Martorana Church, Palermo

By choosing this small group tour, you will have the opportunity to admire the best attractions, with a tasty local break! This three hours small group tour will take you to the must-see spots of the city centre, crossing the Baroque and Normann-Arab style architecture, including attractions such as the Piazza Pretoria (Praetorian Square), called by the locals Square of Shame. The huge marble fountain you can admire in this square is amazing, and it is also the reason of the square's name, due to the nudity of its statues. The Praetorian Palace is located in this plaza, too, and it hosts the Town Hall, which is usually open to the public so that you may spot the mayor of Palermo. This impressive building was built in the 14th century, and it was renovated in the 19th century. Your cultural and historical experience will be enriched by admiring the Royal Palace, which now hosts the Regional Parliament of Sicily. After the Normans conquered Sicily in 1072, the palace was the main residence of the kings. In 1132, King Roger II added the magnificent Palatine Chapel, which is decorated with unique golden mosaics. When visiting Palermo, we cannot ignore its religious significance, so that they will be part of our small group itinerary, such as the Martorana Church, famous around the world for its beauty and majestic appearance. In fact, an Arabic traveller who visited the Martorana in 1184 called this Christian church "the most beautiful monument in the world", which perfectly resumes all we could have said about this site. One more unmissable stop will be the Cathedral of Palermo, a brilliant and unique example of stratification of styles, from Muslim to Normans to the Christian reconversion. If you are wondering if this culture discovering and walking will make you hungry, don’t worry…we will have another substantial stop included for our small group: a tasty Sicilian cannolo or granita, in a typical local shop.

Get a feel for the rich history, culture, and architecture of central Palermo on a 3-hour guided walking tour. Your guide will take you to Norman Sicily churches and beautiful palaces, through bustling city squares and famous old street markets. Head first to the Teatro Massimo and learn about Italy’s largest opera house, known for its perfect acoustics. Then visit the beautiful Palermo Cathedral, dating from the 12th century and part of Unesco ’s list of World Heritage sites. See the Church of the Gesù, one of the most important Baroque churches in Palermo, as well as the Praetorian Palace, an outstanding palace of the 15th century.   Continue to Pretoria Square, referred to by locals as the “square of shame” for the nudity of its fountain statues. You’ll also visit the nearby Bellini Square where you’ll see the Church of San Cataldo and Martorana Church, two more Norman Sicily–era churches and Unesco World Heritage sites.   Along the way, your guide will lead you through the famous Capo street markets. Observe the lively scenes and multitude of smells, textiles, and colorful foods as you weave among the stalls. You can also buy and taste some of the city’s popular street food, including: panelle, crocché, sfincione and arancina The tour ends in the exact center of historic Palermo, the Baroque Villena Square, also known as Quattro Canti (Four Corners). It was built in the early 1600s at the crossing of the two most prominent streets in Palermo: Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda.

Explore the rich cultural tapestry of Palermo with this combined tour, blending the highlights of the city's architecture and history. Begin by delving into the heart of Palermo's historic center on a three-hour small group tour, marveling at Baroque and Normann-Arab style architecture. Admire iconic landmarks such as the Praetorian Square, home to the striking marble fountain and the historic Praetorian Palace. Continue your journey through Palermo's religious heritage with visits to the exterior of the Martorana Church and the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Palermo, showcasing centuries of architectural evolution. After immersing yourself in Palermo's cultural treasures, delve deeper into history with a guided tour of the Palazzo dei Normanni and its magnificent Cappella Palatina. Learn about over 800 years of Sicilian history as you explore the oldest royal residence in Europe, once the seat of Sicilian kings. Marvel at the exquisite blend of Islamic, Byzantine, and Norman influences in the Palatine Chapel, a testament to the diverse cultural exchanges of the medieval era. Your tour includes access to the palace's gardens, providing a tranquil retreat amidst the city's vibrant streets. With a total duration of 4.5 hours, this comprehensive experience offers the perfect blend of cultural immersion and historical exploration in the enchanting city of Palermo.

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of Palermo with a private tour led by a seasoned guide, promising a captivating exploration of the city's rich history and architectural wonders. Your journey begins at the meeting point in Via Rosolino Pilo, where you'll rendezvous with your guide in front of the hotel Mediterraneo. From there, set forth on a three-hour odyssey through Palermo's enchanting streets, delving into the mesmerizing blend of Baroque and Normann-Arabic influences that define its landscape. Begin your adventure at the majestic Piazza Pretoria, where the grandeur of the fountain takes center stage amidst the bustling square. Traverse through time as you visit the historic Praetorian Palace, a symbol of Palermo's political legacy, and behold the splendor of the Royal Palace, now home to the Regional Parliament. Marvel at the intricate mosaics and Byzantine charm of Martorana Church, before venturing to the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Palermo, a testament to the city's enduring faith and architectural prowess. Along the way, savor the flavors of Sicily with a stop at a local shop to indulge in a traditional Sicilian cannolo, adding a deliciously authentic touch to your exploration.

Palermo is especially suited for a walking tour, considering its Arabic-influenced urban structure and narrow streets and lanes. Get acquainted with this beautiful Sicilian city on this half-day walking tour. Start by crossing Politeama Square, the main square of Palermo, where the main city avenues meet. Continue along Ruggero VII Street, which is considered the “lounge of Palermo” and pass the Church of St. Lucia before arriving at Theater Massimo, the largest theater in Europe. Continue along Via Maqueda, an ancient commercial street full of churches and historic buildings, to Candelai, which is at the heart of Palermo's nightlife. See Quattro Canti, meaning "four corners," which divides the city exactly into four parts. See the beautiful church, St. Joseph of Theatine and tour the iconic Cathedral of Palermo. The Royal Palace awaits afterward, where you can visit a Jewel of Arab Norman art and also the most visited monument in Sicily: the Palatine Chapel. Throughout the tour, you will see old Arab quarters hidden among the narrow lanes of the inner city, including the community of St. Clare. Admire the nude statues in the Square of Shame and the red Arabic-style domes atop the Church of the Martorana. Shop around the historic market, Vucciria and Saint Dominic Square before lunch. Inside a 16th-century Spanish building, enjoy a rich Sicilian buffet, including panelle, sfincione, anelletti al forno, caponata and cassatelle, along with a traditional Sicilian wine and a dessert of almond biscuits and mocha espresso.

From the Baroque heart of the I Quattro Canti you will travel the ancient axis of the city to reach and visit the Palazzo Alliata di Villafranca, one of the richest residences of the Palermitan aristocracy, which among its admirably restored halls preserves a beautiful Crucified Christ by Van Dick. Then on the way to the famous fountain Pretoria or “della Vergogna”, which will be the scene of popular stories. In piazza Bellini you will admire the domes of San Cataldo from the XII century. from the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher. A particularly interesting visit will follow, the Church of Santa Caterina recently returned to the city but for centuries reserved only for young cloistered nuns, girls of the highest aristocracy who foreclosed lived among altars made with lapis lazuli and precious stones in contrast with the Baroque and the Spanish society of Palermo. You will then walk the alleys of the Guilds of craftsmen and judges that accompanied the “Inquisiti” to Death. You will be introduced to the stories of “the Leopard” admiring from the outside the terrace of the Gangi palace, location of the famous Visconti film, to reach the square decorated by the splendid Gothic rose window of the church of San Francesco d’Assisi. From there you will discover the richest and darkest centuries of Spanish Sicily, reaching Piazza Marina to admire a centuries-old ficus magnolioides of the Garibaldi Garden, once a place reserved for the Condemnations and Tortures of the Holy Inquisition. Here will end the walk between traditional ice cream and cannoli in the district of the old port La Cala.

Program: Authentic Palermo: First stop is at the Catacombs, you will have about 30 minutes, ask for Massimo for an explanation, very helpful person. We continue further to the center of Palermo from where the free walking tour will begin, after which we will leave you in front of the Palatine Chapel where you can also ticket to the Royal or Norman Palace. Further on, a few hundred meters away, you will find the beautiful Cathedral and then continue through the streets of the center of Palermo where you will still have 3 hours, enough time to visit the points of greatest interest that you will find marked on your map such as: The 4 Canti, the Church of the Martorana, Piazza Pretoria (or Piazza della Vergogna), Palazzo Steri, Teatro Massimo and Politeama and above all the nearby markets that are very characteristic of Palermo such as the Capo, the Vucciria where you can taste typical Sicilian street food. Monreale: Later, at 2:30 pm, you are scheduled to Depart from Piazza Politeama for the magnificent Cathedral of Monreale and on the way you will have a chance to admire other aspects and beautiful places of Palermo. Second is the visit to Monreale, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, where you will visit the Cathedral and its magnificent Cloister. Finally, we recommend a good ice cream with brioche at Bar Italia and, before returning, a look from the Belvedere, it has a beautiful view of the whole of Palermo and, if you are lucky, you will be able to see the Aeolian islands as well.