With the euro (€) currently at an unfavorable exchange rate (especially compared to the US dollar), people tend to think twice about traveling abroad and if they do, they plan their expenses wisely. But even after all is said and done - travel, lodging and food arrangements planned down to the last penny-pinching detail - there's still no room for splurges like dining out or visiting top museums, it can be rather demoralizing, and makes you wonder if an overseas jaunt is more trouble than it's worth. While other tourist hot spots in Italy such as Venice or Florence literally charge you for the air you breathe, Sicily is still rather affordable, even Taormina in the off season (November to mid-March). There's a plethora of sights and places to see and things to do in Sicily's capital, Palermo, even on the tightest of budgets. Seems too good to be true? With the following tips and you can take in most of what this city has to offer on a shoestring.

1. Get used to the idea that transportation will be, for the most part, your feet: Palermo might have the largest historical center in Europe (240 hectares) but luckily most noteworthy sites are concentrated within a relatively small area, meaning that everything you're interested in can be seen during without too much exhausting cross-city trekking. Besides, it's the only way to see real city life unfold; to see those unexplored corners the guidebooks never tell you about. Arm yourself with a city map that highlights monuments and major churches (download one here on See Palermo) and venture forth. Be forewarned, however, that street traffic in Palermo can be hair raising; look every which way when crossing the street.

2. If you must use transportation, however, buses are a cheap option: At €1.30 for a 90-minute ticket, mass transit in Palermo win the dubious top spot as the most expensive in Italy - the plus side, however, is that it's a good, vast network that will get you where you want to go, including outskirts like Monreale and Mondello. Luckily for the budget-conscious there are affordable solutions to get you around town if walking isn't your thing or you are too exhausted to march on. €3.50 will buy you an all-day ticket, or biglietto giornaliero (bee-LEE-et-toh jor-nah-LEE-er-roh) that's good for passage from validation until midnight. Pressed for time and can only see a few monuments in the center? No worries: The three circular bus lines known as Linea Gialla, Linea Rossa and Linea Verde run limited routes yet cover most places of interest. What's more, the fare for these lines is less than half of what you'd pay for regular service - a 52 cent ticket will get you around the center of Palermo; even better news, the ticket is valid for all-day passage. For schedules and routes, go to the official website.

3. Being on a limited budget could mean forgoing the top sites, but seeing the more interesting ones: If you are scrimping yet have your heart set on seeing Palermo's number one attraction, the Norman Palace/Palatine Chapel, which costs no less than eight euros for admission, do the math. There goes your entire budget for the day, unless you plan on fasting. Monuments managed by the Sicilian Regional Endowment of Arts and Historical Heritage (Beni Culturali) have the heftiest entrance fees, with no discounts to speak of for Americans (but some for EU citizens). All is not lost, however: Little-known sites that are hidden jewels and which are managed by private cultural associations offer an all-inclusive or reduced price fee to sites on their tour circuits, as well as a guided tour of the monument. For example, when visiting the church of San Cataldo or the oratory of Santa Cita, you'll be given an itinerary indicating the other sites you can see that day.

4. Freebies are yours for the seeking: In a city that has seen more "colonial" dominations than independent countries it's no wonder that remnants of its history are to be admired by wandering around. And sometimes, you just might happen upon a church or palazzo that very rarely opens its doors to the public. Be on the lookout for events around town that promote cultural or historical awareness, which are always free.

5. This is a city where street food is unequivocally the best food: A priori you'll rule out sit-down meals, but thankfully Palermo is a city where culinary expression is just as vibrant - and, okay, a tad questionable at times - as the city, but no matter: with a bit of open-mindedness for the taste buds you'll savor things you'd have never thought edible. A good place to start is at one of the open-air markets (Vucciria, Capo, Ballarò, Borgo Vecchio) where pots and pans are clanging early in the morning at food stalls that double as open-air kitchens serving up their concoctions to the multitudes for a few euros. Even the least adventurous can indulge in the uniqueness of the city's cuisine: a panelle (chick pea fritter) sandwich or the ubiquitous arancina (rice ball) will do the trick at satisfying your appetite.

6. Save money by staying at an economical bed and breakfast instead of a pricey hotel: This may seem quite obvious. Why spend over ninety euros per night when you can spend just thirty for comfortable accommodations in one of the city's historic districts close to the things you want to see? Find one on our bed and breakfast page or with a wider search on the Web. Hopefully, this choice will leave your budget with more than ten euros per day to see Palermo.

About the Author: Conchita Vecchio wrote the most recent (2011) edition of the Frommer's Guide to Sicily. She writes a monthly destination guide for EasyJet's in-flight magazine (Traveller), and edited the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide to Sicily. Conchita has also been a consultant for The History Channel and other international media. She occasionally leads personalized tours for small groups (see her profile on the tour guide page).