Normans and Anti Mafia Heroes: A Self Guided Palermo Walking Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Pass by Porta Nuova, a 1500s western gate built to celebrate Charles V's victory over the Ottomans at Tunis. Spot the bound Moors and imperial eagle carved into its facade. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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2. Walk along Palermo Cathedral, started by the Normans in 1185 atop a Phoenician site. See Saint Rosalia's remains, royal tombs, and a zodiac sundial, or climb the roof for sweeping city and sea views. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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3. Pass by Mercato del Capo, one of Palermo's liveliest street markets. Browse stalls, haggle for bargains, and sample local street food like arancine, pane e panelle, and spleen sandwiches. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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4. Stroll past the Muro della Legalità, a mural-covered wall honoring those who fought the mafia, including writers, artists, and officers who lost their lives defending honesty and justice. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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5. Walk along Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house and Europe's third largest. Learn how it opened in 1896 with Verdi's Falstaff and its link to Italy's Risorgimento history. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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6. Pass by the Quattro Canti, Palermo's ornate baroque crossroads also nicknamed the Theatre of the Sun. Admire its four matching facades, each lit by sunlight at different times of day. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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7. Stroll past Piazza Pretoria to see the Fontana Pretoria, the "Fountain of Shame," with nude classical gods, dolphins, and harpies, built in 1554 and relocated here from Florence. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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8. Walk along Piazza Bellini, home to the Arab-Norman church of San Cataldo and the older Chiesa della Martorana, both showcasing Sicily's mix of Byzantine and Norman architectural styles. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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9. Stroll past Porta Felice, a monumental 1500s gate built by a viceroy for his wife. Nearby, see the Passeggiata delle Cattive, a terrace once used by widows for solitary walks. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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10. Stroll past Palazzo dei Normanni, built on Phoenician foundations and expanded by Arabs and Normans. Visit the Palatine Chapel, learn about Sicily's Norman kings, and explore Europe's oldest royal residence, now a UNESCO site. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

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Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Italy, outside the cities

• Its from-price is 92% below the median of the 4055 experiences we list in Italy, outside the cities.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 1830 of 4055.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.