A Taste of Palermo

Having been under the rule of great civilisations, from Greek and Roman to Arab and French, Palermo has an incredibly rich artistic legacy. From The Palazzo dei Normanni, which was the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the Norman domination (and today houses the city council), to Monreale’s cathedral, commissioned by the Norman ruler of Sicily William II, this is a city steeped in history — and a culinary whirlpool.

Reminiscent of Arab souks, Palermo’s markets, from Ballarò, to Capo and Vucciria, are perhaps the best place to soak up its theatrical and vibrant atmosphere, with market sellers singing the merits of their wares at the top of their lungs and locals sourcing the freshest vegetables.

There is an endless list of things to do during your stay at Villa Igiea: Stroll down Corso Vittorio Emanuele and pass by churches, palazzi and the city’s breath-taking cathedral; Glide through the Gulf of Palermo aboard a private boat; venture out to the medieval village of Castelbuono, and sample sea-fresh fish and raw crustaceans with magnificent views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.