Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip to Palermo, Italy. The capital of Sicily, Palermo defies expectations. Big and bustling, it can feel brash at times, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll find the city’s genteel, artistic, and intellectual side.

The crossroads of the Mediterranean, it was founded by the Phoenicians and ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, and Spanish before becoming part of Italy during the country’s unification in 1861. All of these different cultures left their mark on the city’s architecture, art, culture, and cuisine, which can still be felt today, making it not only the Mediterranean’s melting pot but also one of the best cities to visit in Italy.