View of the cathedral in Palermo
View of the cathedral in Palermo
Illustration of a Sicily Map
Palermo Online Travel Guide

The Top 10 Sights in Palermo & Info and Tips on the Sicilian Capital

You want to discover Palermo? We show you the top sights and give you info & tips for the capital of Sicily. This way you can easily prepare your unforgettable trip!

Sightseeing in Palermo:
The 10 most beautiful sights

Man arranges the display at a fish stall at the Mercato Del Capo
Picture of oranges at a market in Palermo
A woman stands at a stall in a market in Palermo
Vegetable market stall in Palermo
Market stall at the Del Capo market with fish
In the square of the Vucciria, many fresh dishes are offered towards the evening
The Vucciria, filled with life towards evening
Sicilian food at the Ballarò market
Fried sardines on a market stall
Ballarò market with a church in the background
Man arranges the display at a fish stall at the Mercato Del Capo
Picture of oranges at a market in Palermo
A woman stands at a stall in a market in Palermo
Vegetable market stall in Palermo
Market stall at the Del Capo market with fish
In the square of the Vucciria, many fresh dishes are offered towards the evening
The Vucciria, filled with life towards evening
Sicilian food at the Ballarò market
Fried sardines on a market stall
Ballarò market with a church in the background

If you're looking for old town flair in Palermo, take a tour of the many markets in the centre, where you can buy almost anything from fresh food to electronics and clothing.

The markets are at the heart of Palermo's city centre and most of them date back to Arab rule. Here you will be immersed in a world of colour and sound.

To the article about Palermo markets
View of the marina and the Foto Italico
Boats at La Cala marina
View of the ferry port of Palermo
Palm Avenue at the Foro Italico
The Castello a Mare next to the marina
View of Monte Pellegrino from the marina
View of the marina and the Foto Italico
Boats at La Cala marina
View of the ferry port of Palermo
Palm Avenue at the Foro Italico
The Castello a Mare next to the marina
View of Monte Pellegrino from the marina

The harbour bay of La Cala, Palermo's marina, is a promenade and photo backdrop. Since its restoration in 2008, the many yachts, cosy bars and cafés present a well-kept image and make the harbour a hotspot for Palermitans.

To the article about Palermo Harbour
Bird's eye view of the Piazza Pretoria with the fountain
One of the four basins with statues on the first level of the Fontana Pretoria
Woman makes typical Italian hand gesture at the Fontana Pretoria
Water feature of animal and mystical figures decorates the central column of the Fontana Pretor
View of the Fountain of Shame in Palermo
Statues at the Fontana Pretoria
One of the four basins with statues on the first level of the Fontana Pretoria
Woman makes typical Italian hand gesture at the Fontana Pretoria
Water feature of animal and mystical figures decorates the central column of the Fontana Pretoria
View of the Fountain of Shame in Palermo
Statues at the Fontana Pretoria

The imposing fountain in late Renaissance style, one of the most important sights of the Sicilian metropolis, has an eventful history.

In the 16th century, originally commissioned for a Tuscan private villa, the structure found its destination in Palermo. Like no other monument, it attracts attention and has caused heated tempers in the past.

The Palermitans found the unclothed statues of the river gods and nymphs scandalous and called the fountain "Fontana della Vergogna", i.e. "Fountain of Shame". Tempers have long since calmed, but the epithet remains to this day.

To the article about the Palermo fountain "Fontana Pretoria
A young woman stands in front of the cathedral in Palermo
The impressive exterior façade of Palermo Cathedral
The Cathedral Maria Santissima Assunta in Palermo
View of Palermo from the roof of the cathedral in Palermo
A woman walks on the roof of the cathedral in Palermo
Inside, the cathedral is baroque in style and impresses with its simple elegance
A young woman stands in front of the cathedral in Palermo
The impressive exterior façade of Palermo Cathedral
The Cathedral Maria Santissima Assunta in Palermo
View of Palermo from the roof of the cathedral in Palermo
A woman walks on the roof of the cathedral in Palermo
Inside, the cathedral is baroque in style and impresses with its simple elegance

If you are in Palermo, you should definitely visit the Maria Santissima Assunta Cathedral. It stands in the middle of the old town and is considered the most beautiful and most important church in the city.

The cathedral is not only impressive from the outside, but is also convincing from the inside with its baroque-looking basilica. The underground crypt and the treasury are particularly worth seeing. Here lie the relics of former archbishops of the city, the relics of Santa Rosalia and royal tombs such as that of Frederick II.

To the article about the Palermo churches
View of the Piazza Bellini with the churches Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio and San Cataldo
View of the church of San Cataldo from Piazza Bellini
Interior of the church La Martorana
The façade of the Santa Mari Dello Spasimo
The Chiesa San Giovanni Degli Eremiti photographed from the garden
The imposing baroque façade of the church of San Domenico
View of the church of San Domenico from the terrace of Cafe Obica
View of the Piazza Bellini with the churches Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio and San Cataldo
View of the church of San Cataldo from Piazza Bellini
Interior of the church La Martorana
The façade of the Santa Mari Dello Spasimo
The Chiesa San Giovanni Degli Eremiti photographed from the garden
The imposing baroque façade of the church of San Domenico
View of the church of San Domenico from the terrace of Cafe Obica

There is a church worth seeing on literally every corner, and the buildings date from a wide variety of eras. This results in numerous styles that reflect Palermo's turbulent history.

With its places of worship, Palermo offers highlights for every taste. If you would like to visit more churches than just the cathedral, we recommend
our 5 favourite churches for your tour:

  • Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana / Admiral's Church)
  • San Cataldo
  • Chiesa San Giovanni Degli Eremiti
  • Church of San Domenico
  • Santa Maria Dello Spasimo
To the article about Palermo churches

The dream accommodation
for your stay in Palermo

Picture of a room at the Boutique BnB Dolcevita

Many travellers want quality accommodation with an authentic atmosphere. At Boutique BnB Dolcevita we offer modern rooms and warm service so you can feel like a local for a while.

More info on the Boutique BnB Dolcevita

Visitors in the Cappella Palatina
The dome with Christ as Pantocrator above the main altar in the Cappella Palatina
The dome of the Cappella Palatina
Columns in the Cappella Palatina
Pictures of the Testament in the Cappella Palatina
View of the Palazzo Reale
The Palazzo Reale with the Villa Bonanno park in the foreground
Visitors in the Cappella Palatina
The dome with Christ as Pantocrator above the main altar in the Cappella Palatina
The dome of the Cappella Palatina
Columns in the Cappella Palatina
Pictures of the Testament in the Cappella Palatina
View of the Palazzo Reale
The Palazzo Reale with the Villa Bonanno park in the foreground

In addition to countless sacred buildings, the city of Palermo is home to an almost equally large number of representative residential buildings from different centuries.

The former noble and regent palaces show the wealth of their former owners and give an idea of how significant Palermo was as a permanent residence.

One of these main attractions in the medieval city centre of Palermo is the "Palazzo Reale" (Norman Palace). Particularly worth seeing in the palace is the court chapel, the "Cappella Palatina". It was built between 1132 and 1140 and is one of the most famous medieval church buildings.

The Cappella Palatina is best known for its gold-ground mosaics depicting a series of scenes from the Old and New Testaments, for its remarkable details and its message: tolerance between peoples and religions.

To the article about the court orchestra "Cappella Palatina"
Front of the Teatro Massimos in Palermo
Close-up of the statue of Giuseppe Verdi in front of the Teatro Massimo
View of the Grand Staircase and the Portico at the Teatro Massimo
View of the Palco Reale at the Teatro Massimo
The Teatro Massimo in Palermo at night
Front of the Teatro Massimos in Palermo
Close-up of the statue of Giuseppe Verdi in front of the Teatro Massimo
View of the Grand Staircase and the Portico at the Teatro Massimo
View of the Palco Reale at the Teatro Massimo
The Teatro Massimo in Palermo at night

Last but not least, you can also enjoy sights of a completely different kind in Sicily's capital: Internationally acclaimed opera and ballet performances take place on the stages of the large theatre houses, making Palermo one of the three most important "playgrounds" in Europe.

When you're out and about in Palermo, there's one very special attraction you can't afford to miss: the Teatro Massimo.

Here you can get a whiff of Hollywood flair. Francis Ford Coppola shot the final sequence of "The Godfather - Part III" in the stairwell and in the Sala Grande.

To the article about the Teatro Massimo
The Quattro Canti, a popular place for tourists in Palermo
View of the Quattro Canti and Corso Vittorio Emanuele
The Quattro Canti from a 360 degree frog's perspective
A man stands at the Quattro Canti crossing
A horse-drawn carriage stands at the Quattro Canti
The Quattro Canti, a popular place for tourists in Palermo
View of the Quattro Canti and Corso Vittorio Emanuele
The Quattro Canti from a 360 degree frog's perspective
A man stands at the Quattro Canti crossing
A horse-drawn carriage stands at the Quattro Canti

The Quattro Canti intersection marks the point where Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Nuova meet. The name is somewhat misleading: translated, it means "four corners". In fact, however, the piazza is octagonal.

The perfectly symmetrical palazzi in the Piazza Quattro Canti impress with a distinctive symbolic language, which is also reflected in the popular name for the square.

The Palermitans call it Teatro del Sole, the Sun Theatre. Because at any time of day, one of the façades is illuminated by the sun.

To the article about the Quattro Canti
Woman standing under a fig tree in Giardino Garbaldi Park

A place of tranquillity in the Palermo hustle and bustle is the Parco Giardino Garibaldi. Here you can take a walk and relax on one of the benches.

The biggest attraction of the park are the specimens of three fig trees, which are similar in size to sequoias. One of the trees, together with another from the Botanical Garden in Palermo, is one of the largest and oldest fig trees in Europe.

But the park has even more magical secrets to offer than just the miraculously grown fig trees. The first police murder of the mafia in Palermo took place here.

To the article about the "Giardino Garibaldi" park
The mummies of the rich in the Capuchin Crypt
Visitors in the Capuchin Crypt Palermo
View of the aisle in Palermo's Capuchin Crypt
The mummy of Frate Silvestro da Gubbio, the first friar to be exhibited in the Capuchin Crypt
The mummies of the rich in the Capuchin Crypt
Visitors in the Capuchin Crypt Palermo
View of the aisle in Palermo's Capuchin Crypt
The mummy of Frate Silvestro da Gubbio, the first friar to be exhibited in the Capuchin Crypt

Do you feel like getting spooky? The Capuchin Crypt houses the world's largest collection of mummies and is one of the most morbid tourist attractions around.

Among other things, Rosalia Lombardo, a mummified two-year-old girl known as the "sleeping beauty of Sicily" and considered the most beautiful mummy in the world, lies here.

To the article about the Capuchin Crypt in Palermo
Jesus Christ above the altar in the interior of Monreale Cathedral
View of Monreale Cathedral
Fountain in the cloister of Monreale Cathedral
In the cloister of the former Benedictine monastery, visitors can admire the unique columns and the inner courtyard
View over Palermo to the Mediterranean Sea from Monreale
Jesus Christ above the altar in the interior of Monreale Cathedral
View of Monreale Cathedral
Fountain in the cloister of Monreale Cathedral
In the cloister of the former Benedictine monastery, visitors can admire the unique columns and the inner courtyard
View over Palermo to the Mediterranean Sea from Monreale

In the small town of Monreale, 5 kilometres from Palermo, the Cathedral of Monreale awaits you at a height of 300 metres on the royal mountain "Monte Reale".

The cathedral is the largest church in Sicily and is famous for its Byzantine gold-ground mosaics - here you will find the largest unified Byzantine mosaic cycle known anywhere.

To the article about Monreale Cathedral
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Info about Palermo

Palermo Cathedral forecourt

The city in brief: Numbers, data, facts

  • Geographical location: on the north coast of Sicily, in a plain ("Conca d'oro") between the Monte Pellegrino and Monte Catalfano mountains.
  • Capital of Sicily
  • Founded in the 8th century BC
  • Height above sea level: 14 m
  • Population: 676,000 (Italy's fifth largest city)
  • University: Università degli Studi di Palermo (50,000 students)
  • Local holiday: 15 July (feast of the town's patron saint Santa Rosalia)
  • Car number plate: PA
  • Europe's Street Food Capital in 2015
  • Europe's largest botanic garden stands in Palermo
  • Palermo is where ice cream was invented
  • The largest fig tree in Europe, at 30 metres, is in the Piazza Marina

Where is Palermo (city map)?

Map of Italy
Map of Palermo

Palermo is located in the northwest of Sicily, directly on the sea. On the satellite image, Italy looks like a boot and Sicily like the football at its top.

This football is the remnant of a land bridge that once connected Italy with Africa. Of course, the proximity to Africa can still be felt in the climate today. Tunisia, for example, is 308 km away.
Click here for the Online city map

Weather Palermo - Latest

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Bucht von Mondello
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Travel tips and answers to frequently asked questions

When is the best time to travel to Palermo?

The climate is most attractive in spring and autumn. It is pleasantly warm then, you can swim in the sea and it rarely rains. In these southern regions it is very hot in July and August with temperatures around 40 degrees.

In principle, you can travel to Palermo all year round, because it never gets really cold there. In January, the temperatures are rarely below 10 degrees, and the first almond trees begin to blossom at the end of February.

The most expensive travel season is around Easter time. July and August are also high season, despite the heat, because Italian families have their summer holidays during these months.

How much time should you allow for Palermo?

The old town can easily be explored on foot in two days. However, if you want to see some of the most beautiful sights, a weekend is too short. Three to four days would be ideal to see the most interesting highlights. For a combination of city trip and beach holiday, it is recommended to plan a week.

Who is Palermo best suited for?

Palermo is the ideal place for active bon vivants who are life-affirming and optimistic. For whom it is important to enjoy life to the fullest. Who have "pamper and be pampered" as their motto, are often interested in art and culture and like the urban flair and the richness of facets. For these active connoisseurs, Palermo with its mix of art and culture, its culinary delights, its vibrant life and its location on the Mediterranean is the ideal place.

Can you drink tap water in Palermo?

Tap water in Sicily is tested at regular intervals according to EU guidelines. You can drink it, there are no health reasons against it. However, there are regional differences in taste.

Water from the mountains tastes very good, but on the coast the taste leaves much to be desired. For example, the tap water in Palermo tastes of lime, which is why most hotels, restaurants and cafés filter the water.

Do you tip in Palermo?

Throughout Italy, and also in Sicily, it is customary to charge for the coperto, which is the table setting, the obligatory bread on the table and the service.

This amount of about two to three euros per person is listed on the menu and is automatically included on the bill. In principle, this covers the tip.

Since the local waiters earn little, it is a friendly gesture to leave a few euros on the table for the service despite the coperto charged.

How can I pay in Palermo?

You can easily pay without cash in Palermo, both in the supermarket and in restaurants. Either use your German EC card or pay by credit card.

Withdrawing money is also easy, there are banks with ATMs. The withdrawal fee with a German EC card is between two and six euros.

What should you definitely pack?

In Sicily, the sun shines very strongly almost all year round. Therefore, one of the most important tips is to take a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.

You should also pack a sun hat to avoid sunstroke. Mosquito repellent lotion is also worthwhile. It is advisable to buy these products in Germany. On the island, hygiene products such as creams and also shampoos or body lotions are usually more expensive.

It also makes sense to pack a light scarf or coverlet for church visits. On the one hand, it is not allowed to enter sacred buildings with bare arms, and on the other hand, it is often very chilly in the old buildings.

Do I need a travel adapter?

As there are three different systems of sockets in Italy, the German standard plug does not fit into all sockets. If you want to be absolutely sure that your device will work in the hotel, you should think of a universal adapter. It is worth taking this adapter with you from home, in Italy it is not easy to find everywhere.

Are there certain rules of conduct?

In principle, the same rules of conduct apply in Palermo as in other European regions. When visiting a church, however, you should make sure that you are dressed correctly.

Women visiting a church or other sacred building should not have spaghetti straps or bare arms. Skirts that expose the knee are also not welcome. You can throw on a light scarf or borrow a plastic cover-up at the portal.

Do you still have unanswered questions and need tips for your tour? Then also visit the Information page from Wikipedia, the Wikivoyage page or feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you.

Is Palermo dangerous?

Couple walking through Palermo

Palermo is known for its mafia past. Today, the capital of Sicily is considered the safest metropolis in Italy. The criminal structures have been fought by the judiciary and the population since the 1980s.

The turnaround in dealing with the Mafia is due first and foremost to Giovanni Falcone, who as a judge in the early 1980s set up a special commission in Palermo and brought some 400 Mafia members to trial.

The victorious Falcone was then killed with a car bomb on his way from the airport in revenge. The second prosecutor in the trial, Paolo Borsellino, also fell victim to an attack a good two months later.

These two assassinations of the symbolic figures of the resistance triggered a wave of indignation among the civilian population. The Italian state launched a repressive offensive that continues to this day, and the enraged population began to free itself from the influence of the criminal organisation.

Read more:

The national statistics office Istat reported in 2019 that Palermo is the safest metropolis in Italy. More details on this and the current crime data can be found in our Article: How safe is Palermo?

What and where to eat well in Palermo

Palermo Food

Palermo has more to offer than the typical Italian dishes such as lasagne, pizza or spaghetti, although you can also order these delicacies in top quality at every corner of the city.

Sicilian cuisine is very versatile. One reason for this is Sicily's turbulent history with its many changes of rule. The Greeks, Romans and Arabs brought many ingredients and new spices to the island.

In addition to the influences of foreign cultures, Sicilian cuisine is characterised by the rich yields of its own agriculture, such as olives, artichokes, tomatoes or aubergines and fishing.

Highlights of Sicilian cuisine

Plate with Parmigiana di Melanzane
  • Parmigiana di Melanzane: Vegetable casserole au gratin with aubergines. Delicious and complex to prepare, parmigiana melanzane has its origins in Sicilian cuisine and was invented in the early 18th century after Arab traders introduced tomatoes and aubergines to Sicily from America and Asia.
  • Pasta con le Sarde: Pasta with fried sardines, fennel, saffron and sultanas. The dish originated in the 10th century under Arabic, Mediterranean and Italian influences.
  • Caponata: A Sicilian vegetable revelation with aubergine as the leading lady. Caponata is served cold with bread as a starter or as a warm side dish with fish and pasta.

Our restaurant tips:

  • La Premiata Enoteca Butticè:
    First opened in 1936 and reopened in 2011 in Piazza San Francesco di Paola, the Enoteca offers 700 different wines from more than 40 countries, including the best wines of Sicily, in one of Palermo's best squares. Inside, sit among wine racks and enjoy Palermo and regional cuisine with ingredients fresh daily. Our highlight: the tuna steak.
    Show location (Google Maps)
  • La Cambusa:
    La Cambusa truly deserves the "Made in Sicily" award. In 1988, Nonna Oriana realised her dream of having her own trattoria on the beautiful Piazza Marina. After more than 30 years, traditional Sicilian dishes are still served there in a family atmosphere, such as pasta with sardines or aubergine caponata.
    Show location (Google Maps)

Street Food

Cooked polpo at a market in Palermo

Palermo has also been synonymous with street food for centuries. Forbes lists the city as the 5th street food capital of the world. It is the only Italian city in the top 10.

We recommend you to experience the street food culture on the three-hour tour of the local markets . You will taste the authentic street food with a guide at your side.

Here is a list of the most popular street food dishes:

  • Arancini: Arancini - Sicilian rice balls - are probably the most popular street food to satisfy your hunger in between meals. They are saffron rice balls breaded with flour, deep-fried in oil and filled with various ingredients.
  • Pani câ meusa: The pana ca meusa is chopped veal lung and spleen in a soft white flour bun.
  • Polpo bollito: For many, it is considered a delicate highlight of the Palermo street food scene: the boiled octopus. After cooking, it is cut into small pieces and served with a squeeze of lemon and parsley.

Popular Sicilian desserts and sweets

Display of Sicilian desserts
  • Cannolo con Ricotta: This is a pastry rolled around a "cannolo" (tube) and deep-fried with a creamy ricotta filling.
  • Brioche con gelato: A fluffy milk roll with ice cream of your choice. The brioche filled with ice cream often replaces lunch. It is also very popular in the morning for breakfast, but is then served separately with a granita.
  • Cassata Siciliana: Cassata Siciliana is a baroque-style Sicilian layer cake that was originally only made in monasteries and manor houses and served only at Easter or weddings. In Palermo, however, you can nibble on the delicious dessert all year round.

Where to get good desserts:

  • Pasticceria Costa
    For three generations, the Pasticceria Costa has been producing artisan Sicilian pastries according to family tradition. The best local raw materials are the basis of the desserts, which can be described as small masterpieces and taste delicious. From tarts to classic cannoli: there is something for every palate. Of the family's two branches, we recommend the one in Via Maqueda in the old town, so you can fit your visit perfectly into your day on foot.
    Show location (Google Maps)

Our tip for further reading:

  • In our article Palermo Food: A Gourmet Journey through Palermo's Cuisine, we take you on a more detailed tour of local menus, street food markets to the city's colourful pastry shops and vineyards. We explain why food is so important to the Palermitani and give you more tips on where to eat well.
Yellow bicycle in front of a shop in the old town of Palermo
Woman walking through the alleys of the old town in Palermo
Picture of a table with an Aperol Spritz
Street Art in Palermo
Car with Arrancini in Palermo
Street Art Picture of Santa Rosalia in Palermo
A couple walks hand in hand through Palermo's old town
Street art in an alley in Palermo's old town
Yellow bicycle in front of a shop in the old town of Palermo
Woman walking through the alleys of the old town in Palermo
Picture of a table with an Aperol Spritz
Street Art in Palermo
Car with Arrancini in Palermo
Street Art Picture of Santa Rosalia in Palermo
A couple walks hand in hand through Palermo's old town
Street art in an alley in Palermo's old town

The top sights can all be found in the old town. Palermo's attitude to life with its many influences flows between them.

The best way to get to know this identity is on foot in the old town. The streets and narrow alleys here offer a special ambience.

We have presented the markets to you. During the day, you can also shop in numerous shops or browse at street vendors' stalls.

Horse-drawn carriage in Palermo
Aperitivo at Cafe Obico

In the early evening, from 6pm, it's "time for an aperitivo" in the old town. Literally, aperitivo refers to the drink before the meal, which is supposed to "stimulate the appetite". In fact, it can be translated as "going for a drink and having all kinds of snacks".

Our tip:
Meanwhile, the street from Quattro Canti towards the sea to Piazza Marina has become a pedestrian zone. Stroll through the traffic-calmed street and enjoy a cool drink, a caffè, the Palermo street food or an aperitivo in the evening in one of the numerous street bars and snack bars.

People sitting in the old town

Other activities

You can get to know the top 10 highlights presented by us in the old town of Palermo on foot and in about 3 days. We recommend the following sights if you are on site for at least 4 days.

The beach bay of Mondello

View of the beach bay of Mondello
Pedal boat on the beach of Mondello

After an extensive tour of the Sicilian capital, it's time for a break. How about a day trip to the beach?

The suburb of Mondello is only a few kilometres from Palermo and offers the finest sandy beach, crystal clear water and an idyllic view of the surrounding natural landscape.

To the article about Palermo Beach in Mondello

Full day sailing tour to Mondello with lunch on board

The Monte Pellegrino

View of Palermo from Monte Pellegrino
View of Monte Pellegrino from Palermo

Monte Pellegrino, the "pilgrim's mountain", is four kilometres outside the city centre. The view from the highest point is breathtaking and you will encounter many highlights on the way up.

There is the "most beautiful promontory in the world" (Goethe), the chapel of Saint Rosalia carved into the mountain or the paradise-like Laghetto Gorgo di Santa Rosalia pond.

To the article about Monte Pellegrino

The museums

Painting of the Mary of the Annunciation
Sicilian Puppets at the Marionette Museum
Exhibition of photographs at the GAM

While some of the historic buildings are still used for government business today, others house galleries or museums and attract many art enthusiasts to Sicily with their exhibitions.

Palermo exhibits here partly unique exhibits of the prehistory and early history of Sicily or shows valuable sculpture and painting collections.

To the article about the museums of Palermo

The Botanical Garden and Villa Giulia

View of central square in Villa Giulia
Greenhouse interior

You can take time out in Europe's largest and oldest botanical garden. Goethe once looked for the primordial plant here. With around 12,000 species of plants, the Botanical Garden is one of the best research facilities in Italy and a visitor attraction.

To the article about the Botanical Garden in Palermo