Palermo is Sicily’s capital, a city rich in history, culture, architecture and gastronomy; an important centre throughout its 2700 years of history. Palermo lies in the northwest of Sicily, beside the Gulf of Palermo, in the Tirreno Sea.

The catacombs of the Capuchinos, with their unevenly conserved mummies, are a big tourist attraction, as is the Cathedral in Moorish/Norman style, and the Palazzo dei Normanni (with, in its interior, the beautiful Palatina Chapel); also notable are the churches of Martorana (with its splendid mosaics inside), San Cataldo, San Juan de los Eremitas, San Ignacio, San Francisco de Asís, San Giuseppe dei Teatini and Casa Professa; the Quattro Canti; the Pretoria fountain; the Politeama and the Massimo theatres; the charming beach at Mondello. Among the most important museums in Palermo rank the Archaeological Museum, the Regional Gallery of Sicily (Palazzo Abatellis), and the International Marionette Museum.

The winters are temperate and the summers very hot, while the waters are ideal for sailing.