In the addicting movie series ‘The White Lotus’, Palermo overflows beauty and mesmerize with its culture. The strongest sense of place of Sicily. 

Palermo is the capital of Sicily and the melting pot of Normans, Arabs, Byzantines and Romans. All left a robust cultural heritage, which is nowadays conserved by UNESCO.

Its alleys and streets often are named both in Latin, Arabic and Jewish, witnessing the deep sense of inclusions which has always made this city unique.

Its abundant baroque art is in every corner: the town center includes the Byzantine cathedral and the stunning ‘Piazza Quattro Canti’ and the Pretoria Fountain, also named as ‘the Shame Fountain’ because of its alluring naked statues.

Also the Teatro Massimo – Politeama – is famous for its lyric performances. It is mentioned and visited by Tanya in ‘The White Lotus’. In episode 5, Quentin (Tom Hollander) and his gay friends take Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge) to the opera to see Madama Butterfly by Puccini.

The imponent Norman Castle (XIth century) and the Palatine Chapel, withs its unique Byzantine mosaics.

But, the true Palermo life is at its open markets of Vucciria and Ballarò, very similar to Arabic souks, where Mediterranean fresh food and fish is on stalls everyday. A good opportunity to taste some unique street food!