Sicily · 20 Places · Best April-June
Palermo travel guide: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
Palermo is the capital of Sicily and one of the Mediterranean's most layered cities, on the north-west coast of the island beneath Monte Pellegrino. Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and Bourbons all left marks here, and the result is a historic centre where Arab-Norman domes, Baroque churches and crumbling palazzi share the same streets. In 2015 UNESCO listed the Arab-Norman Palermo ensemble, which includes the Palazzo dei Normanni with the Cappella Palatina, the Cathedral and the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, together with the cathedral of Monreale and Cefalù nearby. The Quattro Canti crossroads divides the old town into four quarters, the Teatro Massimo is among the largest opera houses in Europe, and the Ballarò, Capo and Vucciria street markets keep the Arab-style souk tradition alive. Street food is a reason to come on its own: panelle, arancine, pani ca meusa, sfincione and cannoli are sold from stalls and old bakeries. For a solo traveler the compact centre is easy to cover on foot, hostels and guesthouses make it simple to meet people, and the beach at Mondello, the cathedral at Monreale and the fishing village of Cefalù are all an easy bus or train ride away.
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The 20 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Seat of the Sicilian regional assembly and former royal palace of the Norman kings, home to the gold-mosaic Cappella Palatina (consecrated 1140) and the Sala di Ruggero. Part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo listing.
Norman-founded cathedral rebuilt over centuries in Arab-Norman, Gothic, Catalan and neoclassical styles; holds the tombs of Roger II, Frederick II and other rulers. Part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo listing.
Baroque octagonal crossroads laid out in the early 17th century, with four concave facades bearing fountains and statues of the seasons, Spanish kings and the city's patron saints.
Square dominated by the 16th-century Florentine fountain with nude marble figures, nicknamed the Fountain of Shame, beside Palazzo Pretorio, the city hall.
Church founded in 1143 by Admiral George of Antioch, with Byzantine gold mosaics including one of Roger II crowned by Christ. Part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo listing.
Compact 12th-century Arab-Norman church with three red domes and a bare stone interior with a mosaic floor. Part of the UNESCO Arab-Norman Palermo listing.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
5-star luxury hotel in Politeama / Via Roma, Palermo, at Via Roma 398. Listed features include restaurant, bar, fitness room, parking.
Check rates on Booking.com5-star luxury hotel in Acquasanta, Palermo, at Salita Belmonte 43. Listed features include restaurant, bar, swimming pool, sea views.
Check rates on Booking.comUpscale hotel in Libertà / Politeama, Palermo, at Via Riccardo Wagner 2.
Check rates on Booking.comBoutique hotel in Albergheria, Palermo, at Via Santissimo Salvatore 6.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Historic Palermo focacceria beside the Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, serving pane ca' meusa (spleen sandwich), panelle and arancine at sit-down tables.
Pane con la milza (pani ca meusa) counter at the corner of Piazza Marina, founded in 1992.
Slow Food-listed trattoria on Via d'Ossuna serving traditional Sicilian cooking, especially busy at Sunday lunch.
Osteria on Via Calascibetta at the edge of the Ballarò market, with a candlelit setting and live music from 9:30PM on some evenings.
Bistro at Via Maqueda 172A that does not take reservations; arriving around 12:30PM for lunch or 7:30PM for dinner is the usual advice.
Neighbourhood trattoria in the Borgo Vecchio quarter on Piazzetta Mulino a Vento, mostly open for lunch.
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Palermo is served by Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO) at Punta Raisi, about 35 km west of the city, and by Palermo Centrale railway station at the southern end of the historic centre. The old town is compact and best covered on foot, while AMAT city buses and a growing tram network reach the Politeama district, the Zisa and outlying areas. Trains and intercity buses link Palermo with Cefalù, Agrigento, Catania and Trapani, and a ferry terminal serves Naples, Genoa, Civitavecchia and Tunis. Traffic is chaotic, so solo travelers without a need for a car are better off using public transport and renting a car only for the countryside.
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €35 (~$40) | €100 (~$115) | €280 (~$322) |
| Food (per day) | €20 (~$23) | €40 (~$46) | €110 (~$127) |
| Transportation | €5 (~$6) | €10 (~$12) | €30 (~$35) |
| Activities | €10 (~$12) | €20 (~$23) | €30 (~$35) |
| Daily total | €70 (~$81) | €170 (~$196) | €450+ (~$518+) |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Sicily.
April-June and late September-October
April to early June and late September to October combine warm weather with open attractions, and the sea is good for swimming from June to October. July and August are very hot in the old city, so sightseeing is best early or late with the afternoon at Mondello. Winter is mild and wet but quiet, with lower hotel prices; Easter and the Festino fill hotels, so booking early helps.
Save 112 (general emergency) and 118 (ambulance) before arrival; operators handle English
Wear bags cross-body and zipped on the building side of the pavement to defeat scooter snatchers, and keep phones out of hand near the kerb
Keep valuables inside jackets in Ballarò, Capo, Vucciria and the Stazione Centrale area, and on crowded AMAT buses
Use official white taxis or hotel booking, and agree the fare or confirm the meter before the ride
Do not drive into the ZTL in the historic centre, and park in garages rather than with unofficial attendants
Drink water and avoid midday sightseeing in July and August; check heat and wildfire alerts from the regional civil protection service
Swim only where lifeguards are present and when the flag is not red, and call 1530 for sea rescue
Carry a photo of the passport rather than the original, and report theft at the Questura (Piazza della Vittoria 8) for the insurance claim
Palermo is generally safe for solo travelers who take normal city precautions. Petty theft, including pickpocketing and scooter bag-snatching around Ballarò, Vucciria and the station, is the main concern, and traffic is chaotic. The European emergency number is 112; ambulance is 118 and State Police is 113.
April-June and September-October offer warm weather of about 18-27°C (64-81°F) and swimmable sea at Mondello. July and August are hot, sometimes above 35°C (95°F), while winters are mild and quiet with more rain.
Italy follows Schengen rules. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need only a valid ID. US, Canadian, Australian, and UK citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa for tourism. Check travel-europe.europa.eu/etias for the ETIAS start date.
The currency in Palermo is the Euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available and cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry some cash for markets, street food stalls and small trattorie.
Falcone-Borsellino Airport (PMO) is about 35 km west of the centre. The Trinacria Express train and the Prestia e Comandè bus both reach the city in about 50 minutes for roughly €6-€7 (~$7-$8); a taxi costs about €45-€50 (~$52-$58) at a flat rate.
The top attractions include Palermo Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina, Teatro Massimo, the Quattro Canti, the Ballarò market, the Capuchin Catacombs, Monreale Cathedral and Mondello beach.
