The finest archaeological museum in Sicily and one of the best in Italy — extraordinary collections from Selinunte, Palermo, and across Sicily spanning Phoenician, Greek, and Roman civilisation
The Museo Regionale Archeologico Antonio Salinas in Palermo is the leading archaeological museum of Sicily and one of the most important in Italy, housing collections that span from prehistory through the Phoenician, Greek and Roman ages to late antiquity. It is named after Antonio Salinas, the 19th-century numismatist and archaeologist who greatly enriched its holdings, and it occupies a former monastery of the Filippini fathers near the Vucciria market in the city centre, a complex of cloisters and courtyards adapted to display the finds. The museum's most celebrated treasures come from the Greek city of Selinunte on the southwestern coast. Its highlight is the series of carved stone metopes from the temples of Selinunte, sculptural panels of the 6th and 5th centuries BC depicting mythological scenes such as Perseus beheading Medusa and the labours of Heracles, among the finest surviving examples of archaic and classical Greek relief sculpture in the western Mediterranean. The collection also includes the bronze ram of Syracuse, a Hellenistic masterpiece, the Palermo Stone, an inscribed fragment of an ancient Egyptian royal annal of great importance to Egyptology, and extensive holdings of Greek and Etruscan vases, terracottas, bronzes, inscriptions and votive material gathered from across Sicily. Following a long restoration, the museum reopened progressively in the 2010s with renewed galleries arranged thematically and chronologically around its two cloisters, improved lighting and modern display of its sculpture and small finds. The presentation guides visitors from the Phoenician and Punic world of western Sicily through the great Greek colonies to the Roman period, making the Salinas a comprehensive introduction to the island's deep antiquity. As the principal repository for material from Selinunte, Himera, Solunto and other key sites, it complements visits to those archaeological parks and stands as an essential stop for understanding the layered civilisations of ancient Sicily.
| Admission | €7 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tue–Sat 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sun 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Sicily.
Highlights
- The carved temple metopes from Selinunte, masterpieces of archaic and classical Greek relief sculpture
- The Hellenistic bronze ram of Syracuse, a celebrated work of ancient bronze casting
- The Palermo Stone, an inscribed fragment of an ancient Egyptian royal annal of major historical importance
- Extensive collections of Greek and Etruscan vases, terracottas and votive bronzes from across Sicily
- The atmospheric setting in a former monastery arranged around twin cloisters
Tips for visiting
- Start in the ground-floor Selinunte galleries to see the famous metopes before exploring the upper floors
- Admission is around €7, with reduced rates for students and free days announced on the official museum calendar
- Allow about 90 minutes to two hours to take in the highlights at a comfortable pace
- Combine a visit with the nearby Vucciria market and the historic centre of Palermo
- Check the museum's opening hours in advance, as Sunday hours are shorter than weekdays
When to visit
A weekday morning is the quietest time to visit, leaving the afternoon free for the surrounding historic centre; the indoor galleries make it a good choice in hot or wet weather.
Accessibility
Following its restoration the museum improved access to the main floors, with lift access to upper galleries, though some thresholds and the historic monastery layout mean wheelchair users may need staff assistance in places.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Salinas museum English-language friendly?
Yes. Key galleries carry bilingual Italian and English labels, and English information and guided tours can be arranged at the museum.
How long does a full visit take?
Most visitors spend between 90 minutes and two hours, focusing on the Selinunte metopes and the principal Greek and Punic collections.
Can you visit with children?
Yes, the museum is suitable for children, and the dramatic temple sculptures and ancient objects often hold their interest, with the cloister courtyards giving space to move around.