This place has a super nice owner and guide. It is a family museum with stuff that the owners' ancestors used when they fished and preserved anchovy in tinned cans. Nice but a little narrow topic for a museum. The owner sings nice italian songs, the shop with local stuff is cosy but it is a bubble...

Worth every moment. This is a gem that is as rare as it gets. History recounted from experiences lived and from those who were there. A bit out of the way but worth the effort. You will not regret it.

My colleague and I are American professors that teach Culinary and Beverage Management in a Florida university. We were thrilled to visit this beautiful museum and learn from and spend time with Michelangelo. We especially enjoyed him sharing stories and singing beautiful Italian songs while playing traditional Italian musical instruments. There is so much history in Sicily and especially in this area. This is a place not to be missed on your next visit. Grazie!!!

The owner is warm, entertaining and charming.

This is a gem of a 'museum' ...If you have the chance to visit take it- you will not be disappointed! Through this setting & experience Micelangelo and his family are honouring Sicilys past,acknowledging its present & striving to ensure a better future generations to come.Serious subjects are illustrated,spoken& sung about .....with seriousness,fun,laughter & respect.

I can't recommend this totally incredible museum highly enough. Michelangelo gives a great performance, introducing us to the world of fishing, his family, his love of his country and of life, all at the same time, as he passes through the rooms like windows on moments in life. We are both spectators and actors. Over and above all the interesting information about anchovy fishing, it's a marvellous journey back in time, an enriching, funny and powerful experience that you'll want to take with you in your luggage. If you're in Sicily, be sure to visit this unique museum! Just below the fish shop, which is well worth a visit, is Emilio's exhibition of extraordinary works of art made from recycled scratch cards!

I had an unbelievable experience today in this museum, which is rather than a museum an exquisite journey through Sicilian history. Michelangelo takes you on a trip telling stories about the history of anchovy fishing and the local town, showing rooms of beautiful artifacts, singing Sicilian music, and playing beautiful cinematography. It is a unique experience, and one of the best things one can do in Sicily. Thanks again to all the people involved with this museum!

It was an amazing experience to tour the museum with Michelangelo. You MUST visit this place.

so much better than you can imagine authentic Sicily and music and laughs make sure to go when Michael is there

What can I say that hasn't already been said? This is a "living" museum, meaning that as a visitor, you participate in the experience. Michelangelo is a performer and you help him complete the performance. He really loves what he does and he gives all that he has. Of course the museum itself is amazing as well. This area of Sicily is rich in the history of "acciuga". Most, if not all, the artifacts in the museum are from the area. It is a vast collection. I was pleasantly surprised. Just visit. It will be time well spent!

A beautiful story of love and hard work of the Sicilian people a must place to visit and experience the interactive presentation by Michelangelo

The Museum of Anchovies and Marine Arts of Aspra left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. This place is an embodiment of passion and devotion, a labor of love crafted by the Balistreri brothers, Girolamo and Michelangelo. Their meticulous collection of marine art and artifacts from family businesses and factories across Sicily is a testament to their dedication. Stepping into this museum felt like embarking on a unique and exclusive voyage through time. The relics, documents, and tools on display painted a vivid picture of centuries of anchovy salting traditions in Sicily. The journey was as exciting as it was educational, a remarkable exploration into the history of fishing that has shaped the identity of the island. The museum is a treasure trove, housing a rich variety of fishing tools and intricate models of artisanal fishing boats. As I wandered through this captivating space, I couldn't help but feel a profound connection with the men who had dedicated their lives to this arduous and artful craft. The Balistreri family's commitment to their heritage shines through every corner of the museum. Their vision of creating a living space where stories of seafarers and fishermen can be preserved and shared is truly commendable. The boats, objects, and documents showcased within these walls give voice to stories that might have otherwise faded away, offering an invaluable opportunity to revitalize coastal communities and promote new enterprises. Beyond its role as a repository of history, the museum is a dynamic hub that fosters engagement. The exhibitions, workshops, and connections it cultivates with schools and the larger community showcase its profound impact. This museum not only celebrates the past but also plants seeds for a vibrant future. My visit to the Museum of Anchovies and Marine Arts of Aspra was a journey through time and culture, an experience that has enriched my understanding of Sicily's maritime heritage and history. This encounter will remain etched in my memory forever, a testament to the significance of preserving and sharing the stories that shape us.

Tour of the villa in Palermo, done by the son of the family still living there, who tells the story beautifully. Very interesting way to understand the city history better. Lovely and impressive artifacts. Beautiful Arabo-Norman architecture.

AMAZING TOUR. Highlight of Palermo…. Hosted by the classy brothers of a long line of Palermo aristocracy. Class act. A fine selection of trophies from many years living well 👌👌

This is definitely a must see! The family lives at the palace and provides the tour. It is very beautiful and full of centuries of history.

One of the best visit I have done in Sicile ! I really recommend it ! Passionate about what he does and the desire to pass on what he knows, the son of the Conte Federico, give us a wonderful visit !

A spectacular palace in the heart of Palermo - this museum is probably one of the most interesting places that we saw in this city. The guide is the owner himself, he presented the amazing history of his family, living until today in the palace. Definitely worth a visit!

Beautiful palazzo from the 12th century, still occupied and maintained by the Frederico family. The contessa provided a lovely tour of her home and history

Absolutely adorable palace. Must visit in Palermo. We had a beautiful guided tour.

Unique experience, being able to visit a historically important palazzo that has been in the Federico family for 400 years. An intimate guided tour by a member of the family. Not to be missed!

WONDERFUL palazzo built around one of the original towers of the city of Palermo. The guided tour was carried out by the charismatic son of the Count Federico who showed us the rooms, costumes and even personal photos of their current family residence! I highly recommend visiting this wonderful Palazzo which will take you back in time and make history come alive right before your very eyes!

Very good tour that gives you a good idea of the history of Palermo through the eyes of a noble family. As luck would have it, the family gives the tours themselves. Highly recommended!

Guided tour of about one hour done by the two sons of the owners. It costs 15 euros but it’s definitely worth it to better know the history of Palermo and its aristocracy and - as usual - of Italy and its unification process. Pay attention to the maioliche on the floor of the second room representing Palermo still surrendered by the sea - as it was in the Middle Ages.

Our best tour of 10 days in Sicily. You have the privilege of looking through the home of Conte Federico, taken through by one of his sons. It's a lovely palazzo, and is still lived in by the family after 15 generations. It's full of their treasured possessions, and really interesting. Thoroughly recommended.

For 15 euros you will receive a guided tour by one of the Count's sons. This is a beautiful house still being used, and you gain insight into this remarkable family's history. For example, Count Frederick was, and still is, an award winning formula 1 race car driver.

Really cool visit - it's only open for tours (the last one is at 2pm I think? Or 3pm. And they start around every hour) which are given by one of the brothers living there - Andrea gave ours and he was awesome! Very laid-back and able to answer any questions we had, and shared a lot about his family's history and current passions. He speaks English, German, and Italian so that's also helpful :) In addition to the great tour guide, the palazzo itself was really cool to see, with many layers of history in addition to a sneak peek of how the people living there today still keep the stuff from centuries ago. Plus they have 2 cute cats!

Great tour by the descendants of the family that inhabited Palazzo Conte for 16 generations. Beautiful architecture and artifacts and their storytelling and kindness made this a very enjoyable tour.

This is a beautiful palace to visit in Palermo. The family that own it now has been passed from generation to generation since around the 12th century. The current generation, Count Alesandro Federico and his wife Alwine, currently do a tour of their home with wonderful stories.

This was one of our highlights in Palermo. The guide was an owner and had lived in the Palace. He was very passionate about his heritage and had amazing, interesting stories to tell about his family and the construction of the building. I would recommend this tour to everyone as we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Most gracious host Andrea. Beautiful Palazzo with tremendous history. Stayed as an Air BNB and took the tour. Check out the Air BNB it is beautiful and immaculate.Well worth the visit, most definitely will I return again.

One of our favourite visit during our stay in Palermo. The palazzo is magnificent, with a mix of styles from different eras. Thank you, Nicolo, for this perfect visit and all these fun facts on the history of the palace and your family’s history!

The chapel is marvelous but really small, the palace itself is nice too. The garden is small but well maintained. The royal chambers were close when we visited, so I cannot comment on them. There are a couple of exhibitions, but we were very disappointed by them. The entry fee of 15 euros is a little excessive for what it is.

My experience of this grand structure was very negative. Much of it was closed off and not accessible. I paid 15.50 euro for admission and then had to get change and pay to use the toilet. ALL of the staff members I saw or interacted with (about ten) were surly, on their phones, and not wanting to be bothered by visitors. It's a good thing none of them were on my payroll. One would expect to buy a ticket at the entrance. No. One has to hike across a large park plaza to a kiosk on the far side. That said, the royal garden was pleasant and the royal chapel especially satisfying to visit.

While the chapel is significantly smaller than other churches in Palermo, its interior is by far the most exquisite! The rest of the palace is also worth a visit, and both of its gardens are lovely. If you like the golden mosaics & Arabic-Norman-Byzantine architecture, definitely visit the cathedral in nearby Monreale.

Nice place, I guess it has to be seen when in Palermo. The main attraction is the church. Beautiful mosaics, really spectacular. The rest is a bit hit and miss. The royal garden is nothing grand, few contemporary exhibits along the way, that frankly can easily be missed. Price wise, it is a bit stiff for what's on offer.

Royal palace and chapel near the cathedral. Stunning chapel inside to visit, an art gallery, small museum and gardens. The palace apartments (higher price ticket) were closed when we visited which made the visit a bit shorter. There's a Cafe in the gardens which is nice but compact. €30 for two adults, child free, but found it a little short for the price. Surprised that there's a charge of ¢50 to use the toilet. We held on. Ok but a little underwhelming.

Really gorgeous chapel and mediocre garden. For the high price they charge, it’s not enough of content to see. Same price I can visit art museum in Paris. And purchasing a ticket with time slot doesn’t guarantee you can enter on time because they just oversale the ticket to big tour groups and didn’t control the crowd in the certain time slot. My time slot to visit is 9:30 and I entered at 10:30 and only visited for half an hour.

Lovely place. You get to see the main concourse garden and Chapel. Sculpted dogs lying on floor? Interesting.

A bit expensive to enter but there are 4 distinct areas to visit that cover a time span from BC to 1800s so a decent value. We went on a rainy Monday so the line to get tickets was 15 minutes but we’re glad we waited in it.

Chapel and was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the architecture and decor. The intricate details and grandeur of the palace and chapel are truly breathtaking, and I highly recommend a visit to anyone in the area. However, I was disappointed to find out that the toilet facilities were not free. While I understand that maintenance and upkeep costs money, it would have been nice to have been informed of this beforehand, or for there to be a more affordable option available. Despite this minor inconvenience, the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel are a must-see for anyone interested in history, art, or architecture. The stunning beauty of the site is truly worth the visit.

Very small church, but probably the most beautiful I saw in my life. You'll be able to get here with palace tickets, and, probably, it's the only worth visiting place in the whole palace. Ceiling is beautiful and so unusual, mosaics are marvelous and, obviously, a lot and a lot of gold around. Real masterpiece.

We paid to do all four things and an extra 5 euros each for an audio tour, which I highly recommend. It took about 4 hours to see everything. A must do.

I visited it a couple of days ago and it was a bit of a mixed bag. Firstly, the Palatine Chapel was an absolute gem. Mosaics are so marvellous and beautiful that I could have spent hours admiring the details. On the flip side, the Royal Palace was a bit underwhelming and there wasn’t much to see. The complex ticket for 20€ also included some strange artwork exhibition and the Royal garden which is nice but very small. And another one fly in ointment - I had to pay for the toilet! Ok, 50 cents is not a big cost, but paying for the loo in the museum where I have already spent 20€ for the visit was a real nonsense for me. In summary, I’d recommend to visit only the Palatine Chapel - it’s small but breathtaking.

Museum and royal garden is nice, but META Experience - temporary exhibition at Palazzo Reale is surprisingly awful and not worth visiting...

Well worth a look if you are in Palermo The inside of the chapel is magnificent . Take a seat and view the mosaics and architecture. Quite stunning

The Capella Palatina was Obviously impressive, staff for the meta experience was a bit confusing, unfriendly and unhelpful in showing how it works and wouldn’t let me in at first. 3 people blocked the door and guest were confused and didn’t know were to go. I recommend asking a few times more where to go to avoid missing out on something.

Entry is free. The interior is not incredibly beautiful and unique, but I'd suggest getting the roof ticket, it is worth the €7,(2023). The exterior architecture is amazing.

Spectacular golden mosaics in the Chapel. The apartments are ONLY open Friday-Sunday. Avoid at all costs the special multi-media exhibit which took us an hour in line for a 5 minute "experience. " An hour of our lives we will never get back.

Mast have to visit if you are in Palermo! Stunning and unique place what will blow up your mind! Absolutely creamy mix of styles and you have to see it at least once in your life. Better to buy tickets in the kiosk what is not far away from the entrance, as according to the security with e-tickets might be some issues, especially if it was not bought in advance. Surprisingly there were no lines.

UNESCO World Heritage site. Difficult to get to (taxi is your best option, €40 one way from the centre of Palermo). I also recommend a visit to the terrace which grants you great views over the internal courtyard as well as Palermo and surrounding areas. However, in order to access the terrace you need to navigate narrow steps and a very low overhead tunnel.

Marvelous cathedral that beautifully combines three distinct cultural styles: Norman, Greek, and Arabic. The cathedral is open for free and I highly recommend exploring its details. If you'd like to visit the Chiostro Benedettino, you will need a ticket. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity as well.

This place is an absolutely breathtaking piece of history. Just check your dress attire as there is a strict dress code. The village has awesome views of Palermo and the sea. We did not want to leave Monreale. It is a must see in Sicily.

One of the most impressive cathedrals in Sicily, and certainly a cool one to visit and experience for yourself with plenty to offer in terms of art, history, culture and views. Access to the Cathedral itself is free. You can pay for the ticket that gives you access to the terraces and the crypts. Other ticket options available. Make sure to arrive an hour before they close if you’re looking to see the view from above at sunset. Payments accepted with cash or card. Steep stairs make it nearly impossible for wheelchair access to the top. Watch your head if you’re a tall person! Not handicap friendly besides the main cathedral area and displays. Souvenir shop available on site but a bit overpriced. Many street vendors in the area. Surrounded by restaurants and cafes. Parking is tricky unless you don’t mind walking a bit from the paid parking areas nearby.

The cathedral itself is gorgeous and totally worth visiting, but definitely consider paying extra to get onto the roof! The little stairways through the walls are really neat and offer great raised views of Monreale & the cathedral itself. The diocesan museum is small but nice, and a quiet break from the crowds.

Amazing place with a pure soul. We were there with the kids and we enjoyed it. Parking is possible on the marked places. Filled with history and religion. One of the most beautiful places we've been. I would definitely recommend a visit to the cluster each column will tell its own story.

This is an amazing place with phenomenal beauty inside. The architecture and designs are a sight to behold. The history is amazing. Find time to sit and stare, don’t be rushed by the crowds. We visited in April and it was busy, I can’t begin to imagine what it will be like in the summer. No matter how busy it is, it is worth it.

Wonderful cathedral with a great ambience and remarkable mosaics. I also got the ticket to go up on the roof but I found the interiors more interesting. There is a board outside by the door that has a map showing what stories the mosaics represent. Take a picture of it as you go in for better understanding.

Beautiful church over 1000 years old. Church is free to tour. Beautiful mosaic, lots of gold and full of windows. Make sure to go outside and see the west entrance doors. They are beautiful. Learned about the church before we arrived, so we were able to see items we were interested in. Plan on spending 30 minutes in the church to see all the details. You do not need to pay for tours, and each area you are interested in, you can pay for just that part. We paid 7 euros to go into the garden. It was beautiful and all the details in the carving. Each side tells a story. We did not go to the balconies, but they were 4 euro.

Only 6 miles from Palermo is the Cathedral of Monreale, the last and most stunning of the all Norman churches of Sicily and one of the architectural wonders of the Middle Ages. It was built in 1174 by William II to rival Palermo's Cappella Palatina. The exterior is fairly drab but is the cathedral's golden interior that takes your breath away. A vast cycle of mosaics covers the aisles, the choir, the transepts and all of the nave, vividly bringing to life scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Don't neglect a visit to the cloisters which boast 228 twin columns, each one different and many decorated with Islamic-inspired mosaics or reliefs.

Amazing Cathedral absolutely worth the visit! Take a walk up to see the views from the top and also go visit the chapel it is absolutely amazing. Take a tour if you can to learn about the history and discover some distinguishing features of the cathedral.

I think the greatest example of Byzantine mosaics still existing. Extraordinary example of Christian art on a scale that I have not seen anywhere else. Entry to the church is free but a ticket must be purchased to view the Cloisters or climb to the roof.

It's difficult for us to give a good review for this place since we had barely time to see it. We were informed when we arrived that the church would close in 30 minutes, but we could get the entrance to the church for free. We were also told that my wife couldn't show her shoulders, which is understandable but they didn't mention that they had covers that you could have. We noticed this AFTER we had been to a store to buy a shirt. This seems like a way the cheat tourists. The church itself is pretty and historic, but if we had to pay full price for it, then we would have been disappointed.

Magnificent church definitely a feast for the eyes! Wonderful mozaïeks and lots of different cultural details to amaze you. Have a walk through the gardens, and museum with a sneak peek in the private quarters of the pastor.

35 min bus ride. Easy to buy tickets at the bus stop (avoid the expensive tourist bus). Considered best Norman architecture in Sicily and it is amazing. I loved the mosaics in the main cathedral. They are so much bigger and easier to connect to the Biblical stories than stained glass. The views from the room over Palermo and the valley are also amazing. Well worth the side trip.

Place definitely worth to see when visiting Palermo. I went there on sunday, taking a 389 direct bus from Palermo. It was completely full and there was no schedule so be prepared for waiting for a long time and going in a crowd. Travel was not too long tho. Ticket for whole day is 3.50 €. The cathedral is placed on a high hill with a beautiful view on the city, mountains and sea. It might be windy. You can visit cathedral for free (only inside - then you do not have to stand in line which could be very long), or for 6€ with the roof walk with the view on garden and also with the museum. Apart of the cathedral there is also nice architecture, panoramic views, few bars and restaurants.

I think it is the oldest cathedral in Palermo. It is located at a higher level , so you can see an amazing view of the city. It is easily accessible by the bus. You need to get a ticket to visit the church from inside and also extra fee to to to the top of cathedral. There is a small museum for memorial clothes, crosses and other things. It is worth visiting it and enjoying the amazing cathedral

This cathedral, along with the Palazzo Reale, is the primary reason to visit Palermo. A combined ticket for the Cathedral, the Monastery, and the Museum for adults is priced at 13 Euros. There is a guarded parking area located behind the cathedral. Arriving early on Saturday proved to be the key to avoiding crowds. It is definitely worth a visit. Additionally, unlike the Palazzo, toilets here are free of charge.

The church in Monreale, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2015, is also well worth seeing for non-Catholics. The very finely crafted and expressive murals represent the entire story of creation. The impressive ceiling construction alone never ceases to amaze you how people could create something like this with limited technical resources. You should also definitely venture onto the church roof (be careful, in some places the aisles are barely 60cm wide and 175cm high). For just €6 (Sundays) it offers a breathtaking view over and into the adjacent "Chiostro dei Benedettini", as well as across southern Palermo and "Piazza V.Emanuele".

Visited Monreale on a student ticket for 6€. There is a quick bus ride from Palermo for 1.60€ each way. I suggest to arrive early for tranquility and panoramic views. Monreale Cathedral's breathtaking mosaics tell stories with astonishing craftsmanship. Girls: please remember to dress modestly! Comprehensive ticket includes cathedral, cloisters, Benedictine Convent, Diocesan Museum, and panoramic terrace. After the visit you can explore local restaurants for Sicilian cuisine.

EEE GAD! This place is outta this world! Plenty of gold on the walls to keep it sparkly! Quite special as European churches go! I’d put this high on the list!

One of our favorite churches that we visited in Palermo - specifically the amazing mosaics in such an otherwise small and intimate church. Make sure you save your church tickets for possible discounts at other churches, too!

Really nice looking church standing out from the others by having every single spot covered in art instead of having boring plain walls and columns. The roof entrance is an amazing feature that is a must do if you wanna see the city landscape. Havent visited monastery.

Gorgeous church. Incredible mosaics.

At least three very different cultures merging in a single place, lavishly yet pleasantly decorated. My eyes could barely take in all of that beauty. Unique place, worth a visit. There is an entrance ticket to pay of 2.5 euros, but if you visit any other church nearby you get the reduced ticket for 1 euro.

Historical and nice place, architectural is at the Norman-Arab-Greek baroque style...You can visit small Church the big one was closed while we visited...

Visited this place today. We paid 2.5€ for entrance, but it was 2x2 room with literary nothing to see. It is fraud. The thing is they cover entrance with curtain, so you can not see for what you pay until you actually pay and come inside. It is on the right upstairs. Do not go there. It appeared it is not main church, we did not know that and no one told us.

Is such a wonderful pice of art! Just amazing!

Beautiful interior. Must-see in Palermo. Defenitly recommend it.

Beautiful church. A must for arquitecture lovers.

It might be small but the inside is visually stunning, the entire church walls and ceiling is covered in elaborate designs and there are two superb medieval mosaics. Primarily due to the size of the church it can get crowded so try and time your visit (early on a week day would probably be best). At only 2€ entry it is superb value (when compared to the entry costs elsewhere) & it is definitely one of Palermo's star attractions.

Amazing, as good as the Palatine chapel. Although not as detailed you could take it in more easily. Well worth the 2 euros.

A smaller scale church with a 2 euro entry fee to visit. Suggest arriving at 0930 as soon as open to get good photos before the crowds arrive.

Beautiful church but 10 euros per adult is too much...

Note that enterence is for a small fee and place might be overcrowded, but it worth it. Very beautiful church with a mix of styles. Must see in Palermo.