All citiesPalermo Things to do and walking itinerary
Italy Palermo travel guide
31 things to do in Palermo, where to stay, airport transfers, 3 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Palermo
- Monreale Cathedral — Norman cathedral in a hill town above the city, with vast gold-ground mosaics and a columned cloister. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Palermo Cathedral — cathedral in Italy (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele — opera house in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Cappella Palatina — royal chapel in Palermo, Sicily (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Martorana — church in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Catacombe dei Cappuccini — burial catacombs of the Capuchin monks in Palermo, Sicily (visit ≈ 120 min)
- San Giovanni degli Eremiti — church in Palermo, Sicily, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Zisa Palace — castle in Palermo, Sicily, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Quattro Canti — square in Palermo (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Church of the Gesù — church in Palermo (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Teatro Politeama — theatre in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Natoli Palace — Baroque palace museum in Palermo, Sicily (visit ≈ 90 min)
- San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi — church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Cuba Palace — palace in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Regional Archaeological Museum Antonino Salinas — Archaeological Museum in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Church of the Holy Spirit — church building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palazzo Pretorio — building in Palermo, Sicilia, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Palazzo Abatellis — historic palazzo and art gallery in Palermo, Sicily (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Santa Caterina, Palermo — church building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Santa Maria della Pietà, Palermo — church building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Porta Felice — building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Porta Nuova — building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 60 min)
- La Magione, Palermo — church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Orto botanico di Palermo — botanical garden in Italy (visit ≈ 45 min)
- San Domenico, Palermo — church building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Oratory of San Lorenzo — church in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- San Francesco Saverio, Palermo — church building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palazzo Chiaramonte — building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Santa Maria della Catena — church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Sant'Anna la Misericordia — church building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Santa Ninfa dei Crociferi — church building in Palermo, Italy (visit ≈ 30 min)
1-day Palermo walking itinerary
Starting point: Old Town / Quattro Canti. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 7.0 km · 9,480 steps · 1 h 33 min on the way): Quattro Canti → Martorana → Palermo Cathedral → San Giovanni degli Eremiti → Cappella Palatina → Catacombe dei Cappuccini → Zisa Palace → Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Palermo
- Giardino Garibaldi — Small garden on Piazza Marina, home to a giant fig tree whose roots sprawl everywhere, one of Europe's largest. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Vucciria Market — One of the oldest markets: a few stalls by day, a crowded street hangout in its little square by night. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Palazzo Butera — Seafront baroque palace pairing classical and contemporary art from a private collection, with a bay-view terrace. (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Villa Bonanno — Palm-shaded park in front of the Norman Palace, with remains of Roman houses beneath it. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Ballarò Market — The oldest street market, threading through Albergheria's alleys with vendors calling out their wares like a souk. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Capo Market — A lively local street market behind the cathedral, packed with fish, fruit and spice stalls. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia — Small church carved into a cave on Monte Pellegrino; the road up gives sweeping views of the bay and city. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Oratory of Santa Cita — A small prayer hall whose walls are covered in Serpotta's white stucco reliefs, as fine as lace. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Cefalù — Seaside town an easy train ride east, with a Norman cathedral and a beach beneath a towering rock. (visit ≈ 240 min)
Where to stay in Palermo
- Old Town / Quattro Canti: The cathedral, markets and baroque squares are a walk away.
- Kalsa: A restored old quarter close to the waterfront.
- Politeama / Libertà: Modern shopping streets; orderly and comfortable.
- Mondello: A beach town; ≈ 30 min to the centre by bus.
Getting from the airport to Palermo
- Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO): Airport bus ≈ 50 min
Getting around
The old town is best on foot; traffic is heavy. Use buses for Mondello and Monreale.
Classic places to eat
- Antica Focacceria San Francesco: Since 1834; pani câ meusa and arancine.
- I Cuochini: Small counter selling fried Palermo snacks.
- Il Maestro del Brodo: A simple local trattoria near the Vucciria.
- Antico Caffè Spinnato: Since 1860; cannoli and granita.
- Pasticceria Cappello: Famous for its seven-layer setteveli cake.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Mec Restaurant — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative
- Gagini — 1 MICHELIN star, Creative Sicilian
- Bye Bye Blues — 1 MICHELIN star, Sicilian
Romantic views
- Foro Italico (Sunset): A long grassy promenade facing the sea.
- Mondello Beach (Sunset): A turquoise bay with an Art Nouveau pier building.
- Cathedral Rooftop (Sunset): Domes and mountains from the cathedral roof.
- Botanical Garden (Afternoon): A historic botanical garden with giant ficus trees.
Football stadiums in Palermo
- Stadio Renzo Barbera: Home of Palermo F.C.
Good to know before visiting Palermo
- Fine: Carving or damaging monuments can bring heavy fines and prosecution.
- Fine: Buying counterfeit goods from street sellers can get the buyer fined too.
- Fine: Taking sand, pebbles or shells from beaches is banned, notably in Sardinia.
- Fine: Validate bus and tram tickets as soon as you board; unvalidated tickets are fined.
- Fine: Driving into historic-centre ZTL zones without a permit is caught on camera and fined.
- Warning: Validate paper regional train tickets at the platform machines; digital tickets are time-bound.
- Emergency: 112 (police 113, ambulance 118, fire 115)
- Plugs: C/F/L, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe; in Rome you can refill at the "nasoni" street fountains.
- Tipping: Bills often include a "coperto" cover charge; tipping isn't expected, rounding up is enough.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Italy, Turismo Roma — Trevi Fountain entry, Wikivoyage — Italy, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Palermo travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Palermo?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Palermo?
- Highlights: Monreale Cathedral, Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, Cappella Palatina and Martorana. The map has 31 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Palermo?
- Old Town / Quattro Canti: The cathedral, markets and baroque squares are a walk away. Other options: Kalsa, Politeama / Libertà and Mondello.
- How do you get from the airport to Palermo city centre?
- Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO): Airport bus ≈ 50 min
- How do you get around Palermo?
- The old town is best on foot; traffic is heavy. Use buses for Mondello and Monreale.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Palermo?
- According to the last known data there are 3 starred restaurants: Mec Restaurant (1 star), Gagini (1 star), Bye Bye Blues (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Palermo?
- Emergency: 112 (police 113, ambulance 118, fire 115).
- Do you tip in Palermo?
- Bills often include a "coperto" cover charge; tipping isn't expected, rounding up is enough.
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