Palermo is the capital of Sicily and the province of Palermo. Historically, it has been under Phoenician, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, and lastly Italian rule.

With more than 800,000 residents, Palermo is Italy’s fifth largest city.

Palermo International Airport (airport code PMO) located 32 kilometres west of the city is among Italy's busiest, transporting more than 4 million passengers each year. Alitalia, KLM, and Meridiana fly most frequently from Palermo.

Like most Italian cities, Palermo has numerous churches from the quaint to the grandiose. Worthy of a visit include Palermo Cathedral, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Chiesa della Martorana, and Santa Maria della Catena.

Other popular tourist destinations include the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele an opera house constructed in the 19th century, the Palazzo dei Normanni an extravagant palace that holds the Cappella Palatina, and the Museo Archeologico Regionale.

The Catacombe dei Cappuccini is one of Palermo's more unique attractions. The catacombs contain more than 8,000 mummified ex-residents from Palermo.