Join the Palermo Free Walking Tour starting at Piazza Bellini. They run twice daily (10am and 4pm) and cover the main historic landmarks. Tip guides 10-15 EUR per person.

Entry to the cathedral is free but pay 7 EUR to access the rooftop terraces for panoramic views over the historic center. Look for the mix of Norman, Gothic, and Baroque styles on the exterior.

Inside the Palazzo dei Normanni, this chapel features stunning Byzantine mosaics and a carved wooden ceiling. Buy a combined ticket (12 EUR) for the palace and chapel to avoid queues.

This octagonal piazza at the intersection of Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda is Palermo's historic center point. Best visited at golden hour when the sun lights up the four Baroque facades.

Located on Piazza Pretoria just behind Quattro Canti, this massive 16th-century fountain is known for its nude statues. Check the view from the steps of nearby Chiesa di Santa Caterina.

Head straight to the Cappella Palatina on the upper level , the golden Byzantine mosaics are the main draw. Book your ticket online in advance to skip the long queues.

Located inside the 16th-century Palazzo Abatellis on Via Alloro. Look for Antonello da Messina's 'Annunciata' and the frescoed 'Triumph of Death'.

A short bus ride or 25-minute walk from the gallery. This Arab-Norman hunting palace on Piazza Zisa has restored interiors and a cool basement fountain room.

Check the schedule for evening opera or ballet performances; otherwise, the guided English tour of the auditorium and backstage runs hourly until 6 PM.

Head to Ballarò Market along Via Ballarò in the Albergheria district. Arrive early around 8am to see vendors setting up and sample street food like panelle or fresh fruit while browsing the produce and spice stalls.

Visit the Capuchin Catacombs on Via Cappuccini where hundreds of mummified bodies are displayed in underground corridors. Buy tickets in advance online to skip queues and allow about an hour to walk through the eerie historical exhibits.

Walk to the nearby Orto Botanico on Via Lincoln, one of Europe's largest botanical gardens. Explore the greenhouses and outdoor sections featuring tropical plants and a massive 18th century Ficus magnolioides tree.

Search for a trattoria in the Kalsa neighborhood, known for authentic Sicilian home cooking. Look for places advertising homemade pasta and order a classic dish like pasta alla Norma or sardine pasta.

Take bus 806 from Piazza Sturzo to Mondello. Settle at the free public beach near the pier or rent a lounger at Stabilimento Balneare. Try a granita with brioche from a beachfront kiosk.

Walk through this neoclassical public garden near Piazza Marina. Look for the ornate late-18th-century fountain and the tall ficus trees shading the promenade. It is a five-minute walk from the Foro Italico.

Head to Via Maqueda or the Ballarò market area after dark. Look for stalls selling pane e panelle (chickpea fritters in a sesame bun) or a paper cone of sfincione, Palermo's thick-crust pizza topped with tomato, onion, and caciocavallo.

Located on Piazza Bellini. This 12th-century Byzantine church features stunning mosaics and a unique blend of Norman, Arab, and Baroque elements. Look for the original Greek inscriptions and the Frutta Martorana marzipan fruits sold by nearby vendors.

Right next to La Martorana on Piazza Bellini. Distinctive for its three red domes and spare Norman interior. The austere stone walls and geometric floor plan contrast beautifully with the ornate Martorana next door.

Photo: Andrea Schaffer from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0

Head to the Kalsa district or Via Gianfante to find workshops selling handmade Sicilian ceramics, puppets, or coral jewelry. Ask to see the craftspeople at work and look for shops with visible kilns or tools.

Order granita al limone or alla mandorla with a soft brioche , the classic Sicilian summer breakfast or afternoon snack. Historic cafés like those near Piazza Politeama or Piazza Castelnuovo serve it fresh.