Addaura, Vergine Maria and Arenella (east coast)

A stretch of coast north-east of Palermo's centre, at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, with old fishing hamlets that grew around tuna fisheries. It has prehistoric caves, towers, a large monumental cemetery and small leisure harbours.

What to see

• Grotta dell'Addaura: A complex of three caves with rock engravings dated between the late Epigravettian and the Mesolithic.
• Addaura, lungomare: A village with small coves and clear water; seafront venues with evening events, especially at weekends.
• Tonnara Bordonaro (Vergine Maria): A 16th-century tuna fishery with a round tower, active until the 1950s.
• Cimitero di Santa Maria dei Rotoli: Palermo's main monumental cemetery (1837), with works by Palermitan sculptors and the non-Catholic cemetery (known as the English cemetery).
• Torre dei Quattro Pizzi e mulino (Arenella): A neo-Gothic tower beside the Florio tuna fishery and a windmill of 1852 designed by Carlo Giachery.
• Porti dell'Arenella e dell'Acquasanta: Two leisure harbours, once used only by fishermen.

Getting there

When to go

Not verified on an official source; the City source mentions evening events on the Addaura seafront, especially at weekends.

Tips

• Check accessibility of the Addaura caves in advance with the Soprintendenza.

Where a detail could not be found on an official source we do not include it: always check times and fares on the official site before you go.