Palermo is the capital of Sicily, which was once one of the richest cities in Europe and still bears the marks of Arab, Norman and Spanish rulers. The Norman Palace with the Palatine Chapel, covered in golden mosaics, and the twelfth-century cathedral are UNESCO sites, as is Monreale, the cathedral with the finest Byzantine mosaics in Italy. The old Ballarò and Capo markets are the liveliest in all of Italy and the street food, from arancini to pani ca meusa, is excellent and cheap. Palermo is chaotic, noisy, run-down and at the same time enchanting. It is a base for trips to Cefalù, Monreale and the Mondello beach, only ten kilometres from the centre. From Prague direct flights run in two hours. The best time is April to June and September to October; in summer it is over thirty degrees. You pay in euros and prices are lower than in northern Italy.
The places worth your time in Palermo, and what to expect at each
centre
The seat of the Norman kings from the twelfth century and today the seat of the Sicilian parliament. The Palatine Chapel inside is covered in golden Byzantine mosaics and is one of the loveliest chapels in the world. A UNESCO site.
Tip: Buy tickets in advance, as in season there are queues. The palace is closed on Monday; come in the morning, when the light is best.
Norman Palace
The royal chapel in the Norman Palace whose walls and ceiling are covered in golden mosaics with scenes from the Bible and an Arabic painted wooden ceiling. It is a unique blend of Byzantine, Arab and Norman culture. Part of UNESCO.
Tip: Entry is part of the palace ticket. Bring a jacket with sleeves, as the chapel is damp. Photography is allowed without flash.
centre
A cathedral of the twelfth century that blends Norman, Arab and Gothic styles, with four towers and the tombs of kings. It is a UNESCO site. From its roof there is a view of the city.
Tip: Entry to the cathedral is free, while the roof and the royal tombs are paid. Observe dress: covered shoulders and knees.
centre
A baroque crossing in the centre of Palermo where four streets meet and four façades with statues. It is the symbolic centre of the city and a favourite place for photos. Nearby is the Pretoria fountain.
Tip: Come in the morning or evening, when the shadows are pretty. It is a stop on a walk along Via Maqueda.
Albergheria
The oldest and liveliest street market in Palermo with spices, fish, fruit and street food. It is the most authentic place for a taste of Sicily. For food, the morning is ideal.
Tip: Taste arancini, panelle and pani ca meusa. Watch for pickpockets and do not go alone in the evening. Food costs about three euros.
Capo
Another traditional market, calmer than Ballarò, with fish, vegetables and street food. It is a local market where residents shop. The surroundings have small restaurants with traditional cooking.
Tip: Come in the morning, when the choice is widest. Prices are lower than at Ballarò; taste sweet cannoli.
centre
The largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in Europe, opened in 1897. It is famous for the final scene of the film The Godfather Part III. Tours show the interior in red velvet.
Tip: Tours cost about ten euros; buy a ticket in advance. Choose a guided tour in English.
near the centre
Catacombs where eight thousand mummified bodies are displayed, from monks to children, including the famous two-year-old Rosalia Lombardo. It is eerie, but fascinating. It is one of the most curious places in Italy.
Tip: Photography is forbidden. Entry costs about five euros. It is not suitable for sensitive visitors or small children.
8 km from Palermo
A cathedral of the twelfth century above Palermo with the finest Byzantine mosaics in Italy, covering six thousand square metres of walls. Part of UNESCO. From the terrace there is a view of the valley called the Golden Shell.
Tip: From Palermo bus 389 runs in half an hour. Entry to the cathedral is free, while the roof is paid. Come in the morning.
Photos: The Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel — Lasterketak (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Palatine Chapel — No machine-readable author provided. Urban~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Palermo Cathedral — Julian Lupyan (CC0) · Quattro Canti — Bjs (CC0) · Ballarò Market — Stephen Woolverton (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Capo Market — MOs810 (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Teatro Massimo — Holger Uwe Schmitt (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Capuchin Catacombs — Unknown authorUnknown author (Public domain) · Monreale — Holger Uwe Schmitt (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: monuments and shops
The area around Quattro Canti, the cathedral and the Norman Palace with hotels and restaurants. Everything is at hand. Best for a first visit.
Best for: old quarter and waterfront
A historic district by the harbour with palaces, churches and restaurants. It has atmosphere, but also shabbiness. A good choice for those seeking authenticity.
Best for: modern and calm
The modern part of the city with shops, parks and the Teatro Politeama. It is calmer and safer. Suits families.
Best for: beach and calm
A seaside resort ten kilometres from the centre with a long sandy beach. It is the best place for swimming. Suits summer.
Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO) is thirty kilometres from the centre; direct flights from Prague run several times a week and take two hours. The Prestia e Comandè bus runs to the centre in fifty minutes and a train in forty. A taxi costs about fifty euros. By car from the Czech Republic it is around two thousand kilometres through Italy and a ferry across the Strait of Messina.
Palermo Airport (PMO) · 30 km
The centre of Palermo can be walked. Buses run to Mondello and Monreale, trams around the city. Taxis are cheap; beware unofficial ones. For the surroundings a train or car is handy. In the centre the traffic is dense and drivers aggressive; a car is not recommended.
Useful apps: Google Maps, Moovit, Trenitalia, Cabify
Palermo has a Mediterranean climate with a hot dry summer and a mild winter. In July it is around thirty-one degrees and the sea twenty-five. The best time is April to June and September to October. Winter is mild and rainy.
Best time
April to June and September to October
What to avoid
July and August (heat)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 15° | 15° | 17° | 20° | 24° | 28° | 31° | 32° | 28° | 24° | 20° | 16° |
| Night | 9° | 9° | 10° | 12° | 16° | 20° | 23° | 24° | 21° | 17° | 14° | 11° |
| Rainy days | 60 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 40 | 70 | 80 | 70 |
| Sea | 16° | 15° | 15° | 16° | 18° | 21° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 24° | 21° | 18° |
Sicilian cooking is Mediterranean with Arab influence: fish, pasta, sweet pastries and street food. A main dish costs ten to twenty euros and street food three to five euros. People drink wine, Marsala and beer.
Arancini
Fried rice balls filled with meat, peas and cheese, or butter and ham. The best-known Sicilian street food.
Pani ca meusa
A bun with calf's offal and cheese, a traditional Palermo speciality. For the adventurous.
Panelle
Fried chickpea-flour fritters, served in a bun. Light and cheap.
Pasta con le sarde
Pasta with sardines, fennel, raisins and pine nuts. A typical dish of Palermo.
Cannoli
Fried pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cream. The best-known Sicilian dessert.
Granita and brioche
Shaved ice with fruit or almonds, served with a brioche for breakfast. A summer refresher.
Cassata siciliana
A sweet cake of ricotta, marzipan and candied fruit. A traditional Easter dessert.
Espresso
€1–1.5
Arancino
€2.5–3.5
Lunch in a trattoria
€12–25
A beer
€3–5
Norman Palace
€19
Teatro Massimo
€10
3★ hotel (night)
€70–160
Bus from the airport
€6.5
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Monreale
8 km · 30 min by bus
A cathedral with the finest Byzantine mosaics in Italy, a UNESCO site. It suits half a day.
Cefalù
70 km · 50 min by train
A seaside town with a Norman cathedral and a beach below a rock. It suits a full-day trip.
Mondello
10 km · 30 min by bus
A sandy beach with clean sea and Art Nouveau villas. It suits half a day.
Fairly, but watch for pickpockets in markets and crowds. At night avoid remote lanes. Use only official taxis.
April to June and September to October, when it is warm and less crowded. In summer it is over thirty degrees. In winter it is mild, but rainy.
Two to three days suffice for the centre and Monreale. For Cefalù or Mondello add a day. Palermo is a good base for Sicily.
By bus for six and a half euros in fifty minutes, by train for six euros in forty minutes or by taxi for fifty euros. Taxis have a fixed price.
Arancini, panelle and pani ca meusa. With them cannoli and granita with brioche. Pasta con le sarde is the typical dish.
It is cheaper than northern Italy: lunch costs twelve to twenty-five euros, a hotel seventy to a hundred and sixty euros a night. Cheapest is street food.
No, the centre can be walked and the surroundings are reachable by train and bus. In Palermo the traffic is dense, so a car is not recommended.
Yes, but it is noisy and chaotic. Children will enjoy Mondello beach and street food. The catacombs are not for small children.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
Italian
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Rome
Dial Code
+39
Population
59M
Area
301,340 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
