Born and bred in sun-soaked Palermo, Irene Rizzo is passionate about Sicily’s vibrant culture, as she helps others to plan the perfect holiday on this enchanting island.
“For me, helping others plan their holiday is a lifelong passion”
Irene's top five:
Activities to inspire and entertain
Palermo’s fascinating Paleontology Museum and the Museum of Zoology are both home to thousands of incredible artefacts, with plenty to inspire and educate curious minds. The latter was founded by Italian Geologist Professor Pietro Doderlein during the mid-19th century, and today hosts a spectacular permanent exhibition which invites children to study animals in a way they might have never seen before - the museum is also located next to the city’s beautiful botanical gardens, perfect for family picnics.
For when little ones need to burn off some steam, I always direct families to the City Adventure Park, to experience the fun and freedom of nature without leaving Palermo. There’s something suitable for everyone, from exciting obstacle courses and paintballing to exploring high among the trees on ziplines. On occasions when the weather is not on our side, the Escape Room Palermo is a fun challenge, bringing the whole family together to solve a mystery and beat the clock.
Embracing the great outdoors
The best way to appreciate the beauty of Sicily is by heading outdoors. The Madonie mountain ranges cover around 35,000 hectares, and can be reached in under two hours from Palermo, making it a perfect day trip. Beside breathtaking views and hiking trails, children will love the Parco Avventura Madonie with activities like orienteering and archery, alongside picnic and barbeque facilities.
The perfect slice
Great pizza is guaranteed to put a smile on every face - and La Braciera serves some of Palermo’s best. The restaurant is situated in the historic Via San Lorenzo, while in 2022 it also ranked within the ‘100 Top Pizza’ in the world. Families will love the restaurant’s dedicated Kid’s Corner, with parents welcome to enjoy a refreshing aperitif while little ones are busy playing.
A Sicilian treasure trail
Exclusive to Villa Igiea, our treasure hunt tour is a captivating way of exploring the city. Families can look for clues and help to solve various riddles together, learning about Palermo’s historical monuments and landmarks at the same time. Taking around 4 hours, families will wander through the city as explorers, and fall in love with its unique charms and beauty. We recommend this tour for families with children aged 5 - 12 years.
Stroll among the temples
Another day trip I would recommend is the scenic drive from Palermo to Agrigento, located on Sicily’s spectacular south coast. Here you will find the majestic Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest archaeological sites in the world, promising an immersive history lesson for both children and adults.
Discover history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea: a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo, the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo.
Phone Number*
Address
Salita Belmonte 43
Palermo, Italy
Sicily 90142
Palermo, Italy
Sicily 90142
Discover history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea: a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo, the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo.
Phone Number*
Address
Salita Belmonte 43
Palermo, Italy
Sicily 90142
Palermo, Italy
Sicily 90142
Discover history, majesty and serenity at Villa Igiea: a turn-of-the-century palazzo at the perimeter of vivid Palermo, the foot of Mount Pellegrino and the Gulf of Palermo.
Phone Number*
Address
Salita Belmonte 43
Palermo, Italy
Sicily 90142
Palermo, Italy
Sicily 90142