Palermo.

Palermo Cathedral rewards a look outside as much as in: a Gothic-Catalan portico, layered towers and a broad roofline tell a more varied story than the relatively restrained interior.

Come for a visible record of Palermo's successive styles, then decide whether to add the ticketed royal tombs, crypt and rooftop. The south portico gives you the strongest architectural first impression; the roof changes the scale, letting you read the cathedral against the surrounding city.

• The three-arched Gothic-Catalan portico on the south side
• Royal tombs and the crypt within the monumental area
• A rooftop panorama over central Palermo

Walk around the exterior before entering; the portico and towers explain the building's changing styles.

Allow extra time if you want the ticketed tombs, crypt or roof, rather than treating them as part of a quick church visit.

Check the cathedral's visitor information before going; services and events can change sightseeing access.