Before you go

Your trip to Palermo.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Palermo – Sicília Destination Sicília Capital

How to get there

Aeroporto Internazionale di Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (Punta Raisi) (PMO) Cinisi · 35 km
Palermo Centrale 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before you buy. From Rome or Milan, the domestic flight to Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO) takes about an hour or slightly more; from the airport, trains and buses go to the city center. There are Intercity trains from Rome that cross the Strait of Messina on a ferry, and overnight ferries from Naples, Civitavecchia and Genoa.

How many days

Two days cover the center: cathedral, Palazzo dei Normanni, Quattro Canti, Martorana, Ballarò and Teatro Massimo in one day, and Monreale with museums the next. With three or four days you can include the Catacombe, the Zisa, Monte Pellegrino, Mondello and a day trip to Cefalù.

When to go

April to June and September to October usually have good weather for walking. July and August are very hot; visit museums and churches around midday. The Festino de Santa Rosália, on July 14–15, fills the center. Winter is mild, with more rain.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The center is walked on foot, and city buses go to Monreale, Mondello and Monte Pellegrino. The historic center has a ZTL (limited traffic zone) and traffic is difficult: if you rent a car to tour the island, pick it up after leaving the city or leave it in a car park.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Palermo

Morning
Palazzo dei Normanni and cathedral
Start with the opening of the Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cappella Palatina. Walk down Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the Cattedrale di Palermo and, if time allows, climb up to the roof terraces.
Afternoon
Ballarò and street food
Head to the Ballarò market in the Albergheria and have street food for lunch: panelle, arancina and sfincione. Return via Via Maqueda to the Quattro Canti.
Late afternoon
Quattro Canti, Pretoria and Martorana
See the four façades of the Quattro Canti, the Fontana Pretoria and, at Piazza Bellini, the mosaics of the Martorana and the red domes of San Cataldo.
Evening
Teatro Massimo and Via Maqueda
Walk up Via Maqueda to the illuminated Teatro Massimo. Dine in the theatre area or at the Capo market, with dishes such as pasta con le sarde and caponata.

2 days in Palermo

Day 1

Morning
Palazzo dei Normanni and San Giovanni
Open the day at the Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cappella Palatina. Walk down to San Giovanni degli Eremiti, with its red domes and cloister.
Afternoon
Cathedral and Ballarò
Visit the Cattedrale di Palermo and have lunch at the Ballarò market, with street food.
Late afternoon
Quattro Canti, Pretoria and Martorana
Pass through the Quattro Canti and the Fontana Pretoria and visit the Martorana and San Cataldo at Piazza Bellini.
Evening
Teatro Massimo and dinner
End the day at Piazza Verdi, in front of the Teatro Massimo, and dine in the Capo area or on Via Maqueda.

Day 2

Morning
Duomo di Monreale
Take the bus to Monreale early and see the cathedral mosaics, the cloister and the view from the terraces.
Afternoon
Central museums
Back in Palermo, have lunch and visit the Museo Salinas, with the metopes of Selinunte, or the Palazzo Abatellis, with the Triumph of Death.
Late afternoon
Kalsa and waterfront
Walk through the Kalsa to Piazza Marina and the fig tree in Villa Garibaldi, then continue to the Foro Italico waterfront.
Evening
Vucciria or Mondello
Dine in the Vucciria, which becomes a bar hub at night, or go to Mondello to eat fish by the sea.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How many days to stay in Palermo?

Two days for the essentials of the center and Monreale. Three or four to include the Catacombe, the Zisa, Monte Pellegrino, Mondello and a trip to Cefalù.

How to get from the airport to Palermo city center?

Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO) is about 35 kilometres away. There is a train to Palermo Centrale and buses to the center, with stops on Via Libertà and at the station. Check schedules before you arrive.

Can you do a day trip from Palermo to Cefalù and Agrigento?

Yes. Cefalù is about an hour away by regional train. Agrigento is about two hours by train or bus, so it makes for a long day, but it's possible.

What to eat in Palermo?

Street food (arancina, panelle, crocchè, sfincione), pasta con le sarde, caponata, cannolo and cassata. Lunch is usually between 12:30 and 14:30 and dinner from around 20:00.

What is the dress code in churches?

In the Cappella Palatina, the cathedral, the Martorana and Monreale, cover shoulders and knees. Bring a light scarf in summer.

Back to Palermo