25+ Best Things to Do in Palermo

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Palermo is one of those cities where you don’t necessarily need to follow a strict sightseeing schedule.

Some of my favourite moments came from simply walking around, finding random streets, stopping for food and seeing where the evening took us. But if you do want a list of things to add to your Palermo itinerary, there is a lot to choose from.

From historic markets and beautiful churches to street food, nightlife, beaches and hidden little squares, here are 25+ of the best things to do in Palermo.

Saar at Mondello Beach near Palermo, Sicily

Markets & Streets

1. La Vucciria Market

La Vucciria is one of Palermo’s historic market areas. While its role has changed over the years, the area around Piazza Caracciolo and Piazza Garraffello is now particularly lively in the evenings, with bars, street food, music and people gathering outside.

It’s a fun area to visit if you want to experience Palermo nightlife rather than just ticking off sights.

2. Ballarò Market

Ballarò is one of Palermo’s historic markets and one of the places where you’ll really experience the city’s street-food culture and everyday atmosphere.

Expect colourful stalls, local vendors, fresh produce and plenty of Sicilian street food. The city of Palermo describes Ballarò as its oldest and largest historic market.

If you want to see a more chaotic and local side of Palermo, this is definitely one to add to your itinerary.

3. Explore the Via Napoli Area

The area around Via Napoli is full of restaurants, cafés and streets where you can simply wander around and see everyday Palermo life.

It’s also a convenient area to explore if you’re staying in the historic centre.

I actually think some of the best Palermo experiences happen when you don’t have a specific destination and just wander.

4. Visit Officine Calderai

Officine Calderai is a cultural and creative space connected to Palermo’s artisan traditions, with workshops, exhibitions and events.

It’s a different experience from the city’s big historical attractions and worth adding if you’re interested in local creativity and craftsmanship.

Main Sights in Palermo

5. See Teatro Massimo

Teatro Massimo is one of Palermo’s most recognisable landmarks and one of the largest opera houses in Europe.

Even if you don’t go inside for a performance, the building itself is worth seeing when walking around the city centre.

6. Walk Through Quattro Canti

Quattro Canti is one of the most famous crossroads in Palermo.

The Baroque square sits right in the historic centre and is surrounded by beautifully decorated buildings. It’s also a useful landmark when exploring Palermo on foot.

You’ll probably pass through here several times without even trying.

7. Visit Palermo Cathedral

Palermo Cathedral is one of the city’s most impressive buildings and a great example of how many different influences have shaped Palermo over the centuries.

Its architecture combines Norman, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical elements, making it one of the main sights to add to your Palermo itinerary.

8. See Piazza Pretoria & the Fountain

Piazza Pretoria is one of the most beautiful squares in central Palermo.

The main attraction is the Fontana Pretoria, an elaborate Renaissance fountain surrounded by historic buildings.

It’s right in the middle of the historic centre, so it’s easy to combine with Quattro Canti and Palermo Cathedral.

9. Walk Through Porta Nuova

Porta Nuova is a monumental historic city gate next to the Norman Palace.

It’s an easy sight to combine with the Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina, especially if you’re exploring Palermo’s historic centre on foot.

10. Walk Around Porta Carbone & La Cala

La Cala is Palermo’s historic harbour and a nice area for a walk when you want a break from the busy streets of the old town.

The waterfront has been redeveloped into a pleasant place to walk among boats, restaurants and the old harbour.

11. Have a Drink at Piazza Sant’Anna

Piazza Sant’Anna is one of my favourite places for an evening drink.

The square is surrounded by bars and restaurants and becomes particularly lively at night, with people sitting outside and moving between the different spots.

This is exactly the kind of place where I liked Palermo most: grab a drink, sit outside and see where the evening takes you.

Pizza at Osteria al Casareccio in Palermo, Sicily

12. Find Piazza Domenico Peranni

A smaller square tucked away in the historic centre, Piazza Domenico Peranni is a nice place to experience a quieter side of Palermo away from the biggest tourist sights.

It’s not necessarily somewhere I’d travel across the city specifically to see, but if you’re wandering around the centre, it’s a lovely little place to stumble across.

Planning your Palermo trip?

I created a Palermo Google Map with my favourite things to do, food spots, beaches, bars and more.

I’m still a small beginner travel blog and spend a lot of time creating these guides while earning very little from them. That’s why I only ask €1 for my maps, it’s a small way to support my blog and help me keep creating free travel guides. ❤️

Palermo Google Map: €1

Historical & Cultural Sites in Palermo

13. Visit Cappella Palatina

The Cappella Palatina is one of Palermo’s most spectacular historical sights.

The chapel is famous for its golden Byzantine mosaics and Arab-Norman architecture and forms part of the Norman Palace complex.

If you’re interested in Palermo’s history, don’t skip this one.

14. Learn About Palermo’s History at the No Mafia Memorial

The No Mafia Memorial is a small, free museum dedicated to the history of the Sicilian Mafia and the anti-mafia movement.

It’s not a huge museum, but I found it interesting and worthwhile, particularly because it gives you some context about an important part of Sicily’s modern history.

15. Visit Palazzo della Zisa

Palazzo della Zisa is a beautiful Arab-Norman palace dating back to the 12th century.

It’s another example of the different cultural influences that make Palermo so unique.

16. Explore Palazzo Chiaramonte

Also known as Steri, Palazzo Chiaramonte is a historic Gothic palace with a complicated history, including its use as the seat of the Spanish Inquisition in Sicily.

It’s an interesting stop if you want to understand some of the darker and more complicated parts of Palermo’s history.

17. Visit Palazzo Abatellis

Palazzo Abatellis is a historic palace housing an important collection of Sicilian art.

It’s a good option if you want to spend some time inside a museum rather than just exploring Palermo’s streets.

18. Visit the Galleria d’Arte Moderna

The Galleria d’Arte Moderna focuses on modern and contemporary Italian art and is housed in a beautifully restored historic building.

If you’ve already spent a few days visiting churches and historic buildings, this is a nice way to switch things up.

19. See the Oratorio di San Lorenzo

This small Baroque oratory is famous for its elaborate stucco decorations by Giacomo Serpotta.

It’s easy to miss compared with Palermo’s bigger landmarks, but it’s worth adding if you enjoy architecture and art.

20. Visit La Martorana

The Church of Saint Mary of the Admiral, better known as La Martorana, is famous for its Byzantine mosaics and fascinating mixture of architectural influences.

It’s another beautiful example of Palermo’s incredibly layered history.

21. See San Cataldo

San Cataldo is instantly recognisable because of its distinctive red domes.

The Norman church sits close to La Martorana, so the two are easy to visit together.

22. Visit I Segreti del Chiostro

I Segreti del Chiostro is located inside the historic Santa Caterina convent complex.

Besides the beautiful cloister, it’s also known for its traditional Sicilian pastries, making it a good stop for both history and food.

And yes, this is another place where you can justify eating something while sightseeing.

23. Escape the City at Orto Botanico

The Orto Botanico di Palermo is Palermo’s botanical garden, with a huge variety of plants and trees.

It’s a nice change of pace if you’ve had enough of busy streets and churches and want somewhere green and peaceful.

Beaches & Day Trips

24. Spend a Day at Mondello Beach

One of the best things about Palermo is that you can combine a city trip with a beach day.

Mondello Beach is the obvious choice.

You can spend the morning exploring Palermo, head to Mondello for some time by the sea and then return to the city for dinner and drinks.

That combination was one of my favourite things about staying in Palermo.

Mondello Beach in Palermo, Sicily

25. Take a Day Trip to Cefalù

If you have an extra day, Cefalù is one of the easiest day trips to add to a Palermo itinerary.

You get a completely different atmosphere from Palermo, with a picturesque historic centre, beach and coastal views.

It’s a great option if you want to see more of Sicily without changing accommodation again.

If you’re planning to combine Palermo with other parts of the island, I’ve also put together a guide to how many days you need in Sicily, with itinerary ideas from 3 days to 2 weeks

26. Visit Monreale

Another option for a day trip or half-day trip from Palermo is Monreale.

The town is particularly famous for its cathedral and incredible Byzantine mosaics. It also forms part of the UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman heritage around Palermo.

If you love architecture and history, I’d definitely consider adding it.

If you’re planning to see more than just Palermo, my Sicily Travel Guide covers my two-week itinerary around the island, including where I stayed and how I got around.

Food & Nightlife in Palermo

And honestly, you can’t visit Palermo without leaving some space in your itinerary for eating and drinking.

One of the reasons I enjoyed Palermo so much was that you can eat really well without spending a fortune, especially if you mix restaurants with Sicilian street food.

27. Eat Sicilian Street Food

Make sure you try some classic Sicilian food while you’re in Palermo.

My favourites include:

  • Arancini
  • Cannoli
  • Panelle
  • Sicilian focaccia
  • Fresh seafood
  • Pasta dishes

Arancini were probably my favourite. They’re cheap, filling and absolutely perfect when you’re backpacking.

And obviously, you should have at least one cannolo because you’re in Sicily.

28. Join a Palermo Pub Crawl

If you’re staying in a social hostel or travelling solo, I would actually recommend doing a pub crawl in Palermo.

The one I joined cost around €10, and you got some pretty serious drink discounts, roughly half-price drinks at the participating places, plus free shots and stops at several bars.

For me, it was worth it not just because of the discounts, but because it was such an easy way to meet people.

If you’re travelling alone, this is exactly the kind of activity I’d look for in Palermo.

If you’re backpacking around Italy and looking for social hostels, I’ve also shared my Italy Hostel Reviews based on my own experiences.

29. Have Drinks Around La Vucciria

You don’t necessarily need an organised night out.

The area around La Vucciria becomes particularly lively in the evening, with people drinking outside, street food, music and bars.

It’s one of those places where you can just turn up and see what happens.

30. Have an Evening at Piazza Sant’Anna

Piazza Sant’Anna is another great option for a more relaxed evening.

Grab a drink, sit outside and watch people move between the bars and restaurants around the square.

It’s also one of my favourite examples of why I liked Palermo’s nightlife: it doesn’t always feel like you need to be inside an expensive club to have a good night.

How Many Days Do You Need in Palermo?

If you’re wondering how many of these 30+ things to do in Palermo you can realistically fit into your trip, don’t worry, you definitely don’t need to do everything.

2 Days in Palermo

Focus on the historic centre, markets and main sights.

3–4 Days in Palermo

This is what I’d recommend for most first-time visitors.

You can explore the main sights, eat your way through the city, have a night out and add Mondello or another nearby trip.

5–7 Days in Palermo

This is what I did.

And honestly, I could have stayed longer.

A week gives you enough time to slow down, meet people, have beach days, go out at night and take day trips without feeling like you’re constantly following a schedule.

If you’re planning a longer stay, my Palermo Travel Guide covers where to stay, how to get around, where to eat and drink, and more practical tips for the city.

My Favourite Things to Do in Palermo

If you don’t have time for all 30+ suggestions, these are the things I’d personally prioritise based on my own trip:

  1. Explore Ballarò Market
  2. Walk around La Vucciria
  3. Visit Palermo Cathedral
  4. See Quattro Canti
  5. Visit Cappella Palatina
  6. Spend a day at Mondello Beach
  7. Take a day trip to Cefalù
  8. Eat as much Sicilian street food as possible
  9. Join a pub crawl
  10. Have drinks at Piazza Sant’Anna

But honestly, don’t make Palermo into a checklist.

One of the reasons I ended up loving the city was precisely because I stopped trying to see everything and started enjoying the atmosphere.

Sometimes the best thing to do in Palermo is just walk around, get lost, eat something and see where you end up.

Planning Your Trip to Italy?

Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.

That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.

→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides

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START BY AREA

→ Northern Italy Travel guide
→ Rome Travel guide
→ Sicily Travel guide

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FAQ: Best Things to Do in Palermo

What are the best things to do in Palermo?

Some of the best things to do in Palermo include exploring Ballarò Market and La Vucciria, visiting Palermo Cathedral and Cappella Palatina, walking through Quattro Canti, spending a day at Mondello Beach, trying Sicilian street food and taking a day trip to Cefalù or Monreale.

How many days do you need in Palermo?

I recommend spending at least 3 days in Palermo to see the main sights without rushing. Four days gives you more time for food, nightlife and a beach day, while five to seven days works well if you want to take day trips and experience Palermo at a slower pace.

Is Palermo worth visiting?

Yes, Palermo is definitely worth visiting. The city combines historic architecture, markets, Sicilian food, nightlife, beaches and easy day trips. I personally spent a week there and ended up wishing I had stayed even longer. If you’re still deciding whether to add Palermo to your Sicily itinerary, I’ve also shared my honest opinion on whether Palermo is worth visiting after spending a week there.

Is Palermo good for solo travellers?

Yes. Palermo can be a particularly social destination for solo travellers, especially if you stay in a hostel. Joining a pub crawl, taking a food tour or simply spending time in social hostel common areas can make it easy to meet other travellers.

What is Palermo famous for?

Palermo is famous for its historic architecture, Arab-Norman heritage, colourful markets, Sicilian street food and lively atmosphere. Some of its best-known sights include Palermo Cathedral, the Norman Palace and Cappella Palatina, Teatro Massimo and Quattro Canti.

Is Palermo expensive?

Palermo is relatively affordable compared with some of Sicily’s more touristy destinations, particularly Taormina. Food, street food and drinks can be quite budget-friendly, although accommodation prices vary depending on the season and location.

Is Palermo safe for tourists?

I felt comfortable overall in Palermo, but I would still use normal city precautions. Be aware of your surroundings, particularly at night, avoid walking alone through unfamiliar areas late at night and ask your accommodation for local advice.

What are the best day trips from Palermo?

Popular day trips from Palermo include Cefalù, Monreale and Mondello Beach. Cefalù is a good choice if you want another coastal town, while Monreale is particularly interesting for its cathedral and Byzantine mosaics.

Can you visit Palermo without a car?

Yes. You don’t need a car to explore Palermo itself, and several nearby destinations can also be reached by public transport. If you’re planning a longer Sicily road trip, however, renting a car can give you more flexibility for smaller towns and coastal areas.

Is Palermo good for nightlife?

Yes. Palermo has a lively nightlife scene, particularly around areas such as La Vucciria and Piazza Sant’Anna. There are plenty of bars, street-food spots and social places, making it a good destination if you enjoy going out and meeting people.

What food should you try in Palermo?

Don’t leave Palermo without trying some Sicilian classics such as arancini, cannoli, panelle, focaccia and fresh seafood. Street food is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to experience the local food culture.

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