Sunny Palermo is a city with colorful lively street life. Í feels like Palermo is mixing Europe and Africa in its daily life with markets, churches and murals. But if you are there for a limited time you need to plan what to see to get the most out of it. Here comes my top three list of things to do and see.
Mercato del Capo
Start your morning as a local and go the market. Mercato del Capo is a little chaotic lively outdoor market full of locals, where you can find fresh fish, fruits and a cup of coffee. What I like with Mercato del Capo is that its genuin. It have not been destroyed by al the tourists. Yes they are there just like you. But the most visitors are locals buying their daily food. The atmosphere reminds me of the bustling street markets in northern Africa more then a European market. So walk around, buy some fruits and stop for an espresso at the corner.
Palermo Cathedral
Its sunny and warm in Palermo so you will appreciate some shadow at the middle of the day. So plan your visit to Palermo Cathedral at lunch time. The church as we see it today could be traced back to 1185 by Archbishop Walter Ophamill. But as so common it was built on the place of an much older Byzantine basilica who become a mosque after the Saracens conquest in the 9 century. Even if the church is catholic its inside reminds me more of a more clean and cold protestant church. However the best part of the cathedral is the roof walk. From the top of the cathedral you get some magic views out over Palermo as well asa close look at the 15 century towers.
Mural paintings in sunny Palermo
This is more a thing to do then to visit. But when you walk around in sunny Palermo look up from time to time and see al the mural paintings. As some one who think art should be free for the people I love street art. Consequently I look out for murals and street art, and in Palermo they are everywhere. Independent if you walk around in the Albergheria district, Cala quarter, Kalsa district or the Danisinni district you will get a fantastic street art experience. So when you stroll around, enjoy the art around you.
How to get to sunny Palermo
Palermo is easy to reach by flight with around 30 different airlines who fly to and from Palermo Airport Falcone-Borsellino. From the airport you can catch a bus, car, taxi or train in to the central parts of Palermo. During our visit we stayed at Arco di Trionfo Palermo Bed & Breakfast a simpel but good bed and breakfast. The room is big and very spacey and the host Salvo was just amazing
Summary
Shortly, yes Palermo is really a sunny and warm city but with the right planning thats not a problem. So it could be good to plan your days after that. Starting the day with a visit to Mercato del Capo. Spend the warmest hours at a lunch restaurant and the cathedral before you use the afternoon to look at street art. By this you will enjoy the best of Palermo without any heat stroke.