Official Language:
Italian
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Currency:
EUR
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Population:
Approximately 690,000 people call Palermo home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Palermo Sicily Italy: May through September, the summer cruising months are the best time to visit. The warmest months are July and August, reaching daily highs of about 84°F/28°C from June to September, nightly lows around 54°F/12°C.best time to visit the spring and autumn months, in particular the periods from the middle of April to the middle of June and September-October.
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As cruise passengers will discover, Palermo, the capital of Sicily is a beautiful city situated on a crescent-shaped bay on the island's north coast. Often said to be the crossroads of civilization, Palermo was at one time the intellectual capital of southern Europe.
People from all over the world and all different cultures visit here quite often most especially due to its location. It has a unique blend of Arab-Norman cultures mixed with Byzantine and Jews as well.
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Attractions |
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Visit the Great Arab-Norman buildings including the Cappella Palatina, La Martorana, San Giovanni degli Eremiti and, the Cathedral of Monreale. Don't miss the Archaeological Museum and the Regional Gallery. Visitors to Palermo will find that there is an almost Oriental feel to it.
Visit the Quattro Canti, or Four Corners, the monumental crossroads laid out back in 1608-1620 at the central intersection of the four longest and straightest streets of the city. You will find that most sights are located along three major streets: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Maqueda and Via Roma. Palermo is very historical, interesting and enjoyable place to be.
Visit the Greek Temples, Cities and Amphitheatres Akrai. Also visit the theater and the remains of a 6th century BC temple dedicated to Aphrodite, as well as a series of stone figures dedicated to the goddess Sibyl.Agrigento.atania.Cefalù. Objects have been found dating from 800 BC, but the settlement was essentially Greek. The temple was built around 550 BC and an amphitheatre built somewhat later. The best way to get around is by taxi. Although most drivers speak only a few words of English, it's the best way to get around. Parking is horrendous in Palermo, and it's difficult to find your way around. Many of the major sights are not within walking distance of each other--just tell the driver
where to go and where to wait.
Parks and Nature Reserves
Alcantara Gorge:
The woods around the gorge are actually quite small, but this scenic site, on the lcantara River off Route 185 (between Taormina and Mount Etna), offers a pleasant glimpse of Etna's geological influence on the surrounding countryside. The water that flows through this basalt formation is always cool, and bathing is permitted during the summer months.
Ficuzza:
Large woods and wildlife sanctuary on the Bourbon Royal Estate near Corleone.
Fiumefreddo:
Small nature reserve along the river of this name near Calatabiano, between Taormina and Catania.
La Favorita and Mount Pellegrino
: Located on the edge of Palermo is Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve. Located near Scopello, a coastal village about 10 kilometers west of Castellamare del Golfo, this reserve is the home of flora and fauna typical of Sicily. For the most part, these are woods and bushlands.
Visit Aragona, a few miles south of Agrigento. and Mount Etna, Sicily's largest nature reserve.
Visit the many medieval castles and towers in Aci Castello, Coastal fortress near Catania, Norman-Angevin, & Alcamo. The Norman Era castle is in the center of this town between Palermo and Trapani; there are several other medieval structures in this locality. The castle retains some medieval elements.
Visit Ventimiglia Castle in Catania. Ursino Castle, a small hilltop castle in the mountains south of Palermo near Mezzoiuso. Occasionally open to visitors is Enna a castle and separate tower, Erice. This charming town has two castles, both well-preserved, Falconara Sicula. See the coastal fortress east of Licata, which also has a castle, and Gela Licata, a seaside castle in the town of the same name, between Palma di Montechiaro and Gela Lipari.
Shopping:
You will find good quality leather produce, gold and silverware and marbled paper, ceramics hand-painted with floral patterns, lace, brightly colored rugs and carpets, coral jewelry and trinkets. You will also find olives, sun-dried tomatoes, preserved roasted vegetables, anchovies, olive oil, local sweets and pastries.
Beaches
The most convenient public beaches.Agrigento. The beach is located at Porto Empedocle.Carini. West of Palermo, near Isola delle Femine. astellamare del Golfo. Midway between Palermo and Trapani.Cefalù. Located on the edge the town of that name east of Palermo is Favignana. It is an island off Sicily's western coast near Trapani. Isola delle Femine. West of Palermo. The beach isn't actually on the small "island of the women" but on the Sicilian coast.Letojanni. North of Taormina is Lipari where there are several beaches. Large but sometimes crowded beach just outside Palermo, on the western side of Mount Pellegrino is Porto Paolo. Located near Menfi, on Sicily's southern coast is San Vito lo Capo. Located just east of Trapani, about 40 minutes from Palermo, near the Zingaro Nature Reserve is Sciacca. On the southern coast is Taormina. Beach is actually located in Giardini, a nearby locality.
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More Information |
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Web: http://www.sicilianculture.com/travel/palermo.htm
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