Palermo in 4 hours: private tour for cruise passengers

After leaving the port we go to Piazza Castelnuovo or Piazza Politeama, named after the theater that dominates the square. The Politeama Garibaldi Theater, started in 1867 by Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda and inaugurated in 1874, although incomplete and lacking coverage, was conceived to enhance the social function of the theater as the "People's Theater": the horseshoe-shaped hall in 1874 had in fact a capacity of 5,000 spectators, a double row of boxes and a gallery divided into two orders. Today it is the prestigious seat of the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra. Piazza Castelnuovo is one of the most famous and popular in Palermo. Piazza Castelnuovo, known together with Piazza Ruggero Settimo as Piazza Politeama, also houses several statues by Civiletti and a music platform, of fine workmanship, built in 1875 by the Florio family to avoid the construction of other houses in the square, in addition to their majestic villa.

The Capo Market in Palermo is still located in the upper part of the ancient Arab quarter of Schiavoni, pirates and slave traders. A very popular neighborhood, it was formed in the Muslim age and is nestled between baroque churches and iconic street food. The main entrance to the market is given by the fourteenth-century Porta Carini. A narrow street widens and narrows between the stalls that project from the outside, people make it impractical because it stops to observe, taste and buy. It is also the perfect place to find culinary souvenirs, typical vacuum-packed products such as dried tomatoes, capers, spices and anchovies in oil, sardines in salt. It is also considered the fish market par excellence. Bright colors and inebriating perfumes mix with typical specialties and the voices of the merchants, the "abbanniate" inviting to buy their goods. This is why the market is a place not to be missed.

The Teatro Massimo is one of the most representative jewels of the city of Palermo, one of its most recognizable symbols. With its imposing Art Nouveau facade inspired by Greek temples and classic buildings; the two gigantic bronze statues depicting two lions on the sides of the entrance staircase; the frieze at the top bearing the inscription: "Art renews peoples and reveals their lives. The beloved is in the scene where you do not aim to prepare the future "; and thanks to this, it dominates all of Piazza Verdi, becoming a meeting point for both Palermitans and tourists. The Teatro Massimo in Palermo is also the largest opera house in Italy and one of the largest opera houses in Europe. The theater is open for visits every day from 10:00 to 14:30 Full: € 8.00 Reduced: € 5.00 (under 26) Free for children under six.

With over 1000 years of history, the Ballarò market is one of the oldest testimonies still existing in Palermo. It rises in the hugely popular district of Albergheria and over the years has been able to develop, while always maintaining its unmistakable style. Among the stalls and small shops of the Ballarò you can buy meat, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables at km 0, coming directly from the Palermo countryside, and still cheeses, typical products, sweets. In addition to the classic stalls, there are many places where you can sit and eat typical dishes with very affordable prices. Ballarò is also famous for many prestigious monuments that are located inside, such as the Tower of S. Nicolò which allows you to have a 360 ° panoramic view of Palermo, the Church of Carmine Maggiore and the Chamber of Wonders.

Among the most visited buildings in all of Sicily, the Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo is the oldest royal residence in Europe, today the seat of the Sicilian regional assembly. Inside there are several courtyards, including the Cortile Maqueda, and the Cortile della Fontana. The patio leads to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, while on the first level there is the Palatine Chapel. Many of the works of art contained in the Palace, with masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries by Francesco Lojacono, Antonino Leto, Joan Mirò and Renato Guttuso.

The Cathedral of Palermo, the most characteristic building in the city. Its construction dates back to 1184 by the will of Archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumed into heaven. Since 3 July 2015 it is part of the World Heritage Site (Unesco).

You will be left in Piazza Pretoria, from where you can admire the main churches, including the La Martora-na church, San Cataldo church, San Giuseppe dei Teatini church, the Fontana della Vergogna and the four corners.