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15 Best Things to Do in Palermo (Italy)

Palermo is the capital of Sicily which is the largest island in the Mediterranean sea and sits at the bottom of Italy in close proximity to Tunisia and Malta. With a population of 676,000 and a greater metropolitan population of 1.3 million, it serves as the islands cultural and economical centre. Cave drawings have been found in Palermo and human settlements have been dated as early as 8000 BC. Initially under Roman Control, once the empire started to collapse, Palermo came under Germanic control and  then subsequently Arabic rule and finally Christian conquers in the 1000’s.

Today, Palermo is a thriving city that has seen huge development since the 1980’s and its economy centres around tourism and services. As a tourist destination, Palermo offers a huge range of historical attractions, ancient buildings, and dramatic coastlines to explore.

Lets explore the best things to do in Palermo :

1. Palermo Cathedral

Due to the various conquering nations and empires that have had a presence in Palermo, this cathedral has a myriad of different styles and is a truly fascinating building.

Originally constructed in 1185 on the instruction of Pope Gregory I, the church has seen many uses including a mosque and a crypt.

The Moorish influence is present on the exterior and it features a fine central basilica and a tall renaissance clock tower.

Furthermore the portico side entrance features several ornate columns and a triangular pediment with a detailed fresco.

Inside, a prominent feature is the treasure chamber that holds various artefacts from different time periods of the church, and also the tomb of Emperor Frederick II.

2. Capella Palatina

The Palatine Chapel is located in close proximity to the Pallazzo dei Normanni in the centre of Palermo and is one of the best preserved examples of Byzantine architecture and artwork in Europe.

As part of the palace, it was built in 1132 and commissioned by Roger II of Sicily.

Dedicated to Saint Peter, the chapel has a central basilica and features a plethora of fantastic Byzantine artwork and architecture.

Covered in stunning mosaics that exhibit a fantastic amount of detail and colour, the walls and ceiling are packed full of religious and historical iconography.

Every angle or corner you turn you will find another piece of detail or interesting depiction – This really is a true feat of ingenuity and artistic creation.

3. Palazzo dei Normanni

The Royal Palace or the Palace of the Normans served as the main seat of the Kings of Sicily.

It stands as one of the oldest royal palaces in Europe and was originally created in the 9th century by the Emir of Palermo.

The Norman and Moorish influence is undeniable and the palace exudes an official and stately feel.

A main feature of the exterior is the central courtyard that features some beautiful stone arches and decoration.

Furthermore, the Capella Palatina is a connecting building that has some beautiful mosaics and artwork dating back hundreds of years.

Ensure you visit this royal residence for a true slice of Sicilian history.

4. Palermo Archaeological Museum

Located in close proximity to the Teatro Massimo, the Palermo Archaeological Museum is a fantastic place to visit for those who love history.

This museum contains a vast collection of ancient Greek art and various artefacts and findings from the region and island of Sicily.

Split into various different sections, the museum is easy to navigate – Exhibits include underwater artefacts, Phoenician artefacts, Roman artefacts and more.

Notable items include the Palermo Stone that contains a list of Egyptian rules, the marble statue of Satyr, lion statues from the ancient site of Selinunte and a selection of decorated Greek ceramics.

5. La Martorana

Palermo is packed full of ancient and beautiful religious buildings and the Martorana (Cathedral of St. Mary of the Admiral) is a truly delightful example.

As with Palermo Cathedral, La Martorana also features an amalgamation of various architectural styles due to years of conquest.

Located in the Piazza Bellini, the church is next to the famous Pretoria Fountain and Quattro Canti square.

Inside this fabulous building, the design and artwork is again sublime – The main dome features a golden mosaic of Christ and the ceilings and arches are full of frescos and colourful depictions.

It truly is a fantastic building to behold and the ornate workings will leave you in disbelief.

6. Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs

The order of Capuchin Friars dates back to the 1500’s and this abbey was dedicated to their usage.

Whilst the abbey itself is not a fantastic building, the catacombs are the true marvel and are not like any other attraction in Europe.

Here you will travel underground into the vast catacombs and see a macabre variety of burials and well preserved bodies from various periods in time.

The Capuchin Monks would preserve the bodies and keep them in their original garments and also use embalming techniques.

Tours are now possible of the catacombs and you can see this bizarre burial ground containing over 8000 bodies.

Suggested tour : Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo & Monreale Cathedral Tour

7. San Giovanni degli Eremiti

A truly small and charming church, this building dates back to the 6th century and is remarkably well preserved despite its immense age.

Domed towers sit at one end of the church and feature a brilliant red colouration that is still extremely vibrant.

The architectural style is considered to be a combination of Arabic and Norman but has later Roman additions.

A pleasant garden lies at the back of the church filled with exotic plant life and trees.

As one of the most important Arab-Norman buildings in Palermo, the inside remains quite simple with only a few frescos and religious artwork.

8. Monte Pellegrino

Sicily is full of mountains and hilly regions and Monte Pellegrino sits next to Palermo and offers an escape to nature with unparalleled views of the city and Mediterranean.

Aside from being a fantastic tourist attraction, the locals love to come here for an afternoon of fun too so expect to do some mingling.

Only 9 miles from the city centre, this mountain is easily accessible and there is a regular bus service that runs to the top from Politeama.

If you are particularly adventurous and fit, it is possible to hike to the top of Mount Pellegrino to, but don’t undertake this venture unless you are sure of your physical fitness and survivability!

9. Palermo Food Markets

Food markets are a fantastic way to sample local life and so see the heart of a city.

Palermo has several wonderful food markets that operate daily.

The main food markets include Ballaro, Cap and Vucciria all of which are located in the centre of the city and not far from the main attractions.

Here you will find street vendors and shop fronts full of delicious fresh fruits, vegetables, cakes, pastries and more.

Prepare to have your sense assaulted with the variety of smells and the noise from the vendors selling their wares.

A truly fascinating part of Palermo that should not be missed – Also consider a specialized street food tour that will guide you through the best spots.

10. Teatro Massimo

Who would have thought that a theatre would be one of the largest structures in Palermo? The Teattro Massimo is immense and it towers over the relatively small buildings surrounding the Piazza Giuseppe Verdi.

Opened in 1897, it is the largest Opera House in Italy and is famed for its acoustic qualities.

With an exterior that looks more like a palace, this building is truly opulent, but the interior is just as lavish.

Guided tours are available daily of the interior of this fantastic building including tours of the actual auditorium and its boxes.

For film buffs, this theatre is also the place that the final scenes of the Third Godfather movie were filmed!

11. Fontana Pretoria

A monumental fountain that lies in the centre of the Piazza Pretoria, the Fontana Pretoria was built by a Florentine architect in 1554 and transferred to Palermo in 1574. Depicted on the fountain are marble statues of the twelve Olympians from ancient Greek Mythology including Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo and Ares.

Each statue is highly decorated and sculpted and frames the centrepiece perfectly.

Aside from the mighty Olympians, the other statues represent the animals and rivers of Palermo.

12. Ustica Island

Ustica is a tiny island that lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea and is roughly 50km from the coast of Sicily and Palermo.

Excavations have dated settlements here for hundreds of years and the current population is just over 1300. Ferries leave for Ustica from Palermo Harbour and it offers truly remarkable day trip.

Here you will find a gorgeous rocky island landscape that retains its charm and history.

Explore the cliffs and climb to see the tower of Spalmatore, or even partake in a spot of Scuba Diving which Ustica is well-known for due to the deep waters surrounding the base of the island.

13. Mondello Beach

15 minutes to the north of Palermo lies the buzzing town of Mondello – Here you will find the sublime Mondello Beach that is a great place to relax and enjoy the cool Mediterranean waters.

Although crowded at peak times, you will still have ample space to sunbathe or build a sandcastle! At the centre of the beach is the immense Art Nouveau pier and building that contain a restaurant and bar.

Come to Mondello to escape from sight-seeing and indulge in some relaxation or swimming in the crystal clear waters of the bay.

14. Quattro Canti

A simple yet effective and beautiful attraction, the Quattro Canti is an open square located in the centre of Palermo.

Constructed in 1608, the square provides a crossroads for Via Maqueda and VIa Vittorio Emannuel but it is the architecture that makes it famous.

At each corner of the square lies a semi circular face that contains marble columns, inscriptions and statues of  important Italian citizens and rulers.

Their symmetry and design are fantastic and you feel as if you have stepped into Florence or Renaissance Italy.

15. Try your hand at Parasailing

If you are looking for some adventure and adrenaline fuelled activities, why not try your hand at parasailing? Palermo lends itself to this sport due to its calm waters and location in the Mediterranean sea.

At the harbour and the beaches you can easily find tour providers offering this activity and prices are usually reasonable.

Glide over the city and waters in style and see Sicily unfold beneath your eyes – This is truly a memorable experience that you will treasure forever!

15 Best Things to Do in Palermo (Italy):

• Palermo Cathedral
• Capella Palatina
• Palazzo dei Normanni
• Palermo Archaeological Museum
• La Martorana
• Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs
• San Giovanni degli Eremiti
• Monte Pellegrino
• Palermo Food Markets
• Teatro Massimo
• Fontana Pretoria
• Ustica Island
• Mondello Beach
• Quattro Canti
• Try your hand at Parasailing

Andrew Montgomery

Having been the crossroads of civilisations for millennia, Palermo delivers a heady, heavily spiced mix of Byzantine mosaics, Arabesque domes and frescoed cupolas. This is a city at the edge of Europe and at the centre of the ancient world, a place where souk-like markets rub up against baroque churches, where date palms frame Gothic palaces and where the blue-eyed and fair have bronze-skinned cousins.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Cappella Palatina

Designed by Roger II in 1130, this extraordinary chapel is Palermo's top tourist attraction. Located on the middle level of Palazzo dei Normanni's three…

Palazzo dei Normanni

Home to Sicily's regional parliament, this venerable palace dates back to the 9th century. However, it owes its current look (and name) to a major Norman…

Cattedrale di Palermo

A feast of geometric patterns, ziggurat crenellations, maiolica cupolas and blind arches, Palermo's cathedral has suffered aesthetically from multiple…

Galleria Regionale della Sicilia

Housed in the stately 15th-century Palazzo Abatellis, this art museum – widely regarded as Palermo's best – showcases works by Sicilian artists dating…

Chiesa e Monastero di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria

Built as a hospice in the early 14th century and transformed into a Dominican convent the following century, this monastic complex wows with its…

Teatro Massimo

Taking over 20 years to complete, Palermo's neoclassical opera house is the largest in Italy and the second-largest in Europe. The closing scene of The…

Mercato di Ballarò

Snaking for several city blocks southeast of Palazzo dei Normanni is Palermo's busiest street market, which throbs with activity well into the early…

Palazzina Cinese & Parco della Favorita

Once a retreat for King Ferdinand IV and his wife Maria Carolina, this pagoda-inspired pavilion exemplifies the popularity of 'Oriental exotica' in 18th…

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Apr 18, 2018 • 5 min read

Palermo is a beguiling city, set like a jewel in the fan-shaped Conca d’Oro plain between two rocky promontories. For almost three millennia, empire after…

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Here we are in Sicily’s capital city, and you can already feel the authentic atmosphere that wins the hearts of everyone who sets foot there. Whether yours is a quick tour of the city’s historic centre , or a trip to slowly savour Palermo and its surroundings, we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.

Here are ten reasons why you’ll leave your heart in this city.

• A dip in the Baroque of Casa Professa

The Arab-Norman Palermo itinerary will certainly take us to places of extraordinary beauty. But a tour of Baroque Palermo will be just as surprising!

Palermo’s most symbolic Baroque building is probably the Chiesa del Gesù , better known as Casa Professa . It stands on a rise full of dark ravines where, according to tradition, hermit saints once took refuge and where early Christian catacombs can still be found. A violent bombing raid in 1943 destroyed a large part of the prestigious monument.

Chiesa di Casa Professa – ph. Mannarano

Restoration work has restored almost all the stucco and frescoes, restoring the church to its original appearance. The interior blends late Renaissance rigour with a new Baroque spatial style.

• Le stanze al Genio

The name Casa Museo Stanze al Genio refers to the nearby Fontana del Genio in Palermo, at Piazza Rivoluzione . Once through the large doorway, we are quickly drawn to the stairs by the rich flooring and original frescoes of the late 18th-century building. What will appear before us is a unique collection of more than 2300 Italian majolica tiles. They are the pieces of a huge artistic puzzle from southern Italy (mainly Campania and Sicily) from the late 16th to early 20th century. The collectors, owners of the building, will take us into a world where art takes on the dimensions of a small walkable square.

• The “theatrical” Piazza Vigliena: the Quattro Canti

The most scenic urban corner of Palermo is undoubtedly represented by the Quattro Canti , the point where Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele intersect dividing the city into four historic districts (districts). Four buildings outline the profile of the suggestive seventeenth-century square, known as Piazza Vigliena , which every July 14 awaits the most significant stage of the exciting procession of Santa Rosalia . Four main elements stand out on each facade: a fountain which represents one of the rivers that once crossed the city; an allegory depicting one of the seasons; the statue of one of the Spanish kings and, on top, the statue of one of the patron saints of Palermo, each placed to protect a district. Throughout the year, at least one facade of the buildings is illuminated by the sun: this is why the Quattro Canti are called “Teatro del Sole” . The square, whose shape resembles an octagon with mussed edges, once housed public festivals and capital executions. This explains why it is also known as the “City Theater” .

• A premiere at the Teatro Massimo

But also a simple guided tour will do. The Massimo is Italy’s largest opera house, the third largest in Europe after the Paris Opera House and the Vienna State Opera,

Teatro Massimo – ph. P. Barone

and a symbol of the grandeur of the Art Nouveau period, when Palermo was so beautiful and elegant that it attracted and hosted the most sought-after European courts. Today, you can plan a visit to the city and then attend an opera, ballet or symphonic music premiere , rediscovering the atmosphere of the glorious Florio days.

• UNESCO Heritage Opera dei Pupi

This is the first Italian UNESCO Heritage site to be included in the Intangible and Oral Heritage of Humanity list in 2008.

Throughout the island, you can watch performances of the Opera dei Pupi by talented puppet masters who have made this tradition a worldwide art icon. The theatre venues in Palermo, together with the Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum , are a truly unique attraction.

Continue the tour on the Izi Travel audio guide .

• Catacombs of the Capuchins

A place you wouldn’t go if you were dead? Everyone says so, but then it’s impossible to resist the temptation to go and see them. The Capuchin Catacombs contain 8,000 mummified bodies: from Capuchins to members of noble families, from the bourgeoisie to representatives of the clergy.

The state of preservation of the countless corpses on display makes the cemetery of the Convent of the Capuchin Friars one of the most impressive places to visit in the world. A macabre spectacle that highlights the customs and traditions of Palermo’s city society during the period between the 17th and 19th centuries. It is also home to the world’s most beautiful mummy: little Rosalia.

Find out more about the Capuchin Catacombs on izi.TRAVEL

In the old Kalsa quarter, with a little imagination, we can smell an intense scent of basil wafting through the air. All thanks to one of Sicily’s most fascinating stories, which explains the birth of the artistic Teste di Moro – the famous Moorish Heads .

Perhaps that’s why it seems natural to us, to find near the Palazzo Abatellis , the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia , curated by the Cultural Heritage Department, at Palazzo Abatellis. The palace is a magnificent example of Gothic-Catalan architecture. Inside, the arrangement of the works is truly innovative: the use of metal or wooden supports on coloured backgrounds of fabric, Venetian stucco or wooden panels enhances the beauty of the paintings.

In the marvellous rooms of the historical building, we find important masterpieces by Domenico and Antonello Gagini, Filippo Paladini, Antonello da Messina and Francesco Laurana. There are also works by Pietro Novelli, Antoon Van Dyck and Vito D’Anna. The Annunciata by Antonello da Messina alone is worth a visit.

Another beautiful aristocratic residence full of history in the Kalsa is Palazzo Mirto : Murano chandeliers, Chinese lacquered panels, clocks, tapestries and porcelain. The sumptuous, regal rooms embrace a terrace decorated with a rocaille fountain.

Villa Garibaldi , in Piazza Marina , is removed from the hustle and bustle and has plenty of shady spots in which to shelter from the hot sun. It was built between 1861 and 1864 by architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile and dedicated to hero Giuseppe Garibaldi to celebrate the birth of the Italian nation. Many exotic plants can be found here, including the majestic Ficus macrophylla subsp. Columnaris or Ficus magnolioide , a tree that is native to the tropical rain forests. With its 10,000 cubic metres of foliage, it is the largest tree in Europe. That is why it is always admired by people from all over the world.

In the evening, Piazza Marina is transformed: eateries in which to sample typical dishes and local wines, pubs for an apéritif, with live music and popular songs, street food of all kinds. On Sunday mornings, there is a colourful and characteristic antiques market, full of objects, vintage clothes, books and much more at reasonable prices.

For the romantics, a carriage tour is just as exciting, from which you can enjoy the beauty of the old town.

• Street food and ancient markets

The ranking, drawn up by the American network Virtual Tourist, places Palermo in 5th place among the best producers of street food in the world. The street food tour is a must along with the tours of the ancient markets of Palermo, Vucciria , Ballarò , il Capo and Borgo Vecchio, nowadays animated by the city’s nightlife, which has elected them as favourite chosen them as meeting places for leisure evenings.

Let’s discover them in a morning or with a tour by night: it will be like crossing millennia of history, art, scents, flavours and the atmospheres of diverse civilisations.

In the tangle of alleyways, you can discover a multitude of sensations: among the stalls full of colourful merchandise, the Palermitans often eat food cooked in the streets, nibbling with their hands.

Panelle e cazzilli , pane con la milza , sfinciuni , stigghiole , polpo bollito, are just a few of the specialities that have made Palermo one of the world capitals street food .

Pane con milza – ph. I. Mannarano

Flavour and tradition distinguish the Sanlorenzo Market ; it’s worth a visit in its own right. It is located in an old citrus factory dating back to the 1940s, which has been restored by combining the original structure with modern design elements, with a special focus on reuse art. There are various culinary specialities in nine shops and a selection of around 2,800 products from 250 Sicilian suppliers.

You can shop for food or eat dishes prepared according to traditional local recipes. This is a true indoor market that brings together some of the most interesting selected food and wine products: from Slow Food presidia to all the other products that give rise to Sicily’s extraordinary biodiversity, with its 29 PDO and PGI products and 41 Presidia.

• A stroll in Mondello

Mondello’s beach is one of the most beautiful in Sicily , from spring to autumn, it offers safe bathing also for the less able to swim and for children. The white sand is a palette for the sea, the sun and the clouds that paint an infinite range of colours, from turquoise to emerald green. Colours that remain impressed in your memory.

The promenade along the seafront, under tall maritime pines, between palm trees and sporadic houses in the Art Nouveau style, will allow us to put our thoughts in order, to chat, to indulge in jogging or simply breathe in the beneficial scent of the sea, rich in iodine.

Mondello beach Palermo – ph robianni

The seaside village, “la piazza”, awaits us with its cafés and restaurants by the sea, or takeaways, to indulge in seafood and ready-to-eat sandwiches. The bathing season runs from May to September, when the beach is equipped with deckchairs and umbrellas and the characteristic multicoloured wooden cabins. Mondello abandons its solitary, reflective winter appearance and fills with carefree voices, sunscreen and young people on mopeds. The change of season is marked by the World Festival On The Beach , the famous international water activities exhibition, which usually takes place between May and June.

• Palermo and surroundings

If you have the chance, don’t forget to visit the surrounding area: Borgo Parrini a Partinico , Terrasini e Cinisi , The Museo dell’Acciuga ad Aspra and the famous historic Villas of Bagheria , Caccamo , Monreale and its Cathedral.

We can move around by motorbike or bicycle, visit the singularly picturesque hamlets on the Madonie Mountains , some of Italy’s most beautiful: Castelbuono , Cefalù , Geraci Siculo , Petralia Soprana .

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The Ultimate 1, 2 or 3 Days in Palermo Itinerary

Last Updated on January 9, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning out a Palermo itinerary can be one of the most exciting (or overwhelming) things to do when mapping out a trip to Sicily. As the capital of this island region of Italy, Palermo is a vibrant, loud and dynamic city that is an absolute joy to visit – but there is a lot to this city that planning out how exactly to spend 1, 2 or 3 days in Palermo can seem a bit daunting.

Palermo has a lot to offer visitors – beautiful city streets, bustling markets, an undeniable energy and interesting historic sites. However, the city is also compact enough that you can also cover quite a bit of ground and see a number of the highlights in just a short amount of time.

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Palermo?

While you could easily spend weeks or months in this city and feel as if you’ve barely scratched the surface, this isn’t necessarily a practical answer for most potential travellers.

The good news is that Palermo is quite a compact city and you can easily see the top sites within the span of a single day. However, spending only one day in Palermo may still feel a bit rushed if you also want to kick back, relax and enjoy the energy of this city.

If you have 2 days in Palermo, that will allow you to slow down a bit and enjoy a few more sites that the city has to offer. You will be able to dig a bit deeper and explore some neighbourhoods that are slightly off the beaten tourist trail.

Spending 3 days can be ideal if you want to explore some areas nearby the city. Whether that be the beaches of Cefalu, the temples of Segesta, the cathedral of Monreale or elsewhere, there are countless places that are within easy reach of the Sicilian capital that can give you a more holistic view of Sicily as a whole and not just its largest city.

Getting To & Around Palermo

Palermo is home to its own international airport and, along with the second-largest city of Catania , is likely going to be your point of entry into Sicily. And whether you fly into Palermo or Catania , you’re going to need to figure out how to get into the city centre.

Palermo airport is located about 35km outside of the city centre and you can opt to either take a bus or a taxi to the city centre. The bus, run by company Terravision, is €6 per person and takes about fifty minutes.

If you opt to take a taxi, the fares to the city centre will start at €35-40. Keep in mind that taxi scams are relatively common at the airport and to ensure that the meter is running when you are in the taxi. Another option, to avoid being taken advantage of, is to book a transfer in advance here.

For those not arriving by plane, you will find that Palermo is extremely well connected via both bus and train to other cities in Sicily and beyond. You can view schedules here.

For those who are arriving in Palermo by car, keep in mind that driving in the city can be incredibly hectic and stressful and is really only recommended to confident, experienced drivers. You can view car rental options here.

Once in Palermo, you will find that the city is very easy to navigate on foot. As most of the top sites are within easy reach of each other, it’s simple to walk from point A to B without much of a worry. If you need to get further afield, there is an extensive bus network to utilise, as well.

2 to 3 Days in Palermo Itinerary

With its electric energy and chaotic nature, Palermo is a far cry from cities like Florence or Venice. However, there is so much to do in Sicily’s capital and the below itinerary outlines just how you should your time in Palermo.

Day 1 – City Centre Highlights

Italian colazione.

Begin your trip to Palermo as the locals do – with a proper Italian breakfast ( colazione in Italian)! Find yourself a cafe, order a coffee and grab a pastry.

Cornettos are traditional (basically the Italian version of a croissant filled with jam, nutella, vanilla custard or pistachio cream) but you could also opt for something very Sicilian – like a granita with alongside a brioche roll!

If you’re looking for a central place for breakfast, we can recommend heading to Caffetteria del Corso .

Pretoria Fountain & Quattro Canti

After a leisurely coffee and pastry, make your way to some of Palermo’s most famous sites – the Quattro Canti and the Pretoria Fountain on Via Maqueda. The Quattro Canti is a vibrant piazza that serves as the convergence of four major city streets in the Palermo city centre.

Just around the corner from the Quattro Canti is the Pretoria Fountain, a grand fountain in its own piazza surrounded by some of Palermo’s iconic churches and it has sat in this piazza since the late 16th Century.

It is quite the site to see and something that absolutely needs to be a stop on your Palermo itinerary to appreciate the Baroque architecture.

Admire Palermo’s Churches

No visit to any Italian city — be it Florence , Rome , Milan or Turin — is complete without taking in some spectacular churches and Palermo is no different. While the Palermo Cathedral is a stop on its own, there are countless other historic and beautiful churches to visit in the city centre.

Just from the Quattro Canti, you can see and get to a number of the most beautiful churches in Palermo.

These include the Chiesa di Santa Caterina, the Chiesa di San Cataldo and the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio. If it interests you, most of these churches are open to visitors (generally outside of mass times) for a small fee.

Mercato di Ballaro

After wandering around the city centre and admiring some of the buildings and streets that make Palermo so famous, it’s time to go to one of the most chaotic, electric and vibrant parts of the city – the Mercato di Ballaro. This open-air market is the largest in the city and it is truly an experience to behold.

When you enter the area for the market, it can be easy to feel a bit underwhelmed – the first hundred metres or so are filled with junk and tourist kitsch, but I encourage you to keep walking deeper into the market to really see what it has to offer.

The market is winding, incredibly busy, loud and seems never-ending as you wander through it. The stalls are narrow and you do need to be aware of motorbikes making their way through the pathways along with pedestrians.

You will see all kinds of Sicilian produce being hawked here – from fresh seafood to beautiful fruits and vegetables to fragrant herbs and spices that make the cuisine so flavourful. You will also hear the vendors yelling at each other or advertising what it is they are selling.

I urge you not to skip this market if you want to get a feel for how alive and vibrant Palermo can be as it provides an excellent insight into the culture and soul of the city.

After making your way around the market and exploring some of Palermo’s top sites, it’s likely that you’ve worked up quite an appetite.

Fortunately enough, there are countless fantastic eateries where you can sample the local cuisine at affordable prices. Whether you feel like grabbing a fresh arancine from a street vendor at the market or are looking for a sit-down meal, you can find it here.

If you’re looking for a great lunchtime spot, we can recommend a meal at Trattoria Grano Gratis which has a lot of traditional Sicilian dishes at affordable prices. Alternatively, Salumeria Alcolica in the Kalsa neighbourhood is also a fantastic choice.

Palazzo dei Normanni

After lunch, it’s time to pick up and start sightseeing again and head to the Normal Palace of Palermo. This imposing Palace has stood, in one form or another, since the 12th Century following the Norman conquest of Sicily.

For centuries, it was the official residence of the Kings of Sicily and today it serves as the seat Sicilian Regional Assembly. It is considered to be the oldest royal residence in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You can tour the palace and take in its history can splendour yourself. Tickets are €19 per person with concession prices available for those who qualify.

Palermo Cathedral

After visiting the grand Norman Palace, it’s only a few hundred metres before you reach the imposing Palermo Cathedral. This massive structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is one of the top tourist sites in the city.

Originally built in the 12th Century, there have been numerous renovations and additions to this historic church over the centuries – with the last occurring in the 18th Century.

Visiting the cathedral is one of the top things to do in Palermo and there are a few different tiers of tickets available depending on what parts of the church you are interested in.

However, if you want to experience everything in the cathedral (including the roofs of the building), expect to spend €15 per person on a ticket – which can be purchased online in advance if you wish to skip the long queues.

If you want more context on some of the sites mentioned above, consider booking this guided tour which will take you to some of the top sites and markets in Palermo.

Another option is this street food and history tour that combines two of Palermo’s top activities! Alternatively, this guided walking tour will offer you insight into the mafia history and anti-mafia movement of the Sicilian capital.

After a long day of sightseeing, it’s time to kick back and enjoy another part of the Palermo lifestyle – aperitivo. There are so many bars and cafes that have good drink deals where you can get an affordable cocktail or beverage (usually for around €3-6) and purchase a bit of a snack as well.

This is also a great time of day to wander around some other neighbourhoods outside of the main city centre. We highly recommend getting a bit lost in the gorgeous neighbourhood of La Kalsa, which is one of the oldest in the city.

You can also opt to wander over to the waterfront – there is a nice promenade along the harbour. Here, you can enjoy the great energy or, if you’re after something sweet, pop into Graniteria a’ Cala to get some of the best granita in Palermo.

If you’re looking for a great place to relax, we can recommend heading to Taverna Celso in the city centre or, alternatively, to Botteghe Coletti , which is located very close to our next stop at Vucciria.

La Vucciria Market

End your day at one of the most famous spots in the city – La Vucciria. This is a night market known for its lively bars, cafes and street food vendors.

This area is definitely worth visiting, but I have to be honest that we were a bit disappointed in the street food offerings here. If you end up here after dark, however, there is no denying that it feels alive and electric.

If you’re looking for a great place for a drink and something to eat, we can highly recommend finding a place at Ai Bagnoli. This hip bar has good drink prices and you can even get a massive sharing platter (that is a meal in and of itself) for an affordable price.

Day 2 – Markets, Museums, Beaches & More!

Teatro massimo.

For your first stop of the day, head over to Piazza Verdi and take in the imposing and beautiful Massimo Theatre.

This opera house is one of the largest in Europe and is considered to be the largest in Italy. It is well-known for its excellent acoustics and the architecture of the building is noteworthy.

The theatre was opened in 1898 and is still just as splendid today. If you’re keen to see the inside of this iconic building, you can go on a guided tour (€10 per person) which you can buy online in advance or purchase tickets for a performance.

Archaeological Museum

If you’re interested in the ancient history of Palermo and Sicily as a whole, then you’re sure to love stopping at the Archaeological Museum. This museum is filled with an excellent collection of Greek and Punic art and antiquities that is sure to make all Classics nerds swoon.

The museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday and entry is €6 per person. Entry is free to all those under 18 (irrespective of nationality).

Mercato di Capo

Palermo is full of street markets and interesting places to visit and if you’re looking for another great market to see (and maybe sample some of Palermo’s famed street food), then head over to the Mercato di Capo.

This market is smaller and a little calmer and less overwhelming than the Mercato di Ballaro, but it is worth a stop anyhow.

The Mercato di Capo has similar produce stands as other markets and plenty of street food to choose from if you feel you need a snack or want to sample some fantastic Sicilian cuisine at an affordable price point.

If you want some context when sampling Sicilian street food, then consider going on this street food tour which will take you to the Mercato di Capo along with other stops along the way!

Mondello Beach

Especially if you’re visiting in the warmer months (which are most months in Sicily!), then spend the afternoon of your second day in the city enjoying the sunshine and sand at Mondello Beach.

The most famous beach near Palermo, it is also easy enough to reach for visitors regardless of how you choose to get there.

If you don’t have a car, you can reach Mondello via public bus line 806 from the city centre in about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can also drive to the area in about the same amount of time. Once there, find a patch of sand and enjoy one of the top beaches on the island.

Monte Pellegrino

This stop is easiest if you have your own vehicle, however, it is doable via public transit, as well.

Monte Pellegrino is a hill that overlooks the city of Palermo and you can get to a viewpoint (either by hiking, driving or taking a public bus) to get some of the most spectacular views of the city below.

It is especially lovely to be here as the sun begins to set and it can be incredibly romantic if you choose to go with someone you love.

Day 3 – Day Trip to Monreale, Cefalu or Segesta

If you have 3 days in the city, this is the perfect opportunity to go on a day trip to somewhere nearby to the city. There are countless options to choose from, these are just a few.

If you’re looking for a quick, easy day trip from Palermo, then consider heading to Monreale.

This little town is located only about 11 kilometres outside of Palermo and it is well known for its beautiful cathedral. The Duomo di Monreale was first constructed in the 11th Century and it is renowned for its incredible mosaics and beautiful interior.

You can reach Monreale via public bus line 389P from the city centre of Palermo and the journey time take about an hour. Alternatively, you can opt to self-drive to the town, which will take about thirty minutes.

A very popular day trip destination from Palermo is the lovely seaside town of Cefalu. Known for it’s lovely beach, beautiful town centre, and gorgeous cliffs, Cefalu is an excellent place to visit as a day trip from the Sicilian Capital. You can spend the morning wandering around the town and the afternoon enjoying a leisurely time on the beach.

It is easy to reach Cefalu via regional train from Palermo in about 40 minutes – and trains run quite frequently. Alternatively, it is about an hour’s drive to reach the town.

If you’re interested in visiting both Monreale and Cefalu but don’t want to bother with public transit, then this half-day tour from Palermo can be an excellent option.

If it’s ancient ruins you’re interested in, then heading to the archaeological site of Segesta makes for the perfect day trip. Known for both its incredibly well-preserved temple and a nearby amphitheatre, this is a truly spectacular site to behold in Sicily.

If you wish to travel independently, Segesta is best reached by self-driving. The drive from Palermo to Segesta is about an hour and there is ample parking available at the site.

Alternatively, you could opt to take this full-day tour which includes stops at Segesta along with visits to the town of Erice overlooking Trapani and to the Salt Pans of Trapani.

For those who want to see the most famous temples in Sicily, then consider heading on a day tour to the Valley of the Temples . This archaeological park near Agrigento is truly spectacular and well worth the visit.

Where to Stay in Palermo

Alma Hotel – A great mid-range option, this 3-star hotel makes for a great base in Palermo. They have a range of clean and comfortable rooms available, a fantastic central location and they offer a buffet breakfast each morning.

Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel – This hip boutique hotel is an excellent choice for those after a bit of luxury during their trip to the Sicilian capital. They have beautiful rooms on offer, plenty of great amenities and a location that is perfect for exploring the city.

Appartamento Piazza Pretoria – If you’d like to have your own flat in Palermo, then this fully furnished 2-bedroom apartment is an excellent option. Located close to the Pretoria Fountain, it has everything you will need during your stay in the city.

A Casa di Amici Boutique Hostel – For those travelling on a budget or solo, this hostel is a great choice for you. They have a good, social atmosphere, offer both dorms and private rooms and is well-located to explore all Palermo has to offer.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Palermo hotels!

Planning a Palermo itinerary can feel a bit overwhelming when you consider just how much this vibrant city has to offer. And whether you only have one day here or can spend up to three, you’re sure to quickly fall for the Sicilian capital.

Are you planning to visit Palermo? Have any questions about the city? Let us know in the comments!

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About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

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Ultimate 2024 Palermo Travel Guide: 21 Insider Tips

• Isabelle Hoyne
• December 1, 2023

** Disclosure: some of the links on this site are affiliate links and should you make a purchase through these, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!**

Get ready for an incredible adventure in Palermo with my ultimate guide. As someone who spent a month immersing myself in this vibrant city, I’ve curated essential tips and recommendations for visiting Palermo. From hidden gems to cultural insights, discover Palermo like a seasoned traveller. 

I didn’t quite know what to expect upon arrival in Palermo, having booked an apartment for a month somewhat on a whim.

I knew that it would be a bit like its southern cousin, Naples , but while certain parallels can be drawn – histories shaped by various civilisations, friendly and expressive locals, bustling street markets and delectable local cuisine – that’s probably the point around which you would draw the line. 

Palermo is utterly unique.

It’s a city that takes a while to open up to you, where you need to grab the bull by the horns and discover its fascinating story on your own initiative. It’s hidden in places such as the crumbling facades of WW2 bombed buildings, behind high walls that hide opulent palaces, and in the agonising captures of the photography exhibition at the No Mafia Memorial. 

As I roamed the streets as the weeks went on, I found myself pulled in by the contradictions, the vibrant chaos and the palpable energy that pulses through every corner of the city. From the maze-like markets to the captivating mix of Norman, Arab and Baroque architectural styles, Palermo reveals itself as a city with layers waiting to be explored.

In Palermo, every step is an invitation to delve deeper into its rewarding treasure trove of traditions, spirit, history, art and cuisine. It’s a city that rewards the curious and the adventurous, those willing to embrace its idiosyncrasies and embrace the unexpected.

On that note, there are a few things that I think you should know in advance of visiting Palermo.

From its intriguing history to its more recent battles with the Mafia, its deep-rooted food culture to the basics of how to get around, I’ve drawn all of them together to form this comprehensive set of Palermo tips to help guide your own visit.  

Essential links for your Palermo trip

Transport : book your train tickets here and search for and book car rentals here . Top rated tours & experiences in Palermo : ☆ Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty ☆ No Mafia Walking Tour ☆ Street Food and History Walking Tour ☆ Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip Cultured Voyages’ Accommodation Picks: ➨ Porta di Castro Boutique Hotel (luxury pick with pool) ➨ PALAZZO SANTAMARINA Luxury Suite & Spa (boutique lodging in restored palazzo) ➨ Family Affair Palermo (stunning B&B in beautiful building) ➨ Mamamia al Teatro Biondo (stylish budget pick) Don’t leave home without! The Rough Guide to Siciliy // Midnight in Sicily // these *excellent* compression packing cubes // rechargeable pocket-fan

Table of Contents

Essential things to know before visiting palermo, palermo tips: some common questions answered, palermo is the most conquered city in the world.

Sporting a diverse legacy, Palermo is the most conquered city in the world, creating a cityscape and culture distinctly different from other Italian and European locales.

Palermo’s early history

At the dawn of recorded history, Palermo was first home to the enigmatic Sicanians and then the Phoenicians, who established a flourishing trading port here around 734 BC. Carthage took the baton next, only for the city to fall into Roman hands in 254 BC during the First Punic War.

Under Roman rule, the city flourished, with grand amphitheatres and public baths standing testament to the Empire’s architectural prowess. Yet, when Rome fell, Palermo did not. It instead found itself the jewel in the Gothic-Vandalic Kingdom, then the Byzantine Empire, each layering the city with their unique cultural influences.

Then, in 831 AD, the Arabs stormed Palermo’s walls, transforming the city into a beacon of prosperity. Mosques and palaces sprung up alongside public gardens, and a complex irrigation system turned the Conca d’Oro valley into an agricultural Eden. Their deep-reaching impact is still felt today, not just in the architecture, but in the Sicilian language and Palermo’s vibrant street food culture.

The Normans, and beyond

In 1072, the Normans seized Palermo, yet they did not erase its Arabic character. They fostered a culture of coexistence, where mosques became churches, and Byzantine, Arab and Norman styles mingled to birth an architectural genre unique to Sicily. The Palatine Chapel and the Zisa are stunning embodiments of this era.

Following the Normans, Palermo came under a succession of European rulers – the Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, Spanish, and the Bourbons. Each left their mark on the cityscape, whether in the form of grand palaces, fortified castles, baroque churches, or public squares.

The city’s multicultural heritage is seen in its Arab-Norman-Byzantine architecture, its language laced with Arabic, French, and Spanish words, and its eclectic cuisine combining North African spices with traditional Italian ingredients. This amalgamation of cultures under one city’s banner makes Palermo a mesmerising blend of East and West, an open-air museum bearing the imprints of the world’s greatest civilisations, truly a city unlike any other.

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It’s not the most pristine place you’ll ever visit

I’ll just come out with it and say it as it is – Palermo is by no means the cleanest city you will ever visit. 

Stroll down the city’s narrow, meandering alleys and one of the first sights that might catch your attention is the bins. It isn’t hard to notice these heaving, overflowing monstrosities, particularly away from the main tourist trails where skip-style bins are brimming, a testament to the city’s waste management challenges.

Graffiti, indiscriminate and bold, also adorns even freshly renovated buildings, while litter sprinkles the streets in a city where, it could be said, that many of its buildings could use a good power-wash.

However, just to make those comments and not dig deeper into  why  this is the case would demonstrate a certain level of ignorance and a rejection of the reason why many of us travel – to understand.

To understand why this is the case requires a journey into Palermo’s recent history – a narrative of economic disparity, social struggles, and less than perfect urban planning, which I’ll discuss further below. But to reduce Palermo to these issues would be missing the point.

Palermo is a city lived in, not just visited. Its messy corners and graffiti-laden walls are reminiscent of a lived-in home, carrying the imprint of the people who dwell there. Humans, by nature, aren’t the neatest of creatures, and Palermo reflects this unfiltered reality. It’s like peering into a mirror, facing the raw and sometimes uncomfortable aspects that come with human existence.

I think that’s why some people don’t like it – it’s a harsh and uncomfortable reality of being a human. 

Palermo city centre is undergoing a regeneration

Despite its gritty veneer, Palermo is a city on the cusp of revival, echoing a resiliency that’s deeply rooted in its culture and people.

Its transformation is evident in the earnest initiatives springing up throughout the city to reclaim and rejuvenate the disused and dilapidated buildings that dot its city centre. Historic structures, once symbolic of a neglected past, are gradually shedding their grime, revealing their original grandeur as they’re restored to their former glory.

Evidence of this couldn’t be clearer than on the street where we based ourselves for our month in Palermo, Via del Celso. Each day, after a friendly ‘ buongiorno ‘ we watched as the builders gave the derelict building across from us a new roof, and a new life. Two doors down, a building had been renovated and repurposed as guest accommodation.

Our gym, on the same street, was in the restored Palazzo Santamarina , formerly owned by a noble family called the Crispis, which underwent a huge project to bring it from dereliction to a complex that now includes residential apartments, luxury guest suites, a gym, a spa, a hairdressers and several eateries. I’d highly recommend checking it out.

A pivotal part of this resurgence is Palermo’s concerted efforts to shrug off the dark shadow of the mafia, an entity that had, for a long time, stifled its growth. Today, the city is reclaiming its public spaces and opening them up to locals and tourists alike, echoing an assertive declaration of regained control and rebirth.

A visit to Palermo now means witnessing a remarkable period of transformation – a unique opportunity to appreciate its enduring spirit, resilience, and the ability to reinvent itself.

There’s much more to Palermo than the mafia, but you should know the backstory

Palermo’s narrative is deeply tied to the Mafia’s shadowy legacy and is a story of resilience, defiance, and rebirth. Historically, the “ Cosa Nostra ” dominated Palermo through practices like “pizzo” or protection racketeering, alongside other serious criminal activities including drug trafficking, contract killing and political corruption.

The Mafia’s ironclad grip started loosening in the early 1990s, sparked by the assassinations of anti-mafia judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. Public outrage triggered rigorous law enforcement, broad societal changes and a resolve to reclaim the city.

Under Mayor Leoluca Orlando , a resolute anti-Mafia advocate, Palermo began to wrestle its independence back. Orlando endorsed a city-wide rebellion against the pizzo, backing businesses that resisted Mafia extortion, symbolising a critical moment in Palermo’s battle against the Mafia.

An important aspect of this resistance is the “ Addiopizzo ” or ‘Goodbye Pizzo’ movement, supporting businesses in their defiance against Mafia extortion, embodying the city’s collective determination.

For visitors, the “No Mafia” walking tour offers a glimpse into Palermo’s tumultuous past, its ongoing struggles against the Mafia and its remarkable transformation. This immersive journey through historical neighbourhoods and landmarks celebrates Palermo’s resilience and continued pursuit of justice and freedom.

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A lot of city centre was ravaged during, and in the aftermath of, WW2

The plight of Palermo during World War II is etched deeply into the city’s history and architecture.

The city suffered extensive damage from Allied bombing raids in 1943 as part of Operation Husky , the campaign to capture Sicily from Axis powers. These bombings targeted crucial infrastructure and strategic locations but ended up causing extensive collateral damage, leading to the decimation of large parts of the city centre.

As a result, a significant portion of Palermo’s architectural heritage was reduced to ruins, with the city’s historic centre bearing the brunt of the devastation.

The impact on Palermo’s population was equally devastating. The onslaught displaced an estimated 150,000 people, nearly a quarter of the city’s pre-war population. They were forced to evacuate their homes, many of which were in the city centre, and were left to seek refuge in whatever shelter they could find.

This included cramped slums, makeshift shantytowns, and even natural caves around the outskirts of the city. It was a time of immense hardship and adversity for the residents of Palermo, a period of human suffering and displacement that profoundly affected the city’s social fabric.

After the war, instead of the city centre being restored and residents returning to their homes, the Mafia capitalised on this crisis. They manipulated the city’s reconstruction process, facilitating the ‘ Sack of Palermo ‘, where characterless and hastily-constructed apartment blocks replaced Palermo’s traditional fabric. This led to a further abandonment of the city centre and a shift of the city’s population to these new, poorly constructed high-rises.

Despite the lasting scars of this tumultuous period, Palermo’s resilience has shone through in recent decades. Over the past 25 years, more than 60% of the city’s abandoned historic buildings have been painstakingly restored, signifying a renewed commitment to preserving the city’s architectural heritage and cultural identity. 

Palermo is safe for tourists

When considering the question, “how safe is Palermo for tourists?” it’s essential to approach it with nuance and context. In the past, Palermo’s reputation suffered due to its historic ties with the Mafia. However, today’s Palermo is more a testament to transformation and resilience.

Statistical data supports this claim. The latest reports from Italy’s ISTAT indicate that Sicily’s crime rates have been declining steadily, with Palermo registering a lower crime rate per capita than other Italian cities such as Milan or Rome. 

Although the Mafia’s influence was once pervasive, recent years have seen Palermo and its citizens reclaim their city. The increased presence of law enforcement, along with local movements against Mafia extortion, have greatly reduced organised crime’s influence. Today, the Mafia is more a part of Palermo’s history than its daily reality.

Despite this, caution is necessary, as in any city. Some central neighbourhoods like Ballarò and Albergheria are known to be less safe at night, but I found visiting their attractions during the day to be fine. 

In the city’s heart, you’ll find the cultural treasures of Palermo, such as the Teatro Massimo and the Vucciria Market, where the atmosphere is generally safe. I found these tourist-centric areas to be frequently patrolled by police, contributing to a feeling of safety and security.

In conclusion, Palermo’s safety for tourists aligns with that of other major European cities. Yes, it has a gritty history, but it’s a city on an upward trajectory. By taking the same common-sense precautions you would anywhere, you can safely enjoy the vibrancy and rich cultural history Palermo has to offer.

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History and culture buffs will love Palermo

For a self-confessed history buff like myself, the city of Palermo is a veritable playground.

The myriad of cultures that have left their indelible marks on the city is manifested in its diverse architectural styles. Particularly mesmerising is the Arab-Norman-Byzantine fusion evident in the magnificent Palatine Chapel and the awe-inspiring exteriors of Palermo Cathedral. 

The grandeur of Palazzo dei Normanni, a Norman palace that now houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly, speaks volumes of the grandiosity of its erstwhile inhabitants. Meanwhile, Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy, stands as a testament to Palermo’s flourishing art and culture scene in the 19th century.

Should you like indulging in the more macabre offerings Palermo has, worth visiting are the Capuchin Catacombs, an underground crypt housing mummified bodies, meticulously dressed in their finest attire, which were preserved and routinely maintained by their living relatives, offering a haunting window into the city’s historical traditions.

What I cherished most about Palermo, though, was the freedom it afforded me as a history lover.

The city’s historical gems are not confined within museum walls or curated tours. They form the city’s very lifeblood, embedded in its streets, piazzas, palazzos, and even in its culinary traditions. You can simply wander and soak in the city’s history, or delve deeper into its countless cathedrals, galleries and ruins.

Palermo allowed me to indulge my historical curiosities at my own pace, which I very much appreciated.

People-watchers will love Palermo too!

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Palermo, once again, over delivers. 

At first, I thought the quirkiest thing was the friendly homeless man who is never without his pet dog and tabby cat, which rides everywhere on his shoulder. Then, it moved on to a rather strange pairing of jivers, who take to the street each night and throw a variety of odd shapes, none of which would get either of them into a troupe of dancers.

They were soon replaced by a rather enthusiastic gentleman, who, with beaming smile and music blaring from speakers hidden somewhere on his person, rode up and down Palermo’s busiest pedestrian street on a unicycle, balancing – I kid you not – a glass of Aperol Spritz on his head. 

The winning prize, however, was snatched by the young man, who amidst the residential (but kamikaze-scooter-ridden) back streets close to our apartment, apparated out of a narrow alleyway mere metres in front of me, accompanied by the smart clip-clop of a dappled grey, 11-hand pony. I had to quickly pull my jaw off the cobblestones before I could scurry off on my way for pasta.

Palermo, much like its Southern Italian neighbour Naples , is more than a bit bonkers, but in its own beautifully unique way. Without ever stepping foot in any of its attractions, there is more than enough to see. Simply pull up a seat at a street side cafe or restaurant and enjoy the show. 

While situated by the sea, there is no city beach in Palermo

One of the intriguing paradoxes of Palermo is its seafront location without a sandy beach in sight!

How could a city, hugged by the shimmering Mediterranean Sea, lack a shoreline to stretch out under the Sicilian sun? It’s all down to Palermo’s geography; nestled in a natural harbour, the city’s coast is a stretch of rugged rock rather than the sandy stretch you’d expect.

The city’s lungomare, or waterfront, is more a rubble-filled relic of the city’s turbulent past than the picturesque esplanade you’d typically associate with Mediterranean locales. The rubble, remnants of the city’s post-war transformation, serves as an unconventional seafront attraction, having been unceremoniously dumped there during various projects. 

Yet, for those yearning for sun-kissed sand and tranquil azure waters, all is not lost. A mere 13km away, you’ll find the idyllic beach town of Mondello. Its crescent of golden sand, cradled by turquoise waters and fringed with Art Nouveau villas, is a popular choice for both locals and tourists. It’s the perfect spot to soak in the Sicilian sun and indulge in delicious local seafood.

Further along the coast, you’ll discover a smattering of hidden coves and untouched beaches, offering a tranquil respite from the buzz of the city. Cefalù and San Vito Lo Capo, among others, are well worth the journey, each boasting unique landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and serene atmospheres. While Cefalù is reachable by train in under an hour, getting to many of these beautiful spots might require a bit of planning.

While train connections are scant, the buses are often plagued by overcrowding, particularly in the summer months. Renting a car could be your best bet for a hassle-free beach-hopping adventure.

It can often feel hotter than the mercury suggests

Sheltered by mountains on one side and lapped by the sea on the other, the city wears a thick blanket of heat that seems to amplify the temperature on the mercury scale. In all the cities I’ve visited in Europe, Palermo, with its stifling mugginess, stands out.

The city’s street hawkers are no strangers to this fact. Ever enterprising, many of their stalls stock an array of fans, a simple yet effective respite from the heat. During my visit in the peak summer months, these fans became an indispensable accessory for me, offering fleeting moments of cool amidst the relentless heat.

The city, in its original planning, was a marvel of natural climate control. Cleverly designed to tap into the refreshing mountain breezes, the streets of Palermo were laid out to channel this natural air conditioning system. The prospect of a gentle zephyr tempering the heat seems like a blissful oasis in the city’s nowadays muggy terrain.

However, in the post-war years, this thoughtful design fell prey to the mafia’s reckless urbanisation. High-rise buildings sprung up at the base of the mountains, creating an artificial barrier that cut off Palermo’s natural ventilation. This airless outcome has made Palermo a city that often feels hotter than what the thermometer reads.

Despite this sweltering heat, Palermo is a city worth sweating for! Even during the hottest months, when a leisurely walk can morph into a sweat-drenched excursion, or when a meal outside might intermittently leave you feeling overheated, the city’s magic endures. The key is to come prepared – keep your fan handy, stay hydrated, and embrace the Sicilian sun. 

Locals are an engaging, friendly bunch

In Palermo, people are the soul of the city.

From the vivacious locals with a keen sense of humour to the warm-hearted shopkeepers ready with a quick smile and an even quicker joke, this city is truly alive with genuine characters. You’ll find that the younger population, especially those in hospitality or retail, handle English with aplomb, exhibiting a charisma that’s as fluent as their language skills. They’re quick to engage, eager to help, and always up for a friendly chat.

Venture beyond this English-speaking enclave, and you might find the conversation shifting to a more interpretative dance of pigeon-Italian and hand gestures. But the language barrier adds a certain charm to these interactions and it’s worth making the effort. It’s all part of the adventure – who doesn’t love a game of charades in the middle of a bustling Italian market!

One scene that stands out in my mind is of a local man on a scooter, who made his daily rounds to feed the stray cats on our street. It’s these small acts of kindness, these snippets of everyday life that bring out the true spirit of Palermo. Of course, not everyone fits this generous mould, but unless you stray far from the beaten path, you’re unlikely to encounter them.

In Palermo, you’ll find that the city’s heart is as warm as its weather.

Palermo’s street food draws few parallels

Embarking on a gastronomic journey through Palermo’s bustling streets unveils an intriguing mosaic of the city’s diverse history and rich cultural influences, each dish narrating a compelling tale of conquest, resilience, and fusion.

As a food lover, exploring Palermo is like traipsing through a labyrinth of flavours. A street food tour is an absolute must for foodies; it is the key that unlocks the city’s gastronomic secrets.

Begin your edible expedition with “Pane e Panelle,” a classic Palermitan offering of piping hot chickpea fritters snugly held in a sesame-seed bun. For an additional tangy punch, squeeze a fresh lemon over the crispy fritters. Next up, “Arancini,” succulent, golden-fried rice balls encapsulating a variety of delightful fillings, is a crowd favourite, paying homage to Palermo’s Arab influence.

For the daring palate, the spleen sandwich, or “Pani ca Meusa,” beckons. While boiled spleen and lung stuffed in a sandwich might sound daunting, it is a local favourite – a testament to Palermitan adventurousness. I must confess, though, this delicacy didn’t quite suit my tastes!

However, Palermo’s heart beats in its “Sfincione,” a soft, spongy pizza varietal. Its traditional toppings of tomatoes, onions, anchovies, and oregano are but the beginning; you can find it adorned with everything from fresh seafood to spicy salami, catering to every palate’s whim.

These tantalising treats are best discovered in Palermo’s vibrant markets. Vucciria and Ballarò, teeming with energy and colour, are not just trading hubs; they are the city’s pulsating heart, offering an intoxicating fusion of sights, sounds, and aromas that encapsulate the spirit of Palermo.

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Elsewhere, expect seafood, pistachio and eggplant to feature regularly

Beyond the lively chaos of Palermo’s street food scene, the city’s restaurants offer a tantalising exploration into Sicilian cuisine. Here, the culinary narrative expands to include the bounties of the Mediterranean Sea, the unique nuttiness of local pistachios, and the humble yet versatile eggplant.

One dish you’ll encounter is the classic Pasta alla Norma, named in honour of Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini’s famous opera. This melody of tender eggplant, tangy tomato sauce, salty ricotta and fragrant basil harmonises beautifully on the plate, creating an irresistible ode to Sicilian flavours. It’s a dish I ordered again and again.

The city’s coastal location also means a wealth of seafood dishes, fresh from the Mediterranean. You’ll find grilled swordfish, a local favourite, prawns seasoned with zesty lemon, and delectable mussels cooked in a vibrant tomato sauce. You’ll even find the Roman pasta dish of cacio e pepe served with a good dollop of mussels too in certain restaurants. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, because it is positively delicious!

Lastly, don’t overlook Palermo’s love affair with pistachios. These nutty green kernels feature in everything from savoury pastas to creamy gelato, providing an unexpected but delicious twist.

Despite its bustling street food culture, sit-down meals in Palermo are just as delightful and revelatory, revealing another layer of this fascinating city’s culinary landscape.

RELATED READING | Where to Eat in Palermo Italy

Expect a bustling atmosphere and a lively nightlife

Palermo vibrates with a buoyant energy that reflects the spirit of its people. This is not a city that sleeps, and you’ll quickly notice the lively ambience extending well into the night.

So, is Palermo a party town? Well, the city certainly pulsates with youthful vigour, thanks in part to its large university population, and this spills out onto the streets once the sun dips below the horizon.

The vivacious Via Maqueda, teeming with energy and voices, is a hive of nightlife activity, with bars brimming with jovial locals and tourists alike. At upscale bars on Via Liberta, elegant crowds sip on signature cocktails, soaking in the glamour and sophistication.

Venture into the historic heart of Palermo, and you’ll find Vucciria, a daytime market that transforms into a bustling hub of nocturnal entertainment. Here, amidst the rustic charm of centuries-old streets, parties pulse with life, music and dance, turning the neighbourhood into an open-air club. It’s slightly bonkers but definitely fun.

Beware of the kamikaze moped and scooter-drivers

Take a stroll down the lively streets of Palermo and you’re likely to encounter an adrenaline-charged spectacle that would put the most daring action movie stunt sequences to shame. A stream of audacious, helmet-less moped riders whip around corners and dart through narrow alleys, leaving a trail of bewildered pedestrians in their wake.

The city’s traffic seems to follow a set of rules as unpredictable as a summer storm. It’s as though Palermo’s traffic regulations were hastily scribbled on a piece of paper, then swept away by one of the city’s salty sea breezes, never to be seen again!

Leading the charge of these reckless riders are none other than the city’s precocious 10-year-old boys, often doubling up on their petite, sometimes electric (read: sneakily silent) mopeds. Their youthful recklessness adds an extra dash of excitement to the already chaotic streets of Palermo.

Joining this freewheeling fleet are a plethora of scooter services like Lime, along with daring locals on their personal rides. Cutting corners with a cavalier disregard for angles, they weave a risky route on the city’s roads.

Venturing to cross the road in Palermo is a feat of courage. The bustling traffic may seem as impenetrable as a fortress, but fear not however!

As soon as your foot touches the stripes of a zebra crossing, vehicles should part ways, much like the Red Sea did for Moses. Be warned though, our moped riding daredevils consider this more a guideline than a rule – they prefer to swerve around you, keeping the spirit of Palermo’s streets alive!

Try to seek out unique accommodation when visiting

Delve into the heart of Palermo and you’ll find hidden gems nestled among the city’s vibrant hustle and bustle – unique accommodation options that bring a sprinkle of the extraordinary to your Sicilian sojourn.

Look beyond the standard hotel offerings in Palermo and you’ll discover a world of enchanting alternatives. How about lodging in a lovingly restored palazzo, or an ancient building reborn in the city centre? These accommodations, bursting with character and soaked in centuries of history, offer more than just a place to rest your head. They’re an opportunity to experience Palermo’s rich past and eclectic culture from the inside out.

Waking up to the sunlit view of Palermo’s grandiose architecture, dining in the shade of a centuries-old courtyard, sipping espresso on a balcony overlooking vibrant squares— these are experiences you won’t find at a conventional hotel. So my advice is to go off the beaten path and seek out these unique abodes. Immerse yourself in the city’s spirit and make your stay in Palermo not just a visit, but a vibrant journey back in time.

You can find a selection of these unique accommodation picks amongst our accompanying travel guide – where to stay in Palermo . 

Palermo is perfect for a city break

With its delightful blend of chaos and charm, Palermo hits all the right notes for the ultimate city break. An exuberant mosaic of historic wonders, vibrant street life, tantalising cuisine and eclectic culture, Palermo is a city that sings to its own tune, creating a symphony that reverberates deep within the heart of every visitor.

The city’s past leaves its indelible imprint on the present, with stunning palazzos, awe-inspiring churches, and magnificent squares providing a visual history lesson. Its museums and galleries house centuries-old artefacts, contrasting brilliantly with the contemporary pulse of the city that beats within its bustling markets and lively streets, as well as its ongoing regeneration.

Palermo has perfected the art of contrast, and its geographical positioning adds another layer to this. Despite its coastal location, the absence of beaches in the city gives it an unexpected twist. Yet, it’s this distinct characteristic that sets the stage for an adventure beyond the city limits.

Excursions to nearby sandy stretches of Mondello or the charming coastal town of Cefalù add a refreshing interlude to your city break, or an extension to your time in Sicily, should you have the luxury of time on your side. 

Unpredictable and intoxicating, a city break in Palermo offers an unmatched blend of experiences that are as diverse as they are memorable. It’s not just a trip; it’s an immersive journey into the heart of a city that’s remained true to its roots while striding boldly into the future. This isn’t just any city break; it’s the rather unique, rather special, Palermo city break.

It’s a great base for day trips

This lively city serves as an excellent base for embarking on captivating day trips that will whisk you away to stunning destinations, each with its own unique charm.

First is the enchanting coastal town of Cefalù, where ancient history and natural beauty converge. Stroll along its picturesque streets, marvel at the majestic Norman cathedral and bask in the golden sands of its idyllic beach.

If you’re in the mood for a taste of paradise, then look no further than Mondello. This sun-kissed seaside resort is just a short distance from Palermo, offering azure waters, soft sandy beaches, and a vibrant promenade lined with charming cafes and restaurants. Lose yourself in its coastal charm and soak up the Mediterranean bliss.

For nature enthusiasts, the Zingaro Nature Reserve beckons with its untouched beauty. This protected coastal area boasts dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life. Lace up your hiking boots and embark on scenic trails that wind through its breathtaking landscapes, providing unforgettable views of the rugged coastline.

For a journey back in time head to Segesta, where ancient Greek ruins await your discovery. Marvel at the remarkably well-preserved Doric temple, perched majestically amidst rolling hills. Immerse yourself in the rich history and mythical legends that linger within the ancient walls, transporting you to a bygone era.

Another popular day trip from Palermo is the medieval hilltop town of Erice. Wander through its narrow streets, adorned with cobblestones and medieval architecture, and indulge in delicious local pastries. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and soak in the captivating atmosphere of this charming village.

RELATED READING | Palermo travel guide

Give it more than a day

When it comes to Palermo, one day simply won’t cut it. This city is a myriad of vibrant experiences, and trying to cram it all into a mere 24 hours is just not going to happen.

Palermo beckons you to slow down, immerse yourself and truly embrace its soul and character. It’s a place that rewards those who take the time to peel back its layers and delve into its rich history, captivating culture and unique food scene. Rushing through Palermo is like trying to gulp down a glass of fine wine—you’ll miss out on all the delightful nuances and flavours.

I have a theory that most of the people who say they didn’t like Palermo were only there for a day or two, and focussed only on things like the somewhat grubby facades of its grand buildings, the graffiti, or its rubbish problem. I think that’s an entirely unfair view to take of Palermo when you haven’t spent that long there. The longer I stayed there, the more I loved it. 

So, if you find yourself with just one day in Palermo , make the most of it. Consider taking a guided tour to get a glimpse of the city’s highlights and to understand its story – where it has come from and its rise from the ashes. At the very least, drop into the No Mafia Memorial, so you can get a better understanding of the political context from which Palermo is emerging. 

Give Palermo the time it deserves. Stay a little longer, let the city unveil its secrets at its own pace, and you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for this vibrant, magnetic city and a treasure trove of (quirky) memories that will stay with you long after you bid it farewell.

The best way to get around is on foot

Navigating Palermo is a breeze, thanks to its compact layout and the proximity of its attractions. Exploring this vibrant Sicilian city on foot offers a delightful and convenient way to uncover its hidden treasures.

As you traverse Palermo’s streets, you’ll quickly realise that many of its highlights are within easy reach of each other. The city’s charm unfolds effortlessly as you meander through its bustling alleys and lively squares. With each step, you’ll encounter a captivating blend of history, culture and mouth-watering culinary delights.

From the iconic Norman Palace and its stunning Palatine Chapel to the bustling markets of Vucciria and Ballarò, Palermo’s must-see sights are just a short walk away from each other. Immerse yourself in the vibrant ambiance as you explore the charming streets lined with colourful buildings and ornate balconies.

Pause to marvel at the grandeur of the Teatro Massimo, one of Europe’s largest opera houses, or immerse yourself in the rich history of the Cathedral of Palermo – both are only around 10 minutes’ walk from the other.

While wandering through Palermo’s labyrinthine streets, be sure to keep an eye out for the lively dance of mopeds and scooters zipping through the traffic that I’ve already mentioned. With a mix of caution and amusement, navigate through the vibrant chaos of the city, always aware of the buzz of two-wheeled vehicles around every corner.

Be aware of opening times

When visiting Palermo, it’s important to keep an eye on the clock and plan your itinerary accordingly. The city operates on its own rhythm, with certain establishments adhering to specific opening hours and days.

One thing to note is that many restaurants in Palermo close their doors after lunchtime and don’t reopen until the evening, around 7 or 7:30 p.m., for dinner. However, fear not, as you can always count on finding dining options along Via Maqueda, a bustling street that seems to defy the traditional siesta hours.

If you’re keen to explore attractions beyond the best-known landmarks like Palermo Cathedral and the Norman Palace, it’s crucial to be aware of their opening hours. Many other sites and museums, such as the Archaeological Museum, may close entirely on Mondays, and on Sundays, they often shut their doors at 1 p.m.

Therefore, it’s wise to check the opening times and days of any attractions that catch your interest to avoid disappointment, especially if you plan to visit on a Sunday or Monday.

RELATED READING | 2-day Palermo itinerary

It’s on an island, so plan logistics in advance

This may be stating the obvious, but Palermo is located on the north-west corner of the island of Sicily. To ensure a smooth journey, it’s essential to plan your logistics in advance.

Getting to Palermo from elsewhere in Sicily

By Train: Trains provide a convenient way to reach Palermo from various cities and towns in Sicily. Although the journey times may appear shorter on the map, keep in mind that slower rail services can result in longer travel durations. Here are some examples of direct train routes and approximate durations:

• Syracuse to Palermo: 4 hours
• Catania Centrale to Palermo: 3 hours
• Messina Centrale to Palermo: 3 hours

By Bus: Palermo is well-connected by buses, offering flexibility and the chance to enjoy scenic views of Sicily’s landscapes. The bus depot, located on Piazzetta Benedetto Cairoli near Palermo Centrale train station, serves as a hub for bus services. You can easily travel to Palermo from other parts of Sicily and even some long-distance lines into mainland Italy.

By Car: If you prefer the freedom of a road trip, driving to Palermo is an option to consider. However, be aware of the city center’s ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) areas and plan your parking in advance. If Palermo marks the beginning of your Sicilian adventure, renting a car upon departure might be more practical to avoid unnecessary parking fees.

PLAN YOUR TRANSPORT | Search train and bus timetables using this website . For car rentals, I always use RentalCars . I find that they have the best search and filter function, the most amount of providers and usually, the best prices too. They also offer free cancellation. 

Getting to Palermo from mainland Italy

By Flight: Flights from major Italian cities provide convenient access to Palermo. The Falcone-Borsellino Airport, located approximately 35 kilometers outside the city, offers regular flights to and from many European destinations. Whether you’re in Rome, Milan, or other touristic hubs, you’ll find multiple daily direct flights to Palermo. We flew from Palermo to Venice, and it took a little over 1.5 hours. 

By Train: While flying is the most common choice for traveling from mainland Italy to Palermo, long-distance train options do exist. However, keep in mind that train journeys from northern Italy can be quite lengthy. For example, a train ride from Milan to Palermo takes approximately 14 hours. Consider the convenience and frequency of flights when planning your travel from mainland Italy.

By Ferry: Ferry services also operate between mainland Italy and Palermo, mainly from southern Italian ports. If you find yourself in Naples, taking a ferry to Palermo could be a scenic option, with a similar travel time as the train journey from Naples.

SEARCH FERRY TIMETABLES | Take a look at prices and schedules of the ferry to Palermo here . 

Reaching Palermo from abroad

By Flight: Flying is the most straightforward and popular way to reach Palermo from abroad. Falcone-Borsellino Airport serves as the main international gateway, welcoming flights from various cities around Europe, including major hubs like Munich, London, and Paris. Check for direct flights to Palermo from your departure city.

Getting to Palermo city centre from the airport

Once you arrive at Falcone-Borsellino Airport, you’ll need to plan your transportation to the city centre. Here are the options available:

Bus | The bus is an economical choice, costing €6 for a one-way ticket (€10 for a return ticket). Buses run every half hour, and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Multiple drop-off points are available throughout the city. Buy your ticket in advance here . 

Train |  Trains also provide a convenient connection between the airport and Palermo city centre. They run approximately every hour and cost a similar price to the bus.

Taxi |  Taxis are readily available at the airport. It’s advisable to ask for an estimate of the fare before you depart to avoid any surprises. Our taxi ride cost around €60, but prices may vary depending on your destination within the city. Alternatively, book a transfer in advance here . 

Is it worth going to Palermo

Palermo is absolutely worth a visit, offering a captivating blend of culture, uniqueness, and mouthwatering cuisine. The city’s rich history and architectural wonders, such as the Palermo Cathedral and the Norman Palace, provide a fascinating glimpse into its past. Moreover, Palermo’s vibrant markets, like Vucciria and Ballarò, offer a sensory feast of flavors and aromas.

However, Palermo may not be for everyone. If you’re not interested in delving deeper into a destination and prefer a more surface-level experience, you might not fully appreciate the city’s charms. Palermo rewards those who are open to embracing its cultural nuances and exploring beyond the surface.

If you prefer a more conventional tourist experience, then know what you’re getting yourself in for. Its raw authenticity and bustling energy may require a bit of adventurous spirit to fully appreciate all that it has to offer.

How many days is enough for Palermo

To truly immerse yourself in Palermo’s wonders, I would recommend spending at least two days in the city. Having pottered around the city’s attractions over the course of a month, I think you could pull together a solid itinerary across two days (in fact, read my own 2-day Palermo itinerary here .

However, if Palermo is your sole destination in Sicily, I would suggest allowing for three days. This will give you the opportunity to take a day trip to nearby gems like Cefalù or Mondello, or delve deeper into Palermo’s hidden corners. Read my 3-day Palermo itinerary here . 

What is the best month to visit Palermo

The best time to visit Palermo in terms of weather is during the shoulder months of spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). During these months, the temperatures in Palermo range from around 20-25°C (68-77°F), providing a pleasant and comfortable climate for exploration. It’s a great time to enjoy outdoor activities, visit the attractions and indulge in the city’s vibrant atmosphere without the intense heat of the summer months.

However, I visited Palermo during the hottest summer months, and I must admit, it was a test of endurance. The mugginess and humidity made the temperatures feel even hotter, reaching up to 30-35°C (86-95°F) or higher. It’s important to stay hydrated, wear lightweight and breathable clothing and take breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned spots to beat the heat.

If you’re not a fan of scorching temperatures and high humidity, it’s advisable to plan your visit during the shoulder months when the weather is more moderate. But if you don’t mind the heat and want to experience Palermo during the summer, be prepared for the intense weather conditions and take necessary precautions to stay comfortable throughout your trip.

Is is safe to walk around Palermo at night

Palermo is generally safe to walk around at night, particularly in well-lit and populated areas. I felt comfortable exploring the city after dark, enjoying the vibrant nightlife and taking in the charming ambiance. Of course, it’s always wise to take standard precautions, be aware of your surroundings, and avoid isolated areas, especially late at night. By exercising common sense, you can fully enjoy Palermo’s evening charm without any concerns.

Is Palermo expensive to visit

Palermo offers a range of options to suit different budgets, making it an accessible destination. During my visit, I found that the city provided good value for money, with affordable accommodation, reasonably priced dining options and a variety of free or low-cost attractions to explore. By seeking out local markets and family-run eateries, one can easily experience the authentic flavours of Palermo without breaking the bank.

An arancina at lunchtime, for example could cost you as little as €3 and have you rather satisfied – two of them, and you’ll be completely stuffed. Pasta dishes range from anywhere between €8 – 20, depending on how much seafood (or not) is in them. Aperol Spritz typically run somewhere in the region of €3-6, with an average glass of wine costing around €5. 

Do you need to carry cash in Palermo

While many restaurants and stores in Palermo accept card payments, it’s advisable to carry some cash, especially for street vendors and smaller establishments. During my stay, I found that some vendors preferred cash transactions, and having smaller bills on hand made transactions smoother. Additionally, it’s customary to tip in cash, which is appreciated by service staff. Most places were able to provide change for larger bills, so it’s not necessary to carry excessive coins for tipping purposes.

Related reading for Palermo

• Palermo guide | Visiting Palermo: 21 Insider Tips for Exploring Sicily’s Captivating Capital
• 3-day Palermo itinerary | 3 Days in Palermo: A Deep Dive into Sicily’s Cultural Capital
• 2-day Palermo itinerary | 2 Days in Palermo: an Immersion in History, Culture & Cuisine
• 1-day Palermo itinerary | One Day in Palermo: Discovering the Riches of Sicily’s Capital
• Where to stay in Palermo | Where to Stay in Palermo – Best Areas & Accommodations
• Where to eat in Palermo | Where (& what!) to eat in Palermo [2024 Foodie’s Guide]
• Best Palermo food tours | Best Palermo Food Tours to Take

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Hi there! I'm Isabelle, aficionado of immersive travel experiences and unique, luxurious hotels. You'll most likely find me camera in hand, or nerding out on research in advance of my next trip. A major foodie, history and scenery lover, nothing makes me happier than soaking in the atmosphere and culture of the destination I'm visiting.

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Visit Palermo: Top 21 Things to Do and Must-See Attractions

The 21 best things to do in palermo (all highlights).

You’re planning to visit Palermo , the capital of Sicily , during your next trip?

To help you plan your stay in town , I have prepared a list of the 21 best things to do in Palermo , with all the points of interest. As always, it’s accompanied by my best tips!

In addition, I will also give you examples of itineraries to visit Palermo in 1, 2 or 3 days without missing any must-see attractions. And at the end of the article, you will find the list of my favorite hotels in town. Yep, the ones offering the best value for money in the city!

So, what are the best places to visit in Palermo?

Let’s find out and plan your stay!

1. Palace of the Normans

2. st. john of the hermits .

• 3. Palermo Cathedral
• 4. Ballaro Market

5. Quattro Canti

6. the teatro massimo vittorio emanuele, 7. palermo regional archaeological museum, 8. sicilian regional art gallery, in abatellis palace, 9. foro italico, 10. the botanical garden and villa giulia, 11. capuchin catacombs of palermo, 12. palermo palaces, 13. visit churches in palermo, 14. the cathedral of monreale, 15. mondello beach, 16. zingaro nature reserve, 17. trapani and segesta, 19. agrigento and the valley of the temples, 20. taormina and etna, 21. bonus: do a boat trip from palermo, how many days to visit palermo, 1 day in palermo, 2 days in palermo, 3 days in palermo, where to stay in palermo, where to eat in palermo, renting a boat in palermo, palermo tourist map, you’re traveling in sicily these articles will help you, visit palermo: points of interest and must see attractions.

Let’s start this list of the best things to do in Palermo , with one of the most visited monuments, the Norman palace ( Palazzo dei Normann in italian). Just so you know, it’s sometimes also called Royal Palace of Palermo.

The Norman palace , located on Piazza Independenza , is the perfect representation of the cultural mix in Palermo. Built to accommodate Arab emirs, it was then occupied by the Normans who expanded it, and then by the Spaniards. Nowadays, it’s the headquarters of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

The architectural style is cosmopolitan and keeps traces of the different nations that inhabited it. In the Palace, what I preferred was the courtyards, gardens and King Roger’s Room. The hunting scenes mosaics are impressive!

But the Norman palace’s jewel is the Palatine chapel , a masterpiece of Arab-Norman-Byzantine style. The chapel was commissioned by King Roger II to accommodate the royal family’s masses.

The most impressive thing in the Palatine chapel are the magnificent golden mosaics , decorating both walls and ceiling. Some of them even represent human figures, which wasn’t common at the time.

It’s the most beautiful Byzantine chapel in Palermo , and is considered by many to be the most beautiful church in Sicily.

If you plan to visit the Palace of the Norman during your stay, you can find the latest information, including opening hours, on  the Palace official website.

In order to learn everything about Palermo’s historical center , the best is to opt for a guided visit in English.

During this 3 hours guided tour , you will explore the main monuments I talk about in this guide, including the magnificent Palermo Cathedral.

In addition, you will also try 5 typical Sicilian food like arancini or cannoli. And of course, Fabrizio, your guide, will make sure that you have a lot of fun . This is clearly the best way to discover the city!

To book this tour, simply click on the button below:

Next to the Norman palace , you can visit St. John of the Hermits (San Giovanni degli Eremiti in Italian), a medieval Norman church.

Famous and easily recognizable by its bright red domes from the outside, the interior is also worth a look. The cloister and gardens are really beautiful , a great place rest from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The church itself is very simple, with a clever mix of Muslim and Norman style.

3.  Palermo Cathedral

Not far from the Palace of the Norman, go up the street in Via Vittorio Emanuele and you will find Palermo 2nd must-see monument: the Palermo Cathedral. It’s for me the best place to visit in the capital of Sicily!

From the outside, the cathedral is simply magnificent . I was particularly impressed by this large building unique architecture, a true melting pot of styles, much nicer on the outside than the Norman palace!

You can visit the crypt and see the tombs of kings and queens, including the tomb of King Roger II. There is also the treasury of the cathedral , a collection of royal jewellery from the 12th century.

While you’re here, you should really climb up on the cathedral roofs to admire a beautiful panorama over the whole city.

4.  Ballaro Market

As you may know if you have read some of my articles, I am a foodie! I really enjoy walking around the market stalls to taste local specialities.

In Palermo, I recommend you to visit Ballaro Market , one of the largest and most typical of the city.

In this colorful market, you can find Sicily best produces, and that includes fruits, vegetables, cheese and of course fish. And all this at unbeatable prices!

In addition to the food stalls, they also sell dishes, electronic products and many other cheap things.

You’re going to Palermo?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

And that’s even worse in big touristic cities like Palermo 😅.

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Palermo on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Palermo.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Palermo, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Palermo!

The Quattro Canti crossroads , known as the “Four Corners” in English, marks the intersection of the 2 main streets of Palermo, the Via Vittorio Emanuele (the street where the cathedral is located) and the Via Maqueda which leads to the Massimo theatre .

When you visit Palermo, your should really take a walk around this crossroads to admire these 4 perfectly symmetrical facades. All are built on the same model: at the base, a fountain representing the seasons; at the first level, the statues of the kings of Palermo and at the last level, the representations of the 4 patron saints of Palermo .

If you have had the chance to visit Rome , the  Quattro Canti  will maybe remind you the “Quattro Fontane”, from which it is greatly inspired.

From the Quattro Canti, take the Via Maqueda , leading you straight to the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele , another point of interest in Palermo.

The Massimo Theatre of Palermo, inaugurated in 1897, was Italy ‘s largest opera house and the third largest in Europe. Just Behind Paris and Vienna Opera Houses! Its huge size was controversial at the time, many people wondering if Palermo really needed such an opera.

It quickly became one of the most famous theatres in Italy , thanks to the quality of the plays and operas performed there.

Closed in 1974, it only reopened in 1997 after 23 years of work accompanied by political scandals and corruption.

Today, the theatre keeps hosting world-class operas . The tickets are pretty expensive, but the theatre also organizes guided tours every day . Several packages with or without backstage access are available. The complete visit costs 20€, and it allows you to access the Opera Terrace for a 360-degree view of Palermo .

Find all the information about the Massimo theatre on  the official website

The Palermo Regional Archaeological Museum is located close to the Massimo Theatre, in an old palace.

On 3 floors, it houses an impressive collection of Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian and Greek works , some of them coming from the famous Selinunte temples site.

The works are well presented and the setting is particularly pleasant: beautiful courtyards with exotic trees and refreshing fountains. A perfect place for a quiet cultural visit!

And the best thing? The admission to the museum is free , so no excuse for not going!

Another museum to visit in Palermo is Sicily Regional Art Museum.

It’s located in Abatellis palace , a Catalan Gothic palace, former residence of Francesco Abatellis, port master of the Kingdom of Sicily.

The regional museum has an important collection of paintings, statues and frescoes .

Must see: the “Triumph of Death” fresco (anonymous work), The “Virgin Annunciate” by Anthony of Messina, Eleanor of Aragon bust and the “Malvagna” tryptic, painted by Mabuse.

The Foro Italico is a large public garden located by the sea.

It is the ideal place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown Palermo. There is also a seaside walk and a few trees to enjoy some shade.

If you’re traveling in Sicily with children , you can go relax there a bit, there is a playground and a huge lawn to play.

Great place for a short break between visits of the historical monuments of Palermo.

For even more greenery, you can also go to Palermo Botanical Garden , located not far from the Foro Italico , on Via Lincoln .

Take a walk in the shady alleys to enjoy the freshness . The botanical garden is home to several species of Mediterranean and exotic trees and plants, many fruit trees such as orange and lemon trees and greenhouses. Don’t miss the giant ficus with intertwined branches, the most famous tree in the garden.

The entrance is paid (5€ standard rate), but the botanical garden still lacks some maintenance.

My advice: If you don’t want to pay for the botanical garden, but still want a bit of shade, you can go to Villa Giuilia , adjacent to the botanical park.

The access is free and locals love this place! It’s a the most beautiful public garden   in Palermo, with statues, fountains and many benches to rest. At the bottom of the garden, you will even find a café to quench your thirst.

If you’re looking of an unusual visit during your trip to Palermo, you should definitely visit the  Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo (Catacombe dei Cappuccini in Italian). Yes, these catacombs are one of the best places to visit in Palermo, and for sure the most memorable place I visited during my stay.

Originally, only monks were allowed to be buried in Capuchin Monastery Catacombs . But as time went on, many Sicilians, mostly from noble families, asked to be buried there.

Thanks to a dehydration and embalming process, the bodies were very well preserved. In their will, the deceased even chose the clothes they wanted to be embalmed in. The families could visit them and make donations to the monastery, allowing the monks to maintain the bodies.

Thanks to these gifts, the catacombs have been preserved for centuries.

Today, the catacombs counts almost 8,000 mummies and are divided into several sections: monks, women, men, children, etc… The visit is particularly impressive because most of them are displayed hanging on the walls and still extremely well preserved.

The best known mummy and one of the best preserved in the world is Rosalia , a 2 years old girl who died of pneumonia. Her hair and face are so well preserved, it really looks like she is asleep. Quite creepy!

Of course, I don’t recommend you to go there with young children.

Please note that taking photos is forbidden in the catacombs.

In addition to the Norman palace , the city of Palermo is full of palaces to visit or just to admire. Some are more or less well preserved.

Here is the list of my favorite palaces to discover during your visit to Palermo:

• Gangi  palace : This sumptuous palace is well known for being the place where “The Leopard” movie by Luchino Visconti was shot. The Gangi family still lives here, so the palace has preserved all its former splendor. You can’t visit it on your own, as you need to book before for a group of at least 20 people.
• Chiaramonte Steri Palace: the palace is reputed to have been the headquarters of the Inquisition Court for more than 150 years. You can discover the prisons cells, covered in graffiti made by prisoners with their blood and urine and learn more about the horrors of torture during Inquisition.
• Mirto  palace: A splendid palace with authentic decoration and original furniture. It represents the lifestyle of a wealthy Palermo family of the 18th century.
• The Zisa palace houses the Museum of Islamic Art. Nice to see from the outside, but I don’t recommend you to pay for the visit. The inside isn’t super interesting.

If you like to visit places of worship , then Palermo is the right place for you with its countless churches .

Here is a list of my favorite churches to see in Palermo :

• Co-Cathedral of St. Mary of the Admiral (The Martorana) : famous for its magnificent golden mosaics
• San Cataldo Church, for its unusual architecture. It doesn’t look like a Christian building at all!
• Santa Caterina Church , a magnificent baroque church
• Santa Maria della Catena with a very simple interior decoration
• Church of the Gésu , the largest baroque building in Palermo
• Saint Dominique Church
• San Antonio Abate Church
• Church of Saint Matthew of Palermo
• Carmine Maggiore Church

If you are staying a few days in Palermo , i highly recommend you to visit the Cathedral of Monreale.

This must-see attraction is located 40 minutes by car from the centre of Palermo and it would be a shame to miss. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site , it’s a masterpiece of architecture, especially on the inside.

This Norman-Byzantine style church used to have 2 towers. After being struck by lightning, it now only have 1 and a half.

It’s when you will get inside that you will really be amazed! it’s covered with more than 6,500 square metres of gilded mosaics, depicting scenes from the New and Old Testament. Stunning!

Next to the cathedral, you can also admire the cloister. It’s really beautiful, and every columns has its own unique decoration.

After your visit of the cathedral, you should take a stroll in the town of Monreale, to enjoy some beautiful viewpoints.

In order to visit Monreale Cathedral , you can also opt for a day trip from Palermo.

They will come pick you up at your hotel and you will then visit the cathedral with an audio guide. This day trip also includes the visit of Cefalù, the most iconic seaside village of Sicily.

This tour is clearly the best way to visit Palermo’s surroundings!

To book it, simply click on the button below:

After all these historical and cultural visits, why not go to the beach? After all, you are also in Sicily to enjoy the joys of the sea, aren’t you?

From Palermo you can reach Mondello beach in 30 minutes by car.

With its fine sand and clear water, it’s Palermitans’ favorite beach . You will find a lot of deckchairs to rent, but there is also a free public area where you can put your towel. And if you’re looking for restaurants and snacks, there are many!

Well, I prefer to warn you, you will not be alone! On the other hand, with its shallow water, it’s the ideal place if you have children.

The Zingaro Nature Reserve , one of the most beautiful nature reserve of Sicily is located at only 1h20 from Palermo by car.

Going to the Zingaro is the perfect day trip if you enjoy hiking next to the sea. You can alternate walking and swimming in beautiful coves the whole day!

Trapani is the biggest city located around Palermo.

The city itself isn’t very interesting for tourists, but the place is famous for 3 things:

• Erice medieval village , perched on a rocky cliff dominating the Trapani. It offers amazing views over the city and the sea, up to the Aegadian Islands
• Segesta temple , one of the most popular archaeological site of Sicily.
• It’s the starting point to take the ferry to visit the Aegadian islands

If  you don’t have a car, you should book a day trip from Palermo to visit Erice, the temple of Segesta and Trapani Salt Pans.

Simply click on the button below to book it:

You will find every information you need to visit Trapani in my article: The 13 best things to do in Trapani.

Cefalù is located 1 hour away from Palermo by car.

This small sea side town is for sure the most picturesque of Sicily! There, simply enjoy the postcard scenery , have a walk along the sea and in the old town. Don’t forget to go visit the cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

There are also several beaches, however, they are mostly private.

If you have the time, you should also go up the rock dominating the city to enjoy a great view over the surroundings.

And if you don’t have a car, don’t forget that you can visit Cefalù with the organized day trip from Palermo I told you about earlier.

If you want to try an awesome activity in Cefalu , you should opt for a paragliding flight! This is cleary the best way to admire this beautiful town and the surrounding countryside while avoiding the crowds.

As it’s becoming a very popular activity, you really need to book your paragliding flight in Cefalu in advance by clicking on the button below:

From Palermo, you can also go visit Agrigento Valley of the Temples as a day trip.

With Segesta temple and the archaeological site of Selinunte, it’s one of the must see historical site of the west part of Sicily.

You can go there with your car (if you have one) or opt for an organized day trip from Palermo . They will come pick you up at your hotel and take you to Agrigento and the Valley of The Temples.

You can book this day trip by clicking here:

If you choose to go by yourself, you can find detailed information to plan your visit in my article: How to visit the Valley of the Temples?

For sure, it’s better to visit the Etna from Taormina or Catania , as these 2 cities are a lot closer.

However, if you haven’t planned to visit the East coast of Sicily and still want to discover the famous volcano , you can do it from Palermo!

There is an organized day trip that includes driver, guide, the visit of Taormina and a trip to the Etna Volcano. It’s for sure a long day, but it’s amazing!

To book it, it’s very easy, you just have to click on the button below:

You’ve guessed it, the best way to explore the coast around Palermo is to go on a boat trip!

There are 2 private and semi-private tours (depending on the numbers participants) that are really great: They will both allow you to discover the most beautiful swimming spots in the area and enjoy a lunch at sea , with Antipasti and wine.

Choose the one that suits you the best!

The semi-private tour (small group) can be booked by clicking here:

And the private tour needs to be booked there:

This is a question many travellers ask themselves. Personally, I would advise to spend at least 2 nights in Palermo during your trip to Sicily , to have 2 full days in the city.

If you wish to have time to visit Palermo and its surroundings , I recommend you to spend 3 days in Palermo.

For a day in Palermo , I advise you to focuse on the following points of interest:

• Visit the Palace of the Norman
• Go take a few pictures of St. John of the Hermits, close to the Palace of the Norman
• Visit the inside (and roof) of Palermo Cathedral
• Lunch Break
• Stroll through the streets of the historic centre to admire churches and palaces .
• Take a walk on Foro Italico
• Enjoy a moment of relaxation in the botanical garden or in Villa Giulia gardens.

And don’t forget that a guided visit is the best way to discover Palermo:

If you plan to stay 2 days in Palermo , you just can do as described above for the 1st day and add:

• Start you day a the Ballaro market to immerse yourself in local products and flavours
• Visit the Massimo Theatre or the Palermo Regional Archaeological Museum .
• Go to the town on Monreal to visit the famous Monreale Cathedral
• Stroll through Monreale village  to enjoy the nice viewpoints.

Another great way to enjoy your second day in Palermo is to opt for the Monreale + Cefalù guided tour. To book it, you just have to click here.

During the last 2 days, you had the opportunity to see a lot of the city of Palermo. In 3 days in Palermo , you will also have time to:

• Visit the  Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, to live an unusual (and quite creepy!) experience
• Visit Mirto Palace to immerse yourself in the lifestyle of a noble 18th century family
• Enjoy an afternoon of relaxation on Mondello beach : taking a nap on the beach, swimming in warm crystal clear water, enjoying some ice-cream…

If you prefer, you can also visit Palermo surroundings. Here are the best day trips from Palermo, simply click on the orange links below to book them!

• Segesta, Erice and and the salt pans: after joining the tour (hotel pickup in Palermo is included), you will go visit Segesta Temple, Erice medieval village and the salt pans around Trapani
• Taormina and the Etna Volcano: take the cable car and go up the Etna, then visit the beautiful town of Taormina during this day tour from Palermo. Hotel pickup included
• Day trip to Agrigento Valley of the Temples: go explore the Valley of The Temples, the most famous archaeological site of Sicily as a day trip from Palermo. Hotel pickup included.
• A casa di Amici: Located 1km from the cathedral, this youth hostel offers beds in dormitory from 20€, breakfast included. Strong points: the geographical location, the terrace, the fact it’s super clean, the comfortable beds and the shared areas.
• Due Passi: B&B located 500 meters from the Massimo Theatre. Modern and bright double room from 63€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: very pleasant neighborhood, B&B well located, the warm welcome and availability of the hosts, quiet place and very good breakfast. This hotel offers the best value for money in Palermo under 100€!
• Alma Hôtel: Located 450 metres from the Massimo Theatre and 1.5 km from the Cathedral of Palermo. Very modern and stylish double room from 130€, breakfast included. What I liked: adorable owners giving lots of good advice, the rooms quality, and of course, the exceptional breakfast with home-made cakes.
• Porta Di Castro : Located in the heart of Palermo old town, at only 5 minutes on foot from Palermo Cathedral. Superb double room starting at 150€ per night, breakfast included. What I loved: The perfect location, the hotel design, the awesome breakfast, and the very friendly staff. The best hotel for a luxury stay in Palermo!

• Lo Scrigno dei Sapori: Located in Piazza Principe di Camporeale, 150 meters from the Zisa Palace. Excellent and generous typical Sicilian cuisine. Fresh produces and catch of the day. Excellent value for money. The entrance and the inside aren’t super nice, but the restaurant hides a nice garden inside. Perfect to have a pleasant evening.
• Torquemada: Located in Via Pignatelli Aragona, 200 meters from the Regional Archaeological Museum. This restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, from pizzas to pasta and fish. All are excellent and generous at a reasonable price, offered with limoncello as bonus. Note that the place is quite noisy, because it’s often really crowded.
• Al fondaco del conte : Located in the historical center of Palermo, on the Piazza Conte Federico. A small quiet restaurant, offering a delicate and refined cuisine. The appetizers are offered, the dishes are tasty and made with quality produces and the desserts are original. All this for a reasonable price, I can only give it a thumbs up!

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your trip to Palermo, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental.

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Sicily? 😊

To help you have a better overview of the city, I have made a tourist map with all the places I am talking about in this top 15 things to do in Palermo. You can display the map legend by clicking on the button with the small arrow, in the top left corner.

And you, what did you prefer during your stay in Palermo?

Sicily travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the DK Eyewitness Sicily guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all my articles about Sicily : All my articles to help you plan your trip to Sicily are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to Do in Sicily – The ultimate bucket list!
• Itinerary: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East + West)
• Itinerary: 1 week in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (East coast)
• Itinerary: 10 days in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (West coast)
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Sicily – with all my best tips + accommodation suggestions! (Full Sicily tour)
• Agrigento: The 10 best things to do in and around the city
• Catania: The 12 must-see attractions
• Syracuse: The 15 best things to discover
• Taormina: Top 10 things to do and must-see!
• Trapani: The 10 best things to do
• Agrigento Valley of the Temples: visit the archaeological site with my detailed guide!
• Zingaro nature Reserve: All my best tips to enjoy this wonderful hike

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Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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Discussion 6 comments.

We are travelling from Australia to Europe in August 2020. Want to stop on Sicily for 3nts then get Ferry to Malta. What do you suggest Catania or Palermo. Can you recommend hotel for 3nts and day tours that would pick up from hotel. My husband & I would also need to arrange either Taxi or Transfers from Airport to Hotel and Hotel to Ferry. What would you suggest as best option. Your help would be greatly appreciated. As it is Peak season we are looking at booking early. Thank you Mary

For 3 days in Sicily, if you want to do day trips, I would definitely recommend you to go to Catania.

There are more day tours to do and the places to visit are a lot closer.

For example, I would recommend the 2 following day trips (you can click the links below for more info and to book them).

Taormina + Etna Full day trip

Syracuse + Noto full day trip

These 2 are the best choice to visit the must-see attractions of the east coast of Sicily easily!

Catania is also more convenient to take the ferry to Malta, as it’s closer to Pozzallo.

If you haven’t checked it yet, you can also have a look at my article about Catania: The 14 best things to do in Catania

Enjoy your trip to Sicily, and if you have any question, don’t hesitate to ask me.

Hi Vincent,

We’d like to bring our one year old baby in Ballaro market. Is it narrow to walk around? Is it feasable with a stroller?

Hi Priscilla,

Ballaro market alleys are quite narrow and it’s usually crowded. Some people come with strollers, but I wouldn’t recommend it, a baby carrier is much more convenient for this kind of places.

Enjoy your trip to Palermo!

Love all the suggestions you made. You did forget one must see in Palermo. The church of Santa Rosalia. It’s a cave which a church entrance. Stunning.

Thank you Joann for the information about the church/cave of Santa Rosalia in Palermo. I will add it for the next update.☺️

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Palermo Travel Guide: 28 Essential Things to See and Do

Discover the top 28 must-see sights and activities in Palermo, providing the perfect guide to plan your Sicilian adventure. Dive into centuries of history and embrace the essence of this enchanting city on the northwest coast of Italy's Sicily. Your unforgettable Palermo journey begins here.

Alex Cornici

Hey there! I'm Alex, a dedicated explorer with an insatiable wanderlust. My life's mission is to roam this incredible planet, one destination at a time.

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Palermo is a city with a rich history and culture. Founded centuries ago by the ancient Greeks, it is known today for its vibrant architecture, beautiful beaches, and delicious gastronomy. Situated on the northwest coast of the Italian island of Sicily, Palermo is the capital of the autonomous region of Sicily and one of the largest cities. To help you plan your visit, we've put together a list of the 28 best things to do in Palermo. So check it out and start planning your trip today!

1. Visit the Palermo Cathedral

The Palermo Cathedral is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Italy. Situated in Via Vittorio Emanuele street, the cathedral is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views. Visitors can tour the crypt, climb up on the cathedral roofs for some stunning views of Via Vittorio Emanuele street below , and explore the many nooks and crannies of this historic building.

A Brief History of the Palermo Cathedral

The Palermo Cathedral was built in 1185 by Walter Ophamil, the first Archbishop of Palermo. It is a Norman Romanesque cathedral, meaning that it was built in the Norman style but with elements of Romanesque architecture. Over the centuries, the cathedral has undergone numerous renovations and additions.

What to See at the Palermo Cathedral

There is plenty to see at the Palermo Cathedral. The exterior of the building is beautiful, with intricate stonework and three rose windows. The interior is just as breathtaking, with a marble floor, stained glass windows, and an altar carved from cedar wood. The crypt is also worth a visit; it houses the tombs of several notable Italians, including Walter Ophamil himself. Read also: 20 Best Places to Visit in Sicily

2. Admire the beautiful architecture of Quattro Canti in Palermo, Italy

If you find yourself in Palermo, be sure to visit the Quattro Canti (Four Corners). Located in the center of the city, this intersection is home to some of the most beautiful architecture in all of Italy. The Quattro Canti is located at the intersection of Via Vittorio Emanuele and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. This intersection is also known as the "Piazza Vigliena." The Four Corners is composed of four identical Baroque palaces that were built in the 1600s. Each palace has a unique façade that faces one of the four streets that converge at this central location. The Four Corners is considered to be one of the most important examples of Baroque architecture in Sicily. The palaces were designed by Giacomo Amato and each one is decorated with reliefs representing the seasons and Spanish conquests. If you're visiting Palermo, be sure to stop by the Quattro Canti! It's a great place to take some photos and admire the beautiful architecture. Just be sure to stay safe and watch out for pickpockets—this is a popular tourist spot so it can get crowded, particularly during peak season. Read also: 20 Best Things to do in Malta

3. A Baroque Masterpiece: Palazzo Mirto

One of Palermo's oldest and most prestigious residences is the Palazzo Mirto. A true museum of urban aristocracy. Palazzo Mirto can be found on the corner of via Merlo and via Lungarini. In 1982, Donna Maria Concetta Lanza Filangeri, the sole surviving member of one of Sicily's oldest aristocratic families, gave her ancient palace to the Sicilian Region along with all of its furnishings and various collections of art objects, thus putting them to public use in accordance with the wishes of her late brother Stefano. There are three stories to Palazzo Mirto. The lower level features the stables where the family maintained their many carriages and, of course, their much-loved horses. Many safety measures are taken for them. The spheres on the roof that lured the bugs away from the horses were one of the more interesting wonders. Be sure to admire the ornate details and craftsmanship that went into their construction. On the first floor, often known as the noble floor, you'll find the palace's most important chambers. The design is typical of aristocratic mansions from that era. It is in fact a series of lavishly furnished and decorated living rooms where the most distinguished visitors were entertained and the family's extensive collection of artifacts from across the centuries could be viewed, including priceless pieces of furniture, intricate allegorical frescoes, porcelain, tapestries, and more. The private rooms, where the family stayed, are located on the upper floor. The decor isn't as ostentatious as the first floor, but there are still plenty of priceless artifacts to be found here. Here you'll find the princes' bedrooms, a dining room, libraries, a study, and a green living room with the insignia of the Lanza Filangeri emblazoned on the majolica floor. In recent years, the building has been renovated by the Sicilian government and opened to the public as a museum specializing in domestic life. In addition to appreciating the architectural splendor of the palace, visitors will gain insight into the lifestyles and traditions of the Sicilian aristocracy (and beyond) through a variety of fascinating anecdotes and asides. The Palazzo Mirto is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday from 9am until 7pm. Admission is just 6 Euros for adults and 3 Euros for children under 18 years of age. So when you're planning your next trip to Sicily, be sure to add this historic gem to your itinerary! Read also: 21 Top Rated Attractions on Gozo Island, Malta

4. Visit the Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele in Palermo

The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele is located on the Piazza Verdi Palermo and was built in the late 19th century. It is the largest Opera House in Italy and the third largest in Europe. The interior is absolutely stunning, with intricate mosaics and detailed paintings covering every inch of the ceiling and walls. Even if you’re not interested in opera or ballet, it’s worth going inside just to see the incredible architecture. If you are interested in opera In Palermo or ballet, though, you’re in luck! The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele is home to the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana and the Ballet Company of the Teatro Massimo. They put on regular performances throughout the year, so be sure to check their schedule before your visit. Even if you can’t catch a performance, you can take a guided tour of the theater which runs several times a day. Read also: 13 Best Places to Visit on Comino Island, Malta

5. Hit up the the Best Markets in Palermo

Palermo is a city brimming with culture, history, and some of the best food in Italy. The markets in Palermo are a reflection of that – they’re vibrant, crowded, and full of delicious things to eat.

Vucciria Market

The Vucciria Market is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Palermo. The market dates back to medieval times, and it’s located in the center of the old city. If you want to experience the true chaotic charm of Palermo, this is the market for you. It’s always crowded and bustling with activity, which can be overwhelming for some visitors. But if you embrace the chaos, you’ll have a great time exploring all the stalls and sampling the local fare. Make sure to try the panelle (fried chickpea fritters), which are a specialty of the Vucciria Market.

Ballaro Market

The Ballaro Market is located in the neighborhood of the same name. It’s a smaller and more manageable market than the Vucciria, but it’s just as interesting. This market is known for its fresh produce, so it’s the perfect place to stock up on ingredients for a picnic lunch or dinner. There are also several stalls selling cooked food, so you can grab a bite to eat if you get hungry while you’re exploring. The Ballaro Market is open every day except Sunday.

Capo Market

The Capo Market is located in the neighborhood of Capo, which is south of the center of Palermo. This market is less touristy than the other two, but it’s just as worth a visit. The Capo Market is known for its fish stalls – it’s one of the best places in Palermo to buy fresh seafood. There are also several stalls selling handmade pasta and other Sicilian specialties. If you love to cook, this is the market for you. The Capo Market is open every day except Sunday and Monday morning. Palermo’s markets are colorful, crowded, and full of delicious things to eat. If you’re planning a trip to Palermo, make sure to add these three markets to your itinerary: Vucciria, Ballaro, and Capo. Each market has its own unique atmosphere and specialty items, so you’re sure to find something that interests you no matter which market you visit. Buon appetito! Read also: 23 Top-Rated Landmarks in Costa Rica

6. A Closer Look at the Praetorian Fountain

The Praetorian Fountain, also known as the Fountain of Shame, is a Renaissance-style fountain located in Piazza Pretoria in the historic center of Palermo. The fountain was originally built in 1544 in Florence by Francesco Camilliani, but was sold, transferred, and reassembled in Palermo in 1574. It is decorated with more than 50 statues of all kinds of animals, sirens, monsters, tritons and harpies. The first thing you notice about the Praetorian Fountain is its size.Standing at nearly 16 meters tall and 20 meters wide, it's hard to miss. The second thing you notice is the incredible level of detail. Every statue, every animal, every creature has been carefully sculpted and placed with precision. It's no wonder that the fountain has become one of Palermo's most popular tourist attractions. Despite its name, there is nothing shameful about the Praetorian Fountain. On the contrary, it is a stunning piece of art that captures the imagination and transports visitors back in time to the Renaissance era. If you find yourself in Palermo, be sure to take a closer look at this incredible fountain. You won't be disappointed. Read also: 3 Top-Rated Semi Wild Beaches of the South of Santorini

7. Admire Porta Nuova - a monumental city gate of Palermo

Porta Nuova, or "New Door," is a city gate and historical landmark in Palermo, Italy. The gate is located beside the Palazzo dei Normanni, the seat of the Sicilian Parliament, and was built in the 12th century. Porta Nuova is one of three gates in the city walls of Palermo, and is the only one that remains standing today. Construction of Porta Nuova began in 1170 under the order of King William I of Sicily. The gate was built in the Norman-Arab style, with two towers flanking a central archway. The towers are decorated with reliefs of animals, peoples and eagles, and there are many windows on each side of the archway. The gate served as an entrance to the city for centuries, until it was closed in 1866 when Italy annexed Sicily. Porta Nuova reopened in 1999 after undergoing a restoration, and today it is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can climb to the top of one of the towers for a panoramic view of Palermo. Porta Nuova is a must-see for anyone visiting Palermo. The history and architecture of the gate are fascinating, and the view from the top of the towers is simply breathtaking. Whether you're interested in history or just looking for a beautiful place to take some photos, Porta Nuova is sure to impress. Read also: 35 Top Rated Attractions and Things to do in Tenerife

8. Walk Through the Giardino Garibaldi

The Giardino Garibaldi is a beautiful city park located in the heart of Palermo, Sicily. This hidden gem is filled with small tropical and subtropical plants, huge fig trees, ornamental fountains, and historical figures. As you enter the Giardino Garibaldi, you are immediately enveloped in the fragrance of flowers and fresh foliage. The sound of trickling water from the ornamental fountains fills the air. Gentle Sicilian breezes rustle through the leaves of the huge fig trees. You can almost feel the history of this place as you walk among the statues of historical figures. The Giardino Garibaldi is a peaceful oasis in the middle of bustling Palermo. It is the perfect place to escape the heat and noise of the city. The Giardino Garibaldi is a must-see for any traveler to Palermo. The next time you find yourself in Palermo, be sure to take some time to stroll through the Giardino Garibaldi. This hidden gem is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Read also: Discover Rome - 20 Top Rated Attractions and Things to do

9. Appreciate St. John of the Hermits Church in Palermo, Sicily

The St. John of the Hermits Church was built in the 12th century on the site of an earlier chapel that was dedicated to Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, or Admiral Saint Mary. The church was commissioned by Ruggero II, the Norman King of Sicily, and it originally served as a monastery for Benedictine monks. Over the centuries, the church has undergone several renovations, most notably in the 18th century when its brilliant red domes were added. The exterior of the church is impressive enough with its red domes and white stonework, but it's what lies inside that really makes it worth a visit. The first thing you'll notice is the beautiful cloister with its columns and delicate arches. Be sure to take some time to wander around and admire the carvings on the columns—they tell stories from Scripture and Sicilian history. From there, head into the church proper to see its soaring ceilings and ornate altar. Then make your way to the luxurious garden out back, which is a perfect spot to relax after exploring everything this hidden gem has to offer. Read also: Cinque Terre – A little colorful corner of heaven

10. Discover History at Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonio Salinas

When you visit Palermo, a must-see is the Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonio Salinas. This museum is dedicated to Antiquity and the Middle Ages and contains one of the most important collections of Sicilian archeology. The Antonio Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum was inaugurated in 1904 and is named after the well-known archaeologist who founded it. The museum has an incredible collection of Roman, Greek, and Medieval artifacts. It also contains a library with over 30,000 volumes, making it a great place to spend an afternoon if you love history and want to learn more about Sicily's past. The museum is divided into three sections: prehistory, classical antiquity, and the Middle Ages. The prehistory section includes exhibits on the first human settlements in Sicily dating back to the Paleolithic era. The classical antiquity section contains exhibits on the Roman period, including mosaics, pottery, and sculptures. The Middle Ages section has exhibits on the Norman period, including coins, ceramics, and weapons. The collection of the museum includes both prehistoric and classical artifacts. One of the most famous pieces on display is the "Sigillo di Pitagora" (Seal of Pythagoras), which was discovered during excavations of the Greek city of Selinunte. Other highlights include Roman mosaics and glass vessels, as well as Arab pottery and coins. There is also a small section of the museum dedicated to modern Sicilian art. This includes works by renowned artists such as Antonello da Messina and Leonardo da Vinci. Read also: 11 Best Christmas markets in Germany

11. Take a look into the Orto Botanico di Palermo

The Orto Botanico di Palermo, or the Royal Botanical Gardens, is a beautiful place to explore. The gardens are huge, with a variety of plants, trees and flowers. There are also several greenhouses with different biomes. These include a tropical greenhouse, a subtropical greenhouse and a cactus house. The gardens are open every day from 9am to 5pm. Admission is 7 euro. In addition to the plants, the gardens also have a pond and a waterfall. The pond is home to ducks, turtles and fish. The waterfall is located in the center of the garden and is surrounded by greenery. Read also: 10 Best Rated Alps Villages to Visit

12. A Hidden Oasis in Palermo: Villa Giulia Park

Nestled in the heart of Palermo lies Villa Giulia, a serene city park that is often overshadowed by its more well-known neighbor, the Botanical Garden. Villa Giulia offers visitors a respite from the hustle and bustle of the city with its tranquil gardens and neoclassical design. Best of all, it is free to visit! The most significant feature of Villa Giulia is the marble statue "Fontana del Genio a Villa Giulia," a drinking water fountain that was created in 1778. Visitors can drink from the fountain, and it is said that the water has healing properties. The fountain is also notable for being one of the first fountains in Sicily to be powered by electricity. Another highlight of Villa Giulia is its proximity to the coast. The park is just a short walk from several beaches, making it the perfect place to take a break from sightseeing. Visitors can take in the fresh sea air and enjoy stunning views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Be sure to add this hidden gem to your itinerary! Read also: 27 Best Things to do in Hawaii

13. Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo: A Uniquely Creepy Stop on Your Travels

When most people think of Palermo, they think of the beautiful beaches, the delicious food, and the vibrant nightlife. But there's another side to this Sicilian city that's well worth a visit—even if it is a little on the creepy side. I'm talking, of course, about the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo. The Capuchin Catacombs were founded in 1599 by monks from the nearby Capuchin monastery. The catacombs began as a place to bury deceased monks, but eventually it was opened up to wealthy laypeople who wanted to be buried in such an auspicious location. Over time, the catacombs became something of a status symbol, and even today you can find some very elaborate tombs among the more modest ones. One of the best-known mummies in the catacombs is that of Rosalia Lombardo, a 2-year-old girl who died of pneumonia in 1920. Rosalia's body was preserved using a technique known as mummification, and she is now considered one of the best-preserved human corpses in the world. Even though she has been dead for nearly a hundred years, Rosalia looks like she could have died yesterday. In addition to human remains, you'll also find the well-preserved skeletons of monks among the Capuchin Catacombs. These skeletons are dressed in their monastic robes and arranged in various poses, including one rather eerie group known as the "Dance of Death." The Capuchin Catacombs are definitely not for everyone—but if you're looking for something a little different on your travels, they're well worth a visit. Just be sure to bring your camera...you'll definitely want to take some photos! Have you ever visited somewhere that was so creepy it was actually cool? That's what you'll find at the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo. This unique stop on your travels will give you a chance to see over 8,000 mummies —including one that's considered to be one of the best-preserved human corpses in the world. So if you're looking for something a little different during your next trip to Sicily, don't miss out on this truly unique experience. Read also: Most famous Landmarks in Puerto Rico

14. Glimpse Inside Monreale Cathedral

The Cattedrale di Monreale is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Monreale,which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is notable for its spectacular Norman architecture and 12th-century mosaics. The cathedral was built in 1174 by King William II of Sicily and his wife, Queen Margaret of Navarre. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sicily. The exterior of the cathedral is imposing, with its two massive towers flanking the entrance. The interior is no less impressive, with an awe-inspiring nave that soars to a height of over 40 meters. The floor of the nave is covered in intricately designed mosaics, while the walls are adorned with beautiful paintings and tapestries. Mosaics are one of the main features of Monreale Cathedral, and they truly are something to behold. The floors and walls of the church are covered in intricate designs, depicting scenes from the Bible as well as everyday life in Sicily during the 12th century. Many of the mosaics feature gold leaf, which adds an extra element of luxury to an already opulent church. No visit to Monreale Cathedral would be complete without listening to a performance on the monumental organ. This instrument has more than 4,000 pipes and was built specifically for the cathedral. It's truly a sight (and sound!) to behold! The Cattedrale di Monreale is a must-see for anyone visiting Sicily. Its stunning architecture and artwork will leave you awestruck. Whether you're a history buff or simply enjoy admiring beautiful buildings, this cathedral is sure to impress. Read also: 7 Top - Rated things to do in the Cotswolds of England

15. A Day Trip to Monte Pellegrino

Just a short bus ride from the center of Palermo, Monte Pellegrino is the perfect place to spend a day if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The mountain is home to the Santuario di Santa Rosalia, a beautiful sanctuary dedicated to the Patron Saint of Palermo, as well as stunning views of the Bay of Palermo and the city itself. If you're up for a little bit of a hike, there are also plenty of trails that wind their way up the mountain, leading to some amazing lookout points. And be sure to check out the Addaura cave while you're here—it's definitely worth a visit!

Getting to the Monte Pellegrino

The easiest way to get to Monte Pellegrino is by taking the 812 bus from Piazza Sturzo. The ride only takes about 20 minutes, and once you're there you can start exploring right away!

The Santuario di Santa Rosalia

One of the main attractions on Monte Pellegrino is the Santuario di Santa Rosalia, a beautiful sanctuary dedicated to the Patron Saint of Palermo. The sanctuary was built in the 16th century and houses some stunning works of art, including a statue of Santa Rosalia by Antonello Gagini. Definitely take some time to explore this place—you won't be disappointed!

The amazing views

As you make your way up the mountain, you'll be treated to some incredible views of both the Bay of Palermo and the city itself. If you're lucky enough to catch a clear day, you'll be able to see all the way out to sea! Make sure to bring your camera so you can capture these incredible views.

The Addaura Cave

One of the highlights of Monte Pellegrino is the Addaura cave, which is located near the summit of the mountain. The cave is home to some incredible prehistoric paintings that are well-preserved and definitely worth seeing. If you're interested in learning more about the history of these paintings, there are guided tours available that will tell you everything you need to know. So what are you waiting for? Hop on a bus and explore Monte Pellegrino for yourself! Read also: 23 Top-Rated Famous Landmarks in France

16. Admire the beauty of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana) Church in Palermo

Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio Church in Palermo, more commonly known as La Martorana, is a place of great beauty. The church is located at Piazza Bellini and is part of UNESCO world heritage site. The church earned its nickname from the fact that it was once the private chapel, built in 1143, of George of Antioch, an admiral in the Norman royal court. It is one of the most important Norman churches in Sicily. La Martorana is home to some of Palermo's most beautiful Byzantine mosaics. The church is adorned with gold like the Monreale Cathedral. These delicate works of art tell Biblical stories and depict scenes from the life of Saint Mary. Of particular note are the mosaics in the apse, which show Christ crowning Saint Mary as Queen of Heaven. Another highlight of a visit to La Martorana is the stunning marble interior. This type of marble was used extensively in Norman churches and palaces, and it lends an air of regal elegance to La Martorana. Be sure to take a look at the carved marble screens that separate the nave from the aisles - they're truly works of art! Last but not least, don't forget to step outside and admire La Martorana's striking exterior. The most striking feature of the exterior is the bell tower and domes in the typical Arabic style. Today, the church is one of Palermo's most-visited sights, thanks to its diverse architecture that has been restored over the centuries and magnificent Byzantine mosaics. Read also: 40 Top-Rated Landmarks in the United Kingdom

17. A Tour of the Norman Palace in Palermo

The Norman Palace, also known as the Royal Palace, is one of the most interesting and historic buildings in Palermo. The palace was built in the 12th century by the Norman kings of Sicily and has been home to many different rulers over the years. Today, the Norman Palace is open to the public and is a popular tourist attraction. The Norman Kingdom of Sicily lasted for nearly 200 years, from 1061 until 1266. The kingdom was established when the Normans conquered Sicily from the Muslims. The Normans brought with them a new style of architecture, which can be seen in the Sicilian Romanesque style of the Norman Palace. The palace was originally built as the seat of government for the Norman kings. It was later expanded by subsequent rulers, including Frederick II and Conrad IV. Today, the palace is home to several museums, including the Palatine Chapel and the Archaeological Museum. There are also several art galleries located within the palace. A visit to Palermo would not be complete without a tour of the Norman Palace. The palace is a fascinating blend of different architectural styles and has a rich history that is sure to interest any traveler. Read also: Some of the Best Places to Visit in Europe

18. Visit Castello della Zisa

The Castello della Zisa dates back to the 12th century, a period of Norman domination in Sicily. Commissioned by King William I of Altavilla to make it his summer residence, it was built by Arab architects. The influence of the previous domination, in fact, was still very strong and the Normans, fascinated by Islamic culture, followed its style. The house, whose name derives from the Arabic al-Aziz , which means glorious, magnificent, stood outside the walls of Palermo , immersed in the greenery of the large Genoard royal hunting park . The complex also included a spa building and a chapel. Expropriated by the Region of Sicily in 1955, and entrusted to the restoration of Prof. Giuseppe Caronia , since 1991 the Castle has housed the Museum of Islamic Art with works produced between the ninth and twelfth centuries from the countries of the Mediterranean basin, such as the elegant musciarabia , wooden grated screens, an interesting Christian inscription in 4 languages, and utensils and furnishings of common use made of brass, such as amphorae , candelabra and mortars embellished with gold and silver threads. A rare example of Arab-Norman construction, the Castello della Zisa is an interesting destination for lovers of history and art. Read also: 14 Top-Rated Best Beaches in Europe to Visit This Year

19. Discover Modern Art at the Sant'Anna Gallery in Palermo

When visiting Palermo, be sure to add the Sant'Anna Gallery to your list of places to see. This modern art gallery is located on Via Sant'Anna and features works from the 19th until the early 20th century. While you're there, be sure to check out the paintings of famous Sicilian landscape painters as well as paintings by Guttuso, one of the most famous painters of the 20th century. The gallery is home to a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The gallery also has a library with a wide selection of books on art history and Sicilian culture. The Sant'Anna Gallery is best known for its paintings of famous Sicilian landscape painters such as Giuseppe Presti and Domenico Mancini. However, the gallery also features paintings by Guttuso, one of the most famous painters of the 20th century. Guttuso's paintings are noted for their political and social commentary, and his work is highly respected by both art critics and the general public. If you're interested in seeing some amazing modern art, be sure to add the Sant'Anna Gallery to your list of places to visit when you're in Palermo. Read also: 15 Top-Rated Best Beaches in Croatia

20. Take a walk at Foro Italico - Picturesque waterfront promenade in Palermo

The Foro Italico Umberto I, also known as Foro Italico is Palermo's waterfront promenade, about 2 kilometer long, which develops between the Villa Giulia and the tourist port (La Cala). After the restoration works the area has become a large green area where you can find scenic walking paths with themes of Mediterranean flora and fauna and brightly colored small ceramic figures, ceramic benches colored with polka dots, bike paths, a park equipped for children and adults called “Parco della Salute Livia Morello”. The park overlooks the sea and you can lie in the shade of palm trees to have a picnic, read or just relax. In the vicinity of the Foro Italico there are other attractions, such as Porta Felice, Muro delle Cattive, Palazzo Butera, Palchetto della Musica, Monument to Vincenzo Florio, etc. Read also: Traveling Europe With Your Family

21. Discover Arco Azzurro

The Arco Azzurro has been a beloved landmark for countless couples in Italy for centuries, earning it the nickname "Arco dei Baci" (Bath of Kisses). The famous chocolate kissing company in the 1980s used the two rock swans as the setting for one of their ads. Located just 15 km from Palermo, the natural landmark of Arco Azzurro di Mongerbino offers one of the most breathtaking panoramas of the Sicilian coast. At 11 meters above sea level, there is a natural footbridge made of dolomitic rock that spans the narrow, picturesque fjord. It became a geosite of national significance in 2012. Its distinct geological structure attests to the forces that have generated and shaped our planet. It's the outcome of a natural phenomena that can provide light on Sicily's northwest coast's geological past. The Arco Azzurro reopened to the general public in June of 2017. More than 30 years after it was first closed to the public, when it could only be seen from the water, it was reopened to acclaim on land. Read also: Best Tourist Attractions in Portugal

22. A Day Trip to Monte Catalfano Park

If you're looking for a beautiful place to spend a day outside of Palermo, look no further than Monte Catalfano Park. This park is located just a few kilometers northeast of Palermo and offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Not to mention, there are plenty of beautiful villages nearby to explore. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even camp overnight to catch the breathtaking views. Trust me, this place is worth the visit!

Getting to the Monte Catalfano Park

Monte Catalfano Park is located about 10 kilometers northeast of Palermo. If you have your own car, the drive will take less than 30 minutes. Otherwise, you can take the bus from Palermo to Bagheria and then walk about 20 minutes to the park entrance. Once you arrive, follow the signs to Monte Catalfano.

What to Expect at the Monte Catalfano Park

When you reach the top of Monte Catalfano, you'll be greeted with panoramic views of Capo Zafferano and Monte Pellegrino. On a clear day, you might even be able to see all the way to Mount Etna! If you're lucky, you might spot some wildlife too. The park is home to rabbits, hedgehogs, weasels, and more. Just be sure to keep an eye out for signs of their presence so you don't disturb their homes. After taking in the views, be sure to explore some of the nearby villages. Sant'Elia is a charming fishing village with plenty of restaurants serving fresh seafood caught that morning. Or if you're in the mood for something sweet, head to Porticello where they make some of the best cannoli in Sicily! Read also: 43 Top - Rated Famous Landmarks in Australia

23. Take the Children to one of the Attraction Parks in Palermo

If you’re looking for a fun-filled day trip for the whole family, look no further than one of Palermo’s amusement parks. With rides, games, and attractions for all ages, these parks are sure to please everyone in your group.

Family Park Palermo

The Family Park in Palermo is a great place for kids between the ages of one and eleven to burn off some energy. The park features a sizable space where kids of all ages can have a blast on our wide variety of attractions and equipment, from the classic trampolines to the ball-diving pools, the playground, and the many inflatable games. While the kids play safely under the watchful eye of our trained staff, you may enjoy the comforts of our dining spaces, which have couches, tables, bars, free Wi-Fi, and televisions. Parking in the Family Park is completely free, and there are attendants there on weekends and holidays.

City Adventure Park Palermo

Do you yearn for an adventure in the great outdoors? The City Adventure Park is located inside Palermo's La Favorita racetrack. Suitable for people of all ages, this zero-impact park has obstacle courses, a Paintball zone, and a sports area ideal for Calisthenics. Are you up for some exciting, but completely risk-free, activities in the heart of nature, up in the trees? Come on down to City Adventure Park right now!

AcquaPark Monreale

The Monreale Water Park is home to a wide variety of exciting water activities and attractions, such as multiple water water slides, a giant water ball, toboggans for both adults and kids, a black hole, a Kamikaze, a Conchiglia with kiddie pools and water slides, and an adult-only Lagoon, the diving area, the enormous solarium with umbrellas and deck chairs. There is a lot of entertainment, the jovial solo and group activities, competitions, water aerobics, or the Latin American classes, a day at the park will be one of a kind. There is a picnic space for guests to use in addition to the restaurant, self-service, and cocktail bar. Within its shaded confines, one can enjoy the home-prepared meal brought from back home without disturbing anybody else.

Boom Zone in Palermo

Boom Zone offers a wide variety of rides and games, and activities for children of all ages. Drop'n Twist is a thrilling ride that will send you soaring through the air. Big Fly is a perfect choice for those who want to experience the thrill of bungee jumping without leaving the ground. Bumper Cars are always a hit with kids and adults alike. And Trampoline is perfect for getting some energy out while having fun! Parents can relax while their children enjoy the playground, play tag, or explore the jungle gym. Kids can also burn off some energy by running around in the open field or playing on the bouncy castles. The park also has a picnic area where families can enjoy a meal or snack while watching their children play. Boom Zone is the perfect place to spend a day with your family! Read also: 26 Tourist Attractions in Valetta, Malta

24. A Must-See Stop in Palermo: Pietro Tramonte’s Outdoor Library

When in Palermo, be sure to stop by the Biblioteca Privata Itinerante Pietro Tramonte, an outdoor library that will transport you to another world. This unique spot is filled with thousands of books, all of which have been collected by owner Pietro Tramonte throughout his life. Before opening his outdoor library, Pietro Tramonte worked as an accountant all his life. Even though his day job was far from literary, literature has always been a passion of his. So when he retired, he decided to finally fulfill his dream and open up his own library. His library is unlike any other, as it is located on a narrow street and has books piling up under the balconies on both sides! Pietro has collected books from all over the world in various languages, making his library a truly special place. Now, visitors can stroll down the street and peruse Pietro's huge collection of booksin various languages. It's the perfect spot for bookworms and travelers alike! Read also: 25 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Paris.

25. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth with These Sicilian Desserts

Sicily is a food lover's paradise, and that includes dessert! While you're in Palermo, make sure to try some of these delicious Sicilian sweets. Cannoli are one of the most iconic Sicilian desserts. These fried pastry shells are filled with a sweet ricotta cream and often topped with chocolate chips or candied fruit. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll definitely want to try a cannolo (or two)! Granita is a refreshing treat for a hot summer day. This frozen dessert is made with fresh fruit juice, sugar, and water. It's usually served as a slushie-style drink, but you can also get it scooped into a cone or cup. Make sure to try the almond flavor! Cassata Siciliana is a layered cake made with ricotta cheese, candied fruit, chocolate chips, and sponge cake. It's then covered in green marzipan and adorned with decorative icing. This showstopper of a dessert is definitely worth indulging in! Sicilian Chocolate from Modica is something you can't miss while in Sicily. This chocolate is made using an ancient technique that dates back to the 16th century. The chocolate has a unique texture and flavor that you won't find anywhere else in the world. Be sure to pick up some to take home with you! Sfincia di San Giuseppe is a fried doughnut-like dessert that's traditionally served on March 19th to celebrate St. Joseph's Day. These fluffy pastries are coated in sugar and sometimes filled with custard or jelly. They're the perfect treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea! Read also: 10 Best Places to Visit in Cologne, Germany

26. Enjoy the Palermo's crazy nightlife

There's no denying that Palermo knows how to party. If you're looking for a wild night out on the town, this is the place to be. From Old Town to Mondello, there's no shortage of bars and clubs to keep you entertained well into the wee hours of the morning. You can find everything you could want from a metropolitan nightlife scene right here in Palermo. So, pull on your dancing shoes and get ready for a night you won't soon forget.

Old Town of Palermo

If you're looking for a true taste of Palermo's nightlife, Old Town is the place to be. This historic district is home to some of the city's best bars, clubs, and restaurants.

Politeama / Libertà Area (Downtown)

The Politeama / Libertà Area is another great spot for those who want to enjoy Palermo's nightlife. This central area is home to a large number of bars and restaurants, making it the perfect place to grab a bite or a drink before hitting the dance floor.

Mondello – Addaura and Sferracavallo Seafront

Mondello is a must-visit for those who want to experience Palermo's legendary beach parties. These epic parties are held every weekend from May until September and they attract travelers from all over the world. If you're looking for a truly unforgettable experience, Mondello is the place to be. Read also: 7 things you didn't know about the Cathedral of Milan in Italy

27. Visit Sicilian Ethnographic Museum Giuseppe Pitrè and Palazzina Cinese in Palermo

You may visit the Sicilian Ethnographic Museum Giuseppe Pitrè. The main section of the museum may be found in a guesthouse of the Palazzina Cinese on the border of the Monte Pellegrino Reserve and the edge of the Parco della Favorita, and another part can be found in the Albergaria neighborhood of the old center of Palermo.

Pitrè Ethnographic Museum

Throughout the years, Sicilian civilization has changed drastically, and the Museum of Sicilian History preserves this change like no other. The museum was established by Giuseppe Pitre - the scholar, to house the extensive collection he had amassed over the years and was committed to expanding. A compilation that reflects real life and the varied traditions of many cultures. C lothing, footwear, ancient implements of many trades, crafts, sheep farming, originality, also devotional artifacts, outfits for special situations, everyday attire, and more are all represented in the newly arranged, scientifically structured 20 sections of the findings. The Palermo Senate's carriages, the chairs (including one with an inside bathroom), several antique Sicilian puppets, and a few kitchens from the Bourbon era come next.

Palazzina Cinese

The Chinese Palace (or Real Casina Cina) is a splendid villa in Palermo, characterized by a taste for the exotic that goes from the “Chineseizing” style, to the Turkish one, but also to the Pompeian and neoclassical one. Magnificent pictorial decorations of the interiors that arouse the admiration of visitors. Built on an existing nucleus by King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon who wanted to preserve the characteristic oriental atmosphere. On the back of the Palazzina Cinese there is a delightful well-kept Italian garden, with hedges that form labyrinths, suggestive fountains and centuries-old trees. Read also: 29 Top-Rated Landmarks in Italy

28. Explore the most beautiful beaches of Palermo

The beaches of the Sicilian capital are a must-see if you plan on visiting during the summer months or even in other months; they are a true paradise edge featuring azure waters and stunning scenery.

Mondello beach

Mondello beach is one of the most stunning and popular beaches in all of Sicily. With its clear, white sand and crystal-clear water, it is the perfect destination for sunbathing, swimming, and other water sports. Its location near a number of beautiful beach resorts and restaurants also makes it an ideal spot for relaxing days spent soaking up the sun or indulging in delicious local cuisine.

Maria Vergine beach

Located just a short drive from the bustling city center, the Maria Vergine beach is an idyllic escape. With its pebbly and sandy shores and crystal-clear water, this small fishing village offers a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Arenella beach in Palermo

The Arenella beach is a small, pebbly beach with crystal-clear waters and plenty of sunshine. Though it lacks amenities such as restaurants and sunbed services, it is still a popular destination among locals and tourists alike. Despite its moderate popularity, the beach is never crowded, ensuring visitors can enjoy peace, quiet, and relaxation.

Addaura beach in Palermo

Located just a short drive southeast of Mondello beach, Addaura beach is known for its small bays and crystal-clear waters, probably one of the best beaches in Palermo. And if you're looking for even more adventure, be sure to check out the famous Addaura cave, one of Palermo's most intriguing geological features. So if you're looking for a truly one-of-a-kind beach experience, Addaura beach should be at the top of your list.

Santa Flavia beaches

Located at the foot of the majestic Catalfano mountain, the Santa Flavia beaches are some of the most beautiful in the city of Palermo. With a variety of different landscapes and textures, there is something for everyone here. Whether you prefer the soft sands of Kafara beach or the pebbled shores of Porticello, these gorgeous coastal areas are bound to leave you breathless. And if you want to venture a little further from the city center, the Spiaggia Aciddara is an absolute gem - with its fine sandy shoreline and shimmering blue waters, this is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Read also: Best Tourist Attractions on the Amalfi Coast, Italy

Conclusion: Palermo is an amazing city with something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for breathtaking beaches, exciting nightlife, or historical landmarks, Palermo has it all. Start planning your adventure today and explore everything this beautiful city has to offer!

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25 Best Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily (Italy)

Home | Travel | Europe | Italy | Sicily | 25 Best Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily (Italy)

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If you need help finding the best things to do in Palermo , the capital of Sicily, Italy, I’m here to share some must-see places.

We started our  10-day Sicily itinerary in Palermo and, although you can see the main  attractions in Palermo  in one day, we spent one night here. The city is a popular stop for Mediterranean cruises, as  one day in Palermo  gives you plenty of time to see the highlights.

So, our guide will tell you all the fun places to go in Palermo, Sicily,  as well as the surrounding areas in case you have more time.

At the end of the article, I’m sharing the best neighborhoods to stay in Palermo, where to eat, and a map of the city’s tourist attractions.

Regardless of how much time you spend in the city, this   free tour   is perfect for first-time visitors. We enjoyed this two-hour guided tour, as it introduced us to some of the main points of interest in Palermo. If you’re short on time, also consider this  hop-on hop-off bus tour to make the most of it.

Now, let’s check out the best things to do in Palermo, Italy , one of the top  places to visit in Sicily .

1. See Norman Palace, a great activity to do in Palermo

The Norman Palace, also known as the Royal Palace, is a  must-see in Palermo , as it’s one of the most important buildings in the city. It currently serves as the seat of the Sicilian Parliament.

The palace’s façade features a combination of architectural styles, making it one of the  best places in Palermo  to visit. The right side of the façade has an Arab-Norman-Byzantine style, which reflects the palace’s 12th-century origins. The left side was constructed a few centuries later in the Baroque style, which was popular back then.

Be sure to go inside because the interior is even more impressive. You’ll see the Palatine Chapel, which many consider a city gem. What makes this chapel so unique is that Byzantine, Islamic, and Latin architects worked on it, and yet, all the decorative elements come together beautifully. One of the most magnificent parts of the chapel is the mosaics, many of which cover the ceiling.

While you can visit the Norman Palace and the Palatine Chapel on your own, this guided tour  will show you the palace and several historical monuments. It’s one of the best  Palermo activities  for art lovers.

2. Palermo Cathedral, a lovely place to visit in Palermo, Sicily

Palermo Cathedral  was built at the end of the 12th century at the request of the Archbishop of Palermo. His goal was to replace the Christian basilica in the city, which previously replaced a Muslim mosque. Ideally, the new cathedral would rival the Cathedral of Monreale, and if you ask me, it definitely does.

Today, the cathedral is one of  Palermo’s main attractions , despite its constant architectural makeovers. Over the centuries, the church’s structure and appearance have changed, and you can still see evidence of these renovations if you look closely.

For example, you can find parts of the original Norman structure, as well as Gothic vestiges, Neoclassical elements, and even Arabic-style ornamentation. Somehow, all these visual motifs come together to create an incredible building, so if you only have  one day in Palermo , check it out.

If you go inside, you can also visit the “Treasure of the Cathedral,” a collection of royal and religious objects like sacred ornaments, chalices, vestments, and Constance of Aragon’s gold tiara. It’s one of the most interesting  things to do in Palermo, Italy , especially if you’re into history.

3. Catch a show at Massimo Theater, an exciting thing to do in Palermo

The  Massimo Theater , or Teatro Massimo, is the largest opera house in Italy and among the largest in Europe. You’ll find it in Piazza Verdi, Palermo’s city center.

This magnificent neoclassical theater was the work of Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, although his son, Ernesto Basile, finished the project after his father’s death. Step inside and enter an elegant atmosphere of lounges, galleries, and the main theater.

Visiting this opera house was one of the  coolest things to do in Palermo  during our trip. We learned that several nearby buildings were demolished to make way for the theater. Among those buildings was the Church of the Stigmata, its convent, and the Church of San Giuliano. Ever since then, there has been an urban legend about one of the nuns from the destroyed convent wandering the halls of the theater.

However, don’t let a ghost story stop you from visiting the opera house. Tickets to the Massimo Theater are quite expensive, so a good alternative might be a guided tour. This is one of the top  places to visit in Palermo , so check the theater’s  official website  for more info about these daily tours.

4. La Vucciria & other ancient open-air markets in Palermo

There are several  markets in Palermo  that are worth visiting. One of the most popular  sights to see in Palermo  is  La Vucciria market, where you can find all kinds of southern Italian products, most notably, anchovies.

This historic market is one of the best  places to go in Palermo , as it’s spread out along different streets and plazas. For example, it passes through via Roma, la Cala, il Cassaro, via Cassari, piazza del Garraffello, via Argenteria Nuova, piazza Caracciolo and via Maccheronai. I suggest starting at Via Roma and making your way through the wonders of this market.

4. La Vucciria & other ancient open-air markets, a must-see in Palermo, Sicily

Besides La Vucciria, the open-air market of Il Capo  is another must-visit in Palermo. Here, you can browse through stalls of clothes, fabrics, kitchen utensils, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and much more. Il Capo market is on Via Cappuccinelle, close to the Teatro Massimo, but I’m sure you’ll hear the shouts of the vendors before you see them!

I also recommend stopping by the Ballarò market, which stretches along Via Ballarò almost to the central station. It’s one of the oldest food markets in Palermo, so you can’t miss it. That said, whichever market you go to, it’ll be a fun,  free thing to do in Palermo  while immersing yourself in the local culture.

5. Capuchin Catacombs, a unique place to go in Palermo, Sicily

Visiting the  Capuchin Catacombs  is one of the most  unusual things to do in Palermo , but it’s also cool, as long as you aren’t squeamish.

These catacombs sit under the convent of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, which served as a cemetery in the 16th century. The friars were surprised after discovering, by accident, how well the bodies were preserved and many people began requesting they be buried in the catacombs.

Now, there are around 8,000 corpses here, and they’re laid out according to age, sex, and profession. Some of them hang from the walls of the underground corridors, while others rest in or on caskets. This is certainly one of the more bizarre  attractions in Palermo , but I thought it was more curious than unpleasant.

If you dare to see what’s going on in the Capuchin Catacombs, I suggest this  sightseeing tour . It also includes a visit to the 12th-century cathedral of Monreale, another great Palermo site to visit .

6. Piazza Pretoria, one of the top places to go in Palermo

Piazza Pretoria  is another beautiful place to see in  Palermo, Sicily . The plaza is best known for its Fontana Pretoria, a monumental fountain built in the 16th century by Francesco Camilliano.

Originally, the fountain was going to adorn the private garden of a Florence mansion, but it was eventually brought to Palermo. The large fountain includes 16 marble statues of nude mythological creatures, such as nymphs, mermaids, satyrs, and the twelve Olympians. The fountain later became a symbol of government corruption, giving the plaza the nickname  Piazza della Vergogna  (Square of Shame). That said, a  tour of Palermo wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Pretoria Fountain.

Other iconic buildings surround the square, including the Palazzo Pretorio, which dates to the 14th century and now houses Town Hall; the Church of Santa Caterina; and two stately palaces, the Palazzo Bonocore and the Palazzo Bordonaro.

Piazza Pretoria’s charming beauty and historical significance make it a great place to spend  a day in Palermo , so I suggest checking it out.

7. Cathedral of Monreale, something you must see in Palermo

The  Cathedral of Monreale  is one of the most famous cathedrals in Italy and a  UNESCO  Heritage Site, so visiting it is one of the  best things to do in Palermo, Sicily . If you’re going to be in the city for more than one day, I highly recommend seeing this amazing church.

It dates to the 12th century and was founded just a few years before the Cathedral of Palermo. During its construction, Norman and Arabic art were prevalent in this area, resulting in a beautiful cathedral with historical significance. However, what really makes this church famous is the display of Biblical mosaics inside.

As I mentioned before, there has always been a rivalry between the Cathedral of Palermo and the Cathedral of Monreale. You can do a  tour of Palermo  and decide for yourself, but as for me, I can’t say which is more beautiful, as they’re both so impressive!

That said, be aware that the Cathedral of Monreale is on the outskirts of the city. If you don’t have a car, you can find a tour that visits this area of Palermo. I recommend  this tour , which includes a visit to the Capuchin Catacombs. However, if you prefer less-scary  Palermo activities ,  this tour  combines the Cathedral of Monreale with the Cefalù Cathedral.

8. Quattro Canti, the best thing to visit around Palermo

Quattro Canti  is one of the most iconic  places to visit in Palermo . This square, also known as Piazza Vigliena, sits at the intersection of two main streets, Via Maqueda, and Il Cassaro.

This is a symbolic plaza, as well as a lovely  attraction in Palermo . Despite its octagonal layout, the square has four corners, each adorned with a fountain and three statues. The statues at each fountain represent a season of the year, one of the four kings of Spain in Palermo, and one of the four patron saints of the city.

8. Quattro Canti (Piazza Vigliena), the best thing to visit around Palermo

For example, the northern corner’s statues represent autumn, King Philip IV, and Saint Oliva di Palermo. The eastern corner’s statues represent winter, King Philip III, and Saint Agatha of Sicily.

As for the fountains, they also hold special significance, as they preserve the memory of the ancient rivers that once flowed through the city. The two most important ones were the Kemonia and Papireto rivers. Today, the fountains and the entire square is an area of bustling activity and is a must-see in Palermo.

9. Martorana & Church of San Cataldo, the best churches in Palermo

La Martorana , also known as the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, is one of the most beautiful  places to visit in Palermo, Italy . It’s in Piazza Bellini and its mix of architectural styles makes it one of the most popular buildings in the city.

The left side of the building is the original Arab-Norman structure, but the Baroque-style architecture was added later to the right side. The combination creates a lovely artistic and historical display, which is why visiting it is one of the best things to do in Palermo . If you go inside, you’ll find some spectacular Byzantine and Arab mosaics.

Right next to La Martorana is the  Chiesa di San Cataldo , which stands out for its three pink domes over the central nave. Although it was built as a place of worship back in the 12th century, the church has had various uses throughout history and wasn’t re-consecrated until the 20th century.

Both La Martorana and the Church of San Cataldo are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so they’re both essential  sites to visit in Palermo .

10. Enjoy the street food of Palermo

Palermo is the European capital of  street food , so if you aren’t sure  what to do in Palermo , you can find plenty of places to grab a bite to eat.

Near the markets I mentioned earlier, Vucciria, il Capo, and Ballarò, you’ll find various street food carts. The city of Palermo  has a strong street food culture, so it’s almost required that you try some of the typical dishes here.

My favorite is the  arancini , which is a ball of rice coated with bread crumbs and then deep-fried, and filled with cheese or meat. And of course, I love cannoli , the pastry dough stuffed with ricotta! I also recommend  panelle  (chickpea fritters) and  crocché  (potato croquettes). Not only are these foods delicious, but they’re also very inexpensive, so you can try them all.

10. Enjoy the street food of Palermo, an amazing thing to do in Palermo in one day

Beyond  Palermo’s downtown  food stalls, I recommend trying some proper local dishes, such as  pasta con le sarde  (pasta with sardines). However, if sardines aren’t your thing, you can try  pasta alla Norma , which has tomato, fried eggplant, grated ricotta, and basil.

You can also try  involtini alla palermitana , Palermo-style rolls with spicy salami, raisins, and pine nuts. Or  falsomagro , stuffed pork chops with ham and cheese.

It’s not a visit to Italy unless you enjoy all the food, so I recommend this  food tour  all about Palermo’s gastronomy.

11. Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas, another place to visit in Palermo

The  Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas  has one of the most important collections of ancient art in Italy, so it’s one of the main  attractions in Palermo .

The museum has three collections, the Collection of the University Museum, which is the oldest; the Antonio Salinas Collection, which is the largest with more than 6,600 pieces; and the Pietro Bonci Casuccini Collection, which is considered the most important collection of Etruscan art outside of Tuscany.

The most valuable objects in the museum come from Pompeii and Torre del Greco, although the collection of Sicilian historical and cultural objects is also interesting. The museum also has ancient sarcophagi, Phoenician and Roman objects that were retrieved from the sea, a reproduction of the Temple of Selinunte, and the famous Palermo Stone.

As you can see, this museum is an awesome place to visit, and I recommend adding it to your  Palermo itinerary . Or you can keep it in mind if you find yourself in the city on a rainy day.

12. Church of St. John of the Hermits, a stunning place to go in Palermo

Along with the Capuchin Catacombs, the Church of St. John of the Hermits is one of the most internationally known tourist places in  Palermo, Sicily .

The church is in the Albergheria neighborhood and is famous for its five red domes, which stand out against the simple facade. The cloister of the church is quite impressive, with a well and a courtyard of trees and shrubs. It was built after the church was established, although the two areas work nicely together.

If you visit this  attraction in Palermo , be sure to check out the cloister. From there, you can get a beautiful view of the red domes, as well as the bell tower next to it. There are also some columns in the courtyard that have vegetable motifs on them.

Parts of the church may be in ruins now, but the building still holds great historical value, and it’s even a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s an interesting  place to visit in Palermo .

13. Mondello Beach, one of the best beaches in Palermo, Sicily

Mondello Beach  is just 8 miles from the city center, right at the foot of Mount Pellegrino. It’s a gorgeous beach with white sands and crystal-clear waters, not to mention beautiful views. If you’re visiting during the warmer months, seeing Mondello is one of the  top things to do in Palermo, Italy .

Locals and tourists alike go to this beach for its pristine waters and relaxing atmosphere. During the day, you’ll find sunbathers and families enjoying the sunny shores. By night, the terraces on Mondello Pier host patrons for seaside dinner and drinks.

Mondello was once a small fishing town, but it has grown into a more sophisticated vacation destination. One of the best things to do here is to hang out in a villa or terrace along the waterfront promenade. It’s a great way to end a fun beach day.

This village isn’t too far from Palermo, but you’ll have to take public transportation if you don’t have a car. The 806 bus leaves from the city center and stops at Mondello. It might be better to take the bus, as parking spots are hard to find at this beach, especially in the summer.

If you only have one day in the city, you can skip this beach, but if you have time and you’re wondering  what to do near Palermo , Mondello is a stunning Sicilian beach you won’t regret visiting!

14. Zisa Castle, the best attraction in Palermo, Sicily

Zisa Castle  is tucked away in the western part of the city, but it’s a  must-see in Palermo . It’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates to the 12th century. The castle was built by Arabian craftsmen for King William I and later became a summer palace for the Norman kings.

In Arabic, the palace is referred to as the “Earthly Paradise,” and once you see it, you’ll understand the splendor of this place. Built in the middle of a manmade lake, the castle is surrounded by a lush garden. The facade reflects its Moorish origins, and  Zisa  literally translates to “splendid” in Arabic.

Along with the lovely exterior, Zisa Castle also has an Islamic art exhibit in several of its rooms and is open to the public. You should also stop by the ‘Fountain Room’ the main foyer area with wall and ceiling frescos.

If you only have  one day in Palermo , I suggest hopping on the  Palermo sightseeing bus , which has 14 stops, including Zisa.

15. Church of Saint Mary of Gesu, something you must visit in Palermo

The  Church of Saint Mary of Gesu , also known as Casa Professa, is one of the most important Baroque  sights to see in Palermo . In fact, it’s a prominent church in all of Sicily.

The Jesuits built this church in the late 1500s after arriving in the Jewish quarter of the city. While the original plan was to construct a rather simple church, the building became more ornate in the early 1600s and was consecrated in 1636.

This church is one of the most impressive places to visit in Palermo . The layout reflects the shape of a Latin cross, and the interior is filled with frescoes, marble bas-reliefs, and decorative Biblical motifs. The central nave is nearly 230 feet tall, giving the structure a grandiose feeling. Be sure to take your time while you’re here to look all around, as well as to the ceiling, as there is artwork everywhere.

Interestingly, the church’s exterior looks austere and unassuming, so it contrasts quite a bit with the elaborate interior. That said, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most stunning  attractions in Palermo , so don’t miss it!

16. Mount Pellegrino, the best place to see the sunset in Palermo, Italy

Visiting  Mount Pellegrino  is one of the best  things to do near Palermo , especially if you’re with a special someone. The German writer Goethe said this mountain was the most beautiful promontory in the world, and I must agree.

Mount Pellegrino has an altitude of about 2,000 feet, and it overlooks the Bay of Palermo and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Watching the sunlight glimmer on the crystalline waters is so relaxing and can be a romantic thing to do in Palermo.

Near the mountain’s summit, you’ll find the Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia , who is the patron saint of Palermo and a popular place where Sicilians go to pray for healing.

You’ll also find the  Mount Pellegrino Nature Reserve  here, although it’s split between Mount Pellegrino and Favorita Park. This is one of the best  places to go in Palermo  to see the sunset, as well as to get some exercise. You can go up the hill on foot or opt for a bus or car ride.

If you decide to walk, there are two paths. The Rosalie Itinerarium route is paved, while the Gola del Porco route is older and goes into Favorita Park. You could also drive along the scenic mountain road or take the 812 bus to the Sanctuary.

Regardless of how you get there, Mount Pellegrino makes for a fun half-day trip in Palermo , so consider visiting if you have the time.

17. Villa Giulia & the Palermo Botanical Garden

Villa Giulia is the oldest public park in the city and a wonderful place to visit in Palermo. Also known as Villa Flor, it’s home to some of the most beautiful botanical gardens   in all of Sicily.

If you’re looking for fun  outdoor activity in Sicily  while escaping the heat, check out the  Palermo Botanical Garden . The area doubles as a research and education institute and houses hundreds of tropical and semi-tropical plants from all over the world. The garden spans 30 acres, including an aquatic plant display, several greenhouses, and an herbarium.

17. Villa Giulia & the Palermo Botanical Garden, a breathtaking place to go in Palermo

Also in Villa Giulia is the  Foro Italico , a large oceanfront lawn where you can walk, jog, relax, or have a picnic. It’s a great place to rest before making your way to the nearby  Church of Santa Maria Dello Spasimo . The cathedral remains unfinished after the Turkish invasions in 1535 but now serves as a venue for musical and cultural performances.

All these  Palermo attractions  are quite close to each other, so I recommend checking them out if you’re looking for something to do for a few hours.

18. See the Church of Saint Catherine, one of the best free things to do in Palermo

The  Church of Saint Catherine  and its monastery are two  must-see places in Palermo , conveniently located in the historic city center. The church sits between Pretoria Square and Bellini Square, and you’ll recognize it by its blue dome.

The cathedral’s two facades face either plaza, although the entrance is in Bellini Square. One of the first things you’ll notice about this building is its magnificent artwork and craftsmanship. It’s a combination of Sicilian Baroque, Rococo, and Renaissance styles.

Several prominent architects and artists worked on the church back in the mid-1500s, including Antonello Gagini, Giacomo Amato, and Giovanni Battista Ragusa. Oil paintings and frescoes adorn the building, and it’s a beautiful  place to visit in Palermo .

Walking through this church is like stepping into a massive treasure chest. You’ll see altars of amethyst and lapis lazuli, precious stucco statues, and floor-to-ceiling adornments. Some of the most famous works here include the frescoes  Triumph of Saint Catherine  in the vault and  The Soul in Glory Rises to Heaven  in the chancel.

19. Climb atop the dome at Church of Santissimo Salvatore

Climbing to the dome of the Church of Santissimo Salvatore  is one of the best  things to do in Palermo at night . From there, you can look over the city and see all the twinkling lights.

The Church of San Salvador is in Bellini Square, so it has the perfect central location. It was built in the 12th century when Norman architecture was at its prime. However, it wasn’t until just a few years ago that it received UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

19. Climb atop the dome at Church of Santissimo Salvatore, the best thing to do in Palermo at night

The three red domes atop the church make it a familiar landmark for anyone  visiting Palermo, Italy . It’s a smaller church, and while it seems quite simple, the interior boasts some impressive stonework. You’ll also find Byzantine-style mosaics and frescoes inside, along with more modern altars.

Seeing this monumental structure at night is a lovely sight, especially with the Fontana Pretoria in the background. Plus, this church is close to Quattro Canti and La Martorana, and on the way to the Norman Palace.

20. Visit the Old Harbor of La Cala, a great thing to do in Palermo with kids

Visiting  La Cala , the oldest port in the city, is a good way to end your  tour of Palermo . This arch-shaped harbor was once an inlet for the Kemonia and Papireto rivers, but now it’s a popular tourist spot along the water.

Today, anyone can take a stroll along the waterfront pier, but back in the day, the port was protected by an Arab fortress.  Castello a Mare  had various uses throughout history, including as a prison and a private residence.

Recent urban development projects have contributed to La Cala’s expansion, so now it offers more  stuff to do in Palermo . For example, next to the pier is the  Piazza Marina , where you’ll find the  Garibaldi Garden . The garden is famous for having the largest Australian banyan tree in Europe, and it’s a pleasant area to walk through.

While you’re there, check out the historic Kalsa neighborhood and some of the nearby  Palermo attractions  like Galletti Palace of San Cataldo, Notarbartolo Palace, and Chiaramonte-Steri Palace.

21 Walk through Palazzo Abatellis, something exciting to do in Palermo

The  Abatellis Palace  is an intriguing building in Palermo’s Kalsa neighborhood. Constructed in the 1400s, it’s a prime example of Gothic-Catalan architecture and served as the home of Francesco Abatellis, port master of the Kingdom of Sicily. He had no heirs, so after his death, the palace became a convent.

The building was destroyed during World War II but was later restored and used to store medieval art. Today, this  Palermo attraction  houses the Sicilian Gallery of Art.

Over the years, the museum has amassed a noteworthy collection of art, religious works in particular. Here, you can find  Virgin Annunciate , the famous Renaissance painting by Antonello da Messina, as well as  The Triumph of Death  fresco that was formerly in the Palazzo Sclafani.

If you’re interested in learning more about medieval art, or you’re wondering  what to do in Palermo when it rains , this art gallery and palace is a good option.

22. Cefalú, one of the top places to go near Palermo, Sicily

If you are not going to rent a car in Sicily, there are still plenty of cool  tours from Palermo  you can take. I recommend  this excursion  to  Cefalù , a beautiful fishing village overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and one of the  best places to visit in Sicily .

In addition to Cefalù, this tour includes a visit to the impressive Cathedral of Monreale, one of the nicest places to visit near Palermo . Once in Cefalù, you’ll see the  Mandralisca Museum , which contains archaeological artifacts, ancient coins, antiques, and the works of Antonello da Messina.

The tour continues with a visit to the  Osterio Magno , a fortified palace built in the 13th century, as well as the 16th-century  Lavatorio Medievale , an old washing room that was restored in the 1990s. Finally, you’ll see the Norman-style  Cefalù Cathedral , a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 1131. It’s known for its Byzantine mosaics, most notably the bust of Christ Pantokrator.

Not only does Cefalù make for a great Palermo day trip, but you’ll get incredible panoramic views of the sea.

23. Visit Segesta, Erice, & Trapani, one of the best day trips from Palermo

Combining a visit to  Segesta, Erice, and Trapani  is another awesome  day trip from Palermo that you can take if you don’t want to drive around the island.

I recommend this  full-day excursion  that hits all three villages. You’ll start with  Segesta , where you can explore some prominent Greek archaeological sites, including a well-preserved Doric temple that’s believed to date to around 420 BC.

The tour continues to the  Trapani salt flats , which line the coast. Trapani is home to several Baroque monuments, such as the Church of Saint Augustine, Ligny Tower, and the Triton Fountain.

Finally, you’ll stop by the town of  Erice , which has medieval origins and boasts impressive hillside views. There are also historical sites like two ancient castles and the remains of Elymian and Phoenician walls.

If you’re looking for things to do in Palermo  and its surroundings, this is a great tour. Plus, transportation is included, so you can relax and enjoy the sights.

24. Taormina & Mount Etna, one of the best tours in Palermo, Sicily

Fortunately, you don’t have to rent a car or drive to see the main tourist  sites in Palermo . There are lots of daily tours that depart from this city and go to all the popular  tourist attractions in Sicily .

Of the  top things to see in Palermo , I would say that  Taormina and Mount Etna  are two of the most important. You can see them both in one day with  this excursion.

First, you’ll visit  Mount Etna , the tallest active volcano in Europe. At over 10,800 feet high, it’s a prized place among hikers who come to Sicily. That said, this tour only ascends about 8,200 feet, but you’ll still get to see the Silvestri Craters and get amazing views.

The second half of the tour takes you to the city of  Taormina , which sits on a cliff overlooking the Isola Bella Nature Reserve and the Ionian Sea. While you’re here, you’ll visit the ancient Greek theater, several Baroque churches, and enjoy the seaside view of the bay’s aquamarine waters.

25. Agrigento & the Valley of the Temples, another great tour from Palermo

My last recommended  place to visit near Palermo  is  Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples . If you arrive in Palermo and you don’t want to drive, don’t worry because this  full-day tour  will take you to all the best sites.

The Sicilian city of Agrigento is famous for the Valley of the Temples, an extensive archaeological site. Here, you’ll find several Greek temples, most of which are in decent preserved condition.

The Temple of Concordia is the best-preserved temple there and was built in the 5th century. The Temple of Castor and Pollux is a modern-day symbol of Agrigento, while the Temple of Asclepius was an ancient pilgrimage site for those seeking cures from illnesses.

The tour includes another  must-see place near Palermo , the  Archaeological Museum of Agrigento . Here, you can look through over 5,600 artifacts, including restored archaeological remains, coins, and inscriptions. Look for the interesting Atlantean statue out front that serves as a decorative column.

Without a doubt, visiting Agrigento is one of the top things to do around Palermo if you want to see some historical monuments and don’t feel like driving.

Where to stay in Palermo, Italy

During our  visit to Palermo , we stayed in  this apartment  in the  Capo neighborhood . The apartment was beautiful and well-priced, but I think next time, we’ll stay somewhere closer to the city center.

If you’re looking for a  hotel in the downtown district of Palermo , I suggest staying in the  Vucciria neighborhood . These are the best options:

• Mamamia Hostel & Guesthouse
• Eurostars Centrale Palace Hotel
• B&B Hotels – Hotel Palermo Quattro Canti

The  Kalsa neighborhood  is also a good option if you are looking for  places to stay in Palermo  near the port or bus station. These are the best options:

• B&B Palazzo Corvino
• Hotel Palazzo Sitano

However, if you want a room with a view in Palermo,  this accommodation in the Albergheria neighborhood  is the best option.

Any of these four Palermo neighborhoods will be an excellent option, as they’re close to the city’s main points of interest.

If any of the accommodations I mentioned are no longer available, you can look for other options  here . Also, you can often find good deals on Airbnb. If you don’t have an account yet, you can get a $50 Airbnb coupon code here.

earn $50 Cash Reward at Airbnb

Where to eat in Palermo, Sicily

When we were in Palermo, we took advantage of some of the best local dishes and authentic Italian cuisine.

One of the  best places to eat in Palermo  is the  Vucciria market , where you can enjoy all kinds of street food. Besides, you can sight-see while you eat, so it’s a  must-do in Palermo .

Where to eat in Palermo

However, if you’re wondering  where to go in Palermo  to enjoy a pizza, I highly recommend  Pizza Ferrari . From the outside, it looks like a typical neighborhood pizzeria, but it has some of the best pizza in Sicily. To complete your meal, grab a Peroni, the most popular Italian beer. You can check Pizza Ferrari’s hours, location, and menu on their  Facebook page .

How to get to Palermo from the airport

Parking in  downtown Palermo  is quite an adventure, so I recommend taking public transportation to get to the city center, even if you plan to rent a car in Sicily.

If you’re not sure  how to get to the center of Palermo from the airport , the best way is with the  29 bus . It departs from the airport and stops at Piazza Giulio, where you’ll find the central bus station.

Alternatively, you could take the Trenitalia train from the airport, which is just as fast as the bus. You could also take a taxi, but it’ll be much more expensive.

In short, I think it’s better to go downtown by bus or train and then return to the airport later to pick up your rental car. Believe it or not, you’ll save lots of time because you won’t spend hours trying to find a parking spot in Palermo’s city center.

Map of Palermo, Sicily (Italy)

Now that you know the  top things to do in Palermo, Italy , here is a tourist  map of Palermo . Download it and keep it handy as you plan your itinerary and your route around Palermo.

That’s everything I have for your  visit to Palermo, Sicily ! Now you know  what to visit in Palermo  and the nearby areas. As you can see, you can visit  Palermo’s main attractions  in one or two days, and it’s an ideal starting point for your route through Sicily. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment, and I’ll help as much as I can. I wish you safe travels and lots of fun!

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Palermo: Sicily Tourist Guide

Sicily’s capital is a vibrant city of colour and contrast

Palermo tourist information

Palermo is Sicily’s regional capital, fascinating, filled with history and full of life. On the north-western coast of the island, it’s a busy port city with an international airport and many will begin or end their tour of Sicily here.

• Sicily destinations and practicalities: full menu (at foot of this page)

In the Middle Ages, Palermo was one of Europe’s leading cities, but nowadays the town is still recovering from twentieth-century years of blight. With some glorious historic buildings, vibrant, scruffy markets and a sunny climate, Palermo is doing a fairly good job of shaking off its reputation within Italy as a hotbed for both petty and organised crime. While areas of the centre are still run-down, and occasionally – along with the traffic – somewhat alarming, Palermo also has bohemian boutiques, famously-excellent street food, fine architecture (frequently crumbling) and a lively atmosphere. The city is not somewhere I’d spend a long holiday, but a short break here, or a few days as you begin or end a tour of Sicily, is a rich and rewarding experience. There are easily three or four days’ worth of attractions in and around Palermo, though you can see the highlights in a day. The city has good transport connections and a number of marvellous excursion possibilities, including mosaics at Monreale , an island trip to Ustica , and the beach at Mondello .

> Find somewhere to stay in Palermo

Tourist sights

Although at first sight Palermo isn’t an obvious tourist city, it rewards the self-motivated tourist with some grand scenery, good cheap food and some fine art. Preparing yourself with a map and a spot of research before going out exploring really pays off here. For travellers exploring Sicily’s history, this is an important stop on a tour of the island and there are several unmissable sights. It’s worth noting that Palermo is a stopping-point for cruise ships, and so it’s not uncommon to find crowds of inappropriately-clad tourists being led around by guides at central sites; you may encounter queues at the Palazzo dei Normanni and La Martorana in particular.

Central Palermo can be toured on foot, and the best place to start in the morning is with a walk through one of its lively street markets, followed by an overview of the city from the roof of the historic cathedral. Palermo’s chaotic and bustling markets are famous and the range of products on offer – seafood, colourful fruit and vegetables, random junk – makes for a fascinating wander. Early morning is the best time to visit. The biggest markets are Ballarò , Capo and Vucciria . The latter, in the back streets around Piazza San Domenico, features heavily in Peter Robb’s book Midnight in Sicily . The crowded, noisy lanes of the markets can be overwhelming; I’d recommend checking a map closely beforehand so you know where you’re going, and keeping valuables secure and out of sight.

Palermo’s Cattedrale has the most impressive, and the most confused, exterior of all the city’s buildings. Much of the current cathedral was built in lavish Arab-Norman style under Sicily’s Norman rule in the twelfth century, though the building has seen many modifications since, including the addition of a fifteenth-century portico and an eighteenth-century dome. Along with a handful of other Sicilian buildings, it is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing: Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale . The main part of the church’s Neoclassical interior (c.1800) is free to visit, but there’s a combined ticket for the far more interesting “Monumental areas”: Crypt, Treasury, Royal Tombs and Roof. Here you’ll see the royal tombs of medieval Sicily, including the porphyry sarcophagus of the remarkable Frederick II, known as Stupor Mundi , the Wonder of the World.

The climb to the cathedral roof is up a steep and narrow spiral staircase with high steps; there are frequent escorted tours. The view from the roof is splendid, both of the details of the upper parts of the building itself (look for the carved faces and the shining tiled domes) and for the context, looking out over the city. Palermo’s setting is striking and from this vantage point you can see what made this spot so appealing to early settlers: a fertile plain protected by a curve of steep-sided hills and open onto the sea. Note that the climb and exposed walkways of the roof are not for the unfit or nervous. The cathedral’s treasury contains the pretty jewelled crown of Constance of Aragon, first wife of Frederick II, along with her rings, which were removed from her tomb. The gloomy and dank crypt houses urns and tombs going back to the Roman era, some of them very fine.

Up the road from the Cattedrale, and part of the same UNESCO listing, the Arab-Norman-Spanish Palazzo dei Normanni (or Palazzo Reale) provides a fabulous lesson in the grandeur of Norman Sicily. A former royal palace added to and altered over the centuries, this is now the seat of the local parliament. Parts of the building can be visited, including the Cappella Palatina, an exquisite chapel containing rich twelfth-century Byzantine mosaics. Check the opening times in advance (see links panel on the right) and be prepared to queue at busy times.

Central Palermo is bisected by a long straight street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, running inland from the seafront to the Palazzo dei Normanni. It’s crossed by two other important, parallel streets, Via Maqueda and Via Roma, which leads to the railway station. The crossroads of Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the Quattro Canti, counts as the heart of Palermo, and is dressed in grand Baroque architecture to fit the spot’s significance. Close by is another architectural hotspot, Piazza Bellini, a small square boasting two important twelfth-century churches: San Cataldo and La Martorana . Both churches have small entrance fees, with a discount if you visit both.

The Arab-Norman-style San Cataldo has an unusual exterior with three red domes, and its interior is an exquisite little columned-and-arcaded space, with a lovely mosaic floor. La Martorana, by contrast, has a lavish gold interior, with its walls and ceiling covered in gleaming mosaics, best seen when morning rays of sun pierce the interior. Look out for a scene of Roger II, in Byzantine dress, being given the crown of Sicily by Jesus. There are various amazing mosaics in churches in Sicily and around Palermo, including Monreale and Cefalù, but if you’re pressed for time, La Martorana is a convenient central place to admire the artistry of Sicily’s Byzantine craftsmen. After visiting these two churches, don’t miss the huge fountain in Piazza Pretoria alongside, which resembles a stage set, with nudes carved by a very robust-minded sculptor (in fact the fountain was dubbed the Fountain of Shame).

As well as churches and palaces, Palermo has some good museums to visit, including the Galleria Regionale in Palazzo Abatellis (closed Mon and Sun), and the fine Museo Archeologico Regionale , which contains exhibits from the famous archaeological sites in western Sicily. There’s a modern art gallery in the Kalsa district, called the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (GAM) , an ethnographic museum and a number of other specialist museums and galleries.

For a taste of the old, aristocratic Palermo, a good place to visit is Palazzo Mirto , a stately home museum in the heart of town (closed Mon). There are some combined tickets available for sights, so take a look at the ticket information before you pay to enter your first museum, as well as confirming opening times before you go.

For those with more specialist interests (and strong nerves) it’s worth making a trip to the macabre catacombs of Palermo’s Convento dei Cappuccini , where mummified corpses dressed in their Sunday best line the walls in an unusual and very Sicilian approach to commemorating the dead. A bus ride or walk from the centre of town, this bizarre and poignant sight is treated by its more insensitive visitors as a novelty freak-show. However, it provides an unforgettable insight into the Sicilian attitudes to life and death, and the thought of bereaved families coming here to sit and ‘chat’ with their departed loved ones is deeply moving as well as surreal to outsiders. The website of the Capuchin Catacombs (see links below) has detailed information and directions.

One of Sicily’s greatest buildings is just a short bus ride from the centre of Palermo: the cathedral at Monreale is famous for its Norman architecture and for the vast Byzantine-style mosaics which cover the interior. For a very different excursion from the city, take the bus to Mondello , the beautiful sandy beach where Palermo’s residents flock in the sunshine.

Other sights include the city’s imposing opera house, Teatro Massimo, which opened in 1897 and is open for guided tours as well as for opera performances. Plays acted by marionettes are a local tradition, and you can visit the Puppet Museum (Museo delle Marionette) to learn more about the history of the art – and see a performance if you can. If you have time to wander, you’ll find some interesting artisan type boutiques and a bohemian atmosphere on Via Paternostro, close to the Antica Focacceria di San Francesco (see below). Walking down to the seafront is mildly interesting, no more, but you’ll find a popular park at the Foro Italico and you could check out the flea market around Piazza Marina or visit the gardens of Villa Giulia and the Orto Botanico.

Palermo has a handful of tourist information offices around town including an office at Via Principe di Belmonte, 92, a kiosk in Piazza Bellini and another by the port.

Food and drink

Palermo’s a great place to eat authentic Sicilian dishes, including street food, at reasonable prices. Around the markets you’ll find stalls selling fresh food and snacks, including local specialities like pane e panelle (chick-pea-flour fritters in a roll). Popular places to eat include include these stalls and little obscure hole in the wall restaurants. If you’ve read the book Midnight in Sicily , you’ll probably want to search out the Santandrea in Piazza Sant’Andrea, just off Via Roma. This tiny square can be lively at night with drinkers and street-food stalls. Palermo, though, is full of good places to eat, mostly small, under-the-radar and unpretentious.

One of the best-known places to eat in Palermo is the Antica Focacceria San Francesco on Via Paternostro. Dating to 1834, this the classic place for street food which you can take away or eat in the old-world interior. Pay at the till before stepping up to the food counter and ordering your food; there’s a menu and price list on the walls. Local specialities you can try here include pane e panelle and arancine with a choice of filling. Elsewhere you may have encountered arancini ; the masculine noun arancino is, for inscrutable reasons, feminine in Palermo. The marble tables on the ground floor are for take-away customers; upstairs is for table-service meals (less highly recommended by past diners; I’d stick to the take-away counter).

If you’re vegetarian or looking for something a bit different, you could try a meal at Freschette (Via Quintino Sella), a small good-value restaurant with a modern feel which specialises in organic produce. When I last visited a few years back the menu was all vegan and vegetarian, except for one dish which had optional salami. The desserts were delicious. Food is heavily focussed on locally-grown specialities, and the wine list includes organic Sicilian wines. Another place worth a try is Cibus, a speciality food-store-cum-restaurant near the port at Via Principe di Belmonte, 23.

Another option that makes a change from the tourist norm is an inclusive migrant-led social initiative founded in 2014. An evening restaurant and a co-working space are key elements of Moltivolti’ s project, promoting food as a means of dialogue between different cultures. Expect a range of dishes from African, Sicilian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, with vegetarian and vegan options. They also run a gelateria, BarConi in the Ballarò district.

In the heart of town, near the archaeological museum and Teatro Massimo, and around Piazza Olivella and Via Monteleone, you’ll find some lanes of tourist-friendly restaurants. For a convenient and hearty simple meal, I’d suggest asking your hotel or B&B to suggest a good neighbourhood trattoria ; there is probably a decent, unpretentious place to eat only a street or two away.

Travel to Palermo

Palermo is also a good, practical staging point on a journey, with ferries to the picturesque island of Ustica , and trains and buses to other Sicilian destinations. Public transport in Palermo is run by a company called AMAT. If you are travelling out to Mondello or Monreale you will find their buses useful.

Palermo has an international airport situated along the coast to the west of the city. The airport bus to Palermo, run by a firm called Prestia e Comandè, is brisk and efficient, running approximately half-hourly, and taking 50 minutes to reach the Stazione Centrale in Palermo, with stops throughout the town centre. You can buy tickets in advance online, at the airport ticket office or on the bus. The airport is named Aeroporto Falcone e Borsellino after Sicily’s Mafia-fighting prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, both murdered for their efforts. On the drive into Palermo you’ll pass the spot where in 1992 a Mafia bomb blew up Falcone’s entourage, kiling him and several others.

Palermo also has a railway station, and although trains within Sicily can be winding and slow, there are actually direct trains to Palermo from as far away as Rome (see the Transport section). The city’s main station is Stazione Centrale. Ferries from Genoa, Naples, Sardinia (Cagliari) arrive and depart from the docks of the Stazione Marittima. There are also hydrofoil services to Ustica and a once-daily summer service to the Aeolian islands . Bus services from Palermo run out to the neighbouring towns and countryside; often this will be a quicker option than taking a train. It’s best to avoid driving in the chaotic city, if you can.

Palermo accommodation

Palermo accommodation varies widely in price and luxury, although you should be prepared for slightly lower standards of hotel than you might find in a quieter and more ‘touristy’ resort. A recent wave of B&Bs, however, has made visiting much more comfortable and interesting, as well as excellent value. Though if you’re on a city break in Palermo you’re only likely to be using your hotel as a base for exploring anyway. Staying centrally and near to an airport bus stop is generally the most practical option, but travellers should be aware that Palermo is a noisy place and it can be hard to find night-time peace. I would still choose the convenience of the city centre – it’s a great advantage to be able to walk out the door and stroll to the nearest sights – but pack ear plugs.

Palermo hotels

If you’re on a budget, using public transport and looking for convenient onward travel connections, the Albergo Cavour , close to the main railway station, is a good choice. For a stylish refuge in the heart of the city, try the Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel , which has a little garden terrace and hot tub. The Grand Hotel et Des Palmes offers the full old-style five-star experience, while the attractive Porta di Castro Boutique Hotel is a good-value mid-range option. I’ve stayed in the Hotel Ambasciatori , notable for its fine roof terrace – I found it decent, years ago, but recent reviews are lacklustre.

> Palermo accommodation – availability, reviews and booking

Palermo B&Bs

There are lots of newish B&Bs in town, and they can be affordable, friendly places to stay. If you choose a bed and breakfast option, make sure you read all the details carefully. There may be restrictions on check-in time, for example, and not all B&Bs offer luggage storage facilities or en-suite bathrooms. Check that there are lots of positive reviews before you make your booking. I’ve stayed comfortably at the Cosmopolitan B&B (pictured above) which was stylish and modern with a welcome tray (tea and cake) and a generous buffet breakfast. There was noise from a bar and traffic outside; though this is a risk anywhere in Palermo.

One very popular option is the B&B Family Affair Palermo , on the far side of town to Stazione Centrale, but only a few streets from an airport bus stop. Next to the station you’ll find the Calypso Il Binario Elegance , ideal for travellers in a hurry. As there are so many B&BS, dotted around the city, each with just a few rooms that are often sold out, your best bet is to use the availability search below, then filter by the best review ratings and look at a map to find the best options for your trip. > B&Bs in Palermo

> Palermo accommodation search, with guest reviews and location maps .

Useful external links

Palermo hotels & B&Bs

AMAT – public transport

Airport bus

Palermo Airport

Italy car hire

Palazzo Mirto

Palazzo dei Normanni

Archaeological Museum

Antica Focacceria San Francesco

Capuchin Catacombs

Teatro Massimo

Midnight in Sicily Peter Robb’s account of Palermo, Sicily, cassata and organised crime

Sicily destinations and more

• Sicily introduction
• Food & drink
• Hotels & B&Bs
• Travel and transport
• Aeolian Islands
• Castellammare del Golfo
• Egadi Islands
• Giardini Naxos
• Piazza Armerina
• San Vito Lo Capo

Sicily hotels  – Online hotel reviews and booking (Italy Heaven affiliate link – thank you for your support)

21 Best Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily | Palermo Travel Blog

Palermo, Sicily. The rugged capital of Italy’s southernmost island, and not somewhere that makes it onto the Italian itinerary of most travellers. When I visited Palermo in July 2019, I initially only planned on staying for 3 days, but as soon as I arrived and strolled around the narrow cobbled streets of the historical centre, I knew that I would end up staying for longer. My 3 days turned into 6 months, and even though I’ve since moved on, living in Palermo remains one of my most treasured travel memories.

It is safe to say that Palermo truly stole my heart, and as I am passionate about promoting those destinations that don’t get enough love from tourists, I figured that I would write a Palermo travel guide that includes all the best things to do in Palermo, whether you’re a foodie or an adventure traveller. If you’re planning some Palermo travel, don’t worry, because this guide is packed with all of the best things to do in Palermo, one of the highlights of Sicily!

Table of Contents

21 Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily | Palermo Travel Blog

Why visit palermo.

I hadn’t heard many good things before I visited Palermo. People complained that it was ugly (not true), dirty (not true – only on the outskirts) and big (technically true but the main tourist sights are all very close together). Palermo has also had a pretty bad reputation historically due to organised crime, and so people often mistakenly assume that Palermo is unsafe to visit. Well my lovelies, I am here to tell you that not only are the naysayers totally wrong about Palermo, but that Palermo is truly the soul of Sicily , a rough diamond that you will absolutely fall in love with. While it is true that Palermo isn’t as polished as other Italian cities, and that Sicilian travel is sometimes challenging, it is also so rewarding. There are many reasons to visit Palermo , but some of the main ones are as follows.

Reasons to Visit Palermo, Sicily

1. Palermo has yet to be discovered by mass tourism This means that if you’re looking for an authentic Italian experience, you will find it in Palermo . The people are unfiltered, the street food is greasy, the buildings are dilapidated (but so charming) and the traffic is crazy. Palermo is the beating heart of Italy and if you’ve previously visited cities such as Rome or Florence, Palermo will stop you in your tracks with its rawness.

2. Palermo is a foodie paradise The street food in Palermo has been named the best in Europe, a title that it truly deserves. I won’t spoil the surprise for now (there will be a whole section about Palermo food later!), but just know that if you’re looking for a gastronomical experience then Palermo is the place to be.

3. Palermo is friendly Locals in Palermo are incredibly friendly. My friend and I joked that we couldn’t go on one night out without making at least several new Facebook friends and being invited to somebody’s family home for dinner, and every night for almost two weeks, this is exactly what happened! Palermo locals may be a little rough around the edges, but they will go above and beyond to make you feel welcome in their city, and they will ensure that you get looked after during your time in Sicily.

4. There are tonnes of great things to do in Palermo, as well as lots of awesome day trips! Think that there aren’t a lot of things to do in Palermo? Think again! Whether you want to explore centuries old catacombs, marvel at UNESCO churches, buy fresh fish at one of Palermo’s traditional markets or simply watch the world go by while eating cannolo, Palermo has it covered.

As far as day trips from Palermo go, you are just a stone’s throw away from the white sands of Mondello, or you can go further afield to the seaside towns of Trapani , Cefalu and San Vito Lo Capo . Perhaps you want to jump on a boat to head to the paradise island of Favignana , or visit the medieval hilltop village of Erice ? Whatever you fancy, it’s never very far from Palermo.

21 Things to Do in Palermo

Things to do in palermo…for sightseers, 1. visit the capuchin monastery and catacombs.

One of the strangest things to do in Palermo to pay a visit the Capuchin Monastery and Catacombs. Back in the 16th century, the monastery outgrew its original cemetery and so the monks began to excavate the crypts below it to create a space to keep mummified corpses. Originally, the crypts were reserved for friars, but eventually it became sort of a status symbol to be entombed in the catacombs, and people would write in their wills which clothes they wanted to be dressed in, or how frequently they wanted their clothes changed (often to reflect the fashions of the time!).

Relatives would pay for the corpses to be kept in the spot which they had been allocated, but if the payments stopped then the body was taken away and put on a shelf until payments resumed. Today, the Capuchin Monastery and Catacombs are open to the public and contain about 8000 corpses and 1252 mummies that line the walls. One of those is Rosalia Lombardo, who tragically died of pneumonia when she was just aged 2 in 1920 – her body is so well-preserved that she looks as though she is still sleeping and will open her eyes at any moment.

Some of the other mummies have been so well preserved that they still have hair and fingernails, which is a very unnerving thing to see! The catacombs are open every day including holidays (apart from Sunday afternoons in from late October to late March) from 9.00 – 13.00 and then again from 15.00 to 18.00. Admission is €3. Officially photography inside the catacombs is not allowed but there have been many documentaries and photographs taken inside the catacombs, and outside you can even buy fridge magnets with photographs of the mummies on them, so whether the Capuchin Monastery restricts photography in order to preserve the mummies, or whether it just wants tourists to have to pay to buy the professional photographs from their gift shop is unclear. If you prefer to take part in private guided tours when you travel then you can always combine a trip to the catacombs with a visit to Monreale.

2. Teatro Massimo

Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy and the third largest opera theatre in the whole of Europe, so it’s definitely one to add to your list if you’re sightseeing in Palermo! Not only were some scenes from The Godfather III filmed inside Teatro Massimo, but Pavarotti himself has even performed here! Unfortunately, the only way that you can see inside Teatro Massimo if you aren’t going to see a show is to book a guided tour – you cannot simply pay an entrance fee and wander around alone. English language tours begin every 50 minutes (or thereabouts), between 9.30 and 18.00. Tickets cost €8 and the tours last for around 30 minutes.

3. Pretoria Fountain

Palermo’s Pretoria Fountain used to be known as the Piazza della Vergogna or ‘Square of Shame’ due in part to the naked statues that surround the magnificent fountain, but also because the statues were seen to represent the corrupt municipality of the Palermo. However, what the figures actually represent are the 12 Olympians, as well as other mythological figures and animals. Whatever it represents, Pretoria Fountain is one of the most impressive things to see in Palermo (and the sight of many a wedding and Instagram photoshoot!).

4. Marvel at Quattro Canti

Quattro Canti is the most famous intersection in Palermo, and chances are you will stumble upon it by mistake when wandering around the capital of Sicily. Each of the four sections represent one of the four seasons, one of the four Spanish Kings of Sicily, and one of the patronesses of Palermo.

5. Amble Down Via Maqueda

Via Maqueda is a fully pedestrianised street and one of the most important streets in Palermo. From fancy restaurants to boutique stores, coffee shops, smoothie joints and more, Via Maqueda is a lovely street to walk down. Buy some gelato or granita and meander slowly down the street, taking in the souvenir stalls and the atmosphere.

6. Palermo Cathedral

Palermo Cathedral is comprised of a mix of architectural styles due to a long history of additions and alterations. Palermo Cathedral is free to enter but the outside of it is actually far more impressive than the interior and it is one of those buildings that will make you stop in your tracks when you see it.

7. Join an Anti-Mafia Tour

If you want to learn more about the history of the Mafia in Sicily, you should take a trip to Corleone with a guide . Here you will learn everything there is to know about this infamous Sicilian village and the Mafia bosses that came from there.

8. San Giovanni degli Eremiti

San Giovanni degli Eremiti is a Benedictine monastery-turned mosque-turned church in the centre of Palermo that was once inhabited by a wolf-taming hermit. Yes, you read that right. A wolf-taming hermit. The hermit monk, Saint William of Montervergine, decided to tame and keep a wolf after it had killed one of his donkeys – umm, yeah. Anyway, the building itself reflects the various architectural styles, and it is possible to enter but there is a fee of €6. It is closed on Sundays.

9. The Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio

Also known as La Martorana, the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio sits on Piazza Bellini (lots of the streets and piazzas in Palermo are named after food and drink – it’s very cute). The most impressive thing about the interior of the church is its gold mosaic decorations, made by Byzantine artists around 1151. Entrance is €2.

10. Cappella Palatina Chapel

Another top tourist attraction in Palermo is the majestic Cappella Palatina Chapel, with its gold mosaics, marble floors and painted wooden ceiling. This chapel is also on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and is part of the architectural complex of the Norman Palace.

Things to Do in Palermo…for Foodies

11. eat all of the food.

I mentioned earlier that Palermo street food is the best in Europe and I wasn’t lying – however, some of Palermo’s more unusual dishes may not be for everyone. Something that Palermo is famous for is offal. That’s right – waste products or the innards of an animal. Perhaps the most famous example of this is the pane ca’ meusa , which is a sandwich comprised of spleen, lung and trachea – oh, and cheese! The pane ca’ meusa may sound unappealing, but trust me when I say that it is delicious. Full of flavour and dripping with grease, the pane ca’ meusa is the perfect hangover food! My favourite place to get pane ca’ meusa is ‘Nni Franco U’Vastiddaru. The service is slow but the food is GOOD.

If you like the sound of the pane ca’ meusa then it may also interest you to know that Palermo street food also includes sheep’s intestines wrapped around spring onion and grilled on a BBQ and fr ittula, which is waste product from calves (ground bone, scrap meat and cartilage) mixed with lard and ladled onto sandwiches . If the innards of a baby cow don’t appeal to you then you’ll be relieved to know that there is a lot more to Palermo cuisine than offal! From arancine (fried rice balls with various fillings) to chick pea fritters, potato croquettes and sweet treats like the legendary Sicilian cannoli (tubes filled with sweet ricotta and sprinkled with pistachio) and ice cream for breakfast, the food in Palermo will keep you coming back for more. I sampled all of these and more on my Palermo street food tour with Streaty (which you can read about here ).

I highly recommend doing a Streaty tour in Palermo because not only will you get to sample all of the best authentic Sicilian food , but you will learn SO much about Palermo as a whole that you wouldn’t find out anywhere else. Restaurants in Palermo are all very reasonably priced, but if you want the true Palermo experience then you will eat like the locals do – on the street.

On almost every corner (and in the markets), you will find street food vendors grilling their specialities, and if you want an authentic Sicilian experience then this is where you should head. If you’re not sure which street food you want to try, head down to La Vucciria market in the evening – you’ll find everything imaginable all concentrated in one piazza.

12. Explore Palermo’s Historic Street Markets

Ballarò market.

Ballarò market is the largest and oldest Palermo market of all. Ballarò is unhygienic, stinky and loud, and if you visit here in the morning, you will find people of every nationality imaginable pushing their way through the crowds to get the best produce from the vendors who are all seeing who can yell the loudest to attract passers-by to their stall. Ballarò market is the most authentic and entertaining of all Palermo’s street markets, but be sure to keep an eye (and hand!) on your valuables as Ballarò is known for pickpockets.

La Vucciria

While Vucciria isn’t the market it once was in terms of an early morning spot to buy every ingredient imaginable for making perfect Sicilian cuisine, now La Vucciria is the place to be once the sun goes down in Palermo. As soon as darkness hits, this dilapidated square comes to life, with street food vendors setting up shop, bars throwing open their doors, trattorias serving steaming bowls of spaghetti to hungry partiers and all of Palermo’s weird and wonderful people congregating together.

The history of the Capo market is an interesting one. Capo dates back to the times when Arabs ruled Palermo, and was the place where pirates and slave merchants would congregate. Today however, Capo has left the past in the past and is a favoured spot for bargain hunters. Here you can find cheap local produce, and all of the chaos that you should have come to expect from Palermo. You can read my in-depth guide to Palermo’s street markets here.

13. Take part in a street food tour

If you don’t know where to start when it comes to sourcing out some of Palermo’s best cuisine, then I highly recommend going on a street food tour. Not only will your tour guide take you to all of the best vendors, ensuring that you get great products, but you will also learn a tonne of the fun facts and information that you wouldn’t ever get if you decided to explore on your own. A great street food tour can be found here!

14. Enjoy an Aperitivo

One of my absolute favourite things to do in Palermo is to unwind with a glass of wine and a platter of yummy goodness. Aperitivo is one of the best things about Italy, and in Palermo you can either go to one of the many bars which have a buffet-style aperitivo, where you pay €5-6 for a drink and can help yourself to any of the food from the buffet that is laid out, or you can go to a fancier bar and pay €10-12 for a drink and be served with a beautiful platter full of Sicilian delights. My favourite buffet aperitivi can be found in Zammu Drink and More and Come Nelle Favole Taverna , and my favourite high-end aperitivi can be found at Vespa Cafe, Palermo Store and Il Siciliano.

Things to Do in Palermo…for Day Trippers

Palermo is a fantastic place to base yourself for day trips. Whether it’s white sand beaches, stunning mountains or charming villages, Palermo is just a stone’s throw away from some must-visit places in Sicily, and if you have time then you should definitely check some of them out! Please note that this list is by no means an exhaustive list of Palermo day trips. These are just the most famous and the ones that are most interesting for tourists.

15. Mondello Beach

The easiest day trip from Palermo and one of the most popular things to do in Palermo in the summer is to visit Mondello beach. Mondello is just a 15 minute car ride (or 40 minute bus ride) away from Palermo and is where all of the young Palermitani head to in the summer months to relax on the beach or rent a boat for the day. Although Mondello beach gets super busy during high season and most of the beach is private (meaning that you have to pay in order to access the beach and use the sun loungers), it’s the closest beach to Palermo and the easiest to access. However, if you are lucky enough to visit Palermo in shoulder season, all of the sun loungers are cleared, giving way to a huge stretch of white sand that truly is bliss.

16. San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo is a bit further away (a 2 hour bus ride from Palermo), but it is a lovely seaside town with stunning white sands and an abundance of cafes selling the regional speciality of couscous, as well as tonnes of gelaterias and small bars. I actually spent a few days in San Vito Lo Capo, but if you’re short on time then it’s definitely doable as a day trip from Palermo. If you do decide to spend the night in San Vito Lo Capo then I highly recommend Timbuktu Hostel . It has a 9.9 rating on Hostelworld and is one of the nicest hostels I’ve stayed in.

Just over an hour away from Palermo (70km) is the stunning coastal town of Cefalù , which boasts both a stunning sandy beach and an old town that could have been lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. Cefalù is one of the most charming places I’ve visited, and if you only take one day trip from Palermo then let it be to Cefalù.

18. Monte Pellegrino

Monte Pellegrino towers over the city of Palermo and is one of the most popular day trips from Palermo. Whether you want to enjoy a picnic in the stunning nature reserve or pay homage to Santa Rosalia in her sanctuary atop the mountain, Monte Pellegrino is one of Sicily’s true gems. Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth going to the top of the mountain just to see the jaw dropping panoramic views over the city of Palermo.

19. Corleone

Corleone is the home of the Corleonesi, one of Italy’s most infamous Mafia gangs. Located just one hour south of Palermo, it is a surprising favourite among tourists, and locals have set up the Mafia and Anti-Mafia Museum of Corleone, a place that preserves history while helping locals move on from the criminal past of the town. Something that I recommend is taking part on an organised Corleone excursion . That way you’ll learn so much more than you would if you did it on your own, plus you don’t have to worry about figuring out Sicily’s terrible public transport system!

20. Agrigento

Agrigento is one of the best places to visit to see the ruins of the Ancient Greek civilisations that one ruled Sicily. The Valley of the Temples is one of the largest archaeological sites in the whole of Italy and if you’re an ancient history buff then this is the place for you!

21. Zingaro Nature Reserve

The Zingaro Nature Reserve, or Riserva Naturale della Zingaro is en route to San Vito Lo Capo and is home to countless unspoilt beaches, hiking trails, caves and tunnels and is a favourite for nature and adventure lovers alike! To find out more about the Zingaro Nature Reserve and plan your trip properly, please see their website.

Things You Should Know Before You Visit Palermo

• The currency in Palermo is the EURO. Not everywhere accepts card payments so it is useful to carry cash with you.
• Palermo is a safe city. You can read more about safety in Sicily here.
• Even if you speak Italian, you may find it difficult to make yourself understood in Palermo. Sicilians have their very own language (complete with a kind of sign language!) that is totally different from the Italian that you may know. A guy I met from Milan could not make himself understood in Palermo!
• Sicilians have heard all of the mafia jokes before and they don’t find them amusing. For people in Sicily, organised crime has been a dangerous and unpleasant reality for a long time and they don’t need dumb tourists like us joking about it. In case you were genuinely curious, organised crime doesn’t pose an issue for tourists at all in Palermo and the city is not the dangerous place it once was.
• Be careful driving if you choose to rent a car in Palermo. Sicilians are crazy drivers and I feared for my life many times while being driven around by locals in Palermo! Even if you’re an experienced driver, be cautious when renting a car in the Sicilian capital – if you do plan to rent a car, you can find one for as little as 3 EUR per day on Discover Cars .
• Some of the cobblestones on the streets are uneven and most of them are very slippery! I found walking in flip-flops almost impossible in Palermo so I suggest opting for pumps or sandals that have some grip.
• If taking the bus, buy your ticket beforehand. Tickets are purchased from tobacco shops. If that sounds weird, it’s because it is.
• Relax! Maybe your tour will begin late, or a restaurant won’t be open at the correct time, or you won’t be given enough change (or you’ll be given too much if that requires less effort for the cashier!). Sicilians are super laid back, and if you expect everything to be organised and on time then you won’t enjoy Palermo very much!
• It is perfectly acceptable to have ice-cream for breakfast! Especially popular in Palermo is dipping a brioche into coffee flavoured granita (shaved ice popular in Sicily).
• Most restaurants only open for dinner between 7:30 and 8:00pm so make sure to factor that in to your dinner plans.
• If you think people are arguing, don’t worry. That’s just how Sicilians talk to each other. And if they are arguing? They’ll be hugging before you know it.

Getting to Palermo

Palermo is just a 3 hour flight from London or Manchester, and there are many direct flights from the UK, as well as daily flights to Palermo from Paris and Brussels. It is also very easy to fly to Palermo from pretty much anywhere on mainland Italy (alternatively, you can fly from mainland Italy to Trapani airport). If you’re coming from mainland Italy, you can reach Palermo by bus. You can get to Palermo from many places in Italy such as Bari , Rome or Naples. My go-to bus travel in Europe is always FlixBus . Flixbus is the most extensive bus network worldwide and all Flix buses have Wi-Fi, extra legroom, charging ports and the ability to modify your booking just 15 minutes before departure!

Palermo is also easily accessible from other cities in Sicily. It is just 1 hour by train from Cefalu, a 2 hour bus ride from San Vito Lo Capo, or around 4 hours by bus or train from Catania . The coach station in Palermo is just behind the main train station, and both can be found in the Old Town district of Palermo.

Where to stay in Palermo – Hostels and hotels in Palermo

Hostels in palermo.

The hostel scene in Palermo is still in its infancy, and so there is not a whole lotta choice when it comes to finding a decent hostel in Palermo. I personally have stayed in two (one of which is no longer in business), and I haven’t heard anything about the other hostels in Palermo (good or bad), so here I am just including the one that I stayed in twice, Balarm Hostel . Now look – Balarm Hostel is not the BEST HOSTEL EVER that you will write home about. With that said, I believe that Balarm Hostel is still the best hostel in Palermo.

The beds are comfy and the security system is really good (with electric combination lockers and key cards for all the rooms, as well as having to use a code or buzzer to get into the building itself). In addition to that, the location is perfect – Balarm Hostel is just a few steps away from the train station and it is on the main street in Palermo, just a few steps from bars, restaurants and markets. It’s also a pretty sociable hostel, and you can drink your own beers there or buy some from the hostel itself. There is also a free breakfast which was nice.

Hotels in Palermo

Budget hotel in palermo.

Hotel Concordia   is in a 19th century building and rooms have wrought iron beds, exposed brick and traditional tiled floors. It is just a 5 minute walk from the train station and close to all of Palermo’s main sights, including Quattro Candi, Palermo Cathedral and La Vucciria market.

Mid-range hotel in Palermo

Located in the heart of Palermo, 60m from Via Maqueda shopping street,  Eurostars Centrale Palace Hotel  is a 4 star hotel that was once the noble 18th-century Palazzo Tarallo, and when you see the interior, you’ll certainly feel like you’re in a palace. With ornate ceilings, stunning tiled floors and chandeliers, you will certainly get the Italian experience here. There’s also a gym and sauna, and the location is perfect, just steps away from the main pedestrian street in town and all the major attractions. At the time of writing, a double room here was just 68 EUR, which is a steal.

Luxury hotel in Palermo

The  Grande Hotel Et Des Palmes   is an absolutely beautiful 5 star hotel in an Art Nouveau building. Palermo Port is a 10 minute walk away and Teatro Massimo is just 5 minutes away. You are slightly further away from the cathedral (1.6km) than the other options, but you are still incredibly central. The word ‘grand’ really doesn’t do this place justice – tradition and luxury are an indulgent combination, and there is also an onsite cocktail bar and high end restaurant.

Best Time to Visit Palermo

The best time to visit Palermo is the shoulder season. This is when the weather is still great, but the beaches are not as crowded as they are in the summer months. With that said, if you’re not too bothered about going to the beach, Palermo in the summer is a lot of fun.

The heat in the centre never feels too oppressive due to the way the Arabs built the city long ago, and while many Italians come to visit Palermo in the summer, you won’t be fighting your way through hordes of Brits and Americans (see my article about the problems related to overtourism here ). In addition to that, the council makes a real effort to clean the streets up in time for summer so the city is cleaner than at other times of the year. Palermo is also somewhere that you can visit during the cooler months. Even in January, Palermo is still around 15 degrees Celsius, so if you’re looking for some winter sun then Palermo is a great bet.

Budgeting for Palermo

Palermo is the most affordable Italian city that I’ve been to. Here are some average prices for Palermo: Hostel beds (in high season and with breakfast) are around €17 ; Restaurant meals are usually less than €10 (with some pasta and risotto dishes being just €5); Street food is €2-3; A large (0.66cl) beer at any of the bars on La Vucciria (party street) is €2; A small beer, glass of wine or shot on La Vucciria is €1; A one way bus ticket is €1.40 or a full day pass is €3.50 So there concludes my monster list of things to do in Palermo! I hope that this information helped you in planning your trip to Palermo, and if I missed anything then please let me know in the comments section below! If you enjoyed this article then please pin it using the buttons below so that other people can find it – thanks! xoxo

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Amazing post. Thanks for sharing your tips and photos. We haven’t been in the Northwest part of Sicily in Palermo or San Vito Lo Capo but for sure next time we will visit these beautiful places of Sicily. We’ve been only in the Southeast Sicily and we’ve brought a lot of great memories to our blog. Maybe you will find some inspirations there? Keep calm and wayamaya https://www.wayamaya.com/search/label/Sicily

I’ll keep it bookmarked for sure as I’m heading back to Sicily soon and I plan to do a lot more exploring while I’m there 🙂

Have you been to Alia, Palermo, Sicily? My great grandparents came over to America in the late 1800’s. I can’t find much out on this town, but would owe love to walk the steps of my ancestors someday.

No I haven’t! Sorry 🙁 I do plan on moving to Palermo as soon as travel is possible again and so I will definitely put Alia on my list – I want to explore as much of Sicily as I can!

This was super helpful, thank you! I booked a spontaneous trip to Palermo and didn’t know anything about it so this was a great read. I’m a little nervous about not knowing Italian or Sicilian, but hopefully I can get by somehow 😅

Our little group of OAPs loved Palermo it has a great vibe. Your recommendations were very helpful and spot on. It is an amazing city with the friendliest people ever! They love to practice their English which was very good xx

This was super helpful, thank you! I’m going to Palermo next month and will be living there for 4 weeks. It was a spontaneous decision, and I didn’t know anything about Sicily. Wish me luck with the language barrier! 😅

Haha, good luck! I’m sure you’ll be absolutely fine!

• Pingback: One week in Southern Italy! Follow in our footsteps with this guide.

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Home » Europe » Italy » 17 Fun Things to Do in Palermo, Italy, to See the Best of the Sicilian Capital

17 Fun Things to Do in Palermo, Italy, to See the Best of the Sicilian Capital

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: November 23, 2023

We expected Palermo, Italy, to be gritty, rough-around-the-edges, largely without charm or intrigue. Decades of stories about the economic situation in southern Italy and the considerable Mafia power didn’t give us high hopes, but we also didn’t feel like we could skip the capital city on our trip through Sicily. Still, we wondered about what things to do in Palermo and whether we would like it at all.

What we found was a city with blemishes, but what city doesn’t have those?

In Palermo, we also found a city that’s a mix of fascinating influences thanks to its location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean (and its many occupiers) and a city with amazing food, friendly people, and a cultural and religious history stretching back for millennia. It’s safe to say that it was much more than a pleasant surprise. If you’re wondering what to do in Palermo like we were, here’s a look at some of the fun spots and experiences we uncovered.

Visit Palermo Cathedral

Shop at the local markets, ballaro’, take a city tour, try palermo street food, see martorana and church of san cataldo, explore quattro canti, see street art, marvel at palatine chapel, sample gelato with brioche, visit st. john of the hermits, see the praetorian fountain, tour teatro massimo, go underground at capuchin monastery catacombs, visit mondello beach, walk through porta nuova, see the cathedral of monreale, wander the streets of cefalu.

Palermo is a city full of grand churches, but none is grander than the Palermo Cathedral . Originally constructed in 1185, the Cathedral has been added to, restored, and renovated over the years in line with the style of the times and the aesthetics of those in charge. Hundreds of years of changes make its style unique–from Moorish to Catalan Gothic and lots in between.

Inside the cathedral are several royal tombs, including that of Roger II, founder of the Kingdom of Italy. The treasury houses a collection of jewels and religious relics, most notably a gem-encrusted crown from the 13th century.

Because of its architecture marrying Western, Byzantine, and Islamic influences, the Palermo Cathedral has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with cathedrals in Cefalu and Monreale, the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Palatine Chapel, and others.

There’s just something about markets. The energy is infectious, the smells are mouthwatering, and the colors are delightful. Plus, visiting a market shows you an authentic slice of life. We love them, which is why they’re almost always on the top of our list from Bologna to the streets of Trastevere in Rome.

The three main markets in Palermo are Ballaro’, Capo, and Vucciria—each within about 15 minutes’ walk of the others in the city center.

The most famous food market in the city, Ballaro welcomes thousands of locals and tourists every day. The vendors communicate with each other in a sing-song way that reverberates throughout the market and makes for a unique experience.

Full of spices, fresh produce and meats, and lots of Sicilian street food, a visit to Ballaro is one of the top things to do in Palermo. Choose this one if you only have time to visit one market on your trip.

The unique thing about the Capo market is the number of cooks. You’ll find a wide selection of interesting produce, and there are also lots of people just waiting to help you try more street food or to cook up the seafood or meat purchase you made a few stalls down. It’s a great place to sample.

A bit calmer than Ballaro, La Vucciria market spreads through the side streets around the Piazza San Domenico. There are lots of tented produce stalls with the requisite selection of fruit and vegetables, though the group of eager vendors is noticeably smaller. You’ll also find lots of flea market-type merchandise here, if you’re looking for Sicilian treasures.

Tours are a great way to orient yourself in a new city and to see a lot of things in a short period of time. Especially if it’s your first day visiting, a tour can be ideal because you get insights straight from a local.

A food tour is always our number one choice when visiting a city. This walking tour pairs seeing the Palermo sites with trying street food. As an alternative, this bike tour lets you see the city in a unique way and also includes sampling local specialties.

If you’d rather stick to sightseeing, check out the hop-on/hop-off bus or explore the city in a vintage Fiat 500 .

There are few better ways to experience a city than by trying its food. On a visit to Palermo, street food is the way to go.

The area in and around the city’s three markets teems with vendors at kiosks and carts peddling some of the tastiest items around. Don’t be dissuaded that some of the spots might seem a little unrefined—generations of Sicilians swear by the places.

When it comes to street food, the greasier the better. You can try out panelle (fritters with chickpea flour), potato croquettes known as crocche , or fried rice balls called aracine . Our favorite was sfincione , a thick Sicilian bread, topped with tomatoes, onions, and a bit of oregano. If you’re feeling much more adventurous than we were, try out the Sicilian street food known as Pani ca’ Meusa , or, a spleen sandwich.

Overlooking Piazza Bellini are two churches next door to each other that couldn’t be more different.

On one side is the church called La Martorana (aka Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio). This work of art, built in the 1100s, is a mixture of styles because of different influences and changing tastes over the centuries. It’s hard to decide which features are most attention-grabbing—the Baroque façade, the Romanesque bell tower, or the Byzantine dome.

My vote for its most remarkable feature goes to the interior. A series of 12th-century mosaics with gold and bright blue line the vaults and columns in the most dramatic way, leading to the carved marble altar. The beauty is well-known across Sicily—there was hardly a moment during our visit when it wasn’t occupied by a wedding or other special function.

Next door, the Church of San Cataldo stands in stark comparison. Also built around 1160, this church is smaller and simpler. It once took a turn as the local post office, which may help explain its lack of decoration. Designed in the Arab-Norman style and topped with three red domes, its walls are naked but the floor is a beautiful mosaic.

Wandering through the city streets , we came upon Quattro Canti by accident. We were in a hurry on our way to another attraction, but I was so astonished by the fountains and sculptures rising around us that I made Lance stop and stare for a few minutes.

The Baroque open square, properly known as Piazza Vigliena, dates from the early 1600s and is located at the intersection of two major streets in the heart of the city. At each of the four corners of Quattro Canti, a four-story façade is adorned with fountains celebrating the seasons, and the four Spanish kings of Sicily and female patron saints of Palermo gaze out watchfully from niches in the walls.

It is a brief but worthwhile stop that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the Renaissance.

Street art is truly an art form in Palermo. No longer perceived as vandalism or a purely political act, street art is not only accepted but is encouraged in parts of the city.

Business owners and the government alike have seen how the addition of street murals can change a previously run-down or abandoned area into an open-air gallery. There are now nearly 300 works of street art in the city, so they’re not hard to find in the city center. We encountered many works around the Capo and Vucciria markets, and this map can help you find more .

Even at nearly 900 years old, the Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina) hasn’t lost its shine. Located at the Palace of the Normans (Pallazzo dei Normanni), it is one of the best surviving Byzantine works of art and architecture in Europe.

The Chapel, which was built in 1140, is covered in brightly-colored mosaics accented with gold leaf and inlaid with precious stones. In addition to the mosaics depicting Jesus and tales of the Old Testament, the walls and floor are inlaid with marble in patterns that have a clear Islamic influence. From floor to ceiling, there is something remarkable in just about every square inch of the room. It’s definitely one of the prettiest things to see in Palermo.

Gelato is undoubtedly one of the best treats on the Italian mainland, and that doesn’t change when you visit Palermo. One unusual distinction, though, is how the Sicilians eat their gelato. Of course, you can find it in a cone or cup like anywhere else, but the preferred way is eating gelato in a brioche. Initially, it didn’t sound that delicious. But then we tried it, and we were completely converted.

Make sure you choose your gelateria wisely. Look for natural (not crazy colors) as a sign of quality—a place with a sign that says “ gelato artigianale ” (artisan gelato) is usually a good bet.

With its distinctive red domes, St. John of the Hermits (San Giovanni degli Eremiti) is certainly attention-getting. The small church dates back to the 6th century and, like many other spots in town, has been both a church and a mosque.

Also like other sites of its considerable age, the building has been changed and influenced by many architectural styles and cultures, earning it a place among the UNESCO-recognized churches of northern Sicily. The courtyard is really the highlight here—with its arches, the remains of an Arab well, and abundant plants, it almost feels like a secret garden.

The gorgeous Pretorian Fountain (Fontana Pretoria) dominates the Piazza Pretoria in the heart of Palermo. Amazingly, the hulking creation was made in Florence and transported to this spot in 1574. The highly decorated statues depict ancient Greek gods including Zeus, Poseidon, and Apollo alongside nymphs, animals, and other mythological figures.

The largest opera house in Italy, Teatro Massimo is the pride of the city. Our B&B host couldn’t stop gushing about its beauty and the quality of the performances here.

The theater was intended to impress visitors at every opportunity, beginning with its physical appearance. The architecture includes elements of the Greek temples at Selinunte and Agrigento, and even just climbing the steep steps outside, you know you’re visiting somewhere special.

The Teatro Massimo has regular concerts and opera and ballet performances. If you don’t have time to fit one in, consider taking one of the half-hour tours that run from 9:30-5:30 every day.

One of the top things to do in Palermo is also one of the most macabre—a visit to the Capuchin Catacombs. For over 400 years, the catacombs have been the final resting place for monks, celebrities, and wealthy laypeople. But unlike at many catacombs, you won’t just see bones.

At the Capuchin Catacombs , over 8000 full, mummified bodies are on display on shelves and hanging from the walls. It’s definitely an unusual attraction, reflecting the monks’ belief in the temporary nature of life followed by salvation in Heaven. Note that the catacombs are closed for two hours in the afternoon and have limited hours on Sunday.

Just 15 minutes north of the city, you’ll find Mondello Beach, which makes an ideal place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean on a warm day. The seaside resort is easy to reach by bus, so it can get crowded, but it’s worth it.

Right by the Palace of the Normans is the Porta Nuova. The monumental city gate is the entrance of the Cassaro, the most ancient street in the city.

First built in 1583, the Porta Nuova is hard to miss because it’s in the center of the tourist zone. Stop for a minute to admire the carvings as you walk through.

The top Palermo sightseeing spot is actually just a bit outside the city. Sitting on a hill just 9 miles from the city is Monreale, the home of the amazing 12th-century Cathedral of Monreale . The massive mosaics inside are similar to those at the Palatine Chapel only much, much larger.

The Arab-Norman Cathedral of Monreale has 130 mosaic scenes, 200 carved columns, and the imposing 65-foot-tall mosaic of Christ Pantocrator over the altar. Much of the mosaic work is covered in gold—experts estimate as much as 5000 pounds of it.

Even if you’re not usually impressed by churches, this one is worth a stop. Coming here is one of the top things to do in Sicily . After your visit, wander the streets and grab a coffee or one of the many fresh juices at stands and cafes around town. The bus ride is only about 35 minutes.

Palermo was just one stop on our Sicily trip. Read more about the other cool cities here.

An easy 50-minute train ride from Palermo will deposit you in the gorgeous city of Cefalu. Visit the beach, grab lunch by the sea, or wander the winding streets. Cefalu Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a must-visit. It’s almost as interesting from the outside as it is inside. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, climb the hill for panoramic views.

Where to Stay Palazzo Pantaleo: This charming guesthouse has free private parking and excellent breakfast ( Read reviews and book a room ) Massimo Plaza Hotel: This highly-rated hotel is located just across from Teatro Massimo, and some rooms offer balconies with a theater view( Read reviews and book a room ).

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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barbara jones

Monday 20th of May 2019

Thank you. This brought back fond memories of a brief but glorious trip to Palermo with friends a few years ago. It is as you describe, an intriguing and beautiful city, somewhat decayed but vibrant and surprising. It had still not been gentrified or spruced up and was a little bit crazy, especially the traffic. The best food I ever ate may have been in Palermo - stuffed swordfish at a restaurant which tumbled from the pavement into the actual road. Not to mention the liqueur which was offered to us at the end of the meal. A magical place.

Wednesday 15th of May 2019

Since 2018 city centre is fully pedestranized (big area of ca. 10 square km). Recently busy streets are converted in outdoor restaruants and bar. Palermo became dream place!

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Palermo city guide: Best things to do and where to stay in the energetic, charming capital of Sicily

Palermo has long been coveted by empires from two continents, and brandishes its history with pride – but as jo fernandez discovers, beyond its past there remain fantastic things to see, do and eat in italy’s diverse mediterranean city, article bookmarked.

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P alermo is quite possibly the most underrated city in Italy. It’s not for the fainthearted, but it’s sure got swagger. Sexy, scruffy and slightly addictive, Palermo rewards the traveller who takes the time to get to know it. Slender side streets emerge into crumbling squares lined with palazzi, and terracotta-toned landmark buildings embellish Palermo’s low-rise skyline.

Cultures from the Middle East, Europe and Africa have influenced everything, from food to architecture to dialect. One glance reveals the architectural layers of who came and conquered: Phoenicians, Normans, Turks, Egyptians, Arabs and Spaniards. All of life is here in Italy’s most ethnically diverse city. Here’s how to best experience it.

Best things to do

Computer culture.

You don’t have to be a nerd to find MEC (Meet, Eat, Connect) a fascinating way to pass an hour or two. Housed in the 16th-century Palazzo Castrone, across from the Arab-Norman cathedral, this museum-restaurant concept fuses tech and fine food. Architect Giuseppe Forello has one of the largest Apple collections in Europe, a fraction of which appears in this exhibition tracing the firm’s history, with a range of original Macs, iMacs and iPads – along with Steve Jobs’s trainers, jeans and watch. Every evening except Sunday, chef Carmelo Trentacosti (formerly at Rocco Forte’s sumptuous Villa Igiea hotel) dishes up an avant-garde tasting menu celebrating Sicilian flavours, which recently won him a well-earned Michelin star.

Read more on Italy travel :

• Ultimate Italy travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go
• Forget Naples – why pizza-lovers should stay at its under-the-radar neighbour
• What it’s really like to buy a house through Italy’s ‘one euro’ homes scheme

Food for thought

Culinary Backstreets ’ food-based walking tours are the best way to get an authentic taste of a place, load up on the famous (and lesser-known) dishes and learn fascinating facts as you go. “Savouring Palermo: In the Markets and Beyond” is their latest tour (£107 for adults); plugged-in local guides take you to places only a local would know about for mozzarella and anchovy-stuffed panzerotti rolls and panelle, deep-fried chickpea flour fritters, a fine example of early Arabic influence. Keep your belt loose for sfincione , thick pizza-meets-focaccia flavoured with sweet onion, oregano and various cheeses, from creamy ricotta to salty caciocavallo . There’s also a strong cultural element, with stops at a puppet workshop, creating handmade dolls from wood and metal for the daily shows, and a fifth-generation carob sweet factory.

Migrants past and present are celebrated in multicultural murals around the city. In La Kalsa historic Arab quarter, one of the oldest areas in the city, housing blocks feature an homage to Federico II, known for his inclusion, and the face of a beautiful black woman, her head covered and a golden halo-like design glowing behind.

Near Ballaro market, in the Albergheria district, a tiny hummingbird lifts the impossible, picking up an enormous rock with its wings. Nearby, the towering mural of brown-skinned Saint Benedict the Moor guards the residential square and football pitch.

Best time to visit

Although Palermo is a year-round destination, late spring and early autumn are peak seasons as the Mediterranean heat, ramped up by the sirocco wind, is less intense. Low season – from November to April – brings reduced hotel rates and fewer crowds.

Where to stay

B&b sant agostino.

On a narrow side street near the opera-hosting Teatro Massimo, this art-filled B&B is close to culture. B&B Sant Agostino, at the top of a 19th-century palazzo, is a charming series of rooms and suites, all different: some with four-poster beds, beams and rooftop views framed by tiny windows, some with two levels, lounges and sofa beds. All have access to pretty, plant-filled terraces and the fresco-ceilinged room where homemade breakfast is served each morning. santagostinobb.it

Rooms available from {{#price}} {{price}} per night {{/price}} {{^price}} Check availability for dates and prices {{/price}}

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Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing, grand hotel et des palmes.

Top marks to the history-filled Grand Hotel et des Palmes on a stellar renovation of this Art Nouveau mansion, once home to the Ingham-Whitakers wine sellers (also where Wagner composed his final opera). The sensitive reviving – and blending – of original features with a fresh, modern design creates a glamorous spot on the busy Via Roma. Hand-painted wallpapers and gilt-edged mirrors mix with burgundy velvet sofas and honey-hued oak flooring. Start each day in the glass-roofed Winter Garden, dining on Sicilian specialities such as cannoli (cream-filled pastry horns). grandhotel-et-des-palmes.com

Villa Igiea

This Belle Époque palazzo-turned-Rocco Forte resort on the Bay of Palermo is a calming contrast to the city buzz. You’ll find fanciful turrets, terraced gardens fragrant with orange, lemon and olive trees, a curved pool and suites dressed up by Olga Polizzi with sea-facing terracotta-tiled terraces. Original frescoes, antique doors and handmade tiles are as impressive as the Sicilian menus laced with local ingredients; that, plus the smiley service and perfumed public spaces. roccofortehotels.com

Where to eat

Sicilians love their ice cream so much they eat it for breakfast, adding scoops of the sweet stuff to a round brioche bun. It’s not hard to find a kiosk peddling gorgeously creamy jasmine or cinnamon gelato, but if you’re by the harbour, try Gelateria Rorò in Piazza Marina, which also offers vegan flavours.

Near the other side of the port and opened in 1951, Piccolo Napoli is a neighbourhood trattoria with white tablecloths and walls hung with black and white family photos (including the current generation of owners). The slightly unloved terrace is made up for by simple Sicilian dishes, from warm sesame-coated bread dusted with oregano to fresh tuna steaks, spaghetti nero di seppia (squid ink) and that sweet and salty combination of aubergine, basil, celery, capers and tomato that make up the classic caponata.

Spleen sandwich anyone? Nni Franco U Vastiddaru, on the corner of Via Vittorio Emanuele and the ficus-shaded Piazza Marina, is full of locals tucking into the aforementioned boiled cows’ innards with lemon and salt or ricotta and caciocavallo cheese. If not, order arancini, deep-fried risotto rice balls filled with a tasty mix of ragu, green peas and mozzarella.

The rose-filled gardens of the Santa Caterina convent are the perfect place for experiencing heaven-sent Sicilian sweet treats such as cassata (sweetened ricotta sponge cake). The I Segreti del Chiostro pasticceria uses once-secret recipes that helped the cloistered Dominican nuns who lived in the apartments overlooking the courtyard generate an income.

Where to drink

The barman at Deca Bistro mixes colourful cocktails with speed and flair among the whitewashed walls and industrial-style seating. On balmy nights, sit on the terrace that eats up a large portion of Piazza Giovanni Meli. Sip a cooling, colourful spritz beside the colossal Baroque San Domenico church, where namesake poet Giovanni Meli is buried.

Sciampagna is a fancy cake shop on Via Riccardo Wagner, with a photogenic array of fruit-and-macaron-topped celebration cakes downstairs and marble, white and Barbie pink decor in the upstairs cafe. Sip a bitter espresso to soften the sweetness of their torta setteveli , a rich glossy affair layering chocolate and hazelnut, usually eaten for birthdays.

Circi is a kiosk-meets-cafe by Piazza Beati Paoli with a smattering of chairs and tables where you can rest street-weary feet with a classic Palermitan acqua e zammù (water and star anise spirit). It’s served as a digestivo or refreshing drink, which turns cloudy if stirred.

Where to shop

Palermo’s markets are full of life. Vucciria is the most famous and popular with tourists – at night it’s like a street party. Ballarò, the biggest and most alluring, it’s where Palermitans shop. Capo, which extends through the labyrinth of streets in the Albergheria and Capo neighbourhood, is big on fresh fish. All are noisy, set to a soundtrack of shouty sellers imploring you to buy their Nocellara olives, pistachios or squeezed-to-order juices; radios blare, people sing, a man stands peeling prawns to an audience of filming iPhones, and the air is heady with everything from fresh fish to sweet, dried oregano.

Citrus trees brought to Sicily by the North African Muslims in the 11th century thrive in the fertile volcanic soil. The Bay of Palermo was once called the Conca d’Oro (Shell of Gold) for the bright hue and wealth created by Sicilian lemons, which supply the majority of Italy. On Via Vittorio Emanuele, Cassaro Bottega Alimentare is a little lemon-focused store with lemon-shaped and scented soaps, pasta and limoncello. A few tables in the back patio offer a sweet spot for an aperitivo.

Getting around

The condensed and compact city is easy to explore on foot, with car-free streets and skinny alleys you can’t get down any other way (mind the scooters). AMAT buses run all over the city, with €3.50 (£3) tickets valid all day.

Architectural highlight

On paper, it’s a hot mess, with multiple layers of crenellations, porticos and geometric patterns reflecting different builders who’ve meddled over the centuries, but the Cattedrale di Palermo (Palermo Cathedral), a Unesco World Heritage Site, is a charmer. The mix of Romanesque, Norman, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical presiding over the far end of the Via Vittorio Emanuele, is impressive by any standard, and the tourist-topped roof terrace one of the best viewpoints in the city.

What currency do I need?

What language do they speak.

Italian and the Palermitano dialect of the Sicilian language.

Should I tip?

Tipping isn’t expected but in restaurants leave €5-€20 (£4-£17) if you want to show appreciation; if your tour guide impressed you, give €10-€50 (£8.50-£43).

What’s the time difference?

What’s the average flight time from the uk.

Two hours and 50 minutes.

What’s the best view?

Standing in the middle of Quattro Canti (Four Corners) puts you in the beating heart of the old city and reflects its long-gone opulence. Four roads meet at this mesmerisingly ornate Baroque square, ringed by four lofty palaces jutting skywards, their curved facades adorned with statues of saints and sovereigns.

Insider tip?

The biggest and most important celebration of the year is the July feast of Saint Rosalia, a patron saint said to have saved the city from plague. Packed processions and amazing food culminates in the parade of Saint Rosalia’s chariot through the streets.

Getting there

Trying to fly less.

Catch the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, then a train from Gare de Lyon towards Milan, Naples and eventually Palermo Centrale (via the ferry from Villa San Giovanni, which the train rolls on to). You can also take a ferry to Palermo from the port in Naples.

Fine with flying?

British Airways , Ryanair and easyJet all fly direct from the UK.

If you like a little hand holding when you travel, Kirker Holidays’ wrap-around trips include flights, hotel, private transfers, what-to-do notes and a concierge for bookings in the destination, from opera tickets to local guides (three nights from £896pp B&B; kirkerholidays.com ).

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A complete guide to Palermo, Sicily

Updated On 8th March, 2024

Palermo, the capital of Sicily and the 5th biggest city in Italy, is well worth exploring for a weekend. If that’s your plan, this is the Italy travel guide for you! It’s a bit more chaotic and ‘rough and ready’ than  Rome  is, but that doesn’t make it any less worth visiting.

Boasting over 100 churches and 12 UNESCO sites (across the Palermo province), it’s easy to see why Palermo was awarded the ‘Capital of Culture’ award in 2018. There are so many things to do and see in Palermo, including watching a show at the third largest opera theatre in Europe and try street food such as arancine, panelle and cannoli and the four oldest street markets in Italy. This guide is going to give you all my top tips for your Sicilian adventure and tell you all the best things to do in the city of Palermo.

A complete guide to visiting Palermo, Sicily…

How do you get to Palermo?

The easiest way to get there is by plane. Palermo Falcone Borcellino Airport (PMO) is the biggest in Sicily. Alternatively, fly into Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) on the other side of the island, and get the train across.  Check train routes to Palermo here.

From the airport, there are a few ways you can get to Palermo city centre:

• Shuttle bus from €6.00 (if you book online in advance) (45-55 minutes).  Book your airport shuttle here.  
• Train: The Trinacria Express runs between the airport and Stazione Centrale every hour.  Check train routes to Palermo city centre here.
• If you’d prefer to get a taxi from the airport, with the meter on, it should be around €35.

If you’re on mainland Italy already, there are several boat routes across to Sicily.  Check ferry routes to Palermo here.

Top tip: Check out the flight deals on  Skyscanner here.

Check out  how to pack a weekend away in a carry-on suitcase here!

Where’s the best place to stay in Palermo?

Palermo is a completely walkable city, so it doesn’t make a huge difference where you stay. I’ve always stayed in the centre, near the Quattro Canti or Teatro Massimo, and AirBnb prices have always been reasonable, even with the fantastic location! Vucciria is one of the big bar areas, so consider how close or far you want to stay from the hustle and bustle when looking at accommodation.

I’ve not stayed in a hostel in Palermo, but I’ve heard good things about  Balarm  hostel and  A casa di amici  hostel.

Top tip: Get  £25 off your first AirBnb stay here.

Check out hotel and hostel options on  booking.com here.

What’s the best way to get around Palermo?

Palermo is a completely walkable city if you love exploring on foot! It’s also a great place to rent a bike and cycle around.

There’s also the public transport: the AMAT bus and tram network. You can pick up 90-minute tickets for €1.40 at AMAT kiosks and  tabaccherie  (tobacconists), or you can buy tickets on the bus, valid only for that bus ride, for €1.80. Don’t forget to validate your ticket on the bus/tram, or you could get a fine!

Exploring a city on foot or by bike is a great way to keep fit when travelling. Here are more ways to  keep fit when you’re travelling!

If you want to save some money, see all my  top tips for travelling on a budget in this blog post.

The best places to eat in Palermo…

• NonnAngé

Great for a instagrammable, relatively healthy brunch or lunch. The cakes looked really good too!

If the pizza, pasta and fried food has all got a bit much, try a freshly squeezed juice or salad from SpremiAmO.

A tea house in the city centre (perfect if you need a dose of matcha!) that also offers an extensive brunch, lunch and dinner menu.

With a wonderfully Palermitan take on tapas, this is one of my favourite restaurants in Palermo. The food is amazing, as are the cocktails!  See the menu and book your table here.

This is where I ate the best arancina of my life, no joke. They have a huge variety of flavours on offer, including seasonal ones!

• Bar Touring

I haven’t had the arancina here (yet), but it’s supposed to be  really  good. Try the classic ragù filling in the arancina bomba, the biggest arancina in the area!

• Panificio Pollicino

This is the place to go if you want to try a traditional, Sicilian pizza.

• Osteria Nonna Dora

Book this one in advance (call the number on  the website ) as it gets busy. I had the most incredible prawn and pesto pasta here. It was perfectly cooked with delicately balanced flavours, and it was also the biggest portion of pasta I’ve ever had in my life! I’ll definitely be coming back on my next trip to Palermo.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this community kitchen offers a variety of international food, representing the melting pot of culture that is Palermo. My personal favourite on the menu is the Afghani curry. Moltivolti also offers a co-working space if you need to hit the laptop for a couple of hours!

• Seven restaurant rooftop garden at Hotel Ambasciatori

We had cocktails on the rooftop terrace here. Not the cheapest place in Palermo, but the views were amazing! We just missed sunset, but I bet it’s beautiful. We only had drinks, but the menu looked incredible!  See the menu and book your table here. 

Places to drink in Palermo…

As well as Locale and Seven for cocktails (see above), the best areas for nightlife in Palermo are Vucciria, Piazza Sant’Anna, Champagneria and Piazza Rivoluzione. I haven’t been out that much in Palermo, but bars that I’ve heard good things about include:

• Cavù
• Luppolo l’Ottavo Nano (craft beer)

See my  21 cheap places to visit in Europe here

See my  22 top tips for travelling in Europe here.

The best things to do in Palermo…

1. marvel at i quattro canti.

The ‘four corners’ are a central point in Palermo, making a crossroads between two of the city’s busiest streets, Via Maqueda & Via Vittorio Emanuele. More officially known as Piazza Vigliena, the baroque structures were built in 1608, featuring four kings, four seasons, four fountains, four palaces, four saints, the meeting point of four neighbourhoods, and more.

2. Visit the famous Cattedrale di Palermo.

One of eight buildings in Palermo on the UNESCO world heritage list, this building is beautiful inside and out. The main part of the church is free to visit, but if you want to go down into the crypt or up onto the roof, you need to pay. It’s €8 for a ticket that includes the tombs, treasury, crypts and terraces, but you can also get cheaper tickets to see each thing individually if you don’t want to see them all.

3. Take a local cooking lesson.

I love visiting places and taking cooking lessons to spend some time with locals and taste some of the local cuisine! From pasta to pizza to Sicilian desserts, take your pick and ready, steady cook!  Check out cooking classes on AirBnb experiences here.

4. Watch a show at the largest opera house in Italy, Teatro Massimo.

You can also take a tour around the theatre.  For show tickets and information about the tour, check out the website here.

See my  hidden gems you must visit when planning European adventure here.

Top tip: Get more  sustainability tips for travelling in Europe in this blog post !

5. Try tandem paragliding at one of the surrounding beaches.

You can get the adrenaline thrill of a lifetime at several points just outside the city centre.  For fly points and prices, check out the ‘ Parapendio in tandem’ website here.

6. Try a local aperitivo.

Relax with a beer, glass of wine, or spritz, and enjoy some snacks as the sun goes down.

7. Be amazed at all the Arab-Norman-Byzantine style architecture, including the Normal Palace, the Palatine Chapel and San Giovanni degli Eremiti.

More palaces to look at in Sicily include Gangi, Chiaramonte, Mirto and Zisa.

8. Visit the ‘fountain of shame’, Fontana Pretoria.

Thought to be shameful because of the naked statues surrounding it, these stunning statues represent Greek and Roman mythology and add wonder to this beautiful fountain. Get there early if you want a photo without tourists!

9. View the largest collection of mummies in the world at the Capuchin Abbey & catacombs.

The living meet the dead at this macabre attraction.   Get more information on the website here.

10. Try the street food at the markets.

There are four famous street markets in Palermo: Capo, Ballaro, Vucciria and Borgo Vecchio. They’re all famous for the street food, but you can find an array of things here! Things to try include:

• arancina (fried stuffed rice balls)
• panelle (chickpea fritters – either in a sandwich, with croccè (potato croquettes), or alone!)
• stigghiola (lamb intestine)
• sfincione (somewhere between a pizza and topped bread)
• cuoppo fritto misto (fried mixed fish in a cone)
• pani ca meusa (bread with spleen!)
• frittula (best tried before you ask too many questions – meat and various other organs/insides fried together!)

11. Save room for dessert!

After you’ve filled up on street food, make sure you have room for some Sicilian desserts! Famous desserts in Palermo include:

• cannoli (see below – a fried pastry tube filled with a creamy, ricotta mix. You can also get chocolate, hazelnut and pistachio flavoured ones!)
• granita (kind of like a slush puppy, but a million times better as it’s made with fresh fruit!)
• gelato or sorbetto (get a brioche con gelato for an ice cream sandwich if you have room!)
• cassata (sponge soaked in liqueur, layered with ricotta and jam, decorated with marzipan and candied fruit)
• biscotti di mandorla (soft almond biscuits)
• frutta di martorana (marzipan shaped like fruit and vegetables)

Top tip: If you can, do a street food/culinary walking tour! Not only will you get to see the city, but you’ll have a happy tummy too!  Check out street food tours on AirBnb experiences here.

12. Take in the art on the gold mosaics in La Martorana, church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio.

The mosaics are best seen in the morning, when the sun shines on them. I’ve heard you can buy handmade frutta di martorana in the foyer, too!

13. Watch a traditional puppet show at the Cuticchio theatre.

Puppet theatre is a huge Sicilian tradition.  Check the schedule at the pupper theatre here.

14. Hike Monte Pellegrino.

Take in the nature reserve as you ascend this hill just outside of Palermo, and then marvel at the views across the island once you get to the top. There are also Santa Rosalia Chapel and Castello Utveggio to look at while you’re there, as you catch your breath before you come back down!

See my  beginner’s guide to hiking here.

15. Take in some of the green space in the heart of Palermo.

The  botanical gardens  are both a safe haven for those of you trying to escape city life for a couple of hours, and a research facility for the university. Top tip: Next door to the botanical gardens is Villa Giulia, and you can enjoy part of the gardens for free if you go round the back!

Within the city there is also Foro Italico, a grassy area on the seafront, and Giardino Garibaldi, a city part with eye-catching exotic trees.

16. Kick back and relax on Mondello Beach.

One of Sicily’s best beaches lies just outside Palermo (30 minutes on the 806 bus). You’ll need a break after exploring the city!

17. Enjoy a night out!

Palermo has a great nightlife, so whether you want to enjoy the crowded Vucciria market or enjoy a drink in other areas popular with locals such as Piazza Sant’Anna, Champagneria or Piazza Rivoluzione. Palermo is no Ibiza, but it offers a rough and ready nightlife that everyone can appreciate!

18. Take a day trip to Monreale.

There’s an old Sicilian proverb that is translated something like this, ‘Whoever visits Palermo without visiting Monreale arrives a donkey and leaves an ass. This commune within the metropolitan area of Palermo is home to a UNESCO world heritage cathedral, as well as stunning views of Palermo and the Aeolian islands. The backstreets are full of little shops that sell the most beautiful jewellery and souvenirs. There are regular buses from the city centre to Monreale, so make sure you visit.

See all the  best things to do in Sicily here.

See my complete  guide to exploring Rome here.

EXPLORE ITALY ON MY BLOG HERE

Have you been to Palermo?

What were your favourite things to do in Sicily? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring,

Did you find this post helpful? I’d love you to share it for me.

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23 Fabulous Things to Do in Palermo, Italy, Sicily’s Sizzling Capital

Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

There are so many cool things to do in Palermo Italy! Palermo is the largest city in the autonomous region of Sicily, with a population of about 650,000. It sits in the sunshine, surrounded by beaches and nestled in by tall cliffs.

And what a city it is. Palermo is filled with loud and passionate people, gorgeous and unusual religious architecture, some questionable driving, and absolutely fantastic (and often unusual) food.

I recently spent a week in Palermo — much longer than most visitors spend here. And let me tell you, this time was very well spent! I would even say Palermo is one of the best places to visit in Sicily .

There are many misconceptions about Palermo — especially concerning safety. Despite the fact that travelers often associate Palermo with mafia dangers, Palermo is a safe city to visit, about as safe as any major European city. (You can read more on Palermo safety below.)

I also expected Palermo to be just as brash and loud as Naples — but it wasn’t that way at all. Palermo actually felt fairly low-key as far as Italian cities go — not nearly as wild as Naples or Rome. Go figure!

Palermo is also extremely good value for money. I live in Prague, which has a reputation of a cheap city (though it’s gotten much pricier in recent years). Palermo is significantly cheaper than Prague, especially when it comes to food and accommodation. Big arancine for a euro? That’s lunch!

Palermo may not be as famous as Florence or Rome — but this underrated city is well worth a visit.

This post was published in February 2023.

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Palermo Italy

You’ll notice on my list of things to do in Palermo has a lot of churches and a lot of food. Honestly, that’s what Palermo does best!

The Arab-Norman architecture has earned UNESCO World Heritage Designation for a number of churches in the city — all worth visiting.

And the food! From hearty pastas and wild street foods to delectable pastries, Palermo is one of the most delicious cities I’ve ever visited.

Easily, the best things to do with Palermo are to take a food tour with Streaty , take in the golden Palatine Chapel , and explore the street markets .

Kids visiting Palermo will love all the pastry shops and playing in the sand at Mondello Beach .

My top recommendations for day trips from Palermo are the beach town of Cefalù , the romantic hill town of Erice , and the Greek ruins of Segesta .

Palermo is much safer than people often think — it’s about as safe as any major European city. You don’t need to worry about the mafia here.

Go on a Palermo Street Food Tour with Streaty

If there’s anything you should do on your FIRST day in Palermo, it’s go on a food tour. While I recommend doing that everywhere, it’s especially important to do so in Sicily and ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY so in Palermo because there are so many unique foods here that you won’t know to order!

Streaty is a Sicilian-owned company that offers a few different food tours in Palermo. On these tours you’ll have a fun, friendly guide introducing you to some of the better-known Sicilian specialties (like cannoli and pasta con le sarde) and some more wild stuff (insalata musso and donkey mortadella!).

I went on the Classic Sicilian Food & Wine Tour and had SUCH a good time! This tour is generous with both the food and wine (OMG so much wine) and you visit a lot of cool restaurants and get to sit down, which doesn’t always happen on a walking tour.

After this tour, you’ll have several restaurants and spots you’ll want to visit again!

Palermo Markets

Visiting the street markets is a great way to get to know Italian cities on a local level — and that’s especially true for Palermo. Palermo is very much a market city, and there are three worth visiting: Ballaro, Capo, and Vucciria, all located fairly close to each other.

If you only have time to visit one market, make it Ballaro. This is the largest market in Palermo and wandering around it feels SO Sicilian — vendors shouting to you to try their cheeses, meats, fresh juices, and various fried foods cooked on the spot, like arancine (not arancini — Western Sicily spells it differently than Eastern Sicily ). It’s wild and welcoming and a full sensory experience!

Capo is another good market, located close to Teatro Massimo. There are lots of great produce stalls here and quite a bit of street food options here, from sfincione pizza to freshly fried panelle chickpea fritters.

Vucciria has long been one of the top markets in Palermo, but these days the market stalls are dwindling and it’s turning more into an aperitivo or nightlife destination. ( More on that below. ) It’s still worth visiting, and you can find street vendors turning out only-in-Palermo eats like stigghiola , veal or lamb intestines wrapped around a spring onion and barbecued.

Palatine Chapel

As I write this piece, I’m aware that a city like Palermo can give you major church/UNESCO fatigue. But I visited the Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina) and it was so outstanding, it filled me with joy.

This chapel is located on the second floor of the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni, or Palazzo Reale/Royal Palace). The building seems nice, but nothing too exciting.

And then you get to the chapel. Prepare to be blown away. Gold rains down from every angle. Like the other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Palermo, it’s all about the blending of religions and cultures, and it feels more like a Byzantine religious monument with Islamic influences in the geometric tile patterns.

The mosaics here are particularly impressive, and I was surprised at how many of the patterns looked like classic American quilt patterns I associate with Americana. What a surprise to see them in Sicily.

Admission to visit the chapel, the palace, and the outdoor gardens is 11 EUR ($12 USD).

Take in the View from Quattro Canti

Palermo’s most famous intersection, named after its four corners, is located at Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. This area was built in the Baroque style between 1608 and 1620, at a time when Palermo was under Spanish rule.

Here the intricate four corners divide four traditional Palermo neighborhoods — La Loggia to the northeast, Kalsa to the southeast, Albergheria to the southwest, and Seralcadio/Capo to the northwest.

Additionally, each corner has artwork devoted to one of the Spanish Kings of Sicily, as well as its patron saint and fountain depicting one of the four seasons.

This intersection is a great spot for photography and capturing some truly Palermitan street scenes!

Have Cocktails on Top of La Rinascente

La Rinascente is an upscale department store in downtown Palermo, located right on Piazza San Domenico. It’s worth a pop in to see what’s for sale — I ended up buying a coat and got a 20% discount just for signing up for their email list — but the real attraction is the roof.

There is a rooftop restaurant with a wonderful view over the piazza below, and catches all the sunshine. We asked for coffee and they only serve coffee downstairs — so we asked for espresso martinis. What a perfect loophole!

I can’t speak to the restaurant, but it makes a great place to go for a break from tourist attractions where you can enjoy a beautiful view.

And if you’re looking for cocktail bars at night, there are lots in Palermo’s city center. We particularly loved one called Terzo Tempo.

Teatro Massimo

Palermo’s most famous theater, Teatro Massimo, is the largest opera house in Italy and a major landmark in pop culture. Have you seen The Godfather: Part III ? A certain very famous and tragic scene was shot on the steps of the opera house. (No, I will not spoil a 30+ year-old film.)

It’s an incredibly grand building, and a guided tour of the theater is one of the most popular things to do in Palermo. Would you rather see an opera? Wonderful. You can get opera tickets in Palermo for much less than what you’d pay in Florence or Milan.

(While a scene took place inside Teatro Massimo in HBO’s The White Lotus , it was actually filmed in the theater in Catania. Don’t expect it to look the same!)

Visit the Palermo Cathedral

Every Italian city has its own Duomo, or central cathedral, and in many ways it often represents the city’s personality. The Cattedrale di Palermo certainly does, with its wild mishmash of architectural styles, representing its centuries of being conquered and reconquered.

The cathedral, original constructed in the 12th century, is one of Palermo’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites described as Arab-Norman Palermo. In this cathedral you have influences from Muslim, Byzantine, Jewish, Latin, Lombard, and French cultures.

Interestingly, the cathedral of Palermo has a zodiac on its floor — rare in Italian cathedrals! And the spectacular architecture of the outside features everything from three-tiered porticoes to Baroque cupolas.

Fontana Pretoria

Close to Quattro Canti is the Fontana Pretoria, the most impressive fountain in a city of impressive fountains. This fountain was actually originally constructed in Florence and brought to Palermo’s Piazza Pretoria in 1574 — a painstaking process that involved 644 pieces.

The fountain features the Twelve Olympians — the Greek gods who dwelled on Mount Olympus, including Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Poseidon (who looks a ton like Florence’s infamous Neptune, doesn’t he?).

The square was once referred to as the Square of Shame ( Piazza della Vergogna ) due to the many nude bodies on the fountain.

Have Pastries in a Monastery

Palermo is brimming with fantastic bakeries and sweets shops. But you can’t top the atmosphere of I Segreti del Chiostro , a bakery located within Santa Caterina d’Alessandria Monastery, located very close to Fontana Pretoria and Quattro Canti.

Walk in and head upstairs. It will likely be busy with a line, and you’ll be given a number. (You might want to look up the translation of your number in Italian because they will be reading it out loud.) When they call your number, you place your order and they’ll give you your pastries and a receipt to pay at the cash register.

This bakery is filled with delicious, sumptuous pastries. Intricately decorated cassata, giant cannoli the size of your forearm, and dozens more baked goods you’ve never heard of. They’re all labeled with their name and ingredients in both Italian and English, a huge novelty in Sicily.

Once you’ve bought your pastry and perhaps an espresso or macchiato, head out to the courtyard to sit by the fountain and enjoy your afternoon treat. You can also tour the monastery if you’d like.

Visit Mondello Beach

Mondello Beach — Spiaggia Mondello — is a beautiful white sand beach with unbelievably clear water, located within Palermo’s city limits. It’s about a 35-minute ride from central Palermo on the 806 bus.

The water here is so turquoise in summer, you won’t believe this is in the middle of a busy city! In between your swimming and sunbathing, grab a granita or fritto misto at one of the nearby restaurants, and take a walk around the neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful villas.

Palermitans love the beach, so expect Mondello to be super crowded in the summer months. That being said, Sicilians tend to visit the beach during “proper” summer — from mid-June through mid-September, even though it’s still swimming weather well into October. Shoulder season beach visits can be great here.

In the winter months, it will be just you, the dog-walkers, and the kitesurfers.

Oratorio del SS Rosario in Santa Cita

In addition to its many Baroque churches, Palermo is filled with small oratories that have their own works of art. One definitely worth checking out is Oratorio del SS Rosario, which is uniquely carved from white stucco.

Palermitan Giacomo Serpotta sculpted this room, and the results truly take your breath away. Angels and cherubs fly on high; the condemned and war-stricken suffer below. There are walls devoted to the Joyful Mysteries, Sorrowful Mysteries, and Glorious Mysteries.

This place was featured on the BBC’s series Sicily Unpacked , but I don’t often see it mentioned in Palermo travel guides. It’s a shame; it’s a really cool place that deserves more visits.

Another nearby oratorio worth visiting is Oratorio del SS Rosario in San Domenico, just down the street and behind the cathedral of San Domenico.

Porta Nuova

You’ll see the Porta Nuova right around the corner from the Royal Palace, a short distance from the Duomo. This was the original city gate leading to Cassaro, the oldest street in Palermo, and was built in the 16th century.

You can’t go up the gate, but it’s a lovely spot to grab a quick photo when visiting the UNESCO-listed churches of Palermo.

See a Sicilian Puppet Show

Puppet shows have long been a cultural tradition in Sicily in general and Palermo in particular. Palermo’s Opera dei Pupi, a traditional puppet theater, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2001.

These puppet shows began in the late 19th century, depicting medieval chivalric romances and Renaissance poems. Today they’re still happening, though the shows are often simplified for a more foreign audience.

Take a look at the Opera dei Pupi site to see what shows are on during your visit. And if you’d rather just get a quick glimpse of the puppets, take a stroll down Via Bara All’Olivella, close to Teatro Massimo, to see the puppet-makers in action.

Visit San Cataldo and La Martorana

In Palermo’s city center, you’ll find two unique churches side by side: the Church of San Cataldo and La Martorana (also known as Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio). Both are worth visiting.

La Martorana is another visual stunner with sensational Byzantine mosaics on the walls and an intricate Baroque marble altar.

San Cataldo is topped with red domes, a remnant of the Arab influence here. The inside feels more ancient by comparison — plain stone walls, though a mosaic on the floor.

Enjoy Nightlife in La Vucciria

La Vucciria was once one of the most famous markets in Palermo, immortalized in the La Vucciria painting by Renata Guttuso. Over time, the market stalls have become fewer and fewer, but that’s okay — the market has reinvented itself.

These days, La Vucciria has become more of a destination for nightlife. When aperitivo hour hits, head to Via Maccherronai, the narrow street connecting La Vucciria and Piazza San Domenico, and choose one of the establishments for some drinks and food.

Here you can grab a table outside, order a super-strong spritz, and order a plate or two of fried Sicilian specialties — pannele , crocche , maybe some fried or grilled squid. This isn’t going to be your full dinner — but it’s the perfect place to get your evening started in Palermo!

San Giovanni degli Eremiti

Another of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Arab Norman Palermo sites is San Giovanni degli Eremiti (St. John of the Hermits), a wonderful spot to visit a stone’s throw from the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel. You’ll notice the red domes topping this monastic church before you walk in.

This place feels like a secret garden in the middle of the city, from the moment you walk in and are surrounded by lush greenery. Head upstairs to see the chapel and the courtyard. There is also an Arab cistern on site.

The courtyard, in my opinion, is the highlight of this place, surrounded by columns and feeling as it it’s stuck in time.

Visit the Capuchin Monastery Catacombs

You might have heard of Rome’s catacombs, but how about Palermo’s? The Capuchin Catacombs are home to more than 8,000 bodies and it’s easily one of the most macabre things to do in Palermo.

You might think of catacombs as being a place for the poor, but this final resting place was actually something limited to Palermo’s most privileged from the 16th to 19th centuries. The mummification process was groundbreaking at the time, and to this day you can see the human-ness of these bodies in their expressions.

Please know that there are mummified children on display in these catacombs. If seeing that would upset you, don’t go. I chose not to go because I was devastated by the child mummies of Guanajuato, Mexico . Additionally, photos are not permitted here.

Monte Pellegrino

Looking for an easy escape into nature? Head to Monte Pellegrino. This mountain (really, more of a large hill) overlooks Mondello Beach and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s covered with hiking trails and fantastic scenic overlooks. Not bad for still being within the city of Palermo!

On the mountain is Sanctuaria di Santa Rosalia, a church built directly into the rocky mountainside, complete with a cave-like chapel.

You can take the 812 bus from Politeama to the top of Monte Pellegrino, or book a bike tour with a local triathlete .

Visit Monreale and Its Cathedral

Monreale is a town located up in the hills south of Palermo. (You can expect it to be a few degrees cooler here, so it’s a great place to visit on a hot day!)

The Cathedral of Monreale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for showcasing the convergence between Norman and Byzantine architecture. The ceiling and walls are studded with stunning mosaics with so much gold.

The golden interior evokes the Byzantine chapels of Central and Eastern Europe, while the cloister looks like something straight out of Andalusia or North Africa. That’s Sicily for you!

To get to Monreale, take the 389P bus from Piazza Independienza. It’s the last stop. Be sure to look at Google Maps closely — many “alternative” bus routes they offer include a “12 minute cycling” addition to the itinerary.

Eat All the Sicilian Pastries

I’ve been to all 20 regions of Italy, and I think that Sicily has the best pastries and desserts in the entire country. That’s not a small claim.

Sure, you’ve heard of cannoli before (singular: cannolo ), and you’ll find them all over Sicily. Those gorgeous fried pastry shells filled with ricotta cream and chocolate chips, topped with candied fruit — they are fantastic! (And addicting.)

But don’t stop at cannoli. Two other desserts you should try are cassata (a Sicilian cake with bright green marzipan wrapping around layers of sponge cake and cream) and torta setteveli (a seven-layer cake popular in Palermo that layers chocolate and hazelnuts and was featured as a technical challenge on The Great British Bake-Off ).

Beyond that? Try anything that looks good! One night I ended up with a molten lemon cake that was nothing short of transcendent.

One nice thing is that many bakeries have mini pastries along with regular-sized ones — perfect for just having a little bit of something sweet, or trying lots of different goodies.

Two of the more high-end bakeries in Palermo that I especially enjoyed are Antico Caffe Biondo (they had the BEST cassata!) and Antico Caffe Spinnato.

Day Trips from Palermo

My top advice is to be realistic about what you can see with a day trip from Palermo. No, you can’t day trip to Catania or Siracusa or the Aeolian Islands ; it’s too far. Stick to the surrounding area — which is all Western Sicily. And stick to a 2.5-hour drive.

That being said, there are so many cool day trips from Palermo that you can make with a reasonable journey from the city, whether you want a beach resort, hill towns, Greek ruins, or a beautiful place to hike.

Here are some of the best places to visit on a day trip from Palermo.

Cefalù is arguably the most famous seaside village in Sicily. And you may have seen it already — while The White Lotus ‘s Sicilian resort was located in Taormina, all of the beach scenes were actually shot in Cefalù!

You can do a little here — lie on the beach and go for a swim — or do a bit more. The old town is an exceedingly photogenic place to wander; you can also hike up La Rocca for views over the landscape.

Cefalù, like most Sicilian resort towns, is hopping during high season and extremely quiet outside this time period. I personally wouldn’t go to Cefalù earlier than May or later than October; too much is shut down.

Cefalù is a one-hour journey from Palermo by train, or you can join a tour from Palermo . Many Cefalù tours from Palermo also include Castelbuono, a beautiful hill town close by.

Think the only Italian hill towns are in Tuscany? Think again! Erice is a marvelous hill town and makes a perfect day trip from Palermo.

It’s a long, switchbacky journey up to Erice, and once you’re at the top near the castle, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over the countryside. The streets are steep and beautifully cobblestoned. It feels so different from the coastal parts of Sicily, and especially Palermo!

Keep an eye out for the very friendly cats of Erice, some of whom might join you for a walk through the town.

Erice is a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Palermo, or you can take the cable car from Trapani (seasonal). You can also book a tour from Palermo, like this tour to Erice, Segesta, and the Salt Pans of Trapani , which covers a lot of cool spots in a single day.

If you’re a fan of ruins, you’ll want to visit the ancient city of Segesta while in Palermo. These Greek ruins are one of the most important sites in Sicily, and they’re also beautifully preserved and fun to visit. I’m not a huge ruins person, but I loved Segesta.

There are two main sites here: a temple and a theater. The theater has spectacular views across the hilly Sicilian countryside, all the way to the Gulf of Castellamare.

The temple is easy to visit from the parking lot, but the theater is located a 1.3-km journey up a steep hill. They have a shuttle bus going up and down the hill. (I chose the walk before realizing it was entirely uphill. Still feeling it in my butt today!)

Segesta is in a remote location without public transportation access, so your best bet is to drive (45 minutes) or book a tour. You can book this tour to Erice, Segesta, and the Salt Pans of Trapani .

Keep in mind that the UNESCO-listed ruins of Agrigento are a two-hour drive away, so Segesta is much closer.

Is Palermo Safe?

You might be wondering whether Palermo is safe to visit. Unfortunately, people often assume that Palermo is an unsafe city, but this is SO far from the truth.

Palermo is just as safe to visit as any major city in Italy (and perhaps even safer than cities like Paris and Barcelona, where tourists are consistently targeted by pickpockets and scam artists).

Both Sicily and Palermo have a history with the mafia, which casts a long shadow (and the Godfather movies definitely don’t help), but locals are never targeted by the mafia. And the mafia in general has far less influence here than it did 30 years ago.

Don’t joke about the mafia when you’re in Sicily. It’s not funny here. Our Streaty food tour guide Angelo, who is the same age as me, told us about how traumatizing it was when two judges were murdered in Palermo in 1992. He was eight. Imagine if that happened in your own community when you were a child.

Keep in mind that things have changed in recent years — both in Sicily in general and Palermo specifically. In Anthony Bourdain’s episode of Parts Unknown , he talks about AddioPizzo, an organization that supports Palermo restaurants that refuse to pay kickbacks to the mafia.

I asked locals about this, and they told me that the mafia almost never looks for kickbacks from Palermo restaurants anymore. The Parts Unknown episode aired in 2013. That’s the difference a decade can make.

To learn more about this, you can take an Anti-Mafia Tour in Palermo .

In short, stay safe in Palermo the way you do in any other city. Keep an eye on your belongings. Only take out the amount of cash you need for the day. Don’t get too drunk. If you’re not comfortable walking at night, take an Uber.

Neighborhood-wise, I’d recommend being extra cautious around the train station at night. (Which is pretty much standard for any European city.) And as you can see further below, I recommend staying in the Politeama neighborhood.

Read More: Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Women

How to Get to Palermo, Italy

If you’re flying into Italy, Palermo Airport has nonstop flights from destinations all over Italy, as well as some in other European countries.

The best way to get from the airport into Palermo is to jump in one of the shared taxis, which cost eight EUR ($9 USD) per person. However, I don’t recommend taking the shared taxi back — we had to drive all over the city picking other people up, and it would have been nerve-wracking if we had been late for a flight!

I recommend renting a car if you’re exploring Sicily in depth, but if you don’t have a car, train is best. Palermo is one hour from Cefalù and three hours from Catania or Messina. Buses go to other local destinations.

As for getting around Palermo, there is a network of buses that run around the city and Google Maps is good for figuring out the schedules. You must buy bus tickets at a Tabbachi (look for the big T on stores) — unfortunately, you can’t buy transit tickets via an app just yet.

Uber is available in Palermo, and there are taxis as well.

Best Time to Visit Palermo, Italy

Palermo is often advertised as a year-round destination, and I get it. Summers are sizzling and wild, while winters are sunny and mild. (Then again, my recent February visit was marred by a cold spell, a reminder that Sicilian buildings are poorly heated.)

So yes — you can visit Palermo year-round, but you might want to be prepared for a colder winter than you might expect. I wore a thick sweater every day!

The absolute best time to visit Palermo, and Sicily? Go for May or September. These months bring warm, summer-like heat without the crush of the summer crowds. Spring and fall in general are fabulous times to visit Sicily.

Where to Stay in Palermo, Italy

The best neighborhood to stay in Palermo is Politeama. This neighborhood is the arguably the best neighborhood in the city, with easy access to designer shops and nice restaurants — but it doesn’t feel snobby at all. Quite the opposite, actually.

Palermo is a very affordable city, and splurging on the nicest neighborhood doesn’t even feel like splurging.

The Politeama neighborhood is close to the action but not in the center of the action, which I really like. It’s walkable to the city center and all the sights. And it’s close to lots of bus routes.

I stayed in this one-bedroom Palermo apartment during my visit and really enjoyed it. A great space, a fabulous location, a low price. Stay there if you’d like!

Top-Rated Hotels in Palermo (all in Politeama)

• Best Luxury Hotel in Palermo: Grand Hotel Wagner (Charlie did an inspection of this place and it is RIDICULOUSLY opulent)
• Best Mid-Range Hotel in Palermo: Hotel Politeama (stunning views)
• Best Budget Hotel in Palermo: Castelnuovo Rooms (shared bathrooms will save you a TON)

Find deals on Palermo hotels here.

Travel Insurance for Italy

One last note — it’s absolutely vital to have travel insurance before traveling to Palermo, or anywhere in Sicily.  If you get sick or injured on your trip, if you get robbed, or even if you have to be flown home for more care, travel insurance will protect you from financial ruin.  I have used World Nomads for trips to Italy.

Travel insurance will help you in your hour of need if you come down with appendicitis in Palermo, or trip and break an ankle while climbing into the Cappella Palatina, or if your flights get canceled, you can get accommodation and new flights paid for.

As always, be sure to read your policy carefully and make sure it’s a fit for you.  See what World Nomads covers here.

Is Palermo Worth It?

Hell yes, Palermo is absolutely worth it! In my opinion, Palermo doesn’t get the attention it deserves. So many people visit for a day and consider Palermo checked off.

But this is a city that very much deserves your time. I know I’ll be spending a lot more time in Palermo in my future!

More on Sicily:

• 22 Best Places to Visit in Sicily
• The Joys and Challenges of Traveling in Sicily
• Where to Go in Eastern Sicily
• Complete Guide to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily
• Aci Trezza: A Laid-Back Coastal Town in Sicily
• Visiting Sicily in the Winter: Worth it or not?
• 30 Iconic Dishes To Try In Sicily

Cool Places in Southern Italy:

• Tropea, Italy: A Spectacularly Situated Beach Town
• The Stunning Trulli of Alberobello, Italy
• 16 Fun Things To Do In Sorrento
• 17 Fun Things to do in Bari, Italy
• 16 Fab Things to do in Lecce, Italy
• 15 Best Things to do in Monopoli, Italy
• 17 Fun Things to do in Matera, Italy

Cool Places in Northern Italy:

• Three Weeks in Northern Italy: An Itinerary
• Parma, Italy: A Colorful, Artsy, Delicious Town
• Where to Stay in Rome: Best Neighborhoods and Accommodation
• Three Days in the Dolomites: A South Tyrol Getaway
• Best Day Trips from Florence, Italy
• The Immaculate, Bursting Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy
• 25 Best Food Experiences in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• 23 Best Things to Do in Bologna, Italy

Planning a Trip to Italy:

• What NOT to Do in Italy
• Solo Female Travel in Italy: Is it Safe?
• Ultimate Guide to Driving in Italy
• How to Stay at an Agriturismo in Italy
• 30 Italian Cities To Visit Once In Your Lifetime

Have you been to Palermo? What do you recommend? Share away!

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Sicily Travel Guide: Is Palermo Worth Visiting? [2023]

Located a long distance away from the traditional tourist route in Italy, Palermo is a place that fewer tourists find themselves in. While it is by no means a hidden gem, Palermo has a much more local feel to it than many other cities located along the main spine of Italy. This post lays out everything you need to know about visiting Palermo, including answering the question “Is Palermo Worth Visiting?”

This post contains affiliate links that may earn a commission on any purchases made at no additional cost to you.

Palermo Makes a Great Home Base While Exploring Sicily

Palermo is the capital of Sicily, which is a large island off of the southwestern coast of Italy. The island is known for its food, its laid back culture, its mafia roots, and its stunning ruins. While there are many parts of Sicily that deserve a visit, Palermo has an entirely different feel than most of them.

Most Sicilian destinations feel much more like towns than cities, but Palermo is the polar opposite. It is a city of about 700,000 people, and this size is why visitors often choose Palermo as their home base while exploring Sicily.

Where to Stay in Palermo

We stayed at the Rocco Forte Villa Igiea , and it was incredible. This property had some of the nicest rooms we’ve ever stayed in, and the service was top-notch. While it is a very pricey property, we found it to be safe, lavish, and stunning.

The property has a large pool that offers stunning views of the bay. The food at the restaurant is wonderful, too. The hotel is located a short 10-minute drive from the center of Palermo, which makes it a perfect retreat from the Sicilian capital.

Best Things to Do in Palermo

1. venture out to the monreale cathedral.

Monreale is a town tucked into the mountains just outside of Palermo. The views it offers of Palermo and the Mediterranean Sea are unbeatable. While the town itself is incredibly charming, the Cathedral at the center of it is absolutely mesmerizing.

Just about every dominant empire in European history ruled Sicily at some point, and the influences of each of them can be seen all around the island.

Palermo is especially well known for its Arab-Norman architecture. Built in the 12th century by Norman King William II of Sicily, this church is one of the greatest remaining examples of Arab-Norman architecture in Palermo and should not be missed. It is truly epic, especially when you consider just how old it is.

2. Go on a Street Food Tour

While all of Italy is known for its food, some places stand out more than others. Bologna is the rightful culinary capital of Italy , but there are several other places around the country that deserve special recognition for their foods. Palermo is certainly one of them.

Sicily is very unique from the rest of Italy, and its history is quite different. As a result, its cuisine has developed all on its own, and is unique from most traditional Italian cuisine.

For this reason, going on a street food tour is easily one of the best things to do in Palermo, as many of the foods are things you won’t find anywhere else.

3. Spend an Afternoon on the Beach

While the city and the churches are nothing short of epic, Sicily is best known for its stunning beaches. Located out in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily’s water is usually crystal clear and quite warm. Spending a day on the beach in Palermo is a must if you enjoy basking in the sun, as Sicily has most of the best beaches in Italy.

While Palermo itself does have beaches, they aren’t as nice as the ones a bit further out from the city. This is typical of any port city, really, as port cities tend to have more pollution and inferior beaches as a result. Two of the best beach areas near Palermo are Cefalu and Terrasini, which can both be reach in less than an hour by car.

4. Descend into the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo

While most travelers think about things to do in Palermo above ground, one of the best things to do in Palermo is beneath the city’s surface. Visiting catacombs is often a unique thing to do in European cities, and Palermo’s Capuchin Catacombs do not disappoint.

While the catacombs started as a burial place for the Capuchin monks in the area, they eventually became the most desirable final resting place for citizens in all of Palermo.

The Capuchins were exceptionally skilled at embalming, and local people with some extra wealth when they died often opted to pay a premium to be buried with the monks in the catacombs. Nowadays, the catacombs are an exceptional place to learn about the history of Palermo and explore one of its more macabre sides.

5. Attend Mass in the Palermo Cathedral

Attending a religious ceremony is often the best way to truly experience a culture – especially when the country cares as much about religion as Italy does. While some major faiths are a bit more restrictive regarding who is allowed to attend a service, the Catholic Church is the polar opposite.

Built in 1185, Palermo’s cathedral is massive and truly jaw-dropping. Walking around the sanctuary is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Palermo.

We believe that attending a religious ceremony is often the best way to truly experience a culture.

Everyone is welcome to attend mass, and attending mass in Palermo’s cathedral is truly epic. The only restrictions are that Italian Catholic churches require modest attire (usually no shorts or spaghetti straps) and non-Catholics are not welcome to receive communion.

6. Marvel at the Uniqueness of the Palatine Chapel

Located in the Royal Palace of Palermo, visiting the Palatine Chapel is often ranked as the best thing to do in Palermo. This chapel is the single best example of Arab-Norman style in all of Palermo, as the Catholic Normans commissioned the work from the Arabs who were living in the area.

In this chapel, you can see stylistic elements from Islam, Roman Catholicism, Byzantine Catholicism, and ancient civilizations. While the chapel is small, it is breathtaking.

7. Grab an Evening Aperitivo in the Historic Center

One of the best aspects of Palermo is its relaxing culture. The people of Palermo, although extremely hardworking, know how to sit back and relax at the end of the day.

Aperitivo is one of our favorite Italian traditions, as it is a means of bringing people together every day to enjoy each other’s presence. Aperitivo is essentially an Italian happy hour, and you simply can’t go to Italy and not take part in Aperitivo.

If you want to get the most out of your Aperitivo experience, make sure you read my guide to Aperitivo in Italy before you go.

8. Hike up to the Belvedere of Monte Pellegrino

The Belvedere di Monte Pellegrino is a scenic lookout area on a mountain above Palermo. This mountain is right on the edge of the city, and the views from the top are stunning. Palermo is a beautiful city, and the sprawling landscape of Sicily is unforgettable.

Admiring the Sicilian landscape, coasts, and cities from this lookout is one of the best things to do in Palermo for those who like to get outdoors and appreciate natural beauty.

How to Get to Palermo

While it is one of the biggest cities in Italy, Palermo is pretty distant from the Italian mainland. Still, driving, flying, and taking a train are all viable ways that you can get to Palermo.

Flying to Palermo

If you are coming from anywhere other than Italy, this is easily going to be your best option. Sicily is an island, and there are no roads leading into other countries. While there are ferries to a few other countries, including Malta and Tunisia, odds are that the ferry will cost more and take longer than a flight.

Flying is the best option to get to this island city.

Palermo Airport (PMO) is located about 45 minutes outside of the city, and it is by far the best airport option in the area. It is the biggest and busiest airport in all of Sicily, and there isn’t a better airport option to use for hundreds of miles.

Palermo Airport is very well connected to the city. You can take either a train, bus, or taxi into the city center. I prefer the train, which costs just about €6 and arrives in just over an hour.

You can buy tickets at the airport station, and trains run about every 45 minutes.

How to Get to Palermo by Train

If you are already in Italy, your best bet is probably still to fly. Palermo is nowhere near most parts of mainland Italy, and a train likely takes the brunt of a full day, depending where you are.

For example, We flew from Genoa to Palermo on a direct Ryanair flight and paid less than €50 per person. The whole flight was just two hours.

Taking a train to Palermo is really only viable if you are in Southern Italy or Sicily, and it is even a stretch at that point. The train routes from Rome and Naples take over 10 hours, and from Catanzaro take about 7 hours. If you are thinking about taking a train to Palermo, check out my guide to using trains in Italy .

– R E A D –

How to Get Around Palermo

BUS | METRO | TAXI

Palermo is a relatively large city, and its public transportation system is definitely not robust. Palermo does have a bus network and a limited train system, but they tend to be complex for non-Italian speakers to figure out.

Driving in Palermo is also not recommended, as it can be a treacherous undertaking if you are not familiar with the roads.

Many guides simply recommend taking taxis everywhere you go. Palermo is way too big to rely on walking everywhere. Personally, I think that the buses and trains are easy enough to figure out.

Using them will definitely cost significantly less than riding taxis, too, as a ride on the bus or train only costs about €1.50. Further, there are buses connecting the center of the city to each of the city’s most important districts, including Monreale.

We stayed at the Villa Igiea Hotel just outside of the city, and there didn’t seem to be many buses passing through on a regular basis. If you are traveling to Palermo, it is usually best to budget for at least a few taxis. Make sure they use a meter or you agree on a price before getting in.

How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Palermo?

Palermo is a large city, but the best things to do within Palermo can all be done over just a couple of days. If you are planning on only visiting Palermo, I recommend visiting for no less than 3 full days to fully experience all of the main things that the city has to offer. From food markets, to iconic churches, to beaches and more, you will want to make sure that you see it all while in Palermo.

You need no less than 3 days in this city.

If you are planning to do any day trips around Sicily, you will need more time. Palermo deserves 2-3 days on its own, and any day trips you go on should all add time onto your itinerary.

Sicily is loaded with incredible places to visit, like Agrigento, Catania, and Taormina, and Palermo makes a great home base for a trip around Sicily. Just be sure to add a full day for each day trip that you plan to go on, plus 2-3 days to explore Palermo itself.

Is Palermo Worth Visiting?

As the biggest city in one of Italy’s most beautiful regions, it is safe to say that Palermo has a lot to offer. But with all of the other incredible places to visit in Italy, is Palermo worth visiting? Does Palermo deserve a visit above places like Rome?

It all depends what you want to do. I don’t think that Palermo is the best city to visit in Italy – far from it, really. While Palermo is a really amazing place to visit, I wouldn’t put it above places like Florence , Milan , and Venice for first-time visitors to Italy.

If you have already been to Italy, though, and are looking for a new place to explore, Palermo deserves a spot high up on your list.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Palermo

What is the best time of year to visit palermo, italy.

The best time to visit Palermo, Italy is in the spring. The summers are unbearably hot, and the weather in the spring is much more pleasant. You could visit in the fall, but there tends to be more rain during this time.

How many days in Palermo is enough?

If you are visiting just Palermo, 2-3 days is enough to see the city’s highlights. But if you plan to go on day trips from the city, like to Agrigento, it’s best to budget extra days.

Is Palermo a walkable city?

Downtown Palermo is very walkable. Most of the city’s top downtown attractions can be reach by foot from one another. However, to get to places like Monreale, you will need to take a taxi.

What is the most beautiful part of Palermo?

The most beautiful part of Palermo is its churches. Palermo is packed with stunning Catholic churches that simply need to be visited. Start at the Cathedral, then head to the Palatine Chapel and Monreale!

That’s all we have for you about Palermo! Hopefully, this post is helpful as you start planning your journey to the capital of Italy’s breadbasket. I really do think that Palermo is worth visiting, even if only for a few days.

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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Embark on a journey to the enchanting city of Palermo , one of the most beautiful places in Italy , and experience its thriving art galleries and burgeoning restaurant scene. Immerse yourself in its rich history and bask in the warmth of the sun. Here's our guide to Palermo. Get ready to be captivated by this revitalized gem in Sicily .

Why should I visit Palermo, Sicily?

Why is now a great time to visit, top things to do in palermo, sicily, best restaurants in palermo, day trips from palermo, best time of the year to visit palermo, how to get there, where to stay in palermo.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Sicily your essential guide for visiting Palermo, Sicily.

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Palermo doesn't go easy on you. Car horns blare incessantly, the summer sun's relentless and opening hours seem flexible. But be patient. It's also a charming city where the air smells of sweet pastries, backstreets open onto pretty squares and mosaiced churches dot all over.

You can't escape history in Palermo. The city's awash with Arabic cupolas, baroque facades, byzantine mosaics and Norman relics. But now there's also a contemporary art scene, Palermo's food is cutting edge and there are plenty of great new places to stay.

Explore the picturesque Mediterranean island just off the 'toe' of Italy's 'boot' on this tailor-made trip to "Legend and Legacy: A Tour of Sicily" . Once the centre of the known world, Sicily enchants with its winding coastal roads, charming towns, and picture-perfect scenery, creating an ideal setting for exploration by car.

The Fountain of Shame on Piazza Pretoria, Palermo, Sicily © Romas_Photo/Shutterstock

Palermo's been transformed. Its tired districts have woken up. You'll find here new restaurants all over the place and even some of the city's grand Baroque palaces now welcome guests.

If you want to get involved with city life during your stay, take an interest in supporting anti-Mafia businesses. To find out what you can do and how you can help, Addiopizzo is a great source of information.

From historical landmarks to delectable street food, Palermo, Sicily offers a charming and diverse Mediterranean getaway . Let's explore some of the top things to do in this captivating Sicilian gem.

Go inside Capella Palatina

The showpiece of the Royal Apartments on Palazzo dei Normanni is the Sala di Ruggero, one of the earliest parts of the palace and richly covered with a twelfth-century mosaic of hunting scenes.

The highlight of the palace, however, is the beautiful Cappella Palatina, the private royal chapel of Roger II built between 1132 and 1143. The undisputed artistic gem of central Palermo is its cupola , three apses and nave entirely covered in mosaics of outstanding quality.

Capella Palatina is a cool refuge from Palermo weather in summer © lapas77/Shutterstock

Catch the views from the top of the Cattedrale di Palermo

A visit to Cattedrale di Palermo, Sicily is another must and if you climb up to the roof, you will be rewarded with some of the longest, clearest views in the entire city. The triple-apse eastern end and graceful matching towers date from 1185. Despite the Catalan-Gothic facade and arches, there’s enough Norman carving and detail to rescue the exterior from mere curiosity value.

There’s also a treasury to the right of the choir. The highlights of which are a jewel and pearl-encrusted skullcap, and three simple, precious rings, all enterprisingly removed from the tomb of Constance in the eighteenth century.

Book your tickets for Teatro Massimo

From the cathedral, you can bear left, around the apses, and up into the Capo quarter, whose tight web of impoverished streets is home to a market. Further beyond, the streets off to the left gradually become wider and more nondescript as they broach the area around the monumental Neoclassic Teatro Massimo , supposedly the largest theatre in Italy.

To appreciate the interior fully, take a tour. That said, one of the best things to do in Palermo, Sicily is to attend one of the classical concerts or operas (held here between October and June).

Evening view of Palermo, Sicily

Head to the beach

On a hot summer’s day, when the city heat is oppressive, the most obvious escape from central Palermo is the 11km run to Mondello,. This is a small seaside resort tucked under the northern bluff of Monte Pellegrino. A 2km long sandy beach fronts the town, and there’s also a tiny working harbour. Explore the jetty and try your luck at fishing. Or explore the remnants of the local medieval tower.

In July and August, like most Sicilian resorts, it’s a bit of a zoo, featuring tacky souvenir stalls, hot-dog and burger vans, pizza places and packed lidos. At night, there’s a crush in the bars in the main square while the roads around are filled with cruising cars and preening youth.

Mondello Beach in Palermo, Sicily

Don't forget Palermo museums and galleries

One of the top things to do in Palermo, Sicily for art lovers is visit to Galleria d’Arte Moderna or spend a few hours browsing Museo Archeologico Regionale.

The Convento di Sant’Anna, on Piazza Sant’Anna, has been stunningly restored to house the Galleria d’Arte Moderna. This houses a collection of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Sicilian art. The works here are displayed thematically to great effect. Its café, spilling into the courtyard in summer, is a lovely place for lunch or an aperitif.

Although the Museo Archeologico Regionale has been closed for restoration for years, small sections open sporadically. Occasional temporary exhibitions offer a chance to see some of its magnificent collection of artefacts, which spans the island’s Phoenician, Greek and Roman heritage.

Take a walk down Via Emanuele

One of the best things to do in Palermo, Sicily to immerse yourself in its rich historical heritage is to stroll along via Emanuele, where the main architectural treasures are located. One of the main attractions of the street is the Palazzo dei Normanni, otherwise known as the Norman Palace.

Next, you will pass by several beautiful churches such as the Church of San Cataldo and the Church of Santa Maria dell'Ammirallo (also known as Martorana). Both of these churches are decorated with breathtaking Byzantine mosaics, giving a glimpse of Palermo's artistic heritage.

A street in Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Esape to the green Giardino Garibaldi

The large square of Piazza Marina encloses the tropical Giardino Garibaldi, famed for its enormous banyan trees. It’s a popular venue for the city’s elderly card players, who gather around green baize tables at lunchtime for a game. The square itself was reclaimed from the sea in the tenth century and subsequently used for jousting tournaments and executions.

Visit the Capuchin Catacombs

Home to some eight thousand mummified bodies, the gruesome Catacombe dei Cappuccini is a popular attraction for horror-movie fans. The bodies were preserved by various chemical and drying processes, then dressed in a suit of clothes and placed in niches along rough-cut subterranean corridors.

In different caverns reserved for men, women, clergy, lawyers and surgeons, some of the bodies are decomposed beyond recognition. Meanwhile, others are complete with skin, hair and eyes. Those that aren’t arranged along the walls lie in stacked glass coffins, and it’s an unnerving experience to walk among them.

Catacombs in Palermo

Explore local food markets

Palermo, Sicily is famous for street food . The city's best morning market, Ballarò, is street food central. It's noisy and the stalls are crammed into narrow streets, butchers' counters overflow with gore and produce stalls are abundant. So when you feel hungry, this is the place to be.

Tucked into the wedge of streets between Via Roma and Corso Vittorio Emanuele is the morning Vucciria market. This was once the most famous market in Palermo, however, it is now a shadow of its former self. Though it is still great for its basic bars and fish trattorias.

For another true taste of Palermo, Sicily try II Cuochini . It may be tiny but it's a favourite with locals for Palermo specialities like ragù-stuffed arancini and panzerotti. If you want more refinement head to Buatta Cucina Popolana where traditional Sicilian cooking meets the slow-food movement.

Bisso Bistrot is another local haunt, you'll find it behind Quattro Canti. For the best value wine, visit your neighbourhood enoteca and to really experience Palermo's culinary culture, past and present, book a street food walking tour and let a local be your guide.

Delicious cannolis topped with a glacé cherry © Victoria43/Shutterstock

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Palermo is a great base for exploring Sicily and several fascinating places make easy day trips from the city.

Visit the Roman site at Solunto, which you'll find perched above the coastal town of Porticello. Seaside Mondello is another easy day out and combines beaches, good restaurants and fishing village history.

Think about heading away from the coast to see the stunning Norman-Byzantine cathedral in the hill town of Monreale. Or hop on a train and ride to Cefalù - one of the best beaches in Italy and spin your day trip overnight with a stay at Hotel Kalura .

If you don't want to limit yourself to just Palermo and wish to explore Italy further afield try our tailor-made Italian dream trip to Rome, Sicily and the Amalfi Coast . Discover ancient history and take a cookery class in Rome, before marvelling at Baroque architecture and iconic Mount Etna on the island of Sicily.

Swap Palermo beaches for coastal Cefalù on an easy day trip © S-F/Shutterstock

Palermo, Sicily can be an extremely uncomfortable place to visit at the height of summer when the dusty Scirocco winds blow in from North Africa. In July and August, you’ll roast – and you’ll be in the company of tens of thousands of other tourists. Hotel availability is much reduced and prices will often be higher.

If you want the heat but not the crowds, go in May, June or September. Spring is really the optimum time to come to Palermo, and it arrives early. The almond blossom flowers at the start of February, and there are fresh strawberries in April.

There are two options for getting to Palermo, Sicily: arriving at Palermo Airport, you can take a taxi to the city centre, which is the most convenient option and takes around 30 minutes. Alternatively, several shuttle bus services are available between the airport and the city centre, offering a cost-effective choice. AMAT , the local public transportation company, also operates buses connecting the airport to different parts of Palermo.

The Rough Guides to Italy and related travel guides

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The second option to reach Palermo is from Catania. You can take a train, which is a comfortable choice, with frequent connections offered by Trenitalia . Private bus companies also run direct routes between Catania and Palermo, taking approximately 3.5 to 5 hours. If you prefer flexibility, renting a car in Catania is an option, with the drive taking around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the route and traffic conditions.

Panorama of the city of Palermo, view of the Old Town

Most of Palermo’s traditional budget hotels lie on and around the southern ends of Via Maqueda and Via Roma, close to Stazione Centrale, but you’ll get far more for your money in the city’s B&Bs. Prices tend to stay the same year around, but advance reservations are recommended if you want to be sure of a room in a particular place. Here is our pick of where to stay in Polermo:

• For couples: La Terrazza sul Centro
• For a cosy B&B: Casa Jolanda B&B
• For price and quality: Cartari Apartment
• For families: Operà
• For luxury: Grand Hotel Wagner

Find more accommodation options to stay in Palermo, Sicily.

Ready to plan your dream trip to Palermo, Sicily? Check out The Rough Guide to Sicily and start planning your perfect trip.

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Why Palermo is Italy’s best-kept secret

I found myself in Palermo, Italy for the first time by accident. A young backpacker, I’d boarded the wrong train, finding myself bound for the most southern point of the Italian “boot”.

As the train pulled into Palermo’s central station, I plotted my way out, checking schedules for the next train north. Was there anything in Palermo that was worth sticking around for? I’d never heard other backpackers mention it, and the only thing I knew about the city was its history as an epicenter for Sicilian Mafia.

As fate would have it, this would not be my last time in Palermo. I fell in love with a Sicilian-Canadian, and now Palermo is a regular stop on our family visits. With every trip, I fall more in love with Palermo’s unique character. The gateway city to the rest of Sicily, it is the Sicilian capital of culture, food, architecture and history, it’s the centre of Sicilian government, as well as the islands largest port. With low tourism rates (in comparison to the rest of Italy), Palermo offers an Italian experience like no other, free of long line-ups and crowded cathedrals.

Here are five reasons why Palermo should be on your travel bucket list.

1. Fascinating history

The baroque Piazza Pretoria. Photo by Romas_Photo.

Palermo was founded in 8th century BC, so it goes without saying that the city has a long and vibrant history characterized by Arab and Norman rule, immigration, and Mafia presence. Since the early 2000s, an Anti-Mafia movement has developed, and you will see evidence of this in Palermo. Intrepid tours that visit Palermo include a walking tour with a local guide, who will tell you more about this movement.

Check out our Italy tours that visit Palermo

Another example of Palermo’s fascinating history is the Capuchin Catacombs, which date back to 1599 and serve as an “open” cemetery, which shows the history of mummification in Sicily. The Capuchin Catacombs initially housed only the bodies of Friars, but from the 1700s on, those of esteem (i.e. the rich) could buy their place in the catacombs. Mummification alongside the Friars was a symbol of status and dignity reserved for the wealthy. Today, the catacombs are a worthy tourist destination, particularly macabre compared to others around Europe.

2. Sicilian food

Delicious! Photo by HuMiaoPhotos.

Sicily is famous for its distinctive food. While Italian staples such as pasta and pizza are readily available, a visit to Sicily isn’t complete without arancini, cannoli and granita. All coffee shops and bakeries sell arancini, and there are many different types, so grab a couple throughout your stay. Cannoli are a decadent staple: tube-shaped shells of pastry dough, with a creamy ricotta filling. Granita is very distinctively Sicilian. It is a semi-frozen desert made of ice and sugar, and is often flavoured with local ingredients, like fresh lemons.

RELATED: 7 DELICIOUS SOUTHERN ITALIAN FOODS THAT’LL MAKE YOU WANT TO TRAVEL RIGHT NOW

3. Bustling markets

Fresh produce at the Ballaro market. Photo by Yulia Grigoryeva.

Palermo is famous for its historic outdoor street markets. These markets encompass the traditions of Sicilian people. Despite their age, these markets are busy every day as locals stop by for their groceries and goods. There are four historic markets, each devoted to a different product.

Two of these markets have retained their historicity well. Ballarò is the largest and oldest market in Palermo. It is loud, smelly, busy and sells everything from fish to odds and ends. Capo is a major trading market for meat and vegetables, and is a great spot to buy fresh bread and visit a salumeria (deli). In either of these markets you can find a small street patio and enjoy a drink while watching the action. It is best to visit early in the morning, as the markets close up in the early afternoon.

MAKE YOUR WAY AROUND ITALY WITH AN EXPERT LOCAL LEADER ON ONE OF THESE ADVENTURES NOW

Vucciria and Borgo Vecchio used to sell Sicilian cuisine, but are no longer as active as they used to be. Instead, both markets have evolved into popular nightlife spots, and are worth visiting in the evening!

4. Gorgeous architecture

The stunning Cathedral of Palermo. Photo by Boris Stroujko.

Palermo is filled with gorgeous architecture, most of which was done in Arab-Norman style. Because historically, Palermo was the capital of Sicily under both the Arabs and Normans, it is there that this combined style was created. Byzantine mosaics are a characteristic of this style, so you will find such mosaics in most cathedrals. The two most notable cathedrals of Palermo are the Cathedrale of Monreale (1174), and Cattedrale di Palermo (1185). A visit to Palermo must also include the Quattro Canti, a Baroque square which was built in the early 1600s. This piazza is octagonal, made up of four facades. Nearby Quattro Canti is the Fontana della Vergogna. This monumental fountain was built in Florence, but transferred to Palermo in 1574.

RELATED: 5 PERFECT DESTINATIONS IN ITALY FOR SOLO TRAVEL

5. Budget friendly!

The less touristic nature of Palermo has kept the city affordable in comparison to other Italian cities. In Palermo, you’ll enjoy delicious pastas for as little as 6 euros, Aperol spritzes (make sure you try this delicious cocktail!) for 4 euros, and 2-euro beers. Many of the city’s attractions, such as cathedrals and monuments, are free to enter. Moreover, Palermo is a walkable city, meaning you will save your transport budget!

RELATED: A BUDGET GUIDE TO THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ITALY

Palmero FAQ’s

Is palermo worth visiting.

Palermo is a burgeoning destination in Italy for good reason. This underrated city is the perfect place to experience authentic Sicilian cuisine and culture, and learn about the incredible history of an ancient city.

What are the things to do in Palermo?

There are plenty of things to do in Palermo, from trying the amazing food to capturing the beautiful history. There is so much to do in Palmero.

Experience Palermo for Yourself on one of our tours

When Erin was 19 years old she moved on a whim to Venice, Italy, where she spent several months working in a hostel and running a pub crawl. It was there that she earned the nickname Pina... because “Erin” is hard to pronounce if you speak Italian. The name stuck, and it is now her travel alias. Erin Hynes is a writer (pinatravels.org) and humanitarian worker based in Toronto, Canada. To see where she is today, follow @pinatravels on Instagram.

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What You Need to Know to Navigate Palermo and Sicily

In this article, you’ll get the inside scoop on getting around Palermo. From airport to city and beyond, I’ll cover the best public transportation options. Discover the quickest and most convenient ways to explore the city and nearby towns and islands.

Hello again, it is your Sicilian friend, Nico, here to talk to you once again about the Sicilian public transportation system – otherwise known as our “ Achilles heel. ”

Allow me to be blunt. The public transportation in Sicily sucks if you live here. But don’t worry, if you’re a tourist and you’ve got your act together, it’s not too shabby .

I’m about to give you the inside scoop on how to use public transportation like a pro . This info is straight from us locals who know the city like the back of our hand, so pay attention. Trust me, this will save you a lot of time and money.

Before we start, allow me to share with you three simple math equations that I suggest you remember .

• If you decide to get accommodation away from the key areas of Palermo , you’re screwed.
• If you try to explore Palermo exclusively with public transportation, you’re screwed.
• If you ignore either of the two rules above, you’re screwed.

Capisci? You’re screwed.

As you might have guessed, getting your lodging in a strategic location is critical . The problem arises when you stay off the central areas or want to explore Palermo’s surroundings.

Now that you understand the importance of where you stay, let’s first see the airport connections and then move on to how to get around the city and outside of it.

Nico’s Take:

The public transportation in Palermo might not be up to the standards you’re used to in other big cities in Europe. But, if you stay in key areas, are well-organized, and have a solid plan , it’s not too bad. Just keep these things in mind and you’ll be good to go!

1. From the airport to the city center and back

Okay, so let’s start with the airport connections. Getting to the city center from the airport and back is pretty straightforward , and you have five options to choose from.

The Two Most Popular Transportation Options

First, I’ll go over the first two , which are the most popular , reliable and budget-friendly. And then I’ll tell you about the other three options , which may not be the best but could make sense for you.

Prestia & Comandé shuttle bus

First up, we have the shuttle bus from the local company Prestia & Comandé. It runs from the airport to the city center and back every 30 minutes , making several stops along the way.

Just note, it won’t take you to the seaside , and it takes around 40-45 minutes to get to the last stop , which is the central station. The bus is always on time , is solid as a rock, and has never caused us any problems so you can totally count on it without a worry.

To catch the shuttle bus, simply follow the signs in the arrivals area . You can purchase your ticket either at the airport or in advance online . On the way to the airport, you can also buy the tickets at each bus stop . You will find someone there selling the tickets.

“The Prestia & Comandé shuttle is the go-to option for getting to and from the airport. It’s cheap and reliable, so I’d suggest snagging your tickets online during busy times ’cause seats fill up fast.”

Shared Taxi

Next, there’s the shared taxi. It’s essentially a regular van taxi that lets people share the ride .

Don’t worry, you don’t have to go crazy asking strangers to share the ride to fill up the taxi. The driver will take care of that.

It follows the same route as the shuttle bus , but it’s faster and only costs a couple of euros more. Of course, being a shared taxi, you can’t ask the driver to “ drop me off at Mario’s restaurant ” or somewhere specific. For that, get a regular cab.

You can catch the shared taxi by following the signs at the airport , you pay the driver directly . The service is reliable , the only downside is that you might run into some crazy driver who drives like they just escaped from the nuthouse.

But don’t worry, just tell ‘em “ Hey buddy, slow down. ” Taxi drivers often drive like they’ve got a woman in labor on board.

Shared taxis are a solid option if you’re looking to get to your destination a bit quicker, but they’ll cost you a couple extra euros. I usually go for them if I’ve just missed the shuttle, so I don’t have to wait 30 minutes for the next one. Shared taxis depart more often, so it’s a good choice.

3 Alternative Methods for Airport Transportation

These were the most popular and recommended airport connections. As I mentioned, there are three additional options that are less popular but could be a good fit for you.

Trenitalia Train

First, there’s the Trenitalia train that runs between the airport and city center approximately hourly .

The train takes about an hour to the central station and makes stops at several towns on the coast along the way , including Carini, Isola delle Femmine and Sferracavallo. This is the only advantage of choosing the train over the shuttle bus or shared taxi as it’s slower than both.

To catch the train, simply follow the signs at the airport . You can purchase tickets either online on the Trenitalia website or at the airport.

The train’s reliable , but like I said, it’s slow. So only use it when you need to go to places that aren’t covered by the shuttle bus or shared taxi.

I don’t usually take the train unless I’m headed to a part of the city where the shuttle bus or shared taxi can’t take me. However, it might be worth considering if you’re going to the airport during a busy weekend when the roads can get jammed up.

Another option, Uber. It’s been around since the start of 2022 after a years-long drama with local governments. It ain’t exactly cheap , but if you have some extra cash to burn, it’s hands down the most convenient way to get around .

Just a heads up, it’s actually more expensive than taxis in the city right now. I’m sure it’ll cost less soon, but for now, that’s the deal.

Uber is gradually catching on, but it still needs time to be more budget-friendly. To be honest, I don’t use it as much because everyone in the city, myself included, is using electric bikes and scooters these days.

And finally, drum roll please, the regular taxi service is waiting outside the arrivals area.

If you know me, you know that I’m not a big fan of taxis in Palermo because they tend to overcharge. But before the typical champion of hopeless causes chimes in with “ I took taxis in Palermo and they were all nice. ” I know that you can find nice people anywhere, even in hell.

I just hear too many stories of people getting ripped off . Taxis are already pricey, and even though there are set prices for the city center , drivers still have their tricks. So only take a taxi if you absolutely have to, but don’t let them scam you.

One more important thing to keep in mind. After 1 am , there’s no other way to get to the city from the airport except for taking a damn taxi or Uber . Try not to get fooled.

I don’t have a problem with taxi drivers, but I’m tired of constantly hearing about people being taken for a ride. I’ve been in that situation too – they always try to find a way to scam you when you get in a taxi.

The best ways to get around the city

As long as you’re staying in the city and need to move between key and central areas, public transportation works decently well .

The issue with public transportation comes up when you’re trying to venture outside the city or explore the whole island of Sicily. But in the main areas of Palermo, it’s actually not too bad.

Besides spending a lot on Ubers or taxis, you’ve got two solid and cheap options for getting around : buses and electric bikes or stand-up scooters that you can rent right from your phone.

Let’s start with the buses. The city buses are from a local company called AMAT and come in white , yellow , and blue colors .

Now, if there were a competition for the most efficient bus service in Europe, it wouldn’t even place, but in the key areas, it works decently well.

You can buy tickets at tobacco shops , newsstands , or AMAT kiosks . There’s also an app ( Android and iOS ) to buy tickets , but to this day it’s embarrassingly full of bugs and problems.

To find out which bus number to take and where to catch it, you can use Google Maps , but there’s another app that works even better in Palermo, called Moovit .

Another thing to remember, in the historic center , there are free shuttle buses that circulate. They’re always from the AMAT company, the city’s bus company, and have the same colors. But you can spot the free ones easily because they have a digital display that says “ FREE .”

Their frequency is supposed to be every 11 minutes , which isn’t too bad for a free service. Check out the AMAT page to see where the buses stop .

Gotta say, the bus service has gotten better lately. It’s not as snappy as in the bigger cities in Europe, but it’s good enough for getting around the city center and key areas.

Electric bikes or stand-up scooters

Another option is to ride one of those electric bikes or stand-up scooters that are everywhere in Europe now. You hop on one like it’s a skateboard and just hit the button to activate the electric motor. Easy peasy!

Just download the app from the company you want to use, like Lime or Bird , and you’re good to go! Of course, if you can’t ride a bicycle and can’t maintain balance, don’t use the scooters. You don’t want to end up under a bus, right?

You can take whichever electric scooter or bike you find on the street, go anywhere you like, and when you arrive at your destination, just park it.

To save money, consider getting a weekly subscription , which provides a set number of minutes for a one-time fee.

Technically, there should be rules for riding them, but in reality, people just do whatever they feel like : from two people on one scooter to zooming on sidewalks.

The police? They only come to the city center for some ice cream, coffee, and good old police gossip—but this is another story for another time.

Electric scooters have been a game-changer for me. I hardly use anything else now. They’re speedy, you can just drop them off wherever, no more parking stress, and if you get a subscription, you can get around for a good price. So awesome!

Getting outside the city and back

If you’ve done your homework, you know you’ve got to head outside the city to check out some of the most beautiful beaches , cute little towns and awesome islands around Palermo .

Just keep in mind that, depending on where you want to go, it might not be as easy as getting around in the city. This is where public transportation starts to get a bit shaky .

Venturing beyond the city: exploring the beaches and towns around Palermo

Let’s start with the beaches. If you want to go to the ones closest to the city , like Mondello and Addaura , you can take the city bus. It’s not exactly a Swiss watch, but you should eventually make it to the beach without dropping too many f-bombs .

If you want to get out of the city and check out some of the popular beaches like Cefalù , San Vito , or Scopello , you’ll need to either take a train or coach (if available), or rent a car .

Now, based on my experience, besides Cefalù, which has good train connections, or a handful of other places, I wouldn’t dare venture outside the city with public transportation because they often have terrible schedules, there are delays, you need to make 300 connections, you can’t find the correct information, or they might even cancel the trip.

Especially with small local bus companies, know that they run the company like it’s their neighborhood corner store.

The same thing goes for the small towns around Palermo . The smaller and more remote the town you want to reach, the more you’ll need a car. Many are poorly connected or not connected at all.

So, to sum it up, if you’re only here for a couple of days and just want to visit the popular beaches, like Mondello, and maybe one or two nearby towns, like Monreale, you can probably make it work with public transportation .

But if you’re planning to stick around for a bit and explore all the cool beaches and towns around Palermo, you might want to consider renting a car , unless you’re down for a real headache dealing with public transport.

The trick is to have a solid plan of what you want to do. Jot down your itinerary and see if you can get to your spots by bus and train or if you’ll need a car.

Exploring the Little Islands Off the Palermo Coast

Finally, the last places you might want to visit are the islands around Palermo like Ustica , Favignana , or the Aeolian Islands.

If you come here during the summer, you should definitely check them out because they’re like paradise on earth with crystal-clear waters .

You get to these places by a ferry or a fast ferry that departs from the ports of Palermo , Trapani , or Milazzo .

So, depending on the island you’re headed to, you’ll need to get to a different port.

Just keep in mind that Palermo is well-connected to both Marsala and Trapani . With Trapani, you’ve got frequent buses that’ll take you straight to the port. With Marsala, you’ve got both trains and buses that’ll drop you off close by.

If you’re coming in the summer, you gotta check out at least one island! Ustica’s the easiest one to get to. I’m a big fan of Favignana and the Aeolian Islands. They’re like little slices of heaven. Don’t miss out!

Two Key Things to Remember About Getting Around

To wrap up this chat, let me tell you a few things to keep in mind about transportation in Palermo , because I always see tourists scratching their heads.

Metro and Tram

First, you might have heard of a Palermo metro , but there’s not really one . It’s just a slow, regular regional train that goes through some parts of the city and a few nearby towns. It’s not really a top choice for tourists , which is why I didn’t mention it earlier.

They’ve been talking about building a real metro for years. But with all the political drama, it’s hard to say what’s actually happening. All we know is that they started digging up half the city and then just stopped.

There is a tram , but it only runs around key areas, and not within them. It’s probably good for locals who hang out on the outskirts, but not so much for tourists .

I hardly ever see tourists using what they call the metro” or tram. It’s handy for locals because it connects some important areas, like the university and hospital zones, to the outskirts of the city, but it’s not really helpful for tourists.

Renting cars

The last thing: where to rent a car. A lot of you have been asking for my suggestions on where to rent a car that’s both affordable and trustworthy.

Let me tell you, it’s not an easy feat! A lot of the cheaper options out there have hidden fees , and it’s easy to end up paying for something silly, like a tiny scratch you didn’t even know was there.

My advice is to use a website like rentalcars.com, which compares car rental prices, and go with well-known international companies that have good reviews .

You can save a little money by picking it up and dropping it off at the airport , but steer clear of those sketchy local rental places. Trust me, it’s just not worth it!

There’s also another option for renting cars : It’s an app called Auting . It’s kind of like Airbnb for cars, where regular people can rent out their own vehicles for a cheap price compared to a traditional car rental.

I’ve heard a lot of people use it, but I’m not sure about the specifics of insurance and what happens in the case of an accident . If you’re interested, check out Auting’s website. Just make sure you read the fine print before using the service to be fully informed.

As for driving , it can be a bit wild here, but you’ll get used to the lack of rules soon . It’s not as bad as it seems, but you’ll definitely need some driving experience.

If you are renting a car, I would encourage you to read the guide on ZTL (Limited Traffic Areas) and parking . Those who do not know the rules might get an unwelcomed ticket from the police.

If you’re looking to rent a motorcycle instead , I’ve heard about this place with two locations, one in the city center and one in Palermo, that’s pretty solid. People seem to really like it, and there haven’t been any complaints. This shop is called Mondello Rent . Check it out.

Unfortunately, the only cheap car rentals are usually the ones that rip you off on silly things like scratches and all that. Go with a trusted international company, ’cause I hear all sorts of nightmare stories.

Okay, so I might have gone into a bit of detail in this article, but I just wanted to make sure I covered everything to help you avoid any traps or costly mistakes while you are in Sicily.

Throughout this guide we have talked about a lot of things, but I want to emphasize these five key points again:

• Buses , electric bikes , and scooters are the best way to get around the city center and key areas.
• Be careful of taxi drivers who might overcharge or play sneaky tricks, especially with tourists.
• The subway and tram system only cover a limited area and may not be useful for most tourist destinations.
• Trains and coaches can be a good option for reaching villages outside of the city.
• For a hassle-free trip , rent a car and stay connected to all the places you want to see.

I would like to stress that getting information about Palermo is critical to your enjoyment of your time here. You should take a moment and look over our meticulously considered 20 tips tourists should be aware of .

I would also suggest you sign up for our Facebook group to get current information from people visiting or who have recently visited Palermo.

Questions or concerns? Leave a comment in the provided box below and I will be sure to answer you back as soon as possible.

PS – I created an itinerary to get you around Palermo and five videos with tips to share information about the city you cannot find in other locations. This is a FREE gift , so make sure you check it out.

Nico Barcellona

I am a 100%, authentic, full blooded Sicilian loves Palermo like Romeo loves Juliet. I will talk obsessively about this city and I know every part intimately. I know all of Palermo secrets. I want to share with you everything great about this city, but I will not hide its flaws. After all, love is made out of flaws as well.

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Top 5: The Largest Airlines In Italy By International Seat Availability

• Lufthansa's acquisition of ITA Airways focuses on expanding its intercontinental presence in Latin America and Africa.
• Italy's domestic market is saturated with key players like Wizz Air and easyJet, posing a challenge to ITA Airways.
• Ryanair dominates the Italian aviation market with the largest number of seats, especially in international flights.

At the start of July, the European Commission gave Lufthansa the green light for its acquisition of Italian flag carrier ITA Airways . This move raised a number of questions, including the airline's role in the group, its future growth strategy, and, in particular, how it will strengthen its network so that it posts a profit.

Italy has had a notoriously difficult history with its flag carriers. ITA Airways ' predecessor, Alitalia, was renowned for being heavily indebted, loss-making and relatively small compared to its European counterparts.

Indeed, Italy itself is no small market: the Italian air transport market, in terms of passengers carried, is comparable to that of France, for instance. Yet there is a key difference: ITA has a fairly minimal position in the overall market, while the French national carrier controls a larger share of the sector from its respective operations in France.

Lufthansa will focus on developing ITA's intercontinental potential, particularly in Latin America and Africa. As this article will show, this long-haul focus is especially important considering the European low-cost stronghold on international flights to and from Italy. The following data was provided by Cirium , an aviation analytics company.

What Does Lufthansa's Acquisition Mean For ITA Airways' Long-Haul Flights?

A focus on North America, Latin America, and Africa is expected to dominate the carrier's long-haul strategy.

In fifth place is Spanish low-cost carrier, Volotea . The airline has done exceptionally well in recent years, growing from a very small, unknown carrier, to become a genuine threat to the larger low-cost airlines like Ryanair and easyJet. Volotea's model is based on offering flights from medium-tier cities to other medium-tier cities that at present have no connections.

This model allows Volotea to avoid direct competition from larger premium carriers who operate from primary cities under a hub-and-spoke model. In the same way that Lufthansa operates from Frankfurt and Munich, ITA Airways operates from Rome and Milan.

This also means that often Volotea will differentiate itself from the likes of Ryanair and easyJet which typically connect larger cities (from their secondary airports) with small to medium-tier destinations. It has bases in eight medium-tier cities in Italy, including:

In other words, of Volotea's 21 bases across Europe, nearly 40% are in Italy.

ITA Airways

IATA/ICAO Code AZ/ITY

Airline Type Full Service Carrier

Hub(s) Rome Fiumicino Airport

Year Founded 2020

Alliance SkyTeam

CEO Fabio Lazzerini

Country Italy

ITA Airways ranks quite low in this list, demonstrating just how little market share the airline actually has on what is an essential segment. On the domestic front too, ITA only comes in at second place, per 2023 data, with a 26% share.

Last year, ITA had an overall market share of just 9%. While on the international front ITA will offer double the number of seats compared to Volotea this year, it is still far behind the three airlines that top this list. This is bad news for the national airline, which—despite growing its network—is slowly but surely losing out.

Examined: The Airlines Operating The Most Domestic Flights In Italy

Italy's domestic travel market is a highly competitive - and saturated - market. Let's find out who the key players are.

IATA/ICAO Code W6/WZZ

Airline Type Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier

Year Founded 2003

CEO Jzsef Vradi

Country Hungary

Hungarian ultra-low-cost airline Wizz Air comes in third place and offers a variety of flights from several places in Italy. Its bases include:

• Rome Fiumicino
• Milan Malpensa
• Venice Marco Polo

This summer is Wizz Air's largest in Italy. In October, the carrier announced preparations to add four additional aircraft to its Italian operation, including three in Rome and one in Milan. All of them being Airbus A321neos, the carrier has risen to become a genuine threat to ITA Airways, particularly as its operation extends further East than other low-cost carriers.

For example this summer, Wizz Air announced new flights from Rome to Amman (Jordan), Cairo Sphinx and Sharm-el-Sheikh (Egypt), Baku (Azerbaijan) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Several of these are particularly notable as it limits the scope for future network expansion for ITA Airways. Indeed, it does not mean ITA Airways will be unable to operate there, but rather it makes it harder in the face of a strong, low-fare competitor like Wizz Air. It is also worth noting that out of these, ITA already operates to Cairo (International, not Sphinx) and Riyadh.

Wizz Air Eyes Milan Expansion Due To Lufthansa ITA Takeover

The airline could take advantage of competition concerns at Linate Airport.

Wizz Air first opened a base in Italy in 2020 and has since added in excess of 50 new and previously unserved routes, creating more than 1000 direct jobs. The October announcement, which included many other new routes not mentioned here, served to add 1,5 million seats to the yearly offering from Italy.

IATA/ICAO Code U2/EZY (UK) |EC/EJU (Europe) |DS/EZS (Switzerland)

Airline Type Low-Cost Carrier

Hub(s) Geneva Airport, London Luton Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Milan Malpensa Airport

Year Founded 1995

CEO Johan Lundgren

Just in front of Wizz Air lies easyJet , enjoying second place in the Italian market for international seats. It operates from an extensive number of cities in Italy, including (but not limited to):

• Milan (Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo)
• Venice (Marco Polo)
• Rome (Fiumicino)
• Salerno - Amalfi Coast
• Lamezia Terme

IATA/ICAO Code FR/RYR

Hub(s) London Stansted Airport, Dublin Airport, Milan Bergamo Airport

Year Founded 1985

Airline Group Ryanair Group

CEO Eddie Wilson

Country Ireland

In the top spot is Ryanair . The low-cost giant is the most important player in the Italian aviation market, both in terms of domestic and international flights. It ranks first in both lists.

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It is also worth noting just how much of a lead Ryanair has in terms of seat availability on the international scene from Italy. Compared to the runner-up, easyJet, Ryanair is offering nearly triple the amount of seats this year. More importantly, its lead compared to ITA Airways is significant, offering nearly five times as many seats in this segment.

How Europe's heatwave is impacting Spain, Italy, and other popular holiday destinations

The Foreign Office has issued extreme weather warnings for Britons travelling to Italy, Spain or Greece - while forecasters have said the stifling conditions are likely to continue into August.

Friday 21 July 2023 02:04, UK

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Meteorologists are warning temperatures will hit new record highs across southern Europe this week.

The latest forecasts show peaks of 44C (111.2F) on multiple days, with temperatures consistently in the high 30s and low 40s across the region.

The Foreign Office has issued extreme weather warnings for Britons travelling to Italy, Spain or Greece - advising them to heed local advice but adding they will not be compensated if they choose to cancel their trips.

The European Space Agency has also warned other countries, including France, Germany and Poland, will face extreme heat this week.

Heatwave latest: Follow our blog for the latest world weather news

The heat is forecast to intensify and could last into August, the World Meteorological Organisation has said.

A new anticyclone, named Charon after the Greek mythological boatman who ferries souls to the underworld, is behind the heatwave.

So, what's happening in the popular European resorts?

Check the forecast for your holiday destination

The heatwave in Spain is still set to intensify, with temperatures predicted to reach 44C in the Guadalquivir Valley near Seville.

It comes as wildfires continue to burn out of control on the Spanish Canary Island of La Palma. More than 4,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes.

More than 300 firefighters, nine water-carrying helicopters and two planes are being used to try to extinguish the blaze.

Spain's Aemet weather agency said the heatwave this week "will affect a large part of the countries bordering the Mediterranean".

The agency says it expects temperatures to drop on Wednesday.

Hot weather alerts have been issued for at least 20 cities in Italy as the country braces for record temperatures .

Highs of 48C (118.4F) have been predicted.

The alerts are in place for major tourist destinations including Rome, Florence and Bologna as well as Palermo in Sicily and Bari in the southeast of the peninsula.

Italy's health minister Orazio Schillaci urged people to take care when visiting tourist hotspots, including Rome's famous ruins.

He told the Il Messaggero newspaper people should stay under cover and avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm.

Meteorologists have said Europe's highest recorded temperature of 48.8C (119.8F), registered in Sicily two years ago, could be exceeded on the Italian island of Sardinia.

Power outages were hitting parts of Rome as electric grids struggled due to heavier demand from air conditioners.

Temperatures in Greece are predicted to fall slightly this weekend, before rising again to around 41C on Sunday.

A major fire still burns close to Athens, which the fire service admits it lost control of as winds increased.

The country's weather agency says the heat has seen highs of 39C (102.2F) in the east and 41C (105.8F) in the west.

But it predicts from Thursday a new heatwave will engulf most areas of the country, with minimum temperatures reaching up to 43C on the mainland, 41C on the Ionian islands and 38C (100.4F) on the Aegean islands.

Tours of the Acropolis monuments have resumed normal opening hours after closing for three days during the hottest part of the day over the weekend.

Similarly to Greece, a second heatwave at the end of this week could bring temperatures of around 40C (104F) to Cyprus.

Those flying into Paphos can currently expect temperatures of about 37C (98.6F).

According to the Cyprus Department of Meteorology: "The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 40 degrees over inland areas and around 32C (89.6F) over the highest mountainous areas.

"During Friday and Saturday the temperature is expected to increase further."

Temperatures in Antalya are currently the highest in Turkey at 39C, followed closely by Adana at 37C.

It is not included in the Foreign Office's extreme weather travel advice, but a second heatwave is due to hit the country by the weekend.

Holidaymakers can expect temperatures in the mid-to-low 30s, with areas around Split currently the hottest.

The country will be hit by even warmer weather as the weekend approaches, but it is not included in the UK heightened travel advice.

Wildfires in Grebastica on the coast caused damage last week.

Switzerland

More than 200 people were forced to evacuate from several villages due to the spread of a fire on the forested flank of a mountain near the Italian border.

Firefighters said it could take days or weeks to fully put out the blaze, which has spread to 100 hectares (250 acres) of forest.

Read more: British holidaymakers changing their plans as temperatures surge

Extreme temperatures are not expected in the country, according to the national forecaster Meteo France.

An orange weather warning, the second-highest alert, has been issued for some areas along the Mediterranean coast.

Temperatures are predicted to reach 34-36C (93.2F-96.8F) around Marseille by Wednesday, with Paris staying slightly cooler at 29C (84.2F).

Storm warnings are in place across southern Poland.

Near Krakow, forecasters predict severe thunder and lightning as well as winds of up to 55mph (90km) and two inches (50mm) of rain.

Temperatures are set to peak at 26C (78.8F) on Wednesday following highs of 35C (95F) last week.

Forecasters predict temperatures will also rise slightly in Germany.

Despite escaping the prolonged extreme temperatures elsewhere in Europe, the Bavaria region recorded 38.8C (101.8F).

USA and Mexico

Outside of Europe - southern US states and northern areas of Mexico are also experiencing heatwave conditions.

Phoenix in Arizona exceeded 43C for the 19th day in a row on Tuesday - breaking its all-time record of 18 straight days over the same temperature.

That record is set to continue being beaten with the intense heat expected to remain for at least the next few days.

Soaring temperatures in California and other parts of the south are due to continue into next week.

The east coast has been hit by flash floods, with at least three dead in Pennsylvania, and storms in the Midwest have left people in Kansas and Missouri without power.

Several flights were cancelled and delayed around New York on Sunday, with Canadian wildfires still causing heat and air pollution issues in the north of the US.

Wildfires have already burned a record amount of area in the Canadian province of British Columbia - with the situation expected to get worse due to more hot, dry weather.

The authorities said the fires are responsible for at least two deaths in the province and, combined with a severe drought, will impact farmers and cattle producers.

Bowinn Ma, the minister of emergency management, told reporters 391 wildfires are currently active in the province with over half of them out of control.

In the last seven days, 235 wildfires have started.

While Europe is sweltering, forecasters say there is a low chance of the UK having a heatwave this summer, with the country not expecting any particularly hot weather until mid-August .

Related Topics

• extreme weather