Things to Do at Palazzo dei Normanni (Palermo)

The Palazzo dei Normanni is genuinely one of Sicily's most impressive architectural achievements, and it's been the seat of power in Palermo for over a thousand years. Originally built by Arab emirs in the 9th century, it was later expanded by the Norman kings who made it their royal residence - hence the name. What you see today is actually a fascinating blend of Arab, Norman, and Byzantine influences that somehow works beautifully together. The palace is still used as the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, which means parts of it are off-limits when parliament is in session. That said, the real draw here is the Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina), which many consider the finest example of Arab-Norman art in the world. The chapel's golden mosaics and intricate wooden ceiling are the kind of thing that makes you stop mid-sentence and just stare.

The palace sits in central Palermo, just a 10-minute uphill walk from the cathedral. Take it. If you're arriving from the train station, catch bus lines 104 or 107, or walk for roughly 20 minutes through streets that reward the effort. From the port area, it is an easy 15-minute stroll through the old town-though "easy" depends on your tolerance for uneven cobblestones. Street parking exists nearby. Don't count on it. Walking works best since the historic center stays compact and the palace signs are clear enough to follow without getting lost.