Palermo Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Palermo is a city of layered history, colourful markets and remarkable architecture.

• Palatine Chapel and Norman Palace — Marvel at golden Byzantine mosaics inside the royal chapel, part of the UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman sites.
• Palermo Cathedral — Visit the vast cathedral blending Norman, Gothic and baroque styles, and climb to the rooftop terraces.
• Monreale Cathedral — Take a short trip into the hills to see one of the finest mosaic interiors in the world.
• Ballarò Market — Explore the city’s liveliest street market, full of produce, spices and street food.
• Quattro Canti — Stand at the baroque crossroads at the heart of the old city.
• Teatro Massimo — Tour or attend a performance at one of Europe’s largest opera houses.
• Mondello — Relax on the sandy beach and turquoise waters of this seaside suburb.

Palermo has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the most pleasant times to visit, with warm days for sightseeing, market visits and swimming at Mondello from late spring.

July and August are hot and humid, and beaches are busy. The Festino di Santa Rosalia, the city’s patron saint festival held in mid-July, brings processions and fireworks. Winters are mild and quieter, a good time for museums and churches, though rain is more frequent.

Falcone–Borsellino Airport, also known as Punta Raisi, lies on the coast about 30 kilometres west of Palermo’s city centre. The drive into town usually takes around 35 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.

Regular airport buses run to the city centre and the central railway station, and a rail link also connects the airport with Palermo. Taxis are available outside arrivals, and car hire desks are located in the terminal for those exploring Sicily by road.

Palermo’s historic centre is compact, and most visitors stay within walking distance of it.

• Around Quattro Canti — Ideal for first-time visitors, close to the cathedral, markets and main monuments.
• Kalsa — A characterful historic quarter near the sea, with palaces, museums and lively bars.
• Politeama and Libertà — Elegant areas with shopping streets, theatres and a wide choice of hotels.
• Mondello — Best for a beach-focused stay, with seafood restaurants by the bay.

• Payments: Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for markets and street food.
• Street food: Try arancine, panelle, sfincione and cannoli from local vendors and bakeries.
• Getting around: The centre is best explored on foot; buses serve Monreale and Mondello, and traffic can be heavy.
• Etiquette: Cover shoulders and knees when visiting churches and cathedrals.
• Safety: Keep an eye on bags and phones in busy markets and on crowded buses.