What to do in Palermo

Activities, attractions and tours

Palermo
Palermo
Aerial view of Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Palermo, Italy, September 19, 2019: views of a lonely street with plants and a bicycle with the church in the background
Palermo, Italy, September 19, 2019: Square with a fountain, a parked motorbike, plants and shops around with awnings and facades of buildings in poor condition

Palermo Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Palermo has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Palermo is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Palermo to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Palermo Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Palermo.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Palermo attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Palermo

Number of things to do
387
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Palermo: Single bus tickets between Airport and City Centre: CA $10
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Palermo

Discover the most popular places to visit in Palermo

the skyline of palermo, sicily

Palermo Harbour

Explore the waterfront in Borgo Vecchio with a trip to Palermo Harbour. Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's bars.

Palermo Harbour
The dog was there the morning and always at the same place during five hours after

Teatro Massimo

Enjoy a show at Teatro Massimo, a theater with a story to tell in Palermo. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its shops.

Teatro Massimo
Ballaro Market featuring markets, street scenes and food

Ballaro Market

Buy freshly caught fish, eat Sicilian specialties and search for vintage clothes at a market that has been serving Palermo's residents for centuries.

Ballaro Market
Cathedral of Palermo during sunset, Sicily island, Italy

Palermo Cathedral

You can learn about the history of Palermo with a stop at Palermo Cathedral. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its shops.

Palermo Cathedral
M8720P Palermo, Italy - August 10, 2017: Facade of the Politeama Garibaldi Theatre with the statue of Ruggero Settimo in the center of Palermo in Sicily, Ita

Politeama Garibaldi Theater

Enjoy a performance at Politeama Garibaldi Theater, a theater with a story to tell in Palermo. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its shops.

Politeama Garibaldi Theater
Photo with a Vespa a common sight in italy! How much would you poke to have one of this?

Via Roma

During your visit to Palermo, you can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Via Roma. While in this walkable area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Via Roma
Palermo, Old town , Sicily, 意大利 - it is soo beautiful in the old town and we enjoyed ourselves roaming in the streets and alleys of the old town #red #travel #sicily #architecture #culture #hiking

Via Vittorio Emanuele

You can find out about the history of Palermo when you stop by Via Vittorio Emanuele. While in this walkable area, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Via Vittorio Emanuele
Music stage in the Foro Italico in Palermo, Sicily

Foro Italico

Explore the great outdoors at Foro Italico, a lovely green space in Palermo. You can enjoy the restaurants while in the area.

Foro Italico
Via Maqueda which includes heritage elements, heritage architecture and a statue or sculpture

Via Maqueda

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Via Maqueda during your visit to Palermo. Make time for the shops and local tours in this culturally rich area.

Via Maqueda

Explore areas of Palermo

Night view of the cathedral of Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Palermo Historical Center

Palermo Historical Center is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Palermo.

Palermo Historical Center
Palermo Cathedral

Centro Storico

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Stroll along the ancient Cassaro street, admiring UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Royal Palace and Cathedral. Enjoy the pedestrian stretch from the Cathedral to Quattro Canti, and hop on the free "Arancione" shuttle bus to explore further.

Centro Storico
Kalsa, Palermo, Italy

Kalsa

4.5/5(22 area reviews)

Historical quarter revitalized with art galleries, restored churches, and palaces, Kalsa boasts narrow, winding streets for an authentic Sicilian experience.

Kalsa
Sicilian Coastline in the morning. Deep blue sea; Shutterstock ID 341459549

Castellammare

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Historically delimited by Via Maqueda and other streets, this original Palermo quarter boasts the vibrant Vucciria marketplace. Explore Sicilian culture and flavors in this polygonal district.

Castellammare
Another image from the tour of Politeama Garibaldi theater. Taken on a Sony a6000 with a 7artisans fisheye lens.

Politeama

While visiting Politeama, you might make a stop by sights like Piazza Ruggero Settimo and Politeama Garibaldi Theater.

Politeama
Palermo Cathedral

Monte di Pieta

3.5/5(7 area reviews)

Monte di Pieta is noteworthy for its historic sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Palermo Cathedral and Quattro Canti.

Monte di Pieta

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Palermo

San Vito Lo Capo - Trapani, Sicilia

Isola delle Femmine

Port and beach at Mondello, Sicily.

Mondello

Aerial view of the large and long beach of Capaci, located in the province of Palermo, Sicily, Italy.

Capaci

Panoramic view of Sferracavallo

Sferracavallo

Castle of Partanna, Sicily

Partanna

Frequently asked questions

Is Palermo worth visiting?
Palermo has an interesting mix of local charm, culture and attractions. Whether you're into nature, history or traditional food, there's plenty to enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Palermo?
After you've visited key attractions like Mondello Beach and Palace of the Normans, spend the rest of your day exploring Palermo's shopping and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Palermo?
You can't leave without visiting Mondello Beach, ranked the top tourist attraction in Palermo.
Is three days enough to stay in Palermo?
You can easily enjoy leading attractions like Teatro Massimo, Cathedral of Monreale and Palace of the Normans with a three-day getaway in Palermo. On average, most travellers plan three days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so stay a little longer and venture to Cinisi.
Is Palermo a walkable city?
Some leading sights in Palermo, such as Teatro Massimo and Palace of the Normans, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from the city centre of Palermo is Ruggero Settimo and Kalsa is 0.64 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Palermo with kids?
Planning what to do in Palermo with kids is easier than ever. Whether you're vacationing with little ones or teenagers, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep them happy here.

What to do in Palermo for adults?
There are loads of things to do in Palermo, with activities for adults of all ages. Round off your day with a visit to Via Vittorio Emanuele or Via Roma.
Are there free things to do in Palermo?
In Palermo, Cathedral of Monreale is a top spot for anyone planning to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, check out the green spaces and other neighbourhoods, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's a good way to find out about the best free things to do in Palermo.

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