Palermo

Palermo is a city unlike anywhere else in the world. Sitting at the heart of Sicily, the Mediterranean’s largest island, it has been shaped by an extraordinary parade of civilisations over thousands of years. Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans all left their mark here, and you can see that layered history in a single glance at the city’s stunning cathedral, where Arab archways, Norman towers, and Gothic details all blend together on one incredible building. The Norman Palace takes things even further inside, with a chapel so covered in glittering golden mosaics it feels like stepping into a treasure chest.

But Palermo is not just about ancient stones. It is a city bursting with noise, colour, and delicious smells. The streets are lively and loud, vendors call out from busy market stalls, and the air carries the scent of fresh food and spices. Palermo rewards curious explorers at every corner, from elegant baroque crossroads to underground tunnels that hold centuries of secrets.