Palermo, Sicily's largest and most cosmopolitan city, has an eventful history which has bequeathed it a fascinating blend of Orient and Occident. Today's city is vibrant, colourful, noisy and busy in stereotypical Italian style with graceful palazzi and ruined houses placed cheek by jowl. The city's modern history is linked with the Mafia (Cosa Nostra) though the only indication of this to tourists is the Teatro Massimo, proud of the fact that it was used as a movie location in Godfather III. Street crime and pickpocketing are not uncommon so take the usual precautions, particularly in the city's crowded markets.

The city centre is within walking distance of the cruise terminal. Its Roman and Arab remains may still be seen amid a fascinating historical jumble with many superb ecclesiastical buildings. The winding alleyways of the crumbling, old town - one of the largest medieval centres in Europe -  and the labyrinthine streets of the Vucciria food market are wonderful places to wander, though do take a good map to avoid getting lost. Another splendid fresh produce market is Il Capo. In addition there are several excellent museums and the spooky Capuchins' Catacombs, the final resting place of thousands of preserved bodies.

Highlights
• Palazzo dei Norman and Cappella Palatina (12th-century Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel)
• San Giovanni degli Eremiti (St John of the Hermits church)
• La Cattedrale (The Cathedral)
• La Martorana (officially Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio - St Mary of the Admiral church)
• Mercato della Vucciria (Vucciria Market)
• Orto Botanico (Botanical Gardens)
• Museo Archeologico Regionale (Regional Archaeological Museum)
• Museo Etnografico Giuseppe Pitre (Ethnographic Museum)

Palermo Tourism
Piazza Castelnuovo 34, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Tel: +33 091 605 8351.
Website: www.palermotourism.com

Quality products by craftsmen are a speciality. The most popular are the pupi (puppets) that are such a big part of Palermo's cultural life. Head to Corso Vittorio Emanuele where there are several workshops. Other typical products include Sicilian wooden carts, painted pottery, and copper or tin objects that can be purchased in the Via Calderai. The Via Libertà is the place to head for designer labels.

Don't miss arancine (stuffed rice balls), pasta con sardine (with sardines), spaghetti al nero di sepia (in squid ink) or caponata (ratatouille). Try a Sicilian cannoli (pastry with fresh ricotta cheese) with your coffee.

Palermo enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate and is hot, humid and dry in summer. July and August are hot, crowded and best avoided if possible. The best time is May to June or September-early October when the weather is pleasantly warm, and just right for exploring the sights.

Italy

GMT + 1.

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

Italian.

Northwest coast of Sicily, Italy.

785,000.

Kingdom of Italy declared in 1861. Republic since 1946.

Roman Catholic with Muslim and Protestant minorities.

When ordering food or drink, it is always more expensive to sit at a table rather than at the bar, and the cheapest option is simply to stand. 

Tipping: It is customary to give around 10% if service has been good.