This Underrated Italian City Is the Capital of Sicily-And a Melting Pot of Mediterranean Architecture, Food, and Culture

"The crossroads of the Mediterranean, it was founded by the Phoenicians and ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, and Spanish before becoming part of Italy during the country's unification in 1861. All of these different cultures left their mark on the city's architecture, art, culture, and cuisine, which can still be felt today, making it not only the Mediterranean's melting pot but also one of the best cities to visit in Italy."

"One of the great symbols of the city is the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe (smaller only than the ones in Paris and Vienna). Inaugurated in 1897, this grand classical edifice has had its ups and downs, much like the city itself. It closed in 1974 for a renovation and didn't reopen until 1997, when the city finally began to free itself from the grip of the mafia."

Palermo combines Phoenician origins and successive Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, French, and Spanish influences into a layered cultural identity evident in architecture, art, and cuisine. Teatro Massimo stands as a monumental landmark whose closure and 1997 reopening mirror the city's struggles and recovery from mafia influence. Contemporary Palermo features renewed energy with hip restaurants, bars, independent artisan boutiques, small museums and galleries housed in historic palaces, lively street-food markets such as Vucciria, and notable sites like Quattro Canti and Villa Igiea. Local experts Salvatore Spatafora and Linda Sarris provide market tours, culinary guidance, and deeper insights into the city.

Read at Travel + Leisure