This open space in front of the Teatro Massimo is the perfect spot for people watching. There are…read morecafes on two sides of it so you can always find one or the other is in the shade. The backdrop is the beautiful Teatro (the second largest in Italy). And because it is near the middle of the historic district and the pedestrian Via Maqueda, there are always people here. I was at two different cafes in this plaza for coffee at one and wine at the other. It was a great spot to just sit and enjoy this fabulous city. [Review 12820 overall, 135 of 2020.]

We had a wonderful day on Mondello Beach at the Lido Valdesi. We took a taxi from he historic area…read moreof Palermo where we were staying. It worked out perfectly. We visited a great coffee shop named Touring Bar as we arrived prior to settling in at the beach. Delicious croissants and cappuccino! Later we enjoyed a delicious lunch right on the private beach at Valdesi. Excellent food and service. I recommend this private lido as the chairs and umbrella were high quality and the bathrooms were easily accessible. It was also just a quick walk across the street for excellent gelato!

This beach is accessible from Palermo by city bus. It's a nice beach with beautiful blue water, but…read morethe facilities are lacking. There are no public toilets. The beach is free, but there is only a thin strip of sand open to the public, so it is very crowded. You can pay a lot of money for access to private beach areas with chairs and umbrellas, but those areas are not next to the water.

Sat one early morning, drinking my second cup of coffee, overlooking the English Garden. Prepared…read moremyself for a visit to the Villa Trabia, a few minutes away, having some expectations, as always. Went out, crossed the street, walked up to the gate of the villa. Not so much to expect, so far. No tourists, just a few locals having their morning run. Birds, though, plenty of them, singing and opening their wings in the breeze. Just a few steps and you experience a unique atmosphere. Once this garden had 2700 species. Today only 150 remains. But past and present can´t be separated - it´s all there. The grandeur, the greatness, is still present. Nothing is perfect, the decline can be seen everywhere, but beauty remains and the romantic impression is without sentimentality. The Villa Trabia holds an art library. A sweet lady showed me around. The house filled with students reading, listening to music, watching film videos - studying art, right in the eye of art itself. Sat down on a bench underneath a very big tree, talked to an engaged gardener, telling me the names of the trees. Flowers from one of them covered the ground. Left the Villa Trabia through another gate? Yes, I did. But not really. Still inside.

They have a slide and swings and monkey bars. Tons of green space. Romantic benches. People playing…read moresoccer. Watch out for some broken parts of the playground.

Extremely busy hangout for the locals in the evening, this is a "music temple" and it looks like it…read morewould be a neat music venue when the plaza isn't visibly covered in construction materials and a huge crane. Built between 1874 and 1875 by the sculptor Salvatore Valenti from Palermo, it was designed for outdoor music performances. For many years, it fell into disrepair and was covered in graffiti and trash. Restored recently and hopefully it remains so. [Review 12833 overall, 148 of 2020.]

Beautiful hotel right in front of the Mediterranean Sea. With big pools, breakfast and lunch area…read moreplus wonderful restaurant, which we do need a reservation. Atmosphere is calm and relaxing, family friendly. Also, restaurant is open to outside people too. Food and chief here are amazing. Hotel service, concierge, especially Roberto is just wonderful. However, restaurant Ai Limoni service is not as good. But since chief and the food he makes is amazing we kind of bypassing the service lol. Our rooms are ocean view with balcony, clean and beautiful,, if you visit Sicily, do get this hotel, highly recommend