Two Neighbourhoods Central to a Fantastic Stay in Palermo

Even by Italian standards, Palermo is a unique city. Founded by the Phoenicians, it was colonised by the Greeks and the Romans, before being under Arab and Norman control. And this rich history is proudly on display almost everywhere you look.

Which is why the Centro Storico and Quattro Canti neighbourhoods are ideal spots to base yourself when visiting the Sicilian capital. It may seem counterintuitive to set up camp in the old town when the coastline is only a short drive away, but it’s a worthwhile trade-off.

You will be within walking distance of city-centre landmarks such as the Teatro Massimo and the cathedral, as well as Palermo’s bustling street markets.

We based ourselves in an Airbnb on Via Gravina, just minutes away from the Teatro Massimo – Italy’s largest theatre and the third biggest opera house in Europe behind the Palais Garnier in Paris and the Vienna State Opera.

If you prefer a hotel, the B&B Hotel Palermo Quattro Canti is excellent option for a centrally located, budget-friendly stay. Its location is ideal to explore Palermo on foot, while its rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the city at sunset.

Happy to splurge? Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa provides a more luxurious, historic experience in the same area. The hotel is set in a beautiful former cloister with a stunning central courtyard, breakfast is served in the building’s historic dining hall, while the spa is ideal to switch off after a day of sightseeing.

Another plus point when booking into a hotel is, anyone hiring a car will have somewhere to park it. This is something of a luxury in Palermo where spaces are at a premium and traffic is slow.

This spring, a double room at the B&B Hotel Palermo Quattro Canti cost £88 per night and £125 per night at the Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa.

The Teatro Politeama Garibaldi, another of Palermo’s icons, is also within walking distance of both hotels, as are the lively Ballarò and La Vucciria markets.

The former remains the city’s primary working market for fresh produce – a chaotic, loud, and vibrant maze that feels like a living theatre with crate upon crate of fresh vegetables and fruit lined up across narrow lanes.

Make sure to get here early see the market at its busiest, before it turns into a prime spot for a cheap yet delicious lunches by midday. La Vucciria, meanwhile, was historically the city’s meat market and from sunset onwards is a bustling street market, ideal for cheap eats and drinks.