Excursion Palermo old town & santa caterina church tour at Palermo

Leave the pier by coach and start the panoramic sightseeing drive of Palermo.

Palermo sightseeing

Comfortably admire from your coach the main monuments such as the Norman Palace, which began life in the Saracen period and altered by the Norman kings; the Felice Gate, the Marina Square and the Garibaldi Gardens.

Old town Walking tour, Cathedral, quattro canti, Piazza Pretoria

Leave the coach for a walking tour of the old town center starting from the magnificent Cathedral, which was built in the 12th-century by an archbishop and transformed into a mosque during Muslim occupation. The basilica houses six Royal Tombs, and was restored to the hands of Christianity by the Normans. The remains of Palermo's protector, Ste. Rosalia, are stored in the chapel in an urn of pure silver. Continuing on foot along the pedestrian Via Vittorio Emanuele, reach the "Quattro Canti" corner and thence Piazza Pretoria with its famous fountain, the Palermo Town Hall and the University.-

Santa Caterina Church, Monastery

Afterwards, walk to Santa Caterina Church. The Church stands next to a fourteenth-century monastery of Dominican nuns and was built between 1566 and 1596. The dome was added In the eighteenth century and the choir in 1863. The façade is in late Renaissance style; inside, the chapels are in rococo style with very rich marble decorations and eighteenth-century frescoes, which make it one of the richest churches in Palermo. The visit continues also inside the Monastery, where the cloistered nuns were leaving, exploring their private cells. Weather permitting, access upstairs on the terrace to enjoy a magnificenf view of Palermo centre.

Enjoy a tasting of a typical local specialty before returning to the coach for the drive back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Palermo, Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Santa Caterina Church, Sweet Tasting

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking and standing for approximately 1.2 miles (about 1.8 kilometres), with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 80/100 steps at the Church and Monastery. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and for guests who utilize a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended. Shoulders and Legs must be covered to enter churches. Please note that guides may have accents reflecting their regional backgrounds, which adds to the diversity and richness of the experience.