New To Italy? - New To Palermo!! - "See" What You Can "Do" and "Eat"
Looking for family-friendly activities in Palermo? Besides its stunning architecture and charming landscapes, the capital of Sicily is also a great destination to visit with kids. From cute puppet theatres and lively street food markets to picturesque beaches and fun parklands, there are plenty of engaging attractions and activities in and around Palermo to keep the little ones entertained.
The puppet theatre is definitely one of the strongest cultural traditions in Sicily and kids just love it. Head out to the Museo Internazionale delle Marionette (International Puppet Museum) where you will find many pupari (puppeteers) showing off their skills. If you wish to see how puppets are actually made, check out the workshop of Vincenzo Argento. Vincenzo also puts on daily shows in front of the cathedral at the Palazzo Asmundo. There is also a great puppet theater right opposite of Teatro Massimo, which is run by probably the most-famous puppeteer in Sicily, Mimmo Cuticchio.
There are many excellent destinations in Italy worth exploring and one of them is a large nature park called Monte Pellgrino. Located just a short drive from Palermo, this parkland and mountain is an ideal weekend getaway spot for travelers who wish to escape from all the hustle and bustle of the city center. It’s a great place to have a picnic with kids, but keep in mind that Monte Pellegrino gets crowded on Sundays when many Sicilian families come here. The easiest way to reach this wonderful parkland is by bus 821, which departs from Politeama.
If the weather is nice and you wish to have some quality beach time with your kids, make sure to visit the amazing Mondello Lido. It boasts one of the best beaches in Sicily and attracts large numbers of both tourists and locals. Enjoy the warm Mediterranean waters while your kids are building a sandcastle and experience the bustling vibe of this small borough just outside of Palermo. In case you get hungry, there is a picturesque Art Nouveau pier and building at the end of the beach that houses a nice restaurant and a bar.
No visit to Palermo with kids is complete without exploring the city’s vibrant street markets. Honestly, the best way to experience street markets like Capo, Ballaro, and Vucciria is with a local guide. Luckily, there are dozens of street food tours available in Palermo and most of them include a visit to some of these markets where a local guide will tell you everything there is to know about the local specialties and the history of the markets that date back to the Arab times. Expect to see many local Sicilian grandmas purchasing fresh seafood and meats here, especially early in the morning.
Located just an hour drive from Palermo, Cefalù is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Sicily. Explore the town’s cobblestone streets and admire the breathtaking architecture of the buildings. Cefalù is also famous for its picturesque beach where you and your kids can spend a day swimming, paddle boarding, and enjoying other water activities. The town offers plenty of dining options and is packed with everything from casual eateries to fine dining establishments and boutique wine bars.
One of the best things about Palermo is that it offers reasonably priced and delicious street food. The food is cooked fresh right on the spot and there are numerous food stalls that consist of copper pans and simple grills and can be found on basically every corner of the city. The variety of snacks here is amazing and there are many authentic Sicilian dishes that your kids will instantly fall in love with. To help you decide what to try, here is a short list of the best street foods that Palermo has to offer.
If you are wondering,
What could be the “Food for Kids” options in Palermo. You are at right place..note down the following delicious , mouth watering snacks for you and your kids in Palmero.
Sfincione....as they say
One of the best Sicilian street dishes, Sfincione is basically a oily pizza topped with tomato sauce caciovallo cheese, onions, and anchovies. Although this mixture of bread and a pizza crust may sound a bit too plain, the mixture of flavors is amazing and the kids love it. The best place to sample this dish at Francu U Vastiddaru.
Arancine...
Arancino Vs Arancina? It seems that even the locals can’t agree what is the right way to pronounce these luscious balls of rice. It all depends if you are from East or West Sicily. This delicacy is fried to a crispy golden brown and includes a seriously creamy paste inside. You can opt for a variety of fillings including classic combinations like meat sauce and butter, diced cooked ham and mozzarella to more diverse combinations that include spinach with smoked cheese or shrimp. There are many places in Palermo where you can try this tasty specialty, but my personal favorite is at I Cuochini and at KePalle.
Panino Con Le Panelle...
Panino Con Le Panelle are popular with kids and definitely worth ordering on your vacation in Palermo. These savory fritters are made from chickpea flour and dipped into hot oil. This is the simplest form of the dish, but you can also add croche, eggplant, and some fresh Sicilian lemon. The best spots to try this dish include a small cart with no name in Mercato Ballaro and at Friggitoria Chiluzzo (Kalsa Neighborhood).
Cannolo...
If your kids are into the sweet stuff, Cannolo is definitely something they are bound to enjoy. This sweet specialty is known all over the world, but the locals here will tell you that the only place to try a real authentic Cannolo is right here in Sicily. The crunchy shell is stuffed with cheese and cream and stuffed with candied oranges, cinnamon, and pistachios. It’s practically one of the best desserts in the world. I tried it in France, Spain, even in North Italy, but the best Cannolo I’ve ever had was at Pasticceria Cappello right here in Palermo.
If you have anything that could be added to the list, do comment below…
Wow! Amazing post. The best thing about the blog is how you divided the city based on season and jotted down to do things according to the months. A very handy guide, I must say.
Hey! Glad you liked it.
Thanks
Oooh, April sounds like the time to go! Those festivals look fantastic. Great suggestions. 🙂
Hey! Thanks..yes April is indeed a good time to go.