For a lot of wine lovers, Sicily is a bucket-list vacation spot, however conquering the entire island in a single go can show troublesome. To benefit from your food- and wine-soaked journey, it’s really useful to interrupt down the island into a number of visits, specializing in completely different components of the island every time – and what higher place to start out than the bustling capital metropolis of Palermo?
Introduction to Palermo
Positioned on Sicily’s northwestern value, Palermo is a busy city centre recognized for its structure and tradition – and naturally, its vibrant meals and wine scene.
Town is located on the eponymous Bay of Palermo and is absolutely encompassed by the Conca d’Oro, a extremely fertile plain that interprets as ‘the Golden Shell’.
Like the remainder of the island, Palermo is kind of mountainous and experiences a subtropical/Mediterranean local weather year-round. Summer time temperatures can attain scorching ranges, whereas winter highs not often dip under the 15.5°C (60°F) mark.
Palermo’s historic roots date again over 2,700 years. Though based by Phoenician merchants, town later fell into the fingers of the Carthaginians and was subsequently captured by the Romans in 254 BCE/BC.
Palermo later fell beneath each Norman and Arab rule and, strolling across the metropolis at present, these are the 2 dominant architectural kinds you will note.
These quite a few cultural influences are additionally discovered within the metropolis’s eclectic meals tradition, which is kind of completely different from that of mainland Italy. Native highlights embody arancine (risotto-style balls fried with meats and cheeses), pasta alla norma (savoury pasta made with aubergine, tomato, and basil), and sfincione (a fluffy pie laden with cheese, sardines and native herbs), adopted by granita, contemporary oranges and – you guessed it – cannoli for a candy end.
The place to remain in Palermo
One in every of Palermo’s most tasty qualities is its wealth of high-quality lodging at enticing costs. Whether or not taking the resort or mattress & breakfast route, there’s actually no scarcity of nice locations to remain throughout the metropolis.
For these selecting b&b, we advocate staying throughout the metropolis centre itself – most of it’s pedestrianised, so the perfect of town’s meals and wine scene is well accessible out of your entrance door.
It’s vital to notice that throughout the summer season months the humidity and scorching temperatures could make it very uncomfortable to sleep in case your lodging lacks air-con, so make sure to slim your search all the way down to air-conditioned choices solely.
Prime resort suggestions in Palermo’s historic metropolis centre
Palazzo Sovrana (By way of Bara All’Olivella, 78, 90133 Palermo +39 351 561 5444)
Located instantly in entrance of the gorgeous Teatro Massimo, this extremely rated resort presents air-con, non-public balconies, separate kitchen areas, and electrical tea/espresso machines in every room. The Palazzo additionally presents bicycle and automotive rental providers, the latter of which is kind of useful if seeking to discover wineries solo.
Grand Resort et des Palmes (By way of Roma, 398, 90139 Palermo +39 091 804 8800)
This subtle Artwork Nouveau-style resort boasts historically furnished rooms, air-con, well-stocked mini bars, and a large continental breakfast that includes a slew of Sicilian delicacies. Their on-site bar, Neobistrot, crafts stunning cocktails. Better of all, the resort is a 10-minute stroll from the port and is situated proper on the sting of the site visitors zone, which means that utilizing your rental automotive to go to varied wineries is extremely easy.
Palazzo Brunaccini (Piazzetta Lucrezia Brunaccini, 10, 90139 Palermo +39 091 586904)
Foodies, this charming lodging is for you. Palazzo Brunaccini is situated simply steps away from the bustling Ballarò market. Every modern-style suite boasts wood-beamed ceilings and stylish artwork, some with furnished balconies besides.
Visiting Wineries
The Marco de Bartoli vineyard in Marsala is a number one mild for the world’s fortified wines. Credit score: Maurizio Gjiovovich / Marco de Bartoli
Accessing wineries from Palermo will be accomplished through a curated tour or with a solo itinerary, although each would require some type of transportation. For these in search of a extra wine-focused journey by way of the western a part of Sicily, it is suggested to hire a automotive and forge your individual journey alongside the northern and/or western coastlines.
Beneath are some wineries to not be missed. Reservations are extremely really useful.
Elios (Alcamo)
Biodynamic vineyard of 9.5 hectares centered on native Sicilian varieties from Alcamo, Camporeale and Monreale; pure, low-sulphite, and minimal intervention winemaking
Alessandro Viola (Alcamo)
Natural, five-hectare vineyard with a concentrate on native Sicilian varieties, particularly Catarratto, in addition to extra just lately planted pink varieties: Nerello Mascalese, Nero d’Avola and Syrah.
Cantine Barbera (Menfi)
Small, female-led vineyard based mostly in Menfi, centered on natural farming and indigenous varieties together with Perricone, Nerello, Alicante, Nero d’Avola, and Grillo.
Tenuta Regaleali (Sclafani)
Tasca d’Almerita’s historic household property, located in central Sicily and planted to round 600 hectares of sprawling greenery and vineyards. Its lengthy, 200-year historical past is stuffed with innovation.
Marco de Bartoli (Marsala)
Fervent pioneer of indigenous Sicilian varieties and winemaking strategies with 9 hectares in Marsala and 6 hectares on the island of Pantelleria.
Cantine Pellegrino (Marsala)
Bigger, Marsala-based vineyard with gorgeous ocean views, an on-site tasting room and in depth Marsala solera system with roots relationship again to 1880.
Palermo’s wine bar scene
La Vucciria market at night time. Credit score: Vicki Denig
Ferramenta (Piazza Giovanni Meli, 8, 90133 Palermo)
Merely unmissable wine bar with a sprawling out of doors terrace, hospitable sommelier group, and wonderful aperitivo snacks. Don’t skip the panelle and fried cheese!
Bottiglieria Massimo Champagneria (By way of Salvatore Spinuzza, 59, 90133 Palermo)
Cozy wine bar that includes well-priced Sicilian wines (and naturally Champagne) with high-quality service, out of doors seating, and nice bar snacks.
La Vucciria (Piazza Caracciolo, 90133 Palermo)
This historic meals and produce market turns right into a rowdy and vigorous place to drink come night time time. Identified for its dwell music, to-go model wine and beer, and ample fried meals and contemporary seafood-based snacks.
CiCala (By way of Sant’Alessandro, 29, 90133 Palermo)
Underrated pure wine-focused institution with beneficiant workers and ample vegetarian choices (tapas, pasta) and lots of Sicilian wines by the glass.
Vinodivino Enoteca Letteraria (Piazza Sant’Oliva, 35/36, 90130 Palermo)
A big choice of wines by the glass and bottle, artisanal beer, cocktails and digestifs served up alongside native Sicilian merchandise and small plates.
Enoteca Picone (By way of Guglielmo Marconi, 36, 90141 Palermo)
Conventional wine bar based in 1947 with an in depth choice of Sicilian and worldwide wines alike, and hearty meat and cheese boards.
The place to eat in Palermo
Antica Focacceria San Francesco (By way of Alessandro Paternostro, 58, 90133 Palermo)
Historic focacceria in an expansive sq. with ample out of doors seating; excellent for a spritz aperitivo and well-curated snacks. Be aware: Focaccia right here refers to bready sandwiches, not the normal flatbreads many internationals consider as focaccia.
Basoli (By way of Alessandro Paternostro, 38, Piazza Cattolica, 9, 90133 Palermo)
Regionally beloved wine bar and restaurant that includes wine and cocktails in a vigorous quarter.
Ballarò Market (By way of Ballaro, 90134 Palermo)
The most important and oldest food-focused market in all of Palermo, excellent for sampling native delicacies in small and eat-on-the-go codecs. Fearless eaters, the market’s signature delicacy is its spleen sandwich, although fear not – panelle, varied fritters, mussels, and contemporary seafood bites are additionally extensively accessible!
Osteria dei Vespri (Piazza Croce dei Vespri, 6, 90133 Palermo)
This Michelin Information-approved restaurant focuses on fish-based dishes and pasta in a phenomenal, quiet courtyard; recognized for an in depth wine record and locally-sourced components.
Osteria Ballarò (By way of Calascibetta, 25, 90133 Palermo)
A sprawling, rustic trattoria within the centrally-located outdated Jewish quarter. Identified for its Sicilian antipasti, handmade pasta and progressive dishes, with a superb wine record. Enjoyable truth: The restaurant is situated within the former stables of the medieval Palazzo Cattolica.
Gelateria al Cassaro (By way of Vittorio Emanuele, 214, 90133 Palermo)
Thought to be the perfect gelateria in all of Palermo, recognized for its selfmade gelati and sorbet, providing an in depth record of flavours and quite a lot of toppings; gluten-free gelato and brioche additionally accessible.
Cioccolateria Lorenzo (By way of del Quattro Aprile, 7, 90133 Palermo)
A comfy, hole-in-the-wall espresso store and chocolate retailer excellent for a morning cappuccino and candy pick-me-up.
Excursions
Palermo’s gorgeous structure, wealthy historical past, and optimum location on the water imply that there are many excursions to partake in – imbibing not required. A guided tour (approx. one hour) by way of the Teatro Massimo is solely unforgettable, as is a stroll by way of the breathtaking Cattedrale di Palermo. Quite a few different church buildings (La Martorana, Palatine Chapel and extra) provide equally stunning strolls, and when unsure, there’s at all times an organised meals tour to leap on.
For these seeking to benefit from the island’s turquoise-hued waters, a fast journey to Mondello Seashore guarantees indelible reminiscences. Hiring a personal (and really cheap) boat tour to take you to the island’s close by grottos is equally satisfying.
The Norman Palace is excellent for historical past buffs, although the €17 entry payment will not be price it for these interested in different cultural locations. For the non-faint of coronary heart, a visit to the Capuchin Catacombs to go to 8,000 preserved our bodies underground – a few of which date again to the sixteenth century – is unforgettable.
Palermo: Useful hints
Palermo is a metropolis that may be loved 12 months spherical; it merely will depend on the kind of go to you’re in search of. These after sunbathing and water actions will fare greatest from late Could to early October, with July and August being the excessive seasons.
Those that favor a quieter journey with milder temperatures will possible benefit from the metropolis most from November to April.
For these seeking to cease at wineries, needless to say harvest time (late-August to mid-October) is just not superb for visits, particularly for smaller estates that don’t essentially have devoted tasting rooms and hospitality. Equally, many institutions are prone to be closed within the second half of December by way of to the primary week of January for seasonal holidays.
