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Characterized by its historical markets, unique architecture, diverse street art, and mouth-watering food, Palermo has a charm that sets it apart from the rest of Sicily. It is the main cultural hub of the island, and offers a unique travel experience to anyone who may seek it. In this post, I will be talking about just that!

Throughout my time in Palermo, I found the most fulfillment when roaming the streets at random. This included losing myself in the street art, paying close attention to minute architectural details, or stopping in my tracks to fully take in the aroma emitted by the closest restaurant. I explored with the intent of fully engaging myself with the setting I was in, with no destination in mind.

First, I stumbled upon one of Palermo’s most famous street markets, Mercato del Capo, as I had been following the aroma for well over two blocks. Markets like these can be found scattered around Palermo, another famous one being Vucciria. Naturally, I entered the market and explored it front to back, stopping at each stand, scoping out what they had to offer. One of the last stands before leaving the market served me the best Arancina I had throughout my whole trip. The vibrancy and uniqueness of these markets felt like I was truly in the epicenter of what Palermo had to offer culturally. It almost felt as if I was experiencing the city through the eyes of a local!

Soon after, I ended up at the Palermo Cathedral, one of my favorite architectural sites from my entire trip. It presents a beautiful blend of multiple architectural styles, more specifically the Arab-Norman architectural style. (More on the Arab-Norman Architectural style here). Before visiting Palermo, I was unfamiliar with this style, so you can only imagine how fascinated I was by it. The outside of the building was what I was most interested in, as I found the inside easily comparable to some of its counterparts in the area. Sitting outside the Cathedral eating my Arancina was easily the best way for me to take it all in and admire the craftsmanship put into the building.

After spending a good thirty minutes outside the cathedral, I continued to explore the streets, discovering an unexpected part of Palermo. Besides the churches in the city being a work of art themselves, Palermo also boasts a unique urban street art scene. It is definitely worth noting that in recent years, this art form has become more widely accepted, and even encouraged in the city. Most of the art you will see is more modern, adding a sense of newness to such a historical city. Losing track of time, admiring each piece of art you walk by is an excellent way to get a feel for the city. Palermo’s diversity is beautifully showcased through this medium of self-expression. A main theme in the artwork I noticed was religion, which plays a huge role in the culture of Palermo as well. It is amazing how well of a representation it offers of the city if you keep your eyes out for it! On a smaller scale, the hostel I stayed in, (A Casa di Amici Boutique Hostel) had displays of art from various cultures, offering a representation of Palermo’s art scene.

And for the food… it truly is just as incredible as everyone makes it out to be. As a lover of pasta, I can say any pasta I’ve had before going to Italy is incomparable. The fresh ingredients used to make the pasta is what sets it apart from what I have had in the United States. In Palermo, more specifically, I had some of the best pasta at Pastory, where I met the sweetest Italian woman (who was my server) trying to practice her English on me, and vice versa! She was excitedly telling me her dream of visiting California one day, and we shared a beautiful short exchange that we both walked away with a smile from! The kindness and hospitality of the workers at this restaurant made this dining experience more enjoyable than it already was. I just knew that the pasta was going to be astounding, and I stood correct. After enjoying some delicious pasta, it was only customary for me to go to the nearest bakery and get my hands on a cannoli. I have had plenty of cannolis in my life, but having one in its birthplace makes it that much better! Yup, that is correct, Palermo is the birthplace of one of Italy’s most beloved desserts! 

Although I only had enough time to spend three days in Palermo, I would say that it was just enough for me to get a taste of the city and to leave me wanting more. From its historical markets, unique architecture, diverse street art, and mouth-watering food, Palermo packs a punch that most people may not expect when visiting for the first time. Overall, I enjoyed my time in this very vibrant and unique city, and plan on returning one day for a longer period of time!

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