In August 2024, we took a getaway to Sicily and explored Palermo and Cefalù.
We landed and took off from Palermo Airport. Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO) is modern and well-organized, located about 35 km from the city center. It has shops, restaurants and essential services. There are various transportation options: taxis, buses and car rentals.
We picked up our rental car at the airport and then drove to our hotel in the city center. Upon arrival, we discovered the lively atmosphere and historic charm of the heart of Palermo.
We stopped in front of our hotel to ask for the address of a nearby parking lot. The Garage San Matteo (Via Vittorio Emanuele, 263, Palermo) was full, so we finally found a spot at the “Pagano Parcheggio” garage (38°07’00.6″N 13°21’41.8″E) for €15 per day.
City: Palermo
Accommodation: B&B Hotel Palermo Quattro Canti
Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 291, 90133 Palermo
Location: 38°06’57.3″N 13°21’42.7″E
2 nights, from 08/22/2024 to 08/24/2024
Price: € 244 (€ 122 / night)
Booked with Booking.com
Our accommodation is located in Via Vittorio Emanuele. This is one of the oldest and most famous streets in Palermo.
The hotel is located in the ZTL of Palermo
The ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) of Palermo restricts access to unauthorized vehicles in the historic center to reduce pollution and improve traffic flow. A paid pass is required to drive there at certain times. Checks are carried out by cameras, with fines for violations.
Our hotel helps us buy a 2-day pass (€5 per day) for the ZTL via the “PalerMobilità” app
After a moment of rest, we set off to explore the historic center of Palermo.
We start our tour on Via Vittorio Emanuele, one of the oldest and most important streets in Palermo. It crosses the heart of the city and offers a beautiful view of the Baroque and Norman architecture.
Continuing on our way, we arrive at Quattro Canti, a magnificent 17th-century Baroque square that marks the intersection of the city’s two major historic arteries: Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. We admire the symmetrical façades decorated with statues and fountains representing the seasons and the Spanish sovereigns of Sicily.
From 1516 to 1713, Sicily was part of the Crown of Aragon, then of the Spanish Habsburg Empire. During this period, Palermo became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Sicily, governed by viceroys sent by Madrid.
We turn right onto Via Maqueda to reach the majestic Teatro Massimo, one of the greatest opera houses in Europe.
If you have time, you can go inside for a quick tour (about 30 minutes) to admire its impressive architecture and perfect acoustics. Otherwise, just take some pictures on the steps of the theater, famous for having served as a setting for The Godfather III.
Next, we head to Via Roma, one of the main shopping streets in Palermo. Here you will find boutiques, cafes and Art Nouveau buildings. It is a great opportunity to stroll, do a little shopping or simply admire the local life.
We end our tour with a gourmet break at Capocollo, located at 200 Via Maqueda. This restaurant is famous for its delicious arancini, these famous fried rice balls, stuffed with ragout, cheese or spinach. A real treat to end our walk on an authentic Sicilian note.
For our second day, we choose to start our visit early, before the city fully wakes up.
Our tour began in Piazza Pretoria, an emblematic square dominated by the magnificent Pretoria Fountain. This 16th-century work, with its white marble sculptures representing mythological deities, impresses with its grandeur and elegance. Nicknamed the “Fountain of Shame” because of the nudity of its statues, it is surrounded by majestic buildings, including the Palazzo Pretorio, seat of Palermo’s city hall.
Right next, we reached Piazza Bellini, where several architectural gems stand side by side. We admired the Church of the Martorana and the Church of San Cataldo, with its three characteristic red domes, a testament to the mix of Arab and Norman influences that make up the richness of Palermo’s heritage.
Then, we pick up our car from the parking lot and head towards Mercato di Capo (38°07’09.3″N 13°21’13.4″E)
Mercato di Capo is a typical Palermo market, known for its lively atmosphere and local flavors. In the heart of the old town, it offers a wide variety of fresh produce, from fruit and vegetables to fish and Sicilian specialties. Its authentic atmosphere, with Arab influences, makes it an essential stop to discover Palermo life.
We take a tour of the market and then decide to explore Cefalù, located 70 km from Palermo.
We arrive in Cefalù and after a few minutes looking for a parking space, we find a car park not far from the beach: : Parcheggio al coperto (38°02’07.6″N 14°01’03.4″E).
We begin our walk through the picturesque alleys of the old town, where the stone houses with flower-filled balconies exude an authentic atmosphere. The liveliness of the small shops.
We arrive at the Pescara door, an ancient opening in the ramparts that offers a magnificent view of the Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio. The turquoise sea stretches as far as the eye can see, and the small fishing boats moored on the shore are a reminder of Cefalù’s maritime history. It’s a perfect place for a photo break and to admire the contrast between the sea and the old stones of the city.
Our walk continues with a stop at the Lavatoio Medievale, an ancient washhouse fed by the Cefalino River. Going down a few stone steps, we find a vaulted space where clear water still flows through stone basins. This place, once used by the locals to wash their clothes, is a beautiful testimony to Cefalù’s medieval past.
After this dive into history, it’s time to taste one of the most famous Sicilian specialties: cannoli. We find a pastry shop along Via Vittorio Emanuele, where the smell of sugar and fresh ricotta is irresistible. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, the cannolo is a pure delight, enhanced by a touch of pistachio or chocolate according to your choice.
We reach Piazza del Duomo, the historic heart of Cefalù. In front of us stands the magnificent Cefalù Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its two imposing towers and its golden stone façade contrast with the blue sky.
Our walk continues to Piazza Garibaldi, another emblematic place in Cefalù. Less crowded than Piazza del Duomo, it offers a more local atmosphere, with its benches, shops. It is a pleasant place to observe Sicilian life and enjoy the tranquility before lunch.
Our morning ends beautifully with a meal at Pasta e Pasti, a restaurant located on Via Roma. The smell of fresh pasta fills the air as we enter this small establishment known for its home cooking. We order pasta and it is delicious
Before leaving Cefalù, we want to enjoy its beautiful beach
We choose the lido Poseidon
A beach lido in Italy is a private bathing establishment located on the seafront. It generally offers a beach equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, changing rooms and various services such as a bar, a restaurant or even activities for children. In other words, it is a place where you can spend the day enjoying the sea and comfortable facilities, often for an entrance fee or equipment rental.
We spend the whole afternoon there, enjoying the beauty of the setting and the sea.
At the end of the day, we return to Palermo for the evening.
For dinner, we choose Timilia, on Via Maqueda, to enjoy delicious pizzas in an exceptional atmosphere. A perfect moment!
This is our last day in Sicily. Our flight is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. to Brussels Charleroi
We take advantage of the morning to take a last tour of Palermo.
We go down Via Vittorio Emanuele to reach the spectacular “Quattro Canti” crossroads.
A few streets further, we discover the majestic Cathedral of Palermo. This impressive monument mixes several architectural styles, from Norman to Baroque, Gothic and Neoclassical.
We were fascinated by its exterior decorated with Arabic motifs and its imposing towers, before going inside to admire the tombs of the Norman kings of Sicily.
In front of the cathedral, we took a break at Bar Marocco, a historic café. Seated on the terrace, we savored an excellent espresso while enjoying a breathtaking view of the cathedral, a perfect moment.
We continue our tour in the beautiful streets of the city
Finally, we ended this beautiful morning with a gourmet break at I Segreti del Chiostro, a pastry shop located in a former convent. In this peaceful and historical setting, we enjoyed wonderful cannoli, these crispy pastries filled with a creamy ricotta, sometimes garnished with pistachios or chocolate chips. A real delight to end our tour in style!
This is the end of our tour but also of our little trip in Sicily. We take the rental car and head to Palermo airport to take our return flight to Brussels Charleroi
These two days in Sicily were a truly enchanted interlude between the historical richness of Palermo and the seaside charm of Cefalù. We explored majestic squares, admired architectural treasures, savored Sicilian specialties and enjoyed the warm atmosphere that reigns here.
But if this escapade offered us a beautiful experience of Sicilian beauty and authenticity, two days is far too short for an island so rich in history, landscapes and flavors! We would have needed more time to stroll through the lively streets of Palermo, discover other picturesque villages, and delve even deeper into the Sicilian soul.
So this is just goodbye… Sicily has conquered us, and one thing is certain: we will return!
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