Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Italy Palermo

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Palermo

17 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Palermo, Italy

Updated March 3, 2025
Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Palermo

Palermo, Italy

Capuchin Monastery Catacombs

Thousands of well-dressed mummies below a monastery.
The interior.

Palermo, Italy

The Martorana

This mosaic-lined medieval church was built by the world's first admiral and still holds mass in ancient Greek.
The cloister.

Palermo, Italy

San Giovanni degli Eremiti

Behind medieval walls in a corner of bustling Palermo is a breathtaking former mosque once inhabited by a wolf-taming hermit.
Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Palazzo Chiaramonte graffiti.

Palermo, Italy

Palazzo Chiaramonte

Haunting graffiti left by prisoners of the Spanish Inquisition.
The apse with the Christ Pantocrator.

Palermo, Italy

Cappella Palatina

Every inch of this chapel is covered in craftsmanship from across the world.
The Santuario Facade on Monte Pellegrino. (Creative Commons)

Palermo, Italy

Santuario di Santa Rosalia

Cave shrine on Monte Pellegrino.
Porta Nuova

Palermo, Italy

Porta Nuova

This triumphal 16th-century arched gateway leads to the oldest street in Palermo.
See All 17 Things To Do in Palermo
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Palermo, Italy

Architecture 9
Sacred Spaces 7
Architectural Oddities 4
Churches 4
History 3
Religion 3
Art 2
Military 2
Mosaics 2
Museums 2
War History 2
Medieval 2
Military History 1
Prisons 1
Engineering 1
Nature 1
Castles 1
Mummies 1
Natural Wonders 1
Plaques 1

Palermo Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Joel Cusumano
    4
  2. The F
    2
  3. salvatoreraieli
    2
  4. Dr Alan P Newman
    2
  5. marcohilo
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Palermo.

Places Edited

  1. Collector of Experiences
    8
  2. philoursmars
    5
  3. brandonwthomas
    4
  4. Martin
    3
  5. Rachel
    3

Places Visited

  1. debbylog
    14
  2. Kan Cho
    14
  3. Arthemisya
    13
  4. PQPP3
    12
  5. agand
    12
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Palermo.

Recent Palermo Activity

  • lenabassett963

    wants to go to Porta Nuova

  • lenabassett963

    wants to go to Santa Maria dello Spasimo

  • Mathew Nelson

    has been to Porta Nuova

  • Mathew Nelson

    has been to Galleria delle Vittorie

  • Mathew Nelson

    has been to The Martorana

Stories About Palermo

An Opera dei Pupi heroic knight puppet.

Palermo's Unique, Centuries-Old Puppet Tradition Enters a New Era

The Sicilian city's puppeteers are finding novel ways to keep the art form alive.
by Anna Staropoli
December 10, 2021
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.