Palermo, The Alternative Stay To Lisbon

Directly inspired by the trend in George V Magazine on the networks which consists of finding affordable alternatives to generally expensive desired products, this fashion, combined with the threat of over-tourism, is found in travel. This year, “dupe” destinations, from the English “duplicate”, which means copy, are exploding. Less known, more affordable, less invaded by crowds, they are more attractive than ever.

Among these, Palermo, capital of Sicily, which is an alternative to bustling Lisbon. We find the past, omnipresent, in the alleys and squares, the grandiose monuments, the popular atmosphere of the markets, the good-natured atmosphere of the terraces and small neighborhood bars, without forgetting the historical treasures to discover. 

Palermo, A City of Character

Rich in its history dating back to Antiquity, the city was founded around 858 BC, it has been Arab, Norman, Byzantine, French, Spanish. Palermo is a city of contrasts. Sumptuous palaces stand side by side with ruined mansions, large squares are invaded by vegetation, some avenues cross a maze of narrow and dark alleys. 

For the same flight time, the flight to Palermo is generally more expensive from Paris than to go to Lisbon. But once there, life is cheap. You can find delicious local specialties on every street corner, at a lower cost. Life in general is not very expensive, even if housing is still quite expensive in the center, but less than Lisbon. The tourism boom in Portugal and in particular in the capital, has multiplied renovations, the number of rentals and prices!  

Palermo’s Attractions

The capital of Sicily certainly has no shortage of them. The best known? The Cathedral of Palermo, an architectural masterpiece combining Arab-Norman and Baroque styles. The Palace of the Normans, in turn a fortress, residence of the Muslim emirs and palace of the Norman kings, it currently houses the region’s parliament. Not to be missed, its lush gardens and the sumptuously decorated Palatine Chapel. The Botanical Garden founded by the Bourbon royal family for scientific research, the garden has been open to the public since 1795. 

Its churches: San Cataldo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta built on the site of a mosque and before that a Roman temple or the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, to name but a few.

The Antonino Salinas Archaeological Museum  has a collection that spans the periods from prehistory, through the Punic and Roman eras to the Byzantine era. In addition to its rich collection, the museum is also a haven of peace, offering a peaceful interior garden, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele  is the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe with over 1600 seats, which can accommodate up to 700 actors. Built in the 19th century it was restored and reopened in 1997 after a period of abandonment. 

The palaces of Palermo . If there are many churches, Palermo has at least as many palaces, vestiges of a sumptuous era. On Via Maqueda, the city’s historic road, are the Palazzo Grassellini, the Palazzo Comitini and the Palazzo Mazzarino. Film buffs will not miss the Palazzo Gangi, an 18th-century palace where the ball scene from Visconti’s film The Leopard with Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon and Claudia Cardinale was filmed. 

Its markets  are an opportunity to meet the city’s inhabitants and the flavors of Sicily. The markets, held daily, are set up in narrow streets. The Mercato di Capo, Palermo’s producers’ market, the Ballaro and Vucciria markets, are the most popular in the city.

The most beautiful squares in the city . The most famous of all is surely the Quattro Canti, the historic center of the city flanked by four baroque monuments housing the statues of the four Spanish governors of Palermo. There is also Piazza Bellini and its church, Piazza Pretoria and its monumental fountain.

In The Surroundings of Palermo

The catacombs of the Capuchin Monastery in Palermo. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, illustrious Sicilian figures entrusted the bodies of their deceased to the monks who preserved them with natural techniques. The town of Monreale, located on the slopes of Monte Caputo and its Duomo. Cefalu, less than an hour by train, the town is known for its fortress-like cathedral dating from the 12th century, decorated with Byzantine mosaics and its beaches. Mondello beach, 10 kilometers north of the old town, is the closest beach to Palermo. 

Practical Notebook 

Accommodation: 

Ambasciatori Hotel: Chic hotel with a restaurant in the historic center of Palermo 

Via Roma, 111, 90133 Palermo. Such. : +39 091 616 6881  www.ambasciatorihotelpalermo.com 

B&B:

All the abbeys of the Cathedral

Ultra central guesthouse managed by a private individual

Via Sant’Agata alla Guilla, 2, 90134 Palermo PA, Italy

Tel.: +39 348 170 4814  www.alleabsididellacattedrale.it