Palermo

Palermo sits on the northwestern coast of Sicily, opening onto the Tyrrhenian Sea. The port is one of the major ports for passenger traffic in the Mediterranean, and cruise ships mainly call here as a port of call rather than a turnaround. The cruise terminal is located at about five minutes walk from downtown, placing the city's historic heart close at hand from the quay.

Palermo is a 2,700-year-old city noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy. The city is a palimpsest of centuries. From 831 to 1072 the city was under Arab rule in the Emirate of Sicily when the city became the capital of Sicily for the first time, and following the Norman conquest, Palermo became the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily, that lasted from 1130 to 1816. That layered past is written into its buildings. Many of the oldest buildings in Palermo date from the Norman period and show Byzantine, Norman, Spanish and Arab influences, with outstanding examples including the cathedral (1169 to 1185), the Palatine Chapel (1140), and the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti (1132).

The markets are a highlight. Colourful fruit, vegetable and fish markets lie at the heart of Palermo, known as Vucciria, Ballarò and Capo. These are loud, busy, sensory places where the best of Sicilian food and street life unfolds. Food lovers can taste the island's blend of influences in everything served. Sicilian cuisine is a delightful blend of Middle Eastern, Spanish and Italian flavours based on fresh vegetables, seafood, spices and nuts.

Many are drawn by the Mediterranean climate, renowned restaurants, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, palaces and buildings. The Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy and remains one of the city's grandest sights. Palermo was declared the Italian Capital of Culture in 2018, a recognition of its enduring place in the nation's artistic and intellectual life. Cruisers on the globe have logged plenty of time in Palermo's streets and squares.