If you want to experience life as a Palermitan and enjoy the culture of this gorgeous city then you are in for a treat.
We had an amazing one week stay in this beautiful apartment. First of all, the landlady, Virginia, is extremely kind and helpful. She kindly gave us a lift late at night from the airport for much cheaper than a taxi. She gave us a lot of information about Palermo, where to find buses, advice about restaurants, etc. She is very passionate about being a host and she makes sure your stay is a pleasurable one.
The apartment itself is perfect for a couple. It has been recently renovated, everything looks new and it is very clean. If like us you want to make the most of the local products and cook your own meal then you will enjoy staying there. The kitchenette is very well equipped with an oven, gas stoves, a big fridge, etc. The bedroom and the bathroom are big. The living room is of a good size too. You can squeeze a couple of chairs on the balcony if you wish to enjoy a drink whilst looking at the locals going on with their life.
The area feels safe with a lovely street life. Just in front of the apartment is a very good bakery, pane e sapori which opens early in the morning. Just at the corner is a small market where you can find fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. Just a few minutes walk away you can also find several butchers all of very good quality, we tried some delicious food. The city centre is about 25 minute walk but if you do not like walking then the train station is very close (Giachery) and there are buses nearby going to town too and to Mondello and the Monte Pellegrino all just a few minutes walk away (but Viriginia will explain you all that). If like us you prefer to be a bit away from the noise of the city centre and feel like you live like the locals for a while then this is the perfect place.
A few places we would recommend in addition to the ones recommended by Virginia:
-We loved the restaurant: Antica Focacceria Del Massimo Da Basile. Very close to the teatro Massimo, we loved it so much we went twice.
-Pasticceria Porta Sant’ Agata di Trentacoste: the brioche with ice cream is delicious and the “rectangular arancini??” with ragu was amazing.
-Near the flat, the cake shop Zanzibar makes a delicious cassata if you want to try this specialty.
-If you go to Mondello and want to try a restaurant where locals go then we would advise going to Pasta e Pasti, the gnocchis and pasta con le sarde were amazing.
-In terms of visit we would really recommend visiting the Oratorio de Santa Cita, we heard about it in a documentary and were not disappointed. It is a small place but the sculptures are out of this world.
Thank you Viriginia! We will come back.