Branciforte Palace (Palazzo Branciforte)

Branciforte Palace (Palazzo Branciforte) is renowned for both its impressively restored architecture and its fascinating exhibitions, and you can easily pair a visit here with a sightseeing or food tour in Palermo’s historic center. Take in the city’s Cathedral (Duomo), Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), Massimo Theater (Teatro Massimo), and historic outdoor markets on foot or as part of a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, before dedicating a few hours to exploring Palazzo Branciforte’s permanent and temporary exhibitions.

• With a museum, exhibition space, restaurant, library, bookshop, and cooking school, there’s a little something for everyone inside Palazzo Branciforte.

• The archaeological collection can be visited independently, but the Monte di Santa Rosalia and ground-floor collections must be visited as part of a guided tour, scheduled every 30 minutes.

• Most of the palazzo is accessible to wheelchair users; request detailed information at the information office.

Branciforte Palace is located on Via Bara All'Olivella in central Palermo, within walking distance from the port, train station, and many of the city’s main sights. You can reach the Sicilian city from mainland Italy by ferry, train, or plane.

If you're visiting Palermo in the summer, consider going to the palazzo during the hot midday hours, when it offers a cool respite from the heat and crowds.

There are a number of cultural and culinary attractions inside the palazzo, including the vast archaeological collection housing exquisite frescoes, ancient coins, fine sculptures, and majolica ceramics. You can also browse the huge historical library or marvel at the beautifully preserved wooden architecture of the Monte di Santa Rosalia, where temporary art exhibitions are held. Meanwhile, foodies can join a cooking class at the Gambero Rosso cooking school or dine at the in-house Ristorante Branciforte.