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Palermo, Italy

Things to Do in Palermo

Top sights, the tours and tickets travellers book most, hidden gems and day trips.

Most booked:The Original Palermo Street Food & Market Tour (All-Inclusive!)

Most booked tours and tickets in Palermo

The Original Palermo Street Food & Market Tour (All-Inclusive!)

The Original Palermo Street Food & Market Tour (All-Inclusive!)

4.92,393 reviews3h
Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better

Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better

4.91,537 reviews3h
Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily

Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily

4.81,181 reviews3h
Palermo Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Meal and Wine

Palermo Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Meal and Wine

5.0932 reviews3h
Palermo Food Tour: 10+ Tastings of Arancini, Cannoli, Wine & More

Palermo Food Tour: 10+ Tastings of Arancini, Cannoli, Wine & More

5.0868 reviews3h 30m
Palermo Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class With Wine - Cooking Italy

Palermo Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class With Wine - Cooking Italy

4.9723 reviews3h
Small-Group Night Street Food Tour of Palermo (All-Inclusive)

Small-Group Night Street Food Tour of Palermo (All-Inclusive)

4.9631 reviews3h
Discover the Charm of Palermo: A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour

Discover the Charm of Palermo: A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour

4.8440 reviews3h

Top sights in Palermo

  1. 1Palermo Cathedral
  2. 2Palazzo dei Normanni
  3. 3Cappella Palatina
  4. 4Ballarò Market
  5. 5Teatro Massimo
  6. 6Quattro Canti
  • A Unique Architectural Tapestry: Nowhere else on earth blends architectural styles so dramatically. See the Norman, Arab, Byzantine, and Baroque influences fused in UNESCO sites like the Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cathedral, where a 9th-century mosque foundation supports a 12th-century Norman church topped with an 18th-century dome.
  • A Street Food Capital: Palermo's street food is a cultural institution. Go beyond arancini to taste pane con la milza (spleen sandwich) at Nni Franco U' Vastiddaru, sfincione (Sicilian pizza) from a market stall, and crisp cannoli filled to order at Pasticceria Cappello.
  • Vibrant, Chaotic Markets: The historic markets—Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo—are theaters of daily life. They're not just for shopping but for experiencing the city's soul, with shouting vendors, incredible food stalls, and a palpable energy that lasts from dawn until late at night.

Tickets and passes in Palermo

Sicily Great Wines and UNESCO Sites in 7 Private Days

Sicily Great Wines and UNESCO Sites in 7 Private Days

5.016 reviews168h

from €3,390

Check availability
Palermo: Private Night Tour in CruiserCar with Prosecco

Palermo: Private Night Tour in CruiserCar with Prosecco

5.08 reviews3h

Food and drink experiences in Palermo

Walking Tour and street food Tour Palermo / History and Food

Walking Tour and street food Tour Palermo / History and Food

4.9407 reviews3h

Day trips and outdoor activities from Palermo

Palermo Historic Center Catacombs and Monreale CruiserCar Tour

Palermo Historic Center Catacombs and Monreale CruiserCar Tour

4.955 reviews1h

Hidden gems in Palermo

Places most visitors miss, many of them free.

Oratorio di San Lorenzo

A small, unassuming oratory near the Capo Market, famous for its stunning, intricate white stucco sculptures by Giacomo Serpotta.

Santa Maria dello Spasimo

The roofless nave of an unfinished 16th-century church, now a unique public space used for art exhibitions and concerts.

Villa Giulia (Giardino Garibaldi)

A beautiful 18th-century public garden near the waterfront, home to a collection of bizarre and magnificent centuries-old banyan fig trees.

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pietà (Pietà dei Sangugni)

A tiny, jewel-like chapel tucked away on a side street near the Quattro Canti, with an interior completely covered in intricate polychrome marble inlay.

Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa

A former industrial factory complex transformed into a vast cultural hub hosting art exhibitions, theaters, workshops, and a popular weekend food truck market.

Day trips from Palermo

Monreale

30 min by bus (AST line 389 from Piazza Indipendenza)

A hilltop town famous for its breathtaking Norman Cathedral, a UNESCO site rivaling the Palatine Chapel. The interior is entirely covered in golden Byzantine mosaics depicting biblical stories, a truly awe-inspiring sight.

Cefalù

50 min by train from Palermo Centrale

A picturesque fishing town with a stunning Norman cathedral and a beautiful sandy beach nestled under a dramatic headland. It offers the perfect mix of culture, seaside charm, and excellent seafood restaurants.

Segesta

1 hour 15 min by bus (Segesta Autolinee from Via Balsamo)

Journey into Sicily's ancient past at this stunning, isolated archaeological park. The incredibly well-preserved Doric temple stands in solitary grandeur on a hill, with a Greek theater offering sweeping views over the countryside.

Plan your Palermo trip

Things to do in Palermo: FAQ

What are the best things to do in Palermo?+

Top sights include Palermo Cathedral, Palazzo dei Normanni, Cappella Palatina and Ballarò Market. Away from the crowds, try Oratorio di San Lorenzo and Santa Maria dello Spasimo.

What are the most popular tours in Palermo?+

The most booked experiences on Viator are The Original Palermo Street Food & Market Tour (All-Inclusive!) (4.9 stars, 2,393 reviews); Palermo Sicilian Street Food Tour: Small Group by Do Eat Better (4.9 stars, 1,537 reviews); Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily (4.8 stars, 1,181 reviews).

How much do tours in Palermo cost?+

The tours and tickets on this page start between €15 and €3,390 per person, depending on length and what is included.

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.