Planning your trip to Palermo

Palermo is a Mediterranean city of sun, markets and layered history - Arab, Norman, Baroque and beyond. Winters are mild and short, summers are hot and dry, and the best months are April to June and September to October. The UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman churches and the palaces cluster around the old centre, which is compact enough to explore on foot.

Getting there

Fly into Falcone–Borsellino airport (PMO) at Punta Raisi, about 35 km west of the city, and take the direct bus or the train to the central station. Palermo Centrale is a terminus for trains along the northern coast, so Cefalù, Monreale and the rest of Sicily fan out easily from here.

• ✦Two to three days cover the old town; add days for Monreale, Cefalù or the western temples
• ✦The historic centre is walkable, but buses (AMAT) help for the far reaches and the seaside
• ✦Markets like Ballarò are safe and lively by day - keep bags close, as in any big city
• ✦Many museums and churches close on Sundays or Mondays; check each visit