A town just outside Palermo, known for its 17th-18th century aristocratic villas. The most famous is Villa Palagonia, the "Villa of Monsters", with its grotesque statues.
What to see
- Villa Palagonia: Built in 1715 by Prince Francesco Ferdinando Gravina; known for its statues of monsters and grotesque figures and for the Hall of Mirrors.
- Villa Cattolica e Museo Guttuso: Baroque villa of 1736 housing the Renato Guttuso Museum and the artist's tomb in the garden.
- Villa Valguarnera: 18th-century villa with a large oval hall decorated with frescoes.
- Villa Butera e Certosa: 17th-century Branciforti residence; the Certosa houses the Toy and Wax Museum.
Getting there
ABetter by car
For this place a car is the better choice (editors' note). Train and bus connections not verified on an official source: check Trenitalia and AST.
By car
On the outskirts of Palermo; times and route not verified on an official source.
When to go
No recommended period from official sources. Villa hours vary and are published by the Comune (page updated 31 August 2026), which however does not list them for Villa Palagonia and Villa Cattolica: check before going.
Rules and costs
- Villa Butera: daily 8:45-13:30, Wednesdays also 16:00-18:00; ticket 2 euro full, 1 reduced (Comune, August 2026).
- Certosa: 9:00-13:00, closed Mondays; ticket 5 euro full, 3 reduced (Comune, August 2026).
Tips
- Villa Palagonia: the Comune lists phone 091 932088, useful to confirm opening hours.
- One or two villas are enough for half a day; Palagonia plus Cattolica/Guttuso is a balanced choice.
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.
Sources (4)