Palermo, the largest city on the island of Sicily, is known for its lively markets and its stunning mosaics and architecture showing Byzantine, Arab, and Norman influence. Nine monuments and churches from the time of Sicily’s Norman kingdom, 1130-1194, make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalu and Monreale. Palermo was also the 2018 Italian Capital of Culture.

The heart of the old town is the area known as Quattro Canti and the city’s sights spread out from there.

- The impressive Palatine Chapel, Cappella Palatina, is the highlight of the Royal Palace. Once the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Kingdom of Sicily, its walls are decorated with beautiful mosaics. The palace is open daily, with shorter hours on Sundays, but the royal apartments can only be visited from Friday through Monday. There’s a separate ticket for the gardens.