Hi Guys, I am planing to fly from the states to Palermo, first time there, what would you suggest:
to stay in a big hotel a 20 minutes drive from downtown wich sounds "safer" or a B&B downtown?
Thanks
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
Stay in the center - no reason to be in the outskirts unless you have no plans to tour Palermo (which would be a shame). Read hotel reviews on www.booking.com to gauge your comfort level. Have you been to any busy chaotic city before - Naples, Istanbul, NYC? If so, Palermo won't seem totally overwhelming.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
For the same reasons that Agnes gave, Rick Steves' Sicily tours stay in central Palermo and our tour members get there on their own from the airport. The main "grittiness" factor of my last visit was dog poop on the streets. The market area gets very crowded, but most other city streets are wide and easy to navigate.
Posted by
back in the Americas
736 posts
If you plan to sitesee in Palermo, then certainly stay in the city. You will enjoy walking around to explore the city. There are many good b&bs and hotels. We stayed at Palazzo Pantaleo, took the bus from the airport into the city and it was about a block from the bus stop. Just be alert and aware of your surroundings and you should be fine. That is true, regardless of your destination. We had no fear for our safety in the city. There are always lots of people out on the streets. You will not need a car in the city. Trying to drive there would worry me more than fear of pickpockets or scams. If you want to go up to Monreale or out to Segesta or to an ancestral town and you are afraid to try it on your own, your hotel (b&b) can arrange for a private driver or possibly a local tour or guide.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I stay at Federico Secondo B&B near the Cathedral, very nice.
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
Here is some great info on all of Sicily, hotels, inns, transportation, sites etc. There are at least a hundred links on this site and I found it very useful - even being on a tour !!
Best of Sicliy
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I too had read the warnings, which made Palermo sound like Naples on crack. I found it to be much more like a slightly dilapidated Rome, and not at all scary, intimidating, unsafe, etc.
Not to mention that driving into downtown every day is not the way to have a nice time in Palermo; much better to stay there, and walk or take local buses.
Here's where I stayed, which was between the oldest (and grittiest) section, and the fancy section (with Gucci, Prada, etc - quite a contrast to the "Palermo" you read about). I'd definitely stay there again (and my friend did, when he returned the following year): https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy-reviews/palermo-bed-and-breakfast-la-bella-vita