Sicilian Afternoon

Bold blue velvet seating, a skylight bedroom, and a private rooftop terrace – this Palermo apartment layers character at every turn. Spread across two floors in the heart of La Cala, the interiors have a warm, considered feel, with parquet underfoot and patterned tiles in the bathroom that feel distinctly Sicilian. Step outside and you're a short stroll from Palermo Cathedral's Arab-Norman facade and the sensory overload of Ballarò Market, one of the city's great street markets just a ten-minute walk away. Back on the rooftop, an alfresco dinner under a blue Sicilian sky is hard to beat.

Home truths:
* This apartment sits on a busy main road in central Palermo, so you'll hear traffic and – particularly at weekends – street noise from the city at night. If you're a light sleeper, consider bringing earplugs.
* The apartment is a duplex across two floors, so you'll be using the stairs regularly as you move between the living and sleeping areas.
* Parking in Palermo can be tricky, so we recommend sticking to easily accessible public transport where possible. The majority of sites are within walking distance from the apartment.