Palermo was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century B.C., later was taken by the Romans, then was part of the Byzantine Empire, later it was the capital of an Arab Emirate and the Kingdom of Sicily.

Walking through the alleys and squares of Palermo means taking a trip back in time and discovering centuries of history. 

Palermo is a city full of contrasts, characterized by a labyrinth of winding alleys of medieval origin, with chaotic markets, it is a city in which rundown facades conceal treasures of art, where there are squares surrounded by Baroque churches, exotic gardens and lush greenery open up.

The heart of this center is the Quattro Canti, a Baroque square of great impact and theatricality and a city landmark.

A few steps from the Quattro Canti there are Piazza Pretoria, with its Renaissance fountain, and Piazza Bellini with its Unesco churches and its splendid Baroque church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria.

To the west of the historic center, the 16th-century Porta Nuova marks the entrance into Via Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo’s oldest street where the splendid Villa Bonanno opens with its many date palms.

The Cathedral shows a mixture of different architectural styles and is a witness to the multiculturalism of the city in past centuries: from Arabic decorations to Spanish and neoclassical architecture. 

North of the historic center the imposing Teatro Massimo (Italy’s largest opera house and third largest in Europe) stands.

The Palermo classica tour allows you to discover all these monuments and more. The tour can be customized according to your preferences.