Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Italian charms & cosmopolitan attractions

Palermo is a cosmopolitan city—hardly surprising considering its years as everything from a Greek colony to an Arab emirate, not to mention the Romans, Normans, and a few others in between. For an overview, this entire eclectic history can be sampled during a stroll along the Corso Calatafimi.

The heart of the old city is the Quattro Canti, a handsome square with a palace on each corner. Charming outdoor cafés line the pedestrian street, Via Belmonte, perfect for people watching and tasting local specialties. And for a true Sicilian atmosphere, there is nothing like a walk through the picturesque Vucciria Market.