Parks and gardens in Palermo

Palermo's green spaces are mostly historic gardens, many shaded by enormous trees. In the Kalsa, the Botanical Garden and Villa Giulia sit side by side near the sea, the first with glasshouses, palms and giant figs, the second with symmetrical 18th-century avenues. On Piazza Marina, the Giardino Garibaldi has Moreton Bay figs whose aerial roots look like columns. On Via Libertà, the Giardino Inglese has shady paths, a pond and a playground. Further north, the Parco della Favorita spreads below Monte Pellegrino, and past Mondello the Capo Gallo nature reserve has clifftop trails above the sea; bring good shoes and water.

The central gardens make shady breaks between sights, and the planner can route you through them.