavish in those days. (no further info). This one is used for temporary exhibits as was the case when we went there to catch up with an elusive Antonello which usually is in Cefalu. The show was modest as to quality of content. Anyway it is long gone. Luckily it is near the Catacombe del Cappuccini, so if there is a reason to go here, you can combine the visits. Otherwise this picture is the only sight. The address is Corso Calatafimi 217.