What to do in Palermo

Activities, attractions and tours

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
Piazza Marina and street with residential buildings in Palermo. Sicily, Italy

Palermo Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Palermo has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Palermo, 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 to Palermo 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.

Places of interest in Palermo

Palermo is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Palermo, and make it a breeze to explore Palermo and 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 holiday 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 to Palermo, 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 in Palermo.

Palermo attractions

Palermo 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 in Palermo to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Palermo.

Looking for things to do in Palermo 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 of Palermo or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Palermo attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Palermo

Tours & day trips

See all 347 activities
Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

Activity duration is 8 hours
8.4 out of 10 with 513 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £60 per adult
Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from PalermoOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 123 activities
Cefalù and Castelbuono Private Tour from Palermo

Cefalù and Castelbuono Private Tour from Palermo

Activity duration is 9 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is £78 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 64 activities
Sicilian Cooking Class

Sicilian Cooking Class

Activity duration is 4 hours and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 62 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £85 per adult
Sicilian Cooking ClassOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 35 activities
Palermo: Treasures of Monte Pellegrino

Palermo: Treasures of Monte Pellegrino

10.0 out of 10 with 2 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £39 per adult
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Cruises & boat tours

See all 21 activities
Palermo: Street Food Walking Tour at Sunset

Palermo: Street Food Walking Tour at Sunset

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
9.2 out of 10 with 120 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £38 per adult
Palermo: Street Food Walking Tour at SunsetOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Palermo

Number of things to do
419
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Palermo: Single bus tickets between Airport and City Centre: £6
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Palermo

Popular places to visit

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 theatre with a story to tell in Palermo. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its shops.

Teatro Massimo
Ballaro Market which includes food, street scenes and markets

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
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 theatre with a story to tell in Palermo. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its shops.

Politeama Garibaldi Theater
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
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 savour 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 with a visit to Via Vittorio Emanuele. While in this walkable area, you can savour 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 a statue or sculpture, heritage architecture and heritage elements

Via Maqueda

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Via Maqueda during your stay in 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

Travellers to Palermo Historical Center praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda.

Palermo Historical Center
Palermo Cathedral

Centro Storico

4/5(11 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Centro Storico, Via Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza Pretoria are top sights worth seeing.

Centro Storico
Kalsa, Palermo, Italy

Kalsa

4.5/5(88 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and gardens are some highlights of Kalsa. Make a stop by Regional Gallery or Piazza Marina while you're exploring.

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

Castellammare

4.5/5(14 area reviews)

Castellammare is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Via Roma and Vucciria Market.

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

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

Monte di Pieta is noteworthy for its historical 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

Monreale featuring a fountain

Monreale

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

Scenery of Sicily. Traditional fishing village Aspra. Travel in Italy

Ficarazzi

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 kms (1 mile) from the city centre of Palermo is Ruggero Settimo and Kalsa is 0.64 kms (0.40 miles) 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 holidaying 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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