Palazzo Sambuca Piano Nobile

The Grandeur of the Kalsa

Built for the Ducal family of Sambuca, this palazzo was redesigned in 1787 by Marquis Beccadelli Bologna, prime minister of the Kingdom of Naples, and it later welcomed members of the Neapolitan royal family and hosted Admiral Horatio Nelson during his visits to Palermo. It underwent a further restoration in 1999 to reclaim its Baroque splendor, from the "calcarenite" tuff elements of the facade to the extraordinary majolica tiles by master artisan Cristoforo Barberio.

The interiors are defined by exceptional scale and period detail. The formal reception area includes a grand salon and a dedicated dining room, both distinguished by vibrant 18th-century ceramics and high-vaulted ceilings. A separate, more intimate wing houses a TV lounge and a secondary dining area, furnished with high-quality antiques and contemporary artworks.

A rarity in the dense urban fabric of Palermo, the 300-square-meter private terrace provides an expansive open-air living room. Enclosed by stone balustrades, this elevated, walled garden is ideal for long dinners under the Mediterranean stars.

What we love

We love how the colorful 18th-century majolica floors and those massive, vaulted ceilings make the place feel monumental but still cozy. Walking through the string of reception rooms feels like you’ve been handed the keys to a private museum you can actually live in. Our favorite part is definitely the huge terrace. It’s the best spot to grab a drink and watch the sun set over the Kalsa neighborhood rooftops.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Palermo sleeps up to six guests. The 600-square-meter layout is divided into a formal reception wing and a private sleeping quarter. The residence features three spacious bedrooms, each with a king or queen-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom finished in marble or fine tile. The flow moves from the monumental entrance hall through the enfilade of salons to the secluded, quiet bedrooms at the rear. There is a 300-square-meter private terrace.

Experiences

Guests can arrange private dinners on the terrace or curated tours of the nearby Oratory of Serpotta.

Good to know

The apartment is located on the first floor and is serviced by an elevator. To preserve the majolica floors, guests are asked to exercise care with heavy footwear. Private parking is available upon request in the building’s internal courtyard. A service room with an additional bathroom is available for staff if required.

Amenities & services

Fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, high-speed wifi, private terrace, elevator, laundry room, dishwasher, espresso machine, housekeeping on request

Around

Situated on Via Alloro, the apartment is positioned on the most prestigious axis of the Kalsa, Palermo’s oldest neighborhood. Within a 10-minute walk, guests can reach the Quattro Canti, the Palermo Cathedral, and the bustling Vucciria market. The nearby Foro Italico offers a seaside promenade for morning runs, while the Palazzo Abatellis provides a world-class dose of Renaissance art just steps away. While the city is best explored on foot, the central location makes it easy to access the highway for day trips to Cefalù or Monreale.