Welcome to Sicily’s capital – Palermo! A unique place full of cultural mix, not only in terms of its residents, but also food, markets, churches  and amazing monuments. Even the names of some streets are written in several languages, Italian and Arabic being only two of three.

Visit amazing churches, beautiful gardens, wonderful museums and bustling markets. Try out amazing delicacies, where once again you can experience a delicious, cultural mix. In this article you will learn about the 10 best places to visit in Palermo.

Palermo was the first place we visited in Sicily and already on the first day it enchanted us with its amazing architecture and lively atmosphere. During the day, the streets of Palermo are filled with tourists from all over the world, but in the evenings it is alive with the ubiquitous lights emanating from numerous restaurants, and the hustle and bustle of the streets.

Our favorite places in Palermo, besides the bustling main streets, are the beautiful churches and cathedrals and the local street markets.

#1 Antico Mercato del Capo & Ballaro Mercato Storico

Start your day early and head to the popular among locals and tourists alike Antico Mercato del Capo or Ballaro Mercato Storico, two bustling street markets full of food and souvenirs for loved ones. It is an ideal place to try local food or buy authentic and tasty delicacies such as pistachio cream and limoncello.

At the markets you will also get fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meat and fish, so therefore you will meet here not only tourists, but above all locals buying local products. Transactions that can be observed at the market are not a theater played for the entertainment of tourists, but authentic day by day life of locals.

#2 Palermo Cathedral

The most famous and popular cathedral in Palermo is the Palermo Cathedral. A huge, beautifully decorated cathedral standing in the middle of a lovely, green square. The exterior of the cathedral is unique and richly decorated, the interior of the cathedral is comparatively simple.

This place is one of the most popular places visited by tourists, so it is worth showing up early to avoid the crowds. The entrance to the cathedral is free and rewarding. Full ticket for cathedral incl. museum and dome access is charged for $16.35 (€15) and can be purchased on site.

#3 Villa Bonanno Garden

Right next to the Cathedral is the Villa Bonanno Garden located, here in addition to plants you can also meet turtles swimming in the fountain. This garden is an ideal place for moments of relaxation on a bench, among the palm trees. The garden is definitely more popular among locals and tourists alike just after sunset when the temperatures drop a bit.

#4 Teatro Marmoreo & Norman Palace

The next place to visit in Palermo is Teatro Marmoreo and the beautiful Norman Palace. In the middle of Parliament Square in the front of Norman Palace, stands built in the Baroque style statue of King Philip IV. Before entering the Norman Palace, it is worth stopping by and observe it for a while.

The Norman Palace is the main building in Palermo’s Royal Palace, and one of the most visited buildings by tourists which are visiting the capital. Inside you can see the Palatine Chapel with beautiful mosaics on the walls and ceiling, as well as the royal apartments with beautiful furniture, carpets and paintings on the walls. It is one of the oldest royal residences in Europe.

Admission to the palace starts at $18.50 (€17) and can be purchased at the entrance booth.

 #5 Chiesa del Gesu di Casa Professa

While visiting the city of Palermo, don’t miss to visit Chiesa del Gesu di Casa Professa. Completely unremarkable from the outside and often overlooked among other buildings, its inside is beautifully and rich decorated, with a magnificent ceiling. This is one of the most beautiful and remarkable churches in Palermo, and since it’s not yet as popular a destination among tourists, you won’t encounter crowds here.

Entrance to the church is completely free.

#6 Piazza Bellini and Church of San Cataldo & Chiesa di Santa Caterina d´Allesandria

Time to head to the city center and visit the huge Piazza Bellini with the Church of San Cataldo. The building is really impressive, and the whole piazza in front of the church is quite popular among tourists. Often you can come across local musicians, or beautifully singing artists here. The interior of the church of San Cataldo is quite simple, with tall pillars and simple brick walls, without any mosaics or paintings, the exterior is something you won’t find in Catholic churches, mainly because this is a beautiful example of Arab-Norman architecture.

Don’t forget to visit the Chiesa di Santa Caterina d´Allesandria as well. The church itself is beautiful and rich decorated, while the wonderful, green garden in the middle is also worth a visit. In the historic bakery, where backers use original recipes from nuns who used to lived in the monastery, you’ll be able to taste delicious Cannoli which is one of the local delicates of Sicily.

Entrance to the church grounds costs $3.25 (€3). If you also want to visit the monastery, and climb to the top terrace it costs $10.75 (€10) in total.

#7 Fontana Pretoria

Just a few steps away is the most famous and the biggest fountain in all of Palermo – Fontana Pretoria, otherwise known as the Fountain of Shame. The fountain was built 500 years ago, yet it is still beautifully preserved.

The huge fountain has no water in it, but nevertheless one must admit that it looks magnificent and huge among the surrounding buildings. Legend says that the common name – the Fountain of Shame originated because all the sculptures are naked.

#8 Quatro Canti

Big square in the center of Palermo – Quattro Canti is where the two main streets of the city meet. It is here where you can admire four historical and beautifully decorated buildings.

The buildings are identically composed, and each of them is divided into three parts. The lowest part is decorated with a statue of one of the four seasons, in the middle on each building is a statue of one of the four Spanish kings of Sicily, while at the highest part you can see one of the four saint patrons of the city of Palermo.

The place is very lively, you will hear live music played here, and a local vendor trying to shout it, encouraging you to buy water or orange juice.

#9 Via Vittorio Emanuele & Via Maqueda

From Quattro Canti diverge two long, main streets, filled with stores and restaurants – Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele. In the middle of the season just after sunset both streets fill up with tourists, it gets colorful and noisy.

Local vendors try to sell their wares, someone shouts that he has for sale Aperol – an essential part of every evening in Sicily, promoters are trying to attract tourists to visit their restaurant – the evening spectacle has begun. Both streets are the most popular places to grab something to eat, whether in a more posh or more local restaurant.

#10 Teatro Massimo

Last place to visit in Palermo is the Teatro Massiomo where one of the scenes of the Godfather trilogy took place. The building is huge, a spectacular staircase leads to the entrance, and the doors are guarded by lions. It is a must see for any fan of the Godfather movies.

Inside, the theater is a huge, with beautiful dark red curtains, wonderful lighting and a beautifully painted dome roof. Teatro Massimo is one of the largest opera houses in Europe with a capacity of as many as 1,300 spectators.

Guided entrance to the theater cost $13 (€12) per person.

Italian cuisine is one of the most popular and delicious in the world. Be it pizza, pasta or other delicacies. Palermo offers a wide range to fill your stomach with great meals. Try some in following restaurants:

• Curtigghiu
• Timilia
• Ruvalo
• Norma

When traveling to Palermo, you can choose from several available options. It all depends on your tastes, and whether you are already on the mainland in Italy, on the island of Sicily, or if you are traveling from other country. Below you can get acquainted with several means of transportation to Palermo.

By Airplane

The easiest way to get to Palermo is, of course, by airplane. Capital city has international airport, so choose a flight to Palermo from your home country.

By Ferry

If you’re traveling to Palermo from mainland Italy, consider taking the available ferry connections to reach the island. On the mainland, you will board the ferry in Villa San Giovanni and disembark in Messina in Sicily.

Bus / Train

If you are traveling to Palermo from another city on the Sicily island you can also choose bus or train. If you decide to use this mode of transport to get to Palermo from cities like Catania or Taormina, it is really easy to arrange.

By Car

You can also go on a road trip around Sicily and then the best means of transportation to visit Palermo is by car. Although drivers in Sicily can be a bit chaotic and unpredictable, it is the fastest mode of transportation on the island. Remember to have your eyes in the back of your head and drive carefully.

If you want to rent a car in Sicily we strongly recommend you to book with “Sicily by Car” company. During our trip in Sicily we didn’t have the slightest problem neither with the car nor with the car provider.

Palermo has many places of historical and cultural interest to offer, but they are all located in the very center of the city. Therefore, the best means of transportation around the capital will be your own feet. For less stress and more enjoyment, we recommend to leave the car at the hotel parking.

To fully appreciate Palermos charm, it’s best to plan your visit during the warmer months of the year.

From April to May and from October to November, the temperatures in Palermo are pleasantly warm, and the number of tourists is relatively low, making these seasons one of the most enjoyable times to explore the city.

You can also visit the capital between June and September, but keep in mind that summers can be extremely hot. This is also the peak tourist season, so you may encounter larger crowds and longer waiting times at popular attractions.

Palermo is a large city, but all the most important tourist sites are located in the city center. Therefore, choosing the right hotel or Airbnb is very important. It is best to look for hotels close to the center, so that you can easily get everywhere on foot. When choosing an Airbnb, read reviews about the location, whether it is safe and how far it is from the center of Palermo.

We stayed at Sofia’s Central Apartment and loved it.

Palermo has a lot to offer, so you certainly won’t be bored here. If you plan to visit all the places mentioned above, reserve at least two full days for sightseeing. However, if you want to have time for a slow walk, a little shopping, or enjoying coffees in cafes, book three days in the city.

Palermo is also an ideal place for a city break, so if you are able to reach the capital on Friday evening and fly out on Sunday evening you will certainly have enough time for sightseeing.

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation and sunbeds, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $100+ / night

Restaurant: $16 – $30 / meal

Pleasure: $11 – $18 / event

Rental car: $50+ / day

Sunbeds:  $22 – $33 / set

Activity:  $3 – $6 / event