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Things to do in Palermo

Sicily’s ancient capital is peppered with UNESCO-listed sites and an interesting mix of architectural styles.

Our most recommended things to do in Palermo

From Palermo: Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip

1. From Palermo: Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip

Escape the hustle and bustle of Palermo city center on a half-day tour to Monreale and Cefalù. Marvel at a Norman cathedral on the slopes of Monte Caputo, and learn the Greek and Medieval history of one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns. Following a pick-up from your hotel or the port of Palermo, transfer to Monreale where you will have approximately 1-hour to tour the Duomo. An official audio guide is included to learn the history of the 12th-century building, considered one of the greatest landmarks of medieval ecclesiastical architecture in the south of Italy. Then, drive along the north coast of Sicily, on route to the beautiful town of Cefalù. Sit back and relax on the 1.5-hour journey, and on arrival go to the 12th-century Duomo. See traces of the Middle Ages at the Osterio Magno. Get panoramic views from the Porta Terra. Discover Greek and Arabic pottery in the Mandralisca Museum, and walk down some curving stone steps to a picturesque cluster of 16th-century wash basins at the Lavatoio.

Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

2. Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

This popular 8-hour itinerary takes you to see the most interesting sites of western Sicily. With your guide you’ll visit and explore Segesta, a Greek archaeological site. Travel to Nubia and the Salt Pans in Trapani, and admire the Sicilian coast and natural landscapes en route. You’ll also stop at Erice, a medieval hilltop town. Enjoy spectacular views throughout the day. All of the sites are relatively near Palermo, meaning that you’ll have plenty of time to explore each of them. This itinerary is also known as the Elimians's Road, named for the Elimians who were among the first inhabitants of this part of Sicily.

Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour

3. Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour

Discover the top sights in Palermo from a unique angle on a guided walking tour. Every stop is a chance to pause for reflection on the realities of the Mafia and consider the civic movement against Mafioso power. Meet your guide and begin your mafia-themed adventure through the streets of Palermo. Explore Teatro Massimo, the open-air market Il Capo, and Piazza Della Memoria (a memorial dedicated to prosecutors and judges killed by the mafia). Along the Cassaro, come across places with orange stickers on their windows, representing owners that have said no to paying the extortion racket and have subscribed to the ethical consumer campaign pago chi non paga (I pay who does not pay).  After strolling by sights like Piazza Beati Paoli, Palermo Cathedral, and the city hall, finish the tour in the heart of Palermo's old town center. Get tips from your guide on how to continue your visit and where to taste the best Sicilian specialties.

Palermo: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket

4. Palermo: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket

Discover Palermo, the chief town of Sicily, on an open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tour! Start from the terminal outside the Politeama Theater, cruise past the Massimo Theatre, and continue towards Piazza Quattro Canti and the nearby Vucciria Market. The tour continues towards the botanical gardens, passing near Palazzo Steri. After a quick glance of the central station, you'll find yourself in the vicinity of the Royal Palace, the Flea Market, and the Cathedral. Then return to the terminal along the ancient via Roma. The second route takes you to the beautiful villas of Palermo. Starting from the terminal outside the Politeama Theatre, admire the gorgeous English Garden and then continue towards Villa Malfitano and the wonderful Zisa Castle. The tour passes near the Mercato del Capo and the Massimo Theatre, towards the port, and then returns to the terminal in Politeama Square.

Palermo: Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples Day Tour

5. Palermo: Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples Day Tour

Enjoy a scenic drive into the countryside to Agrigento on this full-day excursion from Palmero, with stops to see ancient temples. Visit local museums and learn about the country's rich history before being transferred back to Palermo. The excursion includes a short stop for a coffee en route to Agrigento, before arriving at the Valley of the Temples. You can further explore the Hera, Concordia and Apollo temples and Hardcastle villa, with a guidebook that will provide more information about the sites. You’ll have free time to decide on a place for lunch, before your driver takes you to the Agrigento Archaeology Museum. After exploring the museum’s collections, you'll be driven back to Palermo.

Palermo: Street Food and History Walking Tour

6. Palermo: Street Food and History Walking Tour

Embark on a walking tour through the center of Palermo and feel like you are visiting an open-air museum. Marvel at a range of different architectural styles and see the Capo street markets that are a true mix of culture, customs, and food traditions. Taste five local food specialties and a drink to wash them down tastefully. Blend a historical and foodie walking tour into one. See and learn about historical landmarks, including Opera dei Pupi (traditional puppet theater), Piazza Beati Paoli, the Cathedral, the Quattro Canti, and the Pretoria fountain en route. Walk through the bustling Capo Street Market, offering a wide selection of local meats, seafood, produce & Sicilian bites. Then, taste some local specialties from Palermo. Tuck into some sfincione (dough topped with onion, bread crumbs, tomato, and oregano), panelle (fried chickpea flour), crocché (potato croquettes), arancine (rice croquettes stuffed with meat or butter), and cannolo (crunchy shell with sweet-cheese). Refresh yourself with a drink, to close off your tour in style.

From Palermo: Villa Romana and Valley of the Temples Trip

7. From Palermo: Villa Romana and Valley of the Temples Trip

Follow in the footsteps of the Greeks and Romans on a day trip where your transport is taken care of for you. Discover some of the finest Roman mosaics in the world at the Villa Romana del Casale. Learn all about the Valley of the Temples archaeological site with a licensed local guide. Meet your driver in central Palermo and be taken straight to Piazza Armerina, where you will explore the Villa Romana del Casale independently. Marvel at the luxurious 4th-century villa, home to an influential Roman family. Take your time to examine its exquisite mosaic flooring. Continue to Agrigento for a guided tour of the magnificent Valley of Temples, built by the Greeks in the 5th century BC. See the ruins of temples, necropolises, houses, streets, and everything else you'd expect to find in an ancient city. Finally, return to the meeting point in Palermo.

Palermo: Private Mount Etna, Taormina, and Castelmola Tour

8. Palermo: Private Mount Etna, Taormina, and Castelmola Tour

Enjoy a pickup from your accommodation in Palermo, Cefalù, or the Port of Palermo and embark on an exploration of the region's stunning attractions. First, visit the slopes of Mount Etna to experience the lava fields and the incredible landscape view from Europe's highest and most active volcano.   The Etna volcano is one of Sicily's main tourist attractions with thousands of visitors every year. The most common route is through the road leading to Sapienza Refuge, lying at the south of the crater at elevation of 1,910m. It hosts a large parking area, several bars, a hotel, and is a starting point for the cable car. From the refuge, you can take the cable car uphill to an elevation of 2,500m. From there, you can take a drive with special terrain vehicles, or enjoy a long walk to the designated crater area at 2,920m.   The next stop will be in Taormina where you’ll have leisure time for an independent tour of the town, ideal for strolling and window-shopping. The core of the town is pedestrianized and walking through its streets will indulge you in the Taormina atmosphere. You’ll have time to relax in a café and taste a granita (semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water, and various flavorings). You can also enjoy an independent visit to the famed Greek theater or the several minor sites to be discovered around Taormina.   The last stop will be at Castelmola which offers a balcony over Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos framed by the mysterious and beautiful active volcano, Mount Etna. Marvel at the spectacular panoramas, narrow winding streets, and old-world charm of this fascinating comune before being dropped back at your accommodation or at the port.

From Palermo: Erice and Marsala Day Trip with Wine Tasting

9. From Palermo: Erice and Marsala Day Trip with Wine Tasting

On the itinerary is the medieval hilltop town of Erice lunch and a wine and olive oil tasting at a winery or typical farm, and a panoramic tour along Marsala’ s Salt Route! Palermo, the Sicilian capital, is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the whole of Italy. However, you might want to escape its hustle and bustle after a few days! And there's no better way to do that than a full day small group tour from Palermo to visit the fascinating town of Erice and to admire the unique panoramas of Marsala. You will depart from Palermo on a top notch minivan with an expert driver and tour leader. The first stop is the medieval hilltop village of Erice. Stroll through the narrow streets and find delightful little courtyards. Lookout for the viewpoints where you can see out to the Egadi Islands and over the city of Trapani. You will feel like travelling through times, surrounded by an ancient kind of beauty. Of course, when in Sicily, it’s always a good time for a snack and in Erice we will have a tasty break by tasting a local Sicilian granita. On some day trips, you might have to sort your own packed lunch, but not on this full day group tour from Palermo! After leaving Erice, you'll carry on along the west coast of Sicily to Marsala, a town famous for producing sweet wine and also, like the entire Sicily, an area where olive oil is a another special local product. You will have the chance to taste both of them, as we will stop for a full Sicilian lunch with a sample tasting of the best local wines and olive oil in a local winery or farm. The final stop on this full day group tour from Palermo is the natural and cultural site landscape which connects land and sea. Marvel at salt windmills and basins which are still in use today. The 30km road is one of the most evocative routes in Italy, and if you get out of your vehicle, you'll be able to feel the salt in the air! At the end of this unique and fantastic experience, you will return to Palermo.

Mount Etna and Taormina Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

10. Mount Etna and Taormina Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

Europe’s highest active volcano is studied extensively by scientists and is popular with trekkers and nature lovers as well. Visit Mount Etna and the clifftop village of Taormina on this 11-hour excursion from Palermo. From Crateri Silvestri you’ll take the funicular with a local mountain guide all the way up to 2,500 meters above sea level. From this point you’ll experience unforgettable panoramic views. Just south of Taormina is the nature reserve of Isola Bella, and further south you’ll see the popular seaside resort of Giardini Naxos. Visit the village of Taormina, a 45-minute drive from Mount Etna. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, the village features an ancient Greek theater, many old churches, antique shops, lively bars and fine restaurants.

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Frequently asked questions about Palermo

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What are the best day trips and excursions from Palermo?

The best day trips and excursions from Palermo are:

Agrigento

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What people are saying about Palermo

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 3,398 reviews

Nicola is a thorough expert in Agrigento & shares the history of Sicily as we travel... and Prof. Giovanna Lombardo a true scholar of Ancient Sicily provides a Wonderful Insight to the Archaeological Site in the Valley of The Temples... we ate at a really homey trattoria dishes that Nicola recommended. Yummy! Then Piazza Armerina ROMAN VILLA was Absolutely Fascinating where you're on your own, free to absorb at.your pace all those amazing Mosaics! Unfortunately my personal interest and fascination required a slower pace and one hour barely sufficed (for Me)!!

It was easy to book and use the tkt, we had timely assistance when we needed it. Recommended

It was an excellent trip, to lern about ansient Greek plus Roman art

Good way to get trip round the town and get on/off where you want.

easy to find the bus. great service and very cost affective