Travel guide to Palermo (Sicily): Best things to do in the city

Italy has so many excellent vacation spots that it can be hard to choose where to plan your next getaway for. Don’t fret though: Sicily might just be the destination for you! Located on a large island in the Mediterranean Sea, the region stands out from the rest of the country. Even if you have been to Italy before, you will see unique cultural features in cuisine, architecture, and language in Sicily that separate it from the mainland.

The capital of Sicily is Palermo. It is known to be the most conquered city in the world. The years of constant changing of the guards have passed though, and the only threat of Palermo being invaded today comes from the huge crowds of tourists. The magnified interest in the city is not surprising at all: Palermo offers plenty of top attractions for each type of traveler.

In this article, we would like to share with you the best things to do in Palermo, Sicily.

Is Palermo worth visiting?

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Hell yes! Palermo has it all — ancient ruins, beautiful architecture, and delicious cuisine. Want to have some fun at night? Palermo has got you covered in this department too — there are lots of venues that bring only the best levels of entertainment and service to the table. And if that is not enough for you, exceptional beaches and lovely villages are waiting for you right outside the city.

Our list of things to do in Palermo

Our last trip to Palermo lasted five days. That was enough to get the gist of the city and even venture outside its limits for a day trip or two.

We found that Palermo has only gotten more confusing the more we discovered it — dilapidated side streets and a prominent trash problem gave way to the most stunning buildings and squares we’ve ever seen, while hole-in-the-wall eateries crowded around the Michelin-star restaurants (both haunts offered the most palatable dishes, no matter how random our order was). Palermo is the result of centuries’ worth of colonization trauma, but the city looks to the future wide-eyed and hopeful.

Sicily as a whole was a prominent part of our Italian pilgrimage; and our previous stop was in Bologna — all these factors contributed greatly to the way we experienced the rich history and stark contrasts of Palermo.

In preparation for our trip, we took to the Internet, but couldn’t quite find the exact list of things to do in Palermo that covered every notable activity you can take part in here. So, we took to the streets, created our own itinerary, and after a test run, decided to share it with you. Here’s what you should do when visiting Palermo:

Marvel at Palermo Cathedral

It might be a challenge to find a perfect starting point for your itinerary — the city has as many as eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites to choose from. Truthfully, you can’t go wrong if you kick it off with the most popular tourist attraction here — Palermo Cathedral. This large religious complex offers an impressive exterior with a mixture of architectural styles to examine, including Norman, Arabic, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical. The swirling tumult of exquisite and strikingly different architectural choices is a sight to behold: Though contrasting at times, the entire scene comes together beautifully, with a certain level of fine balance that cannot be replicated today.

Palermo Cathedral complex is even more exciting on the inside, where arches, porticoes, and cupolas give way to wall embellishments and intricately carved high ceilings. The cathedral itself is free to visit, but you have to pay if you want to check out additional areas like a crypt, royal tombs, a treasury, and a rooftop. Depending on the package you want to get, expect to pay anywhere between €7 and €15. It’s always possible to get a ticket at the door, but mind the working hours before coming here.

While we do believe that your eyes can grow too accustomed to the wonder that is Sicilian multicultural design efforts (all the bedecking kind of grows on you the more time you spend here), the historical undertones that follow you all throughout the treasury and the crypts can keep things interesting. As you might have learned by now, we’re not big on museums, but the winding halls and underground sections of the Cathedral have certainly left their mark in our memory.

The star of the show here, however, is Palermo Cathedral’s rooftop — going up the narrow staircase and onto the long roof path is a must-do activity for any traveler who wants to appreciate stunning panoramic views of Palermo.

See the inner beauty of Norman Palace

The Norman Palace, also known as Palazzo dei Normanni, is another important UNESCO-listed architectural monument that shows the impact different cultures left on Palermo. Numerous conquerors of Sicily used the palace as their residence, thus creating a long history of alterations and reconstructions for the building. Now it continues to house the local parliament, which is considered to be one of the first legislatures in the entire world.

Though the building serves an administrative function, some of the areas are open to the public. The most mind-blowing part of the complex and one of the best things to see in Palermo is Cappella Palatina. This royal chapel has a unique interior design that blends Byzantine, Norman, and Fatimid architecture. It’s very gold-forward, one can say blinged out even, but what else can you expect from a place of worship that has spanned multiple cultures in its lifetime? The ticket for the Norman Palace is expensive (€19), but the stunning mosaics and other important and mesmerizing artworks are worth the price. Make sure to book in advance and check the schedule online.

Take a detour into local markets

Palermo is synonymous with amazing food, there’s no way around it. Sure, it’s a treat for the eyes, but man, oh man — the food, the delicious food is what brings the hungry holidaymakers to the dilapidated (but still gorgeous) streets of Palermo. Sicilian cuisine truly knows no bounds: The rich and jumbled heritage has definitely created a wide range of palatable dishes to choose from, and the volcanic soil and coastal location keep the produce as fresh as it can possibly be.

We highly encourage you take a breather between architectural sightings and visit one of Palermo’s famous street markets. Trust us, even if you’re already full, the experience will prove worth it: Walking around the colorful stalls overflowing with vegetables, fruits, the catch of the day and other delicious specimen is not only food-centric, but people-forward as well! This way, you’ll get to see the raw and authentic Palermo, where vendors and locals (a glam coastal sciura or a young and ambitious private chef) are in a state of constant battle for the lowest prices and the freshest produce. We would say “grab your popcorn”, but we don’t want to be that sacrilegious: Such a show requires you to have a snack to match all snacks, and Palermo has a wide selection of them!

But first, let’s talk details: There are several markets in the city center, such as Mercato del Capo or La Vucciria, but Palermitans’ favorite is Ballarò. It’s a fascinating ancient street market, where you can try some yummy snacks at low prices. Let us highlight some of the local specialties you absolutely must try here:

Arancini (rice balls),
sfincione (Sicilian pizza),
cannoli (fried pastry with cream),
panelle (chickpea fritters),
and brioche con gelato (ice cream sandwich).

Keep in mind, this is just a small taste of the vast and varied Sicilian cuisine that we’re so fond of. Consider this just the aperitivo, a true tip of the iceberg, a piece of basil on the pizza — if you want to dive in headfirst and learn more tips on places to eat in Palermo and other dishes to add to the list, keep reading, there’s an entire section dedicated to the topic further down!

Cry to the sounds of Italian opera

After you’ve had your fair share of arancini, it’s time to focus on feeding your mind and soul: Ancient Rome had “bread and circuses”, and modern Italy offers opera — the mode of entertainment that is beautiful and tragic and the same time, and not superficial in the slightest! In Palermo, there’s only one place that truly steps up to the occasion — Teatro Massimo. It is the biggest opera house in Italy. Al Pacino himself was enjoying the show from the royal box here in Godfather III!

Listening to wonderful opera or classical music concerts in the magnificent interior of the Massimo Theater is definitely worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime. If you are not as rich as Al Pacino, you can save some money by getting a seat in the back — don’t worry, the acoustics here are so great you won’t even notice the difference! The theater’s event schedule for 2024 can be found on their website (there are a couple of ballets and operas that we’re contemplating seeing ourselves in the nearest future, maybe we’ll see you there?).

Not a fan of opera? Scandalo! Just kidding, to each their own; but in this case we still encourage you to pay the Massimo Theater a visit. You can simply book a guided tour (€10), which even takes you to the backstage area. No matter what you choose, we advise you to book your tickets beforehand, especially in high season: You don’t want to bring your evening black-tie attire only to leave it hanging in the hotel closet!

Feel all the spooks at Capuchin Catacombs

Checking out the Capuchin Catacombs is definitely one of the darker and more macabre (but still chilling and intriguing) things to do in Palermo. This destination is a weaving web of tunnels filled with more than 8,000 skeletons and mummies — a sight not for the faint-hearted! The catacombs started at the beginning of the 17th century when monks ran out of space in their regular cemetery. The friars were the first mummified remains to be exhibited, but soon the wealthy men were to follow. Now, the mummies on show are separated by gender, profession, societal status, and sometimes family ties. Due to the volcanic origin of the island, a special microclimate helped to keep bodies from decomposing — that is, together with their intricate embalming process.

The most well-known person to be buried here is a little girl named Rosalia Lombardo. Locals call her Sleeping Beauty — she is preserved in perfect condition even though she died in 1920. To tell you the truth, this is the eeriest sight in the entire catacombs, the one that can leave you with the most dread and unease.

The catacombs are open every day from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 15:00 to 17:30. The ticket will only cost you €5. There are guided tours available, but they cost a lot more: Plus, it’s sometimes best not to learn too much about the history of the place, in lieu of avoiding nightmares for weeks to come. If staring at dead bodies in the underground tunnels creeps you out, you better skip this Palermo activity.

Admire the sculptures of Fontana Pretoria

Set smack dab in the historical center of Palermo, Fontana Pretoria is a sight to behold! Visiting the area should be on your list of things to do in Palermo, no matter how much time you have in the city — the view, as well as the history behind it, are quintessential to understanding the city as a whole.

The fountain’s nickname provides a sneak peek into its layered lore: The site is also known as the Fountain of Shame because of the naked statues of men and women, which were not exactly to the liking of many Catholics back in the day. Now, the crowds are way more tolerating, and you can appreciate the sculptor’s fine craftsmanship when it comes to creating real-looking bodies out of stone.

The fountain was originally built in Florence and sold to Palermo at the end of the 16th century. Sadly, some sculptures were damaged and lost during the relocation. Even though it is not the complete ensemble that the sculptor had in mind, you will still be impressed by gorgeous marble statues of gods, tritons, nymphs, and even animals.

Wander along Via Maqueda

If one fountain is not enough for you (and when is it enough? You’re in Italy!), there are a few more right around the corner on Via Maqueda. This pedestrian street is home to plenty of notable sites, but the overall look of its stretch is the thing most exciting about the street: In daytime, the light bounces off reddish awnings, bathing the businesses below in a rust-colored soft hue.

The must-see attraction of Via Maqueda is Quattro Canti, a square with four skillfully decorated buildings. Each of the upper sections has the statues of patron saints and kings of the four main districts of the old city while the fountains below represent one of the four seasons. Take your time here: The square has a lot of hidden gems and intricate carvings that are worthy of your attention!

Pompous and eye-catching Sicilian Baroque architecture is not the only thing Via Maqueda has to offer. It houses many cafes, restaurants, fashion boutiques, and souvenir shops. Located right in the heart of Palermo’s city center, it is a popular hotspot and a pleasant area to take a stroll in. If you get hungry, we recommend Ke Palle for snacks, Bisso Bistrot for lunch, and Cannoli&Co for dessert.

Chill out on sandy beaches

You definitely had this idea in mind before coming to Sicily — the images of exceptionally soft warm sand and clear blue water beckoning you to go on a beach vacation. There is a slight catch — though Palermo is located by the sea, it only has a port and a waterfront promenade. To enjoy the sun and water, you have to get out of the city.

If a small day trip in a new place sounds daunting, do not worry! We have prepared for you a short guide to all of the best beaches in Sicily that are set close to Palermo:

Mondello — the closest and the easiest one to get to. It is only 11 km/7 mi away from Palermo. You can drive (leave early for the best parking spots), take the 806 city bus (€1.4), or even get here by foot (it’s a 2-hour walk from Palermo’s city center). There are countless restaurants, bars, and clubs in the area for you to chill in. The only downside of Mondello Beach is the fact that it easily gets crowded due to its proximity to the city, but the overall quality of leisure provided makes up for the inconvenience!
Cefalù — another popular destination among locals and tourists. The town is one hour away by train (€6.2). Alternatively, it takes the same 60 minutes by car from the center of Palermo. Again, you better leave in the morning so as not to waste time trying to find a parking spot (small coastal towns are prone to parking problems here in Italy). Heading to Cefalù also gives you a chance to visit the beautiful UNESCO-listed Cefalù Cathedral for free.
San Vito Lo Capo — it takes time to get here, but it is one of the most beautiful coastal locations in Sicily. A wonderful white sand beach and crystal-clear water two hours away from Palermo by car, — does it get better than this? You can also go by bus (€10), but only in summer — during the off-season the buses are few and far between.
Capo Gallo — while you won’t find a pebble beach near Palermo, there are some great rocky ones. Capo Gallo is just a little bit further from the city than Mondello Beach, so you can easily make it here by the same 806 bus. It has no infrastructure but offers you a change of landscape and more space and quiet than popular sandy beaches.

While the beaches listed here can be described as little slices of paradise, keep in mind that Sicily is no Sardinia — Sardinian beaches are where it’s at, so if you want your vacation to be solely beach-centric (with a dash of road tripping sprinkled in), we recommend you switch to the other island!

Visit Palermo’s ancient churches

Except for the main cathedral, there are plenty of other churches to see in Palermo. Many of the sites that accommodate these religious clusters have UNESCO heritage status, so it is truly a Sophie’s choice of where to start your Sicilian pilgrimage. Personally, we would start with Piazza Bellini — the square has three gorgeous Norman churches in one place. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves; check out our list of stunning churches of Palermo and pick a few that will best fit into your itinerary:

San Giovanni degli Eremiti — red domes, a very modest interior, and a fantastic inner yard; prominent Arabic influences of the church shine through, creating a unique site to explore. Admission: €6
Church of San Cataldo (Piazza Bellini) — simple design (forget about ornate facades, the bare bones of the church are the selling point here) and original mosaic floor. Admission: €2.50
Church of the Martorana (Piazza Bellini) — a Romanesque bell tower and spectacular Byzantine (think mostly gold, with cerulean accents) artwork inside. Admission: €2
Chiesa di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria (Piazza Bellini) — beautiful marble decorations and access to the rooftop terrace. Try cannoli from the church bakery (a secret recipe that was passed down from the nuns of the original covenant here). Admission: €3 (church); €10 (church, monastery, terrace)
Chiesa del Gesù — a luxurious baroque interior with frescoes and sculptures (the levels of embellishments here are nothing short of head-spinning). Admission: €5 (church and museum)

Keep in mind that on Sundays and holidays there might be services and shorter working hours in the churches mentioned. Also, when visiting a church in Palermo, it’s a good idea to throw some sort of light cover on your shoulders if they are bare: A small shawl or even a shirt will go far when respecting the locals that use these spaces as actual places of worship.

Take a break from the city at Botanical Garden

Has it been a few days in Palermo already? Are you getting tired of looking at crumbling sand-hued backstreets and elbowing your way through the hustle and bustle of the city’s main avenues come sundown? It’s time you reconnect with nature; touch grass, if you will. One of the best places to do so is Palermo’s Botanical Garden.

What once was a small lot with medicinal herbs for the royal family is now a large green area with various plants from all over the world (with a focus on wild Sicilian-forward examples). You will get to see rare flowers and trees (the giant ficus tree that drops roots from its branches is a sight to see), statues, greenhouses, and even an outdoor aquarium, — a perfect spot to hang out for travelers with kids. The ticket costs €7. Keep in mind that in hot and humid months there will be tons of mosquitos — don’t forget to bring bug spray!

Watch a puppet show

The Opera dei Pupi, a Sicilian puppet theater, has been inscribed in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The shows based on medieval French poems became a popular form of entertainment in Southern Italy in the early 1800s. Though puppet theater had to overcome quite a few challenges, like the spread of cinema and TV, economic crises, and coronavirus, it is still alive and kicking.

Most of the puppet theaters in Palermo are family-run businesses passing handmade dolls and secrets of the craft across generations. Fascinating performances about kings, dragons, and knights are one of the best things to see in Palermo, especially if you travel with family. Carlo Magno and Argento theaters have great shows. You can check the season schedule online.

Explore the local museums

For those wishing to learn something new, there are plenty of things to do in Palermo. It comes as no surprise that the city with such a tumultuous past and promising future has a lot of interesting museums — it’s just the way the cookie (or cannoli) crumbles! We chose a few more exciting options for your itinerary:

Archeological Antonio Salinas Museum — ancient Sicilian artifacts and one of the country's largest collections of Punic and Greek art. Ticket: €7
Stanze al Genio Museum — a collection of 5,000 skillfully painted ceramic tiles from Sicily and Naples. Guided tours only (you can find the schedule here). Ticket: €10
Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum — more than 3,500 handmade marionettes. Ticket: €10 (show + museum)
Galleria d'Arte Moderna Sant'Anna — Italian and European artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries. Ticket: €10

Have a picnic in a city park

Trying to find a comfortable spot to try all of the Sicilian street food you’ve purchased in a state of extreme hunger? We have a few great options just for that:

Want to have a great view of verdant paths while devouring your next cannoli? Giardino Garibaldi is the place for you. It is free to enter and is home to one of the hidden gems of Palermo — the biggest ficus tree in Europe.
Prefer sitting by the water? We know just the place. Foro Italico, a big lawn right on the city promenade, welcomes you 24/7 — the views are stunning here no matter the time of day or night!
Looking for something peaceful further from the historic center? Parco della Favorita is your choice. It is even bigger than New York’s Central Park, so you will find plenty of space here.

Paint the town red come sundown

Care for a drink on a pleasant evening in Palermo? Make sure you do it right:

What you should start with is aperetivo. Qvivi Bar opens at 6 p.m. and offers great snacks and cocktails at reasonable prices.
After that, bar hop in the Old Town. Some of the best venues here are Botteghe Colletti and Bottiglieria Massimo.
If you are in the mood for some live music, peek into Cantavespri Wines and Vinyls.
All the bars usually close around 3 a.m., but there is one place in the city that never sleeps — your final stop is La Vucciria market, the epicenter of nightlife in Palermo.

Get knee-deep into the history of Palermo

If you are done with all of the top things to do in Palermo, it is time for something more controversial. We all know that the best way to explore a new city is with a tour, and Palermo has no shortage of both basic and more exciting options:

NO Mafia Walking Tour — learn more about the city’s battle with organized crime;
UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour — focus on Palermo’s crème de la crème sites;
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket — back to the basics; explore the city’s highlights at your own pace;
Vintage Fiat 500 Sightseeing Tour — the chicest way to see Palermo; you might want to dress up a bit to blend in with the surroundings!

While we appreciate the wide array of choices here, we decided to get off the beaten path completely and go underground! Yes, you’ve read that right: Palermo has an activity for real daredevils, and that is exploring the city’s qanats (underground water tunnels). This engineering (and fear-inducing) marvel dates back to the 9th century when the network was built for irrigation purposes.

We feel like going deep underground and crawling through tight spaces is an unforgettable experience and an exciting way to learn more historical facts about Palermo. However, it is great only when you have a trusted guide — otherwise, do not even bother putting the activity on your Palermo itinerary.

The tours usually provide helmets, rubber boots, and waterproof jackets. Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes just in case — the water levels in some parts might be high. We think it goes without saying, but this type of tour is not recommended if you are afraid of small spaces or water.

Our breakdown of Sicilian cuisine

What is Palermo best known for? It has one of the best street food in the entire world — we’re not kidding! What makes Sicilian cuisine so delicious and unique? Just like architecture, it has been influenced by all the foreign cultures that once colonized the island. Local meals are a mixture of Italian, Greek, Arab, Spanish, and French recipes.

Food in Palermo is practically everywhere — there are thousands of small cafes, stalls, shops, and street vendors. What’s great is the 80/20 approach you can take to your eating out in Palermo — when you plan to discover all the eateries, this high/low percentage is what will get you the best results (in Palermo, some plastic-chair-bearing haunts offer better menus than your usual snobby Michelin-star restaurant, just saying!).

It’s impossible to fit all of the impeccable dishes the island has to offer in one day, so you will have to be patient and give yourself more time to try it all (no matter how greasy or high-calorie the dish looks, you only live once!). Make sure to discover the city on foot, so you can burn calories faster and make some room for even more delicious food. Let’s list all the best local specialties and try to figure out what is what!

What food is Palermo known for?

Arancini — fried rice balls stuffed with meat or cheese (some eateries get very creative with their fillings, make sure to try’em all!);
Cannoli — fried pastry with sweet ricotta cream;
Gelato con brioche — an ice cream sandwich;
Granita con brioche — a slushy and a bun (a classic breakfast choice, even if it sounds weird at first);
Pani ca meusa — a veal spleen sandwich;
Sfincione — Sicilian square pizza;
Panelle — chickpea fritters (vegetarians’ delight);
Caponata—– relish made of eggplants, tomatoes, celery, onions, and olives;
Pasta alla norma — pasta with eggplant;
Parmigiana di melanzane — eggplant lasagna (Sicilians love their eggplants! Do you think Freud would’ve approved?).

Our top picks of cafes & bars in Palermo:
✔️Ballarò street market — come here for any kind of hot Sicilian snacks as well as fresh produce;
✔️Chiesa di Santa Caterina — for fresh cannoli from the church bakery and the beautiful inner yard with roses;
✔️Cannoli&Co — for some of the best cannoli in the city;
✔️Gelateria Al Cassaro — for gelato con brioche;
✔️Bisso Bistro — for lunch in the city center even during siesta hours;
✔️Ke Palle — for delicious arancini;
✔️Pizzeria Frida — for Sicilian-style pizza;
✔️Nino u Ballerino — for pani ca meusa and other Sicilian sandwiches;
✔️Cioccolateria Lorenzo — for coffee and desserts;
✔️Qvivi bar — for aperetivo and live music.

A few more things you need to know before visiting Palermo

Now that you know the best places to visit in Palermo, it’s a good idea to look into the more general questions you might have about the city. We would like to share a few of our observations that might be useful for your travels:

The best time to visit Palermo is spring and early autumn. The weather is nice and the city is less crowded than in summer.
Make time to get to know the city. It’s not possible to do all of the top things in Palermo in 1 day. So how much time do you actually need? We’d say 3-5 days is enough for Palermo — you will be able to see all of the architectural wonders and taste all of the must-try Sicilian dishes.
The cheapest way to get from the airport to Palermo is by public transport. Both train and bus cost around €6 and take about one hour. The average taxi fare is €35.
It might be cheaper to fly to another Sicilian airport in Trapani, but you will probably have to rent a car from there — bus schedule to Palermo is inconvenient, as it does not correlate with flight arrivals at all (you’ll have to wait a few hours for the bus).
Starting from May, renting a car on the spot (or even a few days ahead) tends to be unrealistic due to high demand. We advise you figure out your rental situation well beforehand: Rentalcars service has all the rates of major companies in one place. A good thing to keep in mind when picking out a car to drive in Palermo is that most of the options have manual transmission.
Driving in Sicily can be tricky: Most locals drive quite fast and usually in an aggressive manner, so be careful and stay vigilant.
Parking in the city usually costs €1 per hour. The confusing part is the ZTL zone, a limited traffic area, which covers pretty much all of the historic center. To enter it you need to buy a daily pass that costs €5. For detailed instructions visit this website.
Look out for the street kiosks and tobacco shops to buy tickets for public transport in Palermo. You will have to pay €3.5 for a daily pass or €1.4 for a single ticket (it has a free transfer for 90 minutes after validation). For other options, check this website.
Rented cars are quite handy for day trips from Palermo, but what if you can’t drive? The train is a good alternative. It is a cheap and comfortable way to explore Sicily. You can check tickets on the Trenitalia website.
Though some of the streets are very narrow and busy with traffic, Palermo is a true walkable city. Some of the nice areas to take a stroll in are the historic center (Via Maqueda), the downtown (Via Liberta), and the city promenade. Explore Palermo at a leisurely pace to find often overlooked spots off the beaten path.
To get a better look at the city from the top, go to the rooftops of Palermo Cathedral and Chiesa di Santa Caterina.
Freelancers’ hell: There are almost no specialty coffee shops and laptop-friendly cafes in Palermo. If you are looking for a place to work, Cioccolateria Lorenzo is one of the few options.
It is safe to drink tap water in Sicily, but there might be a metallic taste in the towns close to volcano areas. Palermo is fine though, no need to worry!

Where to stay in Palermo?

The obvious choice for those coming to Palermo for the first time is the Old Town. You will save time by having all of the major attractions right around the corner. Another great neighborhood to stay in is Libertà. It is suitable for travelers looking for things to do in Palermo in 3 days or longer. The area is cleaner, more comfortable, and less crowded, while notable sites of the historic center are still within walking distance.

There are many apartments and hotels in Palermo, but you better book your stay in advance for a high-season month. Let us offer you some of the accommodations we stayed at personally:

Giulio Cesare 14 Residence (from €100 per night) — a budget-friendly option close to the train station and public transport stops. Nice rooms with a small kitchen and a shared terrace.
3* La Terrazza sul Centro (from €120 a night) — excellent location, amazing breakfast, and great views of the city from the hotel terrace.
4* Divisi Suites & SPA (from €230 a night) — spacious and comfortable rooms in the heart of Palermo. Breakfast buffet is included.

Day trips from Palermo

If you have enough time for a long vacation, you might be interested in things to do around Palermo as well. There are plenty of sights worth checking out in Sicily (it is one of the most beautiful destinations we’ve ever been to).

Best day trips from Palermo:

Monreale
Highlights: The UNESCO-listed cathedral with stunning mosaics.
Best way to get here: 40 minutes by 389 city bus (€1.4)
Cefalù
Highlights: Golden sandy beaches and a World Heritage Site.
Best way to get here: 1 hour by train (€6.2)
Trapani
Highlights: Salt flats and windmills.
Best way to get here: 2 hours by bus (€10)
Erice
Highlights: Medieval fortresses and breathtaking views.
Best way to get here: 2 hours by car
Etna
Highlight: The famous volcano.
Best way to get here: 3 hours by train to Catania (€15)
Marsala
Highlight: Wine tasting.
Best way to get here: 2.5 hours by bus (€11)
San Vito Lo Capo
Highlights: White sand beaches and caves.
Best way to get here: 2 hours by car

Best things to do in Palermo: in conclusion

Palermo is a city with a dazzling heritage and bright promises of the future, each corner of it hiding the secrets of centuries past that often go unnoticed by the hurried travelers. We hope that with our list of things to do in Palermo, we have managed to give you a rough outline of what your stay in the city might look or feel like (you are guaranteed to get a slice of Palermo’s unwavering spirit and ambition to take back home).

If you still have questions regarding Palermo’s must-see sights and must-do activities, feel free to leave them in the comments down below. Have a fun story about your travels here? We’re more than thrilled to read them and update our list based on your suggestions!