Palermo

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Top 9 things to do in Palermo

Palermo, Sicily is colorful, loud, historic, and never short of things to see and do! Adventure is palpable in this unique city. Be sure to squeeze these tourist sights in between the exploration.

  • Orto Botanico di Palermo

    1. Orto Botanico di Palermo

    This wonderland is not only a botanical garden, but also a prestigious research and educational facility belonging to the University of Palermo.

  • The Zisa

    2. The Zisa

    This Moorish castle derives its name from the Arab word “dear” or “splendid.” Completely unique to the region, the castle is a must-see with a fascinating history to explore.

  • 3. Stadio Renzo Barbera

    Football fans, rejoice! In Palermo, soccer is life. Catch your favorite team away from home or cheer with the locals.

  • Quattro Canti

    4. Quattro Canti

    Quattro Canti is some of the earliest urban planning in Europe. Four impressive Baroque buildings line the square, representing the 4 seasons, 4 Spanish kings and 4 patron saint.

  • Palazzo dei Normanni

    5. Palazzo dei Normanni

    It's the oldest royal residence in all of Europe. Today it is the seat of the regional parliament of Sicily, but the most impressive Arab-Byzantine rooms are open to tour.

  • Palermo Cathedral

    6. Palermo Cathedral

    The Palermo Cathedral was made for the architecture buff who will be able to spot Norman, Moorish, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical influence all in the same incredible structure.

  • Cappella Palatina

    7. Cappella Palatina

    This church is sometimes called the “palace church,” and it's nothing short of regal inside. Prepare to be awestruck gazing up at the Saracen arches covered in Byzantine mosaics.

  • Teatro Massimo

    8. Teatro Massimo

    Structurally celebrated for its perfect acoustics, Teatro Massimo is also the third largest opera house in all of Europe.

  • Catacombe dei Cappuccini

    9. Catacombe dei Cappuccini

    Creepy tourist destination or incredible historical document? These Palermo catacombs are sure to be memorable to say the least.

Planning Your Visit

  • Palermo Day Trips: Take a Bus to The Beach

    Palermo beaches are a must! Mondello is the nearest and easiest to reach by Palermo bus #806.

  • Walk Everywhere

    It’s true for most European cities, but especially Sicily’s regional capital. Start in the Old City; admire the architecture and take spontaneous breaks in the many squares.

Good to know

  • Language
    Italian
  • Currency
    Euro (€)
  • Time Zone
    UTC (+01:00)
  • Country Code
    +39
  • Best time to visit
    If you can wait, try to plan your visit for September, when the temperatures are more bearable, the summer crowds are dying down, but the water is still warm and pleasant.

Top Attractions in Palermo

Things to Do in Palermo

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What people are saying about Palermo

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,672 reviews

Great tour of Agrigento - Joshua our driver/guide was fantastic! As a group of 8 we all thought it would be beneficial to have a tour guide at the Valley of the Temples for an additional 15 euros each. Organised smoothly by Joshua - it turned out to be the best idea! We had a brilliant, friendly, enthusiastic and extremely knowledgable Mexican guide who showed us around the amazing UNESCO sites and she made our day! The stop off at Stair of the Turks and our lunch spot on the way back to Palermo were also a lovely bonus. A great day with a great bunch of people :)

Palermo: Full Day in Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples Reviewed by Chi, 09/10/2020

I assume you're reading this because food is part of the reason you travel. This is a wildly entertaining, charming introduction to Palermo's food culture and Sicilian eating. I know where to eat, what to eat and how to eat now that our guide has taught us how not to wander the markets like a lost and intimidated puppy. You get quite a bit of history and random street knowledge with this tour, and if you dig a little, you notice that Marco, the owner, is a go-to for foreign producers and chefs needing a guide for their travel and food shows.

Palermo: 3-Hour Street Food and Local Market Tour Reviewed by Janett, 07/10/2020

This is a brilliant tour to do around Palmermo and a must for anyone looking for something a little different and memorable. The cars are great and Salvo was an excellent guide taking us round to see the sights via the narrow streets of the city. Afterwards we enjoyed a quiet drive out to Mondello to enjoy the sights of this lovely seaside town. If you are comfortable driving with a manual gearbox then book this tour, you won’t regret it.

Palermo: Vintage Fiat 500 Sightseeing Tour Reviewed by Sarah, 27/09/2020

This is the perfect combination of history and food! We especially loved walking through the market and learning about the different types of vegetables. We never would have known about the astrological "clock" on the floor of the cathedral if we had not been with Fabrizio - so interesting!!

Palermo 3-Hour Street Food and History Walking Tour Reviewed by Keira, 13/10/2020

Marco is passionate about Palermo and the street food . He is genuinely a great guy and delivered one of the best street tours I’ve been on. We ran over time wise as Marco answered everyone’s questions informatively and passionately, well done 11/10 ! Perfect

Palermo: 3-Hour Street Food and Local Market Tour Reviewed by Giuseppe, 26/09/2020

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