23 Fabulous Issues to do in Palermo Italy, Scorching Sicilian Capital

Adventurous Kate incorporates affiliate hyperlinks. Should you make a purchase order by means of these hyperlinks, I’ll earn a fee at no further value to you. Thanks!

There are such a lot of cool issues to do in Palermo Italy! Palermo is the biggest metropolis within the autonomous area of Sicily, with a inhabitants of about 650,000. It sits within the sunshine, surrounded by seashores and nestled in by tall cliffs.

And what a metropolis it’s. Palermo is stuffed with loud and passionate individuals, attractive and weird spiritual structure, some questionable driving, and completely incredible (and infrequently uncommon) meals.

I not too long ago spent per week in Palermo — for much longer than most guests spend right here. And let me inform you, this time was very properly spent!

There are various misconceptions about Palermo — particularly regarding security. Although vacationers usually affiliate Palermo with mafia risks, Palermo is a secure metropolis to go to, about as secure as any main European metropolis. (You can read more on Palermo safety below.)

I additionally anticipated Palermo to be simply as brash and loud as Naples — but it surely wasn’t that manner in any respect. Palermo really felt pretty low-key so far as Italian cities go — not almost as wild as Naples or Rome. Go determine!

Palermo can also be extraordinarily good worth for cash. I stay in Prague, which has a fame of an inexpensive metropolis (although it’s gotten a lot pricier lately). Palermo is considerably cheaper than Prague, particularly in relation to meals and lodging. Large arancine for a euro? That’s lunch!

Palermo will not be as well-known as Florence or Rome — however this underrated metropolis is properly price a go to.

This put up was revealed in February 2023.

A single statue of an angel on a piazza in Palermo, in front of city roofs and mountains in the distance.

Issues to Do in Palermo Italy

You’ll discover on my listing of issues to do in Palermo has quite a lot of church buildings and quite a lot of meals. Actually, that’s what Palermo does greatest!

The Arab-Norman structure has earned UNESCO World Heritage Designation for quite a lot of church buildings within the metropolis — all price visiting.

And the meals! From hearty pastas and wild road meals to delectable pastries, Palermo is among the most scrumptious cities I’ve ever visited.

What are good issues to do in Palermo with youngsters?

Children visiting Palermo will love all of the pastry shops and taking part in within the sand at Mondello Beach.

What are one of the best day journeys from Palermo Italy?

My high suggestions for day journeys from Palermo are the seashore city of Cefalù, the romantic hill city of Erice, and the Greek ruins of Segesta.

Life-changing panzerotti kick off your Palermo meals tour!

Go on a Palermo Avenue Meals Tour with Streaty

If there’s something you need to do in your FIRST day in Palermo, it’s go on a meals tour. Whereas I like to recommend doing that in every single place, it’s particularly vital to take action in Sicily and ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY so in Palermo as a result of there are such a lot of distinctive meals right here that you simply received’t know to order!

Streaty is a Sicilian-owned firm that provides a number of totally different meals excursions in Palermo. On these excursions you’ll have a enjoyable, pleasant information introducing you to a few of the better-known Sicilian specialties (like cannoli and pasta con le sarde) and a few extra wild stuff (insalata musso and donkey mortadella!).

I went on the Classic Sicilian Food & Wine Tour and had SUCH a very good time! This tour is beneficiant with each the meals and wine (OMG a lot wine) and also you go to quite a lot of cool eating places and get to take a seat down, which doesn’t all the time occur on a strolling tour.

After this tour, you’ll have a number of eating places and spots you’ll wish to go to once more!

A street market in Sicily with people selling food items.
Bollaro Market in Palermo Italy

Palermo Markets

Visiting the road markets is a good way to get to know Italian cities on a neighborhood stage — and that’s very true for Palermo. Palermo could be very a lot a market metropolis, and there are three price visiting: Ballaro, Capo, and Vucciria, all situated pretty shut to one another.

Should you solely have time to go to one market, make it Ballaro. That is the biggest market in Palermo and wandering round it feels SO Sicilian — distributors shouting to you to strive their cheeses, meats, contemporary juices, and numerous fried meals cooked on the spot, like arancine (not arancini — Western Sicily spells it in a different way than Japanese Sicily). It’s wild and welcoming and a full sensory expertise!

Capo is one other good market, situated near Teatro Massimo. There are many nice produce stalls right here and fairly a little bit of road meals choices right here, from sfincione pizza to freshly fried panelle chickpea fritters.

Vucciria has lengthy been one of many high markets in Palermo, however lately the market stalls are dwindling and it’s turning extra into an aperitivo or nightlife vacation spot. (More on that below.) It’s nonetheless price visiting, and yow will discover road distributors turning out only-in-Palermo eats like stigghiola, veal or lamb intestines wrapped round a spring onion and barbecued.

A chapel covered with curving ceilings topped with golden mosaics and images of Christ and the apostles.

Palatine Chapel

As I write this piece, I’m conscious {that a} metropolis like Palermo may give you main church/UNESCO fatigue. However I visited the Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina) and it was so excellent, it crammed me with pleasure.

This chapel is situated on the second ground of the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni, or Palazzo Reale/Royal Palace). The constructing appears good, however nothing too thrilling.

And then you definitely get to the chapel. Put together to be blown away. Gold rains down from each angle. Like the opposite UNESCO World Heritage Websites in Palermo, it’s all concerning the mixing of religions and cultures, and it feels extra like a Byzantine spiritual monument with Islamic influences within the geometric tile patterns.

The mosaics listed here are significantly spectacular, and I used to be shocked at how lots of the patterns regarded like basic American quilt patterns I affiliate with Americana. What a shock to see them in Sicily.

Admission to go to the chapel, the palace, and the outside gardens is 11 EUR ($12 USD).

A person on a bicycle standing in front of a magnificent street corner filled with statues and a fountain.

Take within the View from Quattro Canti

Palermo’s most well-known intersection, named after its 4 corners, is situated at Corso Vittorio Emanuele and By way of Maqueda. This space was constructed within the Baroque model between 1608 and 1620, at a time when Palermo was below Spanish rule.

Right here the intricate 4 corners divide 4 conventional Palermo neighborhoods — La Loggia to the northeast, Kalsa to the southeast, Albergheria to the southwest, and Seralcadio/Capo to the northwest.

Moreover, every nook has art work dedicated to one of many Spanish Kings of Sicily, in addition to its patron saint and fountain depicting one of many 4 seasons.

This intersection is a good spot for pictures and capturing some actually Palermitan road scenes!

A hand holding an espresso martini in front of a rooftop view of a white and yellow church on a piazza, blue sky behind it.

Have Cocktails on High of La Rinascente

La Rinascente is an upscale division retailer in downtown Palermo, situated proper on Piazza San Domenico. It’s price a pop in to see what’s on the market — I ended up shopping for a coat and bought a 20% low cost only for signing up for his or her electronic mail listing — however the true attraction is the roof.

There’s a rooftop restaurant with an exquisite view over the piazza beneath, and catches all of the sunshine. We requested for espresso they usually solely serve espresso downstairs — so we requested for espresso martinis. What an ideal loophole!

I can’t communicate to the restaurant, but it surely makes an amazing place to go for a break from vacationer points of interest the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a lovely view.

And should you’re searching for cocktail bars at evening, there are heaps in Palermo’s metropolis middle. We significantly cherished one referred to as Terzo Tempo.

A sand-colored theater with big Greek columns and a staircase in front. A horse-drawn carriage is on the road in front of it.

Teatro Massimo

Palermo’s most well-known theater, Teatro Massimo, is the biggest opera home in Italy and a significant landmark in popular culture. Have you ever seen The Godfather: Half III? A sure very well-known and tragic scene was shot on the steps of the opera home. (No, I cannot spoil a 30+ year-old movie.)

It’s an extremely grand constructing, and a guided tour of the theater is among the hottest issues to do in Palermo. Would you moderately see an opera? Great. You will get opera tickets in Palermo for a lot lower than what you’d pay in Florence or Milan.

(Whereas a scene came about inside Teatro Massimo in HBO’s The White Lotus, it was really filmed within the theater in Catania. Don’t count on it to look the identical!)

A sand-colored cathedral topped with a blue-green dome, with lots of crenellation on the outside and three big porticoes on the side.

Go to the Palermo Cathedral

Each Italian metropolis has its personal Duomo, or central cathedral, and in some ways it usually represents town’s character. The Cattedrale di Palermo definitely does, with its wild mishmash of architectural kinds, representing its centuries of being conquered and reconquered.

The cathedral, unique constructed within the twelfth century, is one in every of Palermo’s many UNESCO World Heritage Websites described as Arab-Norman Palermo. On this cathedral you could have influences from Muslim, Byzantine, Jewish, Latin, Lombard, and French cultures.

Apparently, the cathedral of Palermo has a zodiac on its ground — uncommon in Italian cathedrals! And the spectacular structure of the skin options all the things from three-tiered porticoes to Baroque cupolas.

A Baroque fountain on an Italian piazza filled with lots of statues of muse-like women. In front of it some teenagers in winter coats take a selfie.

Fontana Pretoria

Near Quattro Canti is the Fontana Pretoria, probably the most spectacular fountain in a metropolis of spectacular fountains. This fountain was really initially constructed in Florence and delivered to Palermo’s Piazza Pretoria in 1574 — a painstaking course of that concerned 644 items.

The fountain options the Twelve Olympians — the Greek gods who dwelled on Mount Olympus, together with Zeus, Aphrodite, Apollo, Poseidon (who seems a ton like Florence’s notorious Neptune, doesn’t he?).

The sq. was as soon as known as the Sq. of Disgrace (Piazza della Vergogna) as a result of many nude our bodies on the fountain.

A simple bakery with pastries in cases and a prominent crucifix on the wall. An older woman leans down closely to look at the pastries.

Have Pastries in a Monastery

Palermo is brimming with incredible bakeries and sweets outlets. However you’ll be able to’t high the ambiance of I Segreti del Chiostro, a bakery situated inside Santa Caterina d’Alessandria Monastery, situated very near Fontana Pretoria and Quattro Canti.

Stroll in and head upstairs. It should possible be busy with a line, and also you’ll be given a quantity. (You may wish to lookup the interpretation of your quantity in Italian as a result of they are going to be studying it out loud.) Once they name your quantity, you place your order they usually’ll provide you with your pastries and a receipt to pay on the money register.

This bakery is stuffed with scrumptious, luxurious pastries. Intricately adorned cassata, large cannoli the scale of your forearm, and dozens extra baked items you’ve by no means heard of. They’re all labeled with their identify and substances in each Italian and English, an enormous novelty in Sicily.

When you’ve purchased your pastry and maybe an espresso or macchiato, head out to the courtyard to take a seat by the fountain and revel in your afternoon deal with. It’s also possible to tour the monastery should you’d like.

A beach in winter with big frothy waves and a kitesurfer surfing across them. Pastel-colored square beach buildings in the background.
Mondello Seaside on a windy winter day

Go to Mondello Seaside

Mondello Seaside — Spiaggia Mondello — is a lovely white sand seashore with unbelievably clear water, situated inside Palermo’s metropolis limits. It’s a few 35-minute trip from central Palermo on the 806 bus.

The water right here is so turquoise in summer season, you received’t imagine that is in the course of a busy metropolis! In between your swimming and sunbathing, seize a granita or fritto misto at one of many close by eating places, and take a stroll across the neighborhood to benefit from the stunning villas.

Palermitans love the seashore, so count on Mondello to be tremendous crowded in the summertime months. That being stated, Sicilians have a tendency to go to the seashore throughout “correct” summer season — from mid-June by means of mid-September, though it’s nonetheless swimming climate properly into October. Shoulder season seashore visits might be nice right here.

Within the winter months, will probably be simply you, the dog-walkers, and the kitesurfers.

A very small chapel. The top half of the walls is covered with intricate sculpture work of angels and demons, all in white stucco.

Oratorio del SS Rosario in Santa Cita

Along with its many Baroque church buildings, Palermo is stuffed with small oratories which have their very own artworks. One undoubtedly price testing is Oratorio del SS Rosario, which is uniquely carved from white stucco.

Palermitan Giacomo Serpotta sculpted this room, and the outcomes actually take your breath away. Angels and cherubs fly on excessive; the condemned and war-stricken endure beneath. There are partitions dedicated to the Joyful Mysteries, Sorrowful Mysteries, and Wonderful Mysteries.

This place was featured on the BBC’s sequence Sicily Unpacked, however I don’t usually see it talked about in Palermo journey guides. It’s a disgrace; it’s a extremely cool place that deserves extra visits.

One other close by oratorio price visiting is Oratorio del SS Rosario in San Domenico, simply down the road and behind the cathedral of San Domenico.

A three-story gate. The bottom is all stone blocks and has a narrow opening, but the top has a balcony, a mosaic roof, and intricately cut porticoes.

Porta Nuova

You’ll see the Porta Nuova proper across the nook from the Royal Palace, a brief distance from the Duomo. This was the unique metropolis gate resulting in Cassaro, the oldest road in Palermo, and was constructed within the sixteenth century.

You possibly can’t go up the gate, but it surely’s a beautiful spot to seize a fast photograph when visiting the UNESCO-listed church buildings of Palermo.

A 30-something man sitting on a chair, repairing a puppet that looks like a knight in armor. A tall puppet is standing behind him, a bit creepily to be honest.

See a Sicilian Puppet Present

Puppet reveals have lengthy been a cultural custom in Sicily usually and Palermo particularly. Palermo’s Opera dei Pupi, a standard puppet theater, was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity listing in 2001.

These puppet reveals started within the late nineteenth century, depicting medieval chivalric romances and Renaissance poems. Right now they’re nonetheless taking place, although the reveals are sometimes simplified for a extra international viewers.

Check out the Opera dei Pupi site to see what reveals are on throughout your go to. And should you’d moderately simply get a fast glimpse of the puppets, take a stroll down By way of Bara All’Olivella, near Teatro Massimo, to see the puppet-makers in motion.

A square stone church topped with unusual red domes.

Go to San Cataldo and La Martorana

In Palermo’s metropolis middle, you’ll discover two distinctive church buildings aspect by aspect: the Church of San Cataldo and La Martorana (also called Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio). Each are price visiting.

La Martorana is one other visible stunner with sensational Byzantine mosaics on the partitions and an intricate Baroque marble altar.

San Cataldo is topped with crimson domes, a remnant of the Arab affect right here. The within feels extra historic by comparability — plain stone partitions, although a mosaic on the ground.

People sitting at street side restaurants, drinking spritzes and eating fried food.

Get pleasure from Nightlife in La Vucciria

La Vucciria was as soon as some of the well-known markets in Palermo, immortalized within the La Vucciria portray by Renata Guttuso. Over time, the market stalls have grow to be fewer and fewer, however that’s okay — the market has reinvented itself.

Nowadays, La Vucciria has grow to be extra of a vacation spot for nightlife. When aperitivo hour hits, head to By way of Maccherronai, the slim road connecting La Vucciria and Piazza San Domenico, and select one of many institutions for some drinks and meals.

Right here you’ll be able to seize a desk exterior, order a super-strong spritz, and order a plate or two of fried Sicilian specialties — pannele, crocche, possibly some fried or grilled squid. This isn’t going to be your full dinner — but it surely’s the proper place to get your night began in Palermo!

A courtyard in winter with elegant stone columns circling a green courtyard with trees.

San Giovanni degli Eremiti

One other of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Arab Norman Palermo websites is San Giovanni degli Eremiti (St. John of the Hermits), an exquisite spot to go to a stone’s throw from the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel. You’ll discover the crimson domes topping this monastic church earlier than you stroll in.

This place seems like a secret backyard in the course of town, from the second you stroll in and are surrounded by lush greenery. Head upstairs to see the chapel and the courtyard. There’s additionally an Arab cistern on website.

The courtyard, in my view, is the spotlight of this place, surrounded by columns and feeling because it it’s caught in time.

A row of creepy skeletons wearing clothes and lined up standing in the catacombs.
The creepy, extremely properly preserved Capuchin Catacombs, by way of Shutterstock.

Go to the Capuchin Monastery Catacombs

You may need heard of Rome’s catacombs, however how about Palermo’s? The Capuchin Catacombs are house to greater than 8,000 our bodies and it’s simply some of the macabre issues to do in Palermo.

You may consider catacombs as being a spot for the poor, however this remaining resting place was really one thing restricted to Palermo’s most privileged from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. The mummification course of was groundbreaking on the time, and to at the present time you’ll be able to see the human-ness of those our bodies of their expressions.

Please know that there are mummified kids on show in these catacombs. If seeing that might upset you, don’t go. I selected to not go as a result of I used to be devastated by the kid mummies of Guanajuato, Mexico. Moreover, pictures are usually not permitted right here.

A church atop a hill overlooking a city surrounded by mountains.
The view atop Mount Pellegrino, by way of Shutterstock.

Monte Pellegrino

Searching for a straightforward escape into nature? Head to Monte Pellegrino. This mountain (actually, extra of a big hill) overlooks Mondello Seaside and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It’s lined with climbing trails and incredible scenic overlooks. Not unhealthy for nonetheless being inside the metropolis of Palermo!

On the mountain is Sanctuaria di Santa Rosalia, a church constructed straight into the rocky mountainside, full with a cave-like chapel.

You possibly can take the 812 bus from Politeama to the highest of Monte Pellegrino, or book a bike tour with a local triathlete.

A church with tall columns along the aisles, a wooden ceilings, and gold mosaics on all the walls.

Go to Monreale and Its Cathedral

Monreale is a city situated up within the hills south of Palermo. (You possibly can count on it to be a number of levels cooler right here, so it’s an amazing place to go to on a scorching day!)

The Cathedral of Monreale is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and is thought for showcasing the convergence between Norman and Byzantine structure. The ceiling and partitions are studded with beautiful mosaics with a lot gold.

The golden inside evokes the Byzantine chapels of Central and Japanese Europe, whereas the cloister seems like one thing straight out of Andalusia or North Africa. That’s Sicily for you!

To get to Monreale, take the 389P bus from Piazza Independienza. It’s the final cease. Make sure to have a look at Google Maps intently — many “various” bus routes they provide embrace a “12 minute biking” addition to the itinerary.

A pastry case filled with dozens of different brightly colored Sicilian pastries.
The pastry case at Antica Caffe Biondo. Get the inexperienced factor — cassata!

Eat All of the Sicilian Pastries

I’ve been to all 20 areas of Italy, and I believe that Sicily has one of the best pastries and desserts in the whole nation. That’s not a small declare.

Positive, you’ve heard of cannoli earlier than (singular: cannolo), and also you’ll discover them throughout Sicily. These attractive fried pastry shells stuffed with ricotta cream and chocolate chips, topped with candied fruit — they’re incredible! (And addicting.)

However don’t cease at cannoli. Two different desserts you need to strive are cassata (a Sicilian cake with brilliant inexperienced marzipan wrapping round layers of sponge cake and cream) and torta setteveli (a seven-layer cake in style in Palermo that layers chocolate and hazelnuts and was featured as a technical problem on The Nice British Bake-Off).

Past that? Strive something that appears good! One evening I ended up with a molten lemon cake that was nothing in need of transcendent.

One good factor is that many bakeries have mini pastries together with regular-sized ones — excellent for simply having a little bit little bit of one thing candy, or attempting plenty of totally different goodies.

Two of the extra high-end bakeries in Palermo that I particularly loved are Antico Caffe Biondo (that they had the BEST cassata!) and Antico Caffe Spinnato.

A long-distance view over the hills surrounding Palermo, covered with homes, mountains and ocean in the distance.

Day Journeys from Palermo

My high recommendation is to be practical about what you’ll be able to see with a day journey from Palermo. No, you’ll be able to’t day journey to Catania or Siracusa or the Aeolian Islands; it’s too far. Persist with the encircling space — which is all Western Sicily. And follow a 2.5-hour drive.

That being stated, there are such a lot of cool day journeys from Palermo you can make with an inexpensive journey from town, whether or not you desire a seashore resort, hill cities, Greek ruins, or a lovely place to hike.

Listed here are a few of the greatest locations to go to on a day journey from Palermo.

A gorgeous small town by the sea with sand-colored buildings, a few church towers, and rising cliffs behind it.
Acknowledge this view from The White Lotus? By way of Shutterstock.

Cefalù

Cefalù is arguably probably the most well-known seaside village in Sicily. And you will have seen it already — whereas The White Lotus‘s Sicilian resort was situated in Taormina, all the seashore scenes had been really shot in Cefalù!

You are able to do a little bit right here — lie on the seashore and go for a swim — or do a bit extra. The previous city is an exceedingly photogenic place to wander; it’s also possible to hike up La Rocca for views over the panorama.

Cefalù, like most Sicilian resort cities, is hopping throughout excessive season and very quiet exterior this time interval. I personally wouldn’t go to Cefalù sooner than Could or later than October; an excessive amount of is shut down.

Cefalù is a one-hour journey from Palermo by prepare, or you can join a tour from Palermo. Many Cefalù excursions from Palermo additionally embrace Castelbuono, a lovely hill city shut by.

A couple standing on a stone fortress in Erice, looking over hills leading to the ocean.
Unbelievable views from the citadel in Erice!

Erice

Assume the one Italian hill cities are in Tuscany? Assume once more! Erice is a fabulous hill city and makes an ideal day journey from Palermo.

It’s a protracted, switchbacky journey as much as Erice, and when you’re on the high close to the citadel, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views over the countryside. The streets are steep and superbly cobblestoned. It feels so totally different from the coastal components of Sicily, and particularly Palermo!

Preserve a watch out for the very pleasant cats of Erice, a few of whom may be a part of you for a stroll by means of the city.

Erice is a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from Palermo, or you’ll be able to take the cable automobile from Trapani (seasonal). It’s also possible to e-book a tour from Palermo, like this tour to Erice, Segesta, and the Salt Pans of Trapani, which covers quite a lot of cool spots in a single day.

The view from a stone amphitheater perched high on a hill, hills and the ocean in the distance.
I can’t consider a Greek theater with a greater view than this.

Segesta

Should you’re a fan of ruins, you’ll wish to go to the traditional metropolis of Segesta whereas in Palermo. These Greek ruins are some of the vital websites in Sicily, they usually’re additionally superbly preserved and enjoyable to go to. I’m not an enormous ruins individual, however I cherished Segesta.

There are two essential websites right here: a temple and a theater. The theater has spectacular views throughout the hilly Sicilian countryside, all the best way to the Gulf of Castellamare.

The temple is simple to go to from the parking zone, however the theater is situated a 1.3-km journey up a steep hill. They’ve a shuttle bus going up and down the hill. (I selected the stroll earlier than realizing it was solely uphill. Nonetheless feeling it in my butt at the moment!)

Segesta is in a distant location with out public transportation entry, so your greatest wager is to drive (45 minutes) or e-book a tour. You possibly can e-book this tour to Erice, Segesta, and the Salt Pans of Trapani.

Remember that the UNESCO-listed ruins of Agrigento are a two-hour drive away, so Segesta is way nearer.

A market in Palermo, with lots of street art on the buildings and people eating at tables.

Is Palermo Protected?

You could be questioning whether or not Palermo is secure to go to. Sadly, individuals usually assume that Palermo is an unsafe metropolis, however that is SO removed from the reality.

Palermo is simply as secure to go to as any main metropolis in Italy (and maybe even safer than cities like Paris and Barcelona, the place vacationers are constantly focused by pickpockets and rip-off artists).

Each Sicily and Palermo have a historical past with the mafia, which casts a protracted shadow (and the Godfather films undoubtedly don’t assist), however locals are by no means focused by the mafia. And the mafia usually has far much less affect right here than it did 30 years in the past.

Don’t joke concerning the mafia once you’re in Sicily. It’s not humorous right here. Our Streaty meals tour information Angelo, who is identical age as me, informed us about how traumatizing it was when two judges had been murdered in Palermo in 1992. He was eight. Think about if that occurred in your personal group once you had been a baby.

Remember that issues have modified lately — each in Sicily usually and Palermo particularly. In Anthony Bourdain’s episode of Components Unknown, he talks about AddioPizzo, a corporation that helps Palermo eating places that refuse to pay kickbacks to the mafia.

I requested locals about this, they usually informed me that the mafia nearly by no means seems for kickbacks from Palermo eating places anymore. The Components Unknown episode aired in 2013. That’s the distinction a decade could make.

To be taught extra about this, you’ll be able to take an Anti-Mafia Tour in Palermo.

In brief, keep secure in Palermo the best way you do in every other metropolis. Keep watch over your belongings. Solely take out the amount of money you want for the day. Don’t get too drunk. Should you’re not comfy strolling at evening, take an Uber.

Neighborhood-wise, I’d advocate being further cautious across the prepare station at evening. (Which is just about normal for any European metropolis.) And as you’ll be able to see additional beneath, I like to recommend staying within the Politeama neighborhood.

Learn Extra: High 10 Journey Security Ideas for Ladies

People walking on the sidewalk in Palermo as a bus drives by.

Get to Palermo, Italy

Should you’re flying into Italy, Palermo Airport has nonstop flights from locations throughout Italy, in addition to some in different European international locations.

One of the best ways to get from the airport into Palermo is to leap in one of many shared taxis, which value eight EUR ($9 USD) per individual. Nonetheless, I don’t advocate taking the shared taxi again — we needed to drive everywhere in the metropolis choosing different individuals up, and it will have been nerve-wracking if we had been late for a flight!

I like to recommend renting a automobile should you’re exploring Sicily in depth, however should you don’t have a automobile, prepare is greatest. Palermo is one hour from Cefalù and three hours from Catania or Messina. Buses go to different native locations.

As for getting round Palermo, there’s a community of buses that run across the metropolis and Google Maps is nice for determining the schedules. You should purchase bus tickets at a Tabbachi (search for the large T on shops) — sadly, you’ll be able to’t purchase transit tickets by way of an app simply but.

Uber is out there in Palermo, and there are taxis as properly.

People walking on a pedestrianized street in Palermo, in front of a green tree cut into the shape of a cube.
Winter sunshine is good in Palermo!

Finest Time to Go to Palermo, Italy

Palermo is usually marketed as a year-round vacation spot, and I get it. Summers are scorching and wild, whereas winters are sunny and gentle. (Then once more, my latest February go to was marred by a chilly spell, a reminder that Sicilian buildings are poorly heated.)

So sure — you’ll be able to go to Palermo year-round, however you may wish to be ready for a colder winter than you may count on. I wore a thick sweater every single day!

The very best time to go to Palermo, and Sicily? Go for Could or September. These months convey heat, summer-like warmth with out the crush of the summer season crowds. Spring and fall usually are fabulous occasions to go to Sicily.

A tall skinny building on a narrow corner of Palermo.

The place to Keep in Palermo, Italy

One of the best neighborhood to remain in Palermo is Politeama. This neighborhood is the arguably one of the best neighborhood within the metropolis, with quick access to designer outlets and good eating places — but it surely doesn’t really feel snobby in any respect. Fairly the other, really.

Palermo is a really inexpensive metropolis, and splurging on the nicest neighborhood doesn’t even really feel like splurging.

The Politeama neighborhood is near the motion however not within the middle of the motion, which I actually like. It’s walkable to town middle and all of the sights. And it’s near plenty of bus routes.

I stayed in this one-bedroom Palermo apartment throughout my go to and actually loved it. An excellent area, a superb location, a low worth. Keep there should you’d like!

High-Rated Resorts in Palermo (all in Politeama)

  • Finest Luxurious Lodge in Palermo: Grand Hotel Wagner (Charlie did an inspection of this place and it’s RIDICULOUSLY opulent)
  • Finest Mid-Vary Lodge in Palermo: Hotel Politeama (beautiful views)
  • Finest Finances Lodge in Palermo: Castelnuovo Rooms (shared bogs will prevent a TON)

Find deals on Palermo hotels here.

A yellow, orange, and green villa with a little turret on top, surrounded by palm trees.

Journey Insurance coverage for Italy

One final word — it’s completely very important to have journey insurance coverage earlier than touring to Palermo, or anyplace in Sicily. Should you get sick or injured in your journey, should you get robbed, or even when you must be flown house for extra care, journey insurance coverage will shield you from monetary destroy. I’ve used World Nomads for journeys to Italy.

Journey insurance coverage will make it easier to in your hour of want should you come down with appendicitis in Palermo, or journey and break an ankle whereas climbing into the Cappella Palatina, or in case your flights get canceled, you will get lodging and new flights paid for.

As all the time, be sure you learn your coverage rigorously and ensure it’s a match for you. See what World Nomads covers right here.

A narrow street in Palermo with flags and hand-lettered signs hanging between the buildings.

Is Palermo Value It?

Hell sure, Palermo is totally price it! For my part, Palermo doesn’t get the eye it deserves. So many individuals go to for a day and contemplate Palermo checked off.

However it is a metropolis that very a lot deserves your time. I do know I’ll be spending much more time in Palermo in my future!

Extra on Sicily:

Cool Locations in Southern Italy:

Planning a Journey to Italy:

Have you ever been to Palermo? What do you advocate? Share away!

23 Fabulous Things to Do in Palermo, Italy, Sicily’s Sizzling Capital