Sicily can be so hot during the summer!

One of the last days of our holiday we drove to the nearby city of Palermo. I’ve visited the city a dozen times, so we were looking for something new and different. And possibly out of the sun!

I can’t believe we went past the Botanical Gardens so many times and never stopped to take a look! This place is amazing!

The Gardens were founded in 1789 and now feature a vast collection of plants and flowers from all over the world, an herbarium, a library and a small museum.

Wandering trough the shady alleys you come across endless kinds of plants, from small rose-like cactus to huge, overwhelming ficus.

Similar top – Similar skirt (1/2) – Sandals – Sunglasses – Similar bag

There are rows and rows of succulents.

Wonderful smelling flowers.

And more cactus!

It’s the perfect place to spend a hot afternoon. It’s quiet, cool and relaxing.

Walking deeper in the gardens we foung super humid greenhouses.

Strange looking trees.

Cute houses, hiding in the shade.

And the biggest tree I’ve ever seen.

This Ficus magnolioide is actually the biggest tree in Europe and it is almost 200 years old. This kind of tree is also called the Strangler, as it grows around a host tree, enlarging until eventually killing it.

Cruel as it might seem this tree is truly spectacular!

After an afternoon spent wandering trough the Gardens we were starting to get quite hungry, so we set off to grab a bite in the best street food place in town.

Nino U’ Ballerino is known worldwide to make some of the best typical Sicilian street food, especially Pane C’a Meusa.

Typical of Palermo, Pane C’a Meusa is a small bread roll filled with deep fried (in suet!) veal spleen and lungs. Maybe it doesn’t sound so good, but it is special.

And Nino himself will prepare the roll for you, hopping and dancing around non stop.

Find them here, they are open all day everyday. If you happen to be in town, I absolutely recommend a visit.