The Arabic influence can be seen in most of the structures around the city; it is treasure trove of oratories, churches, museums and galleries. The Church of St. Cita’s Oratory displays ornate carvings and beautiful works of art. The Oratory of the Rosary of St. Dominic, with its stucco and marble figures, and the Oratory of San Lorenzo, with its carved pews and artwork in the panels, are worth a visit.

The Regional Gallery display Sicilian art covering a period of over 500 years since the Middle Ages. The Regional Archaeological Museum displays excavations dating back to the prehistoric times. The catacombs under the Capuchins Monastery display 8,000 mummified bodies that were buried here over a period of almost 400 years, not a visit for the weak-hearted.

Several day trips can be made from Palermo. The parklands of Monte Pellegrino are a nature retreat and offer beautiful views of the Sicilian coast.

Galleria de Palazzo Bianco, housing a significant collection of artefacts, is a stunning sixteenth-century white palace. The pl...

Giardini Naxos, with its wide expanse of beautiful beaches and archaeological sites, is a bustling tourist destination. The exotic beaches of the Ionian Sea, with their pure wat...