Zisa Palace

Beautiful palace, still undergoing renovation, but already in great shape. Three floors and several rooms are accessible. It’s a bit of a walk from the city center. Tickets are 8 euros, but several categories get a discount (students, teachers etc). Very friendly personnel.

A world treasure not to be missed. This is an Arab Norman Palace from the 12th century, perfectly restored and absolutely amazing. I came out here twice because the first time it was closed and I’m really grateful that I made the effort. It may be closed on Mondays. I got in on Tuesday.

12th Palace of Zisa, Palermo, Sicily. king Norman I in the century. Initiated around 1165 by William and his son II. It is a summer palace completed in 1189 during the William era. The palace, which derives from the Arabic name "al-Azīza" (magnificent, beloved), reflects the union of Norman and Arabic architecture. This structure, located in Genoardo Park, is one of the impressive examples of Islamic art and features such as muqarnas, mosaics and a cooling airflow system. 17. restored by the Sandoval family in the century, renewed by the Sicily Region in the 1990s and added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015. Today it is used as a museum of Islamic art.

The lady who works in the shop was lovely and a real gem but other than that this place needs to be avoided! How on earth it is a UNESCO site is beyond me. The area is incredibly bleak, depressing and feels dangerous. The place itself is a slapdash of styles and cleaning attempts to present it to the world and keep it in a nice way, but it has pigeon nets up with feathers everywhere and potentially trapped birds, it has almost nothing on display and you have to pay 8€ for the privilege. Seriously save yourself the time and money and don’t come here unless you want a sad experience because realistically it should have the funds to at least have the gardens maintained with some money to the local area, but the money is being sucked up somewhere by someone or some organisation…so ask yourself how ethical it is to spend your money here.

Considering this is a Unesco site than very disappointing. The only room where you can slightly see something is not allowed to access so people are standing in a queue to make a picture. Big building, but nothing really inside, no decorations, no real style… we were lucky to come the first Sunday of a month so an entry was free of charge otherwise that wouldn ´t be worth more than 5 €.

We visited the palace in January 2025, so there was no wait. It was easy to navigate and very interesting. We purchased the audioguide, which helped us to appreciate the history and what we were seeing. There are 3 levels with steps for each.

A Total Scam — AVOID AT ALL COSTS! Visiting Zisa Palace was one of the most disappointing and misleading experiences of our entire trip to Palermo. Let’s start with logistics: we took Bus 124, which only comes every 30 minutes or so — not ideal if you’re trying to plan your day efficiently. When we finally arrived, the surrounding area felt unsafe and deeply neglected. We were lucky to have visited around 3pm; I would not want to be walking around that neighborhood after dark. The area felt “off” — not in a romantic, historical way, but in a way that made us uneasy. The palace grounds were overgrown with weeds and shrubs, giving the impression of abandonment. Photos online paint a completely different picture. In reality, there were construction barriers surrounding parts of the structure, making it feel more like a restricted work site than a historic attraction. Inside, the experience didn’t improve. The palace is nearly empty, with very little to engage visitors. The restoration efforts appear haphazard — layers of cosmetic work with no clear narrative or cohesion. The main hall, the supposed centerpiece with the famous fountain niche, is completely blocked off. You can only see it from a side doorway — and even then, your view is partially obstructed by the wall. When I asked if I could access the room or get a frontal photo, I was told no. There was no signage or warning about this at the ticket counter. We paid 16 euros for two people, and it felt like we were robbed. Honestly, I can’t understand how this place gets five-star reviews unless they’re coming from staff or people with very low expectations. This visit completely killed the positive momentum we had going in Palermo.

A large Norman palace that is really a castle, which has been partially restored. Like many buildings in Palermo, there is a blend of more than one architectural style here - both Norman and Islamic themes are readily apparent. Much of it is open to the visitor. It's very interesting to walk around, and there are descriptions of the ancient water and heating systems incorporated into the design of the castle. The gardens are also worth a look, although they seem to be in need of some tender loving care. It's worthwhile pulling away from the main tourist sites and giving this place a visit if you can.