Best museums in Palermo

Located in the south of the country, the capital of Sicily is a real gem that cannot be missed on any trip to Italy. It is a land full of history, as rich as it is exciting. Among the best things to do in Palermo, without a doubt, is to visit its museums. With options for all tastes, such as the Catacombs of the Capuchins, the Asmundo Museum and Palace and many more, you can delight in works of art and objects more than 10 centuries old, authentic architectural wonders and much more.

Palermo is famous, among other things, for its intimate relationship with the world of the Mafia. From movies like The Godfather, the island of Sicily has become a must-see destination for lovers of these stories. Of course you can take a specialized tour to learn about the mafia past of the city, as well as visit the No Mafia Memorial Museum, a unique experience. Join me on this tour of the best museums in Palermo, you will not regret it.

Definitely one of the most fascinating places in the city, the Capuchin's Catacombs Museum is an absolutely unique place. It is a real museum of death, so it is not suitable for everyone. Since the sixteenth century, the Capuchin order of Palermo began to preserve the bodies of the deceased and expose them along corridors and rooms.

Be amazed by the countless bodies and mummies in amazing state of preservation, belonging to some of the friars of the Capuchin order, women, children and professionals.

If you dare to walk among no less than 8,000 bodies, you will see that this museum has no comparison, in addition to knowing the mythical convent, you can observe in detail an important part of the customs of Palermo in the sixteenth century.

Useful information:

• Location: Piazza Cappuccini, 1, Palermo.
• Price: from 3 euros per person.
• Hours: open daily from 9 am to 12:30 pm and from 3 pm to 5:30 pm.

And being that Palermo is the capital of Sicily, the trip would not be complete without a tour of the No Mafia Memorial Museum. Intimately linked to the life of its inhabitants and an indisputable part of the history of the region, the world of the mafia captivates travelers from all over the world, who come here to learn all about the world of the Sicilian underworld and its codes of honor.

And if you are one of those who have seen The Godfather trilogy countless times, and the visit to the museum has only made you even more interested in the subject, you can not miss one of the best mafia tours of Palermo. In this sensational tour you will learn all about the town of Corleone and the most famous figures of the Italian Mafia. I can assure you that you will not regret it.

Useful information:

• Location: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 353, Palermo.
• Price: free of charge.
• Hours: open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm. On Tuesdays the museum is closed.

Housed in an ancient villa of the Sicilian nobility, the Pinacoteca of the Sicily Foundation brings together in one place the classic and the modern, in the more than 1,000 works of its permanent collection. Here you can enjoy some of the fundamental paintings of Palermo art of the early 20th century, such as those by Ettore de Maria Bergler, Antonino Leto and Francesco Lojacono.

The Villa Zito' s art gallery is well worth a visit, for although it is not a large museum, its collection is of a truly superior quality. Coming face to face with works such as Renato Guttuso's The Eruption of Etna, with its rivers of fiery lava, or Aleardo Terzi's Evening Harmonies, with its cool brushstrokes, will leave you speechless.

Useful info:

• Location: Via della Libertà, 52, Palermo.
• Price: from 5 euros per person.
• Hours: open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. On Tuesdays the gallery is closed.

Its construction began in 1615 and took more than 150 years to complete. I assure you that you will be fascinated by the wonderful frescoes that decorate its halls, the work of the Palermitan master Gioacchino Martorana, as well as the various collections that the Palazzo Asmundo treasures.

Among its rooms and spaces to visit, the most important are the Concert Hall, the Hall of Allegories, the Cathedral Hall and the Gioacchino Martorana Hall. The museum also preserves a large number of classic carriages and litters, postcards and antique maps, as well as numerous objects and furnishings that belonged to the nobility of Palermo in the eighteenth century. An amazing place not to be missed.

Useful information:

• Location: via Pietro Novelli, 3, Palermo.
• Price: from 6 euros per visitor.
• Hours: open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.

Visiting the Giuseppe Pitrè Ethnographic Sicilian Museum is one of the best ways to get in touch with the past and present of life on the Italian island of Sicily. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this museum brings together some 1,500 pieces of furniture, handmade objects, tools, clothing and even a puppet theater, details that will help you fully understand what it was like to live in Palermo in the past.

Located in the historic center of the city of Palermo, in the Palazzina Cinese, the museum is a real time machine, you can enjoy all the charm of Sicily, while learning about the customs of the region. You can see antique carriages, as well as the royal chapel of the Bourbon-Sicilians.

Useful information:

• Location: viale Duca degli Abruzzi, 1, Palermo.
• Price: from 8 euros per visitor.
• Hours: open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 5:30 pm. Mondays the museum is closed.

Located in the architectural complex of Sant'Anna, the Museum and Gallery of Modern Art of Palermo is one of the museums that you cannot miss during your visit to the Sicilian island. With works by Italian painters and sculptors from the 19th and 20th centuries, touring its halls is an adventure and a way to understand the fundamental place Palermo had in the Modernist period.

The GAM treasures works by Antonio Leto, Francesco Lojacono, Massimo Campigli, Mario Sironi, Felice Casorati, Renato Guttuso, Ettore De Maria Bergler and his charming art nouveau, as well as the huge paintings of Giuseppe Sciuti. It is divided into 14 sections, each with a different theme. An ideal place to learn all about Palermitan art of the last century, mainly of the Belle Epoque.

Useful information:

• Location: via Sant'Anna 21, Palermo.
• Price: from 8 euros per person.
• Hours: open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Mondays the museum is closed.

Marvel at this incredible Palermitan monument, the Palatine Chapel is one of the must-see sights in the city of Palermo. The monumental complex Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its great beauty. Besides admiring its imposing Byzantine architecture, you can enjoy the beautiful decorations and religious works of art inside.

The Palatine Chapel is located on the first floor of the Royal Palace, which is why it is considered a monumental complex. This beautiful enclosure was built in 1135, commissioned by the monarch Roger II of Sicily. You will see how amazing its decoration is, with lots of Arab and Byzantine mosaics, as well as the beautiful muqarnas that cover the ceiling of the central nave of the chapel.

Also known as the Norman Palace, the Royal Palace is currently the seat of the Sicilian Parliament and one of the monumental jewels of the region.

Useful information:

• Location: piazza del Parlamento, 1, Palermo.
• Price: from 19 euros per visitor.
• Hours: open Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Another must-see in the city of Palermo is Palazzo Abatellis. Built in the 15th century in a charming Catalan Gothic style, this palace is one of Palermo's most important monuments and home to the Regional Gallery of Sicily. Here you can enjoy some of the best works of medieval art.

The most famous are undoubtedly: the Moses, by Novelli, the Anunziatta, by Antonello of Messina, the bust of Eleonora of Messina, by Francesco Laurana, or the exceptional fresco The Triumph of Death, by an unknown author. Visiting its 16 rooms will leave you in awe. Always included in the best tours of Palermo, both the Palazzo and the Gallery are authentic jewels of the city.

Useful information:

• Location: Via Alloro, 4, Palermo.
• Price: from 8 euros per person. Minors pay 50% of the entrance fee.
• Hours: open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 6:30 pm and Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm. Mondays the museum is closed.

Located in front of the Cathedral Square, to which it is connected by a Gothic-Catalan arch, the Archbishop's Palace is another place worth seeing in Palermo. Inside is the Diocesan Museum, which has about 15 rooms with religious works of art and one especially dedicated to the patron saint of Palermo, Santa Rosalia.

In addition to the museum, the palace is a work of art in itself, built in the fifteenth century commissioned by Archbishop Simone Beccadelli di Bologna, the beauty of its Gothic-Catalan style will leave you speechless. Inside, the Borremans Chapel, named after the frescoes of the Flemish painter Guglielmo Borremans, is reminiscent of some of the rooms of the French Palace of Versailles. Undoubtedly, a place that allows you to see how the Palermitan nobility of the 16th century lived.

Useful information:

• Location: via Matteo Bonello, 2, Palermo.
• Price: from 5 euros per visitor.
• Hours: open Tuesdays to Fridays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm, and Sundays and holidays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. On Mondays the palace and the museum are closed.

Finally, one of the most typically Sicilian museums, where you will find alive one of its most ancient traditions. The Antonio Pasqualino Puppet Museum is one of those fascinating places. You will be able to see its incredible collection of Pupis, the traditional puppets of articulated type that represented the Palladian knights.

The museum was recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the intangible and oral heritage of humanity. This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Palermo with children, who will find here a magical place like few others. In addition to being able to appreciate the puppets, there are truly unmissable performances.

The museum is located in the former Hotel de Francia, an architectural jewel in itself, so you will find all the beauty of Palermo's history.

Useful information:

• Location: piazza Antonio Pasqualino, 5, Palermo.
• Price: from 11.50 euros per person.
• Hours: open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm, Sunday and Monday from 10am to 2pm.

First of all, it is worth saying that you will have a great time in any of the museums of this incredible Sicilian city. Its cultural offer is truly very wide and interesting. However, for your experience to be complete, there are a few things to keep in mind, and here I have put them together for you.

Organize your visits by zones

In cities like Palermo, which have so much to know, it is important to put together a coherent itinerary by zones, in this way you will optimize your time and get the most out of your visit. To do this you can check Google maps and organize yourself better. There is no point in crossing the whole city in search of a museum if you will have to return to visit another one.

Check the opening and closing times of each museum

It is common for museums to be closed one or more days of the week, therefore, and to avoid disappointment, I advise you to check the opening hours of the museums you intend to visit before going to them. Also keep in mind that if you visit the city on a public holiday, it is very likely that they will be closed.

Buy your tickets online

If you buy your tickets online you will avoid queues and waiting time. This is essential if you are on vacation or don't have too many days off in the city, and even more so if you are traveling with children, as waiting in line at the box office can be a nightmare with small children.

Check for special events

In the case of museums such as the Antonio Pasqualino Puppet Museum, where in addition to the exhibition there are performances and special events, I recommend that you visit their website, to organize your visit at a time that allows you to enjoy these shows.

Take a tour of Palermo's main landmarks in a tourist bus

Hop on one of the best hop on-hop off buses in Palermo, and discover all the charm of one of the most attractive cities in Italy. With two different routes to choose from, you can enjoy the classical architecture, the monuments and all the beauty of the Sicilian capital in a single day.

Moreover, thanks to the hop on-hop off mode, you can get off the bus wherever you want and get back on at one of the many stops along the route. Of course, these buses have an audio guide in Spanish, so you won't miss anything of this magnificent city. You will visit the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, the historic center and much more.

Take a gastronomic tour

Join one of the best gastronomic tours in Palermo and live a unique experience. Taste the typical Sicilian flavors and dishes, where olive oil is always present. Delight yourself with a guided tour of the best Palermo restaurants, open-air markets, and discover why this region is considered one of the best in the culinary field.