Hotels Palermo, Guesthouses Palermo and Residences Palermo

Backed by Mount Pellegrino, the enchanting regional capital of Sicily lies just in the heart of a natural amphitheatre called Conca d’Oro (Golden Shell), a fertile plain surrounding Palermo and other nearby resorts which once hosted a lush citrus orchard. Settled since the Prehistory, the ancient Panormus was ruled by both Punics, Romans and Byzantines and experienced its golden age under Arab and Norman rule, that is to say from the XI up to the mid XIII century.

Among the most appreciated artistic cities in Sicily, Palermo provides accommodation in comfortable and welcoming three-star guesthouses and elegant and luxury 4-star hotels provided with high-quality services and utmost comfort. The city also offers a wide range of cheap guesthouses designed to host young people who want to visit the city at reasonable prices, as well as beautiful air-conditioned hotels provided with swimming pool which are the ideal accommodation facilities to spend hot Sicilian summers. The numerous hotels situated near the sea are the ideal solution for the lovers of both sea and beach.

The main historic and artistic sights, palaces, buildings and works of art the city cherishes date back to different ages and civilizations. The architecture, ranging in style from Arabic to Norman, Baroque and Byzantine, is without comparison in Sicily, making this exotic city an exciting place to explore.
Among the main sights are the Palatine Chapel hosted inside Palazzo dei Normanni, and the church of St. Maria dell’Ammiraglio, also known as Martorana, which both date back to the Norman Age and are embellished by Byzantine mosaics. Not to be missed are St. Giovanni degli Eremiti, reflecting Islamic architectural tradition, Zisa, Cuba and St. Cataldo, as well as the beautiful Cathedral of Palermo, erected in 1185 and then restored from 1781 to 1804 through the building of the dome and the realization of the inner decorations. The south porch is a masterpiece of the Catalan style, and at the apse end, sturdy Norman work can be seen through an Islamic-inspired overlay. The dome is 18th century. Within the much-altered interior are the tombs of Sicily's kings. Squeezed into an enclosure by the south porch are the remains of Emperor Frederick II; his wife, Constance of Aragon; his mother, Constance, daughter of Roger II (also entombed here); and his father, Henry VI.
Palermo also hosts aristocratic residences and churches dating back to the Spanish domination, such as Palazzo Sclafani, the Gothic-Catalan Palazzo Chiaramonte and the Catalan Palazzo Abatellis, the current seat of the Sicilian Regional Gallery. The Baroque style characterizes the current aspect of the city and can be admired visiting the Church of Santissimo Salvatore, the Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus), the Church of St. Domenico, as well as Via Maqueda, the most important avenue in the city which crosses the ancient via del Cassaro – the current Corso Vittorio Emanuele - in front of Piazza Vigliena, also known as Quattro Canti. This octogonal square, situated at the crossroads of the two principal streets in Palermo, hosts four Baroque buildings and is embellished by numerous statues and fountains.
Besides its artistic, historic and cultural heritage, Palermo also boasts an unspoiled natural landscape and a crystal-clear sea to be admired especially at Mondello beach, situated on the slopes of Mount Pellegrino.