Bagheria, a town near Palermo, is creating a brand built on its beautiful villas and the flavours of its cuisine.
A brand to highlight villas and gastronomic excellence
At the Bagheria stand at Palermo’s recent Borsa del Turismo Extralberghiero (Extra-Hotel Tourism Exchange) tourism councillor Francesco Gurraddo explained the vision behind the city’s evolving identity. “We created the “Bagheria, Città delle Ville e del Gusto” (Bagheria City of Villas and Flavour) brand to highlight the beauty of our 18th-century villas and the strong connection with our gastronomic excellence.”
Michelin chefs, cultural and natural attractions
Bagheria is proud to have two Michelin-starred chefs, alongside a deeply rooted local cuisine that is increasingly admired across Italy and by visitors. “We hope to win over tourists through taste,” Gurraddo says. Beyond gastronomy, Bagheria is investing heavily in cultural and natural attractions. “We are focusing on promoting our landscapes, our natural heritage and the beauty of our villas.”
A museum showcasing the anchovy
Bagheria has over 25 historic villas, four of which are municipal properties. Villa Cattolica houses the famous Guttuso Museum, while Palazzo Butera, dating back to 1658, and Palazzo Certosa, which is home to the Wax and Toy Museum, add to our cultural offer. Another unique villa is Villa Valguarnera di Trabia in Aspra which has the Anchovy Museum. “Michelangelo Balistreri brings this museum to life, welcoming visitors from all over the world,” says the councillor.
A rising wedding destination
Bagheria’s historic villas also attract couples seeking a special setting for their wedding. “We are working on expanding this segment, and several villas are already hosting important wedding events,” says Gurraddo.
