Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Italy / Sicily / Palermo
 |  | Fact File : Palermo |
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| | | Palermo | | Did you know?
Palermo's patron saint Santa Rosalia is believed to have lived as a hermit in a cave on Mount Pellegrinio in the 17th century. Today, the water in the cave is said to have miraculous powers.
Language
Italian
Visas
None required for EU residents.
Getting there
Ryanair flies direct to Palermo
Flying time from London
Three hours
Getting around
Palermo is a large but manageable city. Walking is the best way to explore. The metro system is limited as it doesn't provide easy access to the main tourist spots. Roads are generally good, although driving in Palermo can be chaotic.
Currency
Euro
Costs
As a rough guide: litre of petrol 60p; bottle of beer £1.50; moderate restaurant meal £12; roll of camera film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £7-£8.
Weather
Sicily has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, with July and August highs of 30C (86F). Winters are mild, with temperatures between 10C and 20C (50F-68F). For those who don't like it too hot, the best time is late spring and early summer.
Time difference
One hour ahead of GMT
International dialling code from the UK
00 39
Voltage
220V 50Hz, but some places still use the old 125V system - check with your hotel or landlord.
Opening hours
Shops open at 8am, shut at 1pm for a long lunch, then reopen at 3-4pm till 7-8pm. Banks open 8.30am-1.30pm and 2.45-4.30 Mon-Fri.
Health - Before you go
You don't need any vaccinations to visit Italy. The UK also has a reciprocal agreement with Italy regarding healthcare. To take advantage of this you will need to get an EHIC form at a UK post office and make sure you understand how to access this health care when away.
Health - When you are there
A new law states that all foreigners have the same right as Italians to emergency health care. That, plus having your E111 form, means that you have good access to care. Take the E111 form to the local Unita Sanitaria Locale (USL) office and they will give you the information you need. However, many Italian public hospitals are underfunded, so you may prefer to take out travel insurance to cover treatment in a private clinic.
Warnings
Beware of pickpockets and handbag-snatchers. Car theft is a problem in Palermo. Women shouldn't walk around the historic centre alone at night and all holidaymakers should avoid the area between Via Roma and the port at night.
Emergency
British Consulate, Viale Cadorna 10, 1-98100 Messina. Tel. (090) 672924. British Consulate, S. Tagliavia and Co, Via Cavour 121, 1-90133 Palermo. Tel. (091) 582533.
Customs
Slow service and long queues are the norm in banks and post offices. Be patient - stamping your feet will get you nowhere.
Pets
Italy is a qualifying country for the Pet Travel Scheme. However, that does not mean that you can put Fido on the lead and take him on the plane. There are stringent requirements for veterinary checks and documentation to fulfil prior to taking a pet abroad. Check with your vet.
Tipping
Ten per cent in restaurants if service is not included. Small change in bars. Tipping taxi drivers is not common practice.
Tourist office
Italian State Tourist Board: 1 Princes St, London W1R 8AY. Tel. 020 7408 1254. Brochure line: 09001 600 280 (calls cost 60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Palermo |
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| |  | | Opera suite
Elegant suite apartment in Palermo center with terrific view on Opera theatre.
|  | | Torre house
"Torre" is a 3 room house on 3 floors in a panoramic position in the middle of mediterranean greenery on the hill of Cefalù. It has four sleeps and tw
|  | | Pergola panoramic view apartment garden
Pergola apartment is located on the Cefalù hillside in the middle of mediterranean greenery, century old olive trees, grape pergola, typical sicilian
|  | | Stella panoramic view apartment with garden
Stella apartment is located on the Cefalù hillside in the middle of mediterranean greenery, century old olive trees, grape pergola, typical sicilian
|  | | Unni apartment with garden in Cefalù
Unni apartment is located on the Cefalù hillside in the middle of mediterranean greenery, century old olive trees, typical sicilian landscape
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Holiday Rentals in Palermo |
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