PICTURESQUE SPOTS IN PALERMO ITALY FOR PHOTOS

Palermo is the historic, gritty capital city of Sicily, located just below mainland Italy. Before, various civilizations reigned over this mediterranean island, including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans. As a result, there is a multitude of cultural influences in Palermo's art, architecture, and food.

It was April when I visited, with the weather alternating between the warm sun and heavy downpour. There was even one day when the scirocco winds of the Sahara brought rain and dusted the landscape with desert sand. But the weather's unpredictability didn't stop my local friend (and fellow photographer) from showing me around the sites of her hometown. She introduced me to the traditional foods, and also helped me discover such picturesque places for stunning photos. So scroll down to see the places and moments we captured! (Also, to find other places on the island to explore, browse my post about Eastern Sicily here.)

A Photo Walk through Palermo Italy

Featured Sites:

• Cattedrale di Palermo

• Fontana Pretoria

• Quattro Canti

• Piazza San Domenico

• Chiesa del Gesù

Mercato di Ballarò

First you hear vendors shouting in dialect to attract customers. Then you see vespas and ape cars balancing crates as they zoom across the narrow pathways. The most appetizing produce, cheese, seafood, and meat all on display before your eyes. This is the organized chaos of Mercato di Ballarò. Produce shopping at the local market is a must when in Italy, including in Palermo, since everything is at its prime freshness!

Orto Botanico dell'Università degli Studi di Palermo Italy

Palazzina Cinese

Meaning "little Chinese house" in Italian, this fascinating architectural gem was the former royal residence of King Ferdinando I in the 1800s. It embodies the Chinoiserie aesthetic, dreamy and whimsical European imitations of Chinese and other East Asian styles. Aren't the color combinations and painted details lovely?

Mondello

Mondello was formerly a fishing village and is now a coastal beach town, only a 15-minute drive away from the city center. This white sand beach in Palermo has stunning turquoise waters. Also, it's a lively summer getaway to enjoy the nature, food scene, and nightlife. So when you're there, indulge in a gelato con brioche, admire the gorgeous wisteria in front of the Liberty Style villas, and sunbathe with a view of Monte Pellegrino.