CityBuddy
English
Palermo, Italy
Photo made by Inmaculada Peña on Pexels.com
When to visit
When are you going to Palermo, Italy?
Pick your dates and travel style to get:
- Personalized day-by-day itinerary
- Budget calculator for your trip
- Pre-trip checklist (visa, eSIM, tickets...)
Are any of these especially important to you?
Select all that apply
Must-include attractions sorted by popularity
Latest trip plans for Palermo, Italy
Browse itineraries created by other travelers
Most popular attractions in Palermo, Italy
1. Palermo Cathedral
A stunning fusion of Norman, Arab and Baroque styles showcasing Sicily's layered history. Climb the rooftop, see royal tombs and ornate chapels up close.
2. Palazzo dei Normanni
A royal palace with breathtaking Norman-Arab mosaics and centuries of history. Explore glittering Palatine Chapel mosaics and stately royal apartments.
3. Teatro Massimo
An opulent 19th-century opera house with superb acoustics and lavish marble interiors. Explore the grand foyer and ornately frescoed auditorium on a tour, or hear an unforgettable live performance.
Book a FREE walking tour in Palermo, Italy
The best way to experience a city with a local tour guide.
Tip: We strongly recommend a free walking tour on your first day to get to know the city with a local guide. They usually cover all main attractions and you can ask for personal recommendations based on your interests for the next days. Book early as spaces fill up fast!
4. Catacombe dei Cappuccini
Step into Palermo's eerie past among thousands of preserved bodies, a study in social history and funerary art. Wander quiet vaults where monks and citizens rest in elaborate dress.
5. Quattro Canti
Baroque centerpiece of Palermo where four ornate corner facades face each other. Walk the lively intersection, admire statues and intricate fountain details.
6. Ballarò Market
Lively Palermo market overflowing with Sicilian flavors and local character. Wander narrow alleys, sample street food, and bargain with vendors.
7. Fontana Pretoria
Striking 16th-century marble fountain famed for dramatic statues and ornate detail. Wander among sculptures in a lively Palermo square, perfect for quick photos.
8. Orto Botanico di Palermo
A peaceful historic botanical garden with rare Mediterranean and tropical plants in central Palermo. Stroll shaded avenues, palm-lined pools, glasshouses and centuries-old trees.
9. Mondello Beach
Fine white sand and clear turquoise water offer a breezy escape from Palermo. Swim, stroll the Art Nouveau seafront, and sip espresso at seaside cafés.
Things to Do in Palermo, Italy
Popular activities and local experiences recommended by travelers
Additional popular things to do in Palermo, Italy
Curated tours, tickets, and activities recommended by travelers
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Cannoli
A symbol of Sicilian pastry, cannoli are fried pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta, often studded with candied fruit or pistachios, and they became popular in Palermo during Carnival.
Cassata Siciliana
This colorful layered cake combines ricotta, sponge cake, marzipan and candied fruit, showing Arab and Norman influences and originally developed by Palermo confectioners.
Frutta Martorana
Made from almond paste and hand-painted to look like real fruit, these marzipan sweets originated in Palermo's convents and are famed for their lifelike detail and bright colors.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Panelle (pane e panelle)
Chickpea flour fritters served in a sesame roll, panelle are a staple of Palermo street food and have been a working-class favorite for generations.
Pani ca Meusa
A sandwich of veal spleen and other offal, often topped with ricotta or caciocavallo cheese, pani ca meusa is a must-try Palermo specialty rooted in the city's medieval market traditions.
Sfincione
A thick, spongy Sicilian-style pizza topped with tomato, onions, breadcrumbs and anchovies, sfincione originated in Palermo and is traditionally eaten around festive occasions.
Traditional Beverages
Granita
This icy, flavored semi-frozen dessert is often enjoyed for breakfast with a soft brioche in Palermo, with almond, lemon and pistachio among the classic local flavors.
Marsala
A fortified wine from western Sicily, Marsala is used both in cooking and as a sipping wine, and it has been exported from Sicily since the 18th century.
Amaro Averna
A Sicilian herbal liqueur created in the 19th century, Amaro Averna is commonly enjoyed after meals in Palermo as a digestif, with a bittersweet and aromatic profile.
Get a PDF with the most popular attractions sent to your email
Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips — perfect for offline use.
Day trips
Erice
Medieval hilltop town with cobbled streets and views.
Google MapsAgrigento (Valle dei Templi)
Impressive Greek temples set on a scenic ridge.
Google MapsComments (9)
Beautiful historic buildings but very touristy near the port, pick quieter neighborhoods to get the real vibe and better prices.
Streets full of life, markets are chaotic in the best way. Food is outstanding, gelato every day, one week felt perfect.
The cathedral at sunset is a highlight, but peak hours are packed. Go early in the morning to enjoy it without crowds.
Many museums and a few churches offer free entry first Sunday of the month, check official schedules and book big sites ahead to skip lines.
Take the AMAT bus from the airport, it drops you on Via Roma for much less than a taxi, buy tickets beforehand from the kiosk.
Getting there
Train stations
Regional and intercity to Messina, Catania, Agrigento, Trapani; airport shuttle train
Suburban services and regional connections in the Palermo area
Take the Prestia e Comandante shuttle train from Palermo Centrale to the airport, or use taxis for late arrivals.
Click to get eSim for Palermo, Italy
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.