Palermo Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Palermo, the capital of Sicily, boasts an incredible blend of Arab-Norman architecture, bustling markets, and exquisite cuisine. Visit the Palermo Cathedral, explore the Capuchin Catacombs, and savor street food like arancini and cannoli.
With 319+ hand-picked places to explore, Palermo rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Palermo
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Chiesa del Gesù — located at Piazza Casa Professa, this Baroque church showcases intricate artistry and historical significance in Palermo. Just as worthwhile is Cattedrale di Palermo: explore Palermo's rich history by visiting this grand cathedral with its eclectic architectural styles. Monumento ai Caduti di Palermo completes the picture: a significant memorial in Piazza Vittorio Veneto honoring Palermo's war heroes with a striking bronze statue.
Chiesa del Gesù
Palermo • Historic Architecture
Located at Piazza Casa Professa, this Baroque church showcases intricate artistry and historical significance in Palermo.
Cattedrale di Palermo
Palermo • Historic Architecture
Explore Palermo's rich history by visiting this grand cathedral with its eclectic architectural styles.
Monumento ai Caduti di Palermo
Palermo • Monuments & Statues
A significant memorial in Piazza Vittorio Veneto honoring Palermo's war heroes with a striking bronze statue.
Fontana Pretoria
Palermo • Monuments & Statues
Ideal for art lovers and history enthusiasts, this landmark showcases Renaissance artistry.
Museums & Culture in Palermo
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is RizzutoGallery: ideal for art enthusiasts and those seeking to engage with contemporary culture in Palermo. Locals will also point you to Teatro Ditirammu — located on Vicolo Garofalo, Teatro Ditirammu showcases traditional Sicilian folk culture through engaging performances. And for something different, there's Fondazione Orestiadi: in Gibellina, this foundation merges contemporary art with the history of a town rebuilt after disaster.
RizzutoGallery
Palermo • Art Galleries
Ideal for art enthusiasts and those seeking to engage with contemporary culture in Palermo.
Teatro Ditirammu
Palermo • Theaters
Located on Vicolo Garofalo, Teatro Ditirammu showcases traditional Sicilian folk culture through engaging performances.
Fondazione Orestiadi
Palermo • Art Galleries
In Gibellina, this foundation merges contemporary art with the history of a town rebuilt after disaster.
Palazzo Butera
Palermo • Art Galleries
A meticulously restored baroque palace that showcases contemporary art in Palermo's historic center.
Best Things to Do in Palermo
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Sferracavallo Snorkeling Adventures — via Torretta leads you to exceptional snorkeling opportunities in a charming fishing village near Palermo. Museo dei Bambini Palermo (MUBA) earns its reputation too — this museum focuses entirely on children's interactive learning through play and exploration. Round out the shortlist with Capo Gallo Nature Reserve Kayaking — ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this kayaking experience showcases Palermo's stunning coastline.
Sferracavallo Snorkeling Adventures
Palermo • Outdoor
Via Torretta leads you to exceptional snorkeling opportunities in a charming fishing village near Palermo.
Museo dei Bambini Palermo (MUBA)
Palermo • Family-Friendly
This museum focuses entirely on children's interactive learning through play and exploration.
Capo Gallo Nature Reserve Kayaking
Palermo • Outdoor
Ideal for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this kayaking experience showcases Palermo's stunning coastline.
Escape Room Palermo
Palermo • Indoor
Located on Via Francesco Crispi, this venue offers immersive escape games with intricate puzzles and themes.
Where to Eat in Palermo
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Friggitoria Chiluzzo — located in Piazza Kalsa, this spot serves authentic Sicilian fried snacks for a quick bite any time of year. Just as worthwhile is A' Cuncuma: a stop for those seeking an authentic Sicilian dining experience with a creative twist on local flavors. Osteria Mercede completes the picture: ideal for families and couples seeking authentic Sicilian cuisine with a modern twist.
Friggitoria Chiluzzo
Palermo • Street Food
Located in Piazza Kalsa, this spot serves authentic Sicilian fried snacks for a quick bite any time of year.
A' Cuncuma
Palermo • Local Cuisine
A stop for those seeking an authentic Sicilian dining experience with a creative twist on local flavors.
Osteria Mercede
Palermo • Local Cuisine
Ideal for families and couples seeking authentic Sicilian cuisine with a modern twist.
Ristorante Giapponese Sushi Lab
Palermo • Asian Cuisine
Ideal for couples and groups looking for a contemporary dining experience in Palermo.
Palermo After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Hop & Roll: energize your evening with a vast selection of craft beers in a lively atmosphere. Locals will also point you to Il Moro Club — a lively spot to wrap up a day in Palermo, especially on weekends and during special events. And for something different, there's Cantina Siciliana: located on Via Mariano Stabile, this bar captures the essence of Sicilian craft beer culture.
Hop & Roll
Palermo • Craft Beer Bars
Energize your evening with a vast selection of craft beers in a lively atmosphere.
Il Moro Club
Palermo • Nightclubs & Discos
A lively spot to wrap up a day in Palermo, especially on weekends and during special events.
Cantina Siciliana
Palermo • Craft Beer Bars
Located on Via Mariano Stabile, this bar captures the essence of Sicilian craft beer culture.
Rizzo Brewery
Palermo • Craft Beer Bars
End your day in Palermo at this intimate spot for craft beer enthusiasts.
Where to Stay in Palermo
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Vucciria Hostel — ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking a genuine local experience in Palermo's historic market district. B&B Al Bastione Normanno earns its reputation too — set on Via Porta di Castro, this bed-and-breakfast offers comfort and cityscape views in Palermo. Round out the shortlist with B&B Gallidoro — a beautifully restored building with views over Palermo, offering a cozy bed-and-breakfast experience.
Vucciria Hostel
Palermo • Hostels
Ideal for budget-conscious travelers seeking a genuine local experience in Palermo's historic market district.
B&B Al Bastione Normanno
Palermo • Bed & Breakfast
Set on Via Porta di Castro, this bed-and-breakfast offers comfort and cityscape views in Palermo.
B&B Gallidoro
Palermo • Bed & Breakfast
A beautifully restored building with views over Palermo, offering a cozy bed-and-breakfast experience.
Palco Rooms&Suites
Palermo • Spa Hotels
Ideal for couples and families seeking a blend of modern comfort and relaxation in Palermo.
Shopping in Palermo
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Second Life Vintage — a sustainable fashion and home decor shop on Via Vittorio Emanuele, perfect for vintage enthusiasts. Just as worthwhile is Quattro Canti Outlet: a shopping center that combines modern retail with Palermo's historical charm and cultural elements. La Bottega dei Sapori completes the picture: located on Via Roma, this shop specializes in gourmet Sicilian products and personalized tastings.
Second Life Vintage
Palermo • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A sustainable fashion and home decor shop on Via Vittorio Emanuele, perfect for vintage enthusiasts.
Quattro Canti Outlet
Palermo • Outlet Shopping
A shopping center that combines modern retail with Palermo's historical charm and cultural elements.
La Bottega dei Sapori
Palermo • Souvenir Shops
Located on Via Roma, this shop specializes in gourmet Sicilian products and personalized tastings.
Retrò Vintage
Palermo • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A vintage shop ideal for a leisurely afternoon of fashion discovery in Palermo.
Parks & Green Spaces in Palermo
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Riserva Naturale Orientata Bosco di Ficuzza: a natural reserve near Palermo, perfect for a day of hiking and wildlife observation. Locals will also point you to Riserva Naturale Orientata Capo Gallo — explore the natural beauty of Via Piano Gallo, where land meets sea in Palermo. And for something different, there's Sentiero del Bosco della Ficuzza: great for families and casual hikers seeking a nature-filled experience in Sicily's largest forested area.
Riserva Naturale Orientata Bosco di Ficuzza
Palermo • Hiking Trails
A natural reserve near Palermo, perfect for a day of hiking and wildlife observation.
Riserva Naturale Orientata Capo Gallo
Palermo • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Explore the natural beauty of Via Piano Gallo, where land meets sea in Palermo.
Sentiero del Bosco della Ficuzza
Palermo • Hiking Trails
Great for families and casual hikers seeking a nature-filled experience in Sicily's largest forested area.
Sentiero delle Madonie
Palermo • Hiking Trails
A challenging hiking trail in the Madonie Mountains, showcasing stunning Sicilian landscapes and diverse wildlife.
88 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Palermo that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Palermo list:
- La Bottega degli Antichi Sapori· Local Hangouts
- Ceramiche di Sicilia· Souvenir Shops
- Sicilian Cooking Class by Chef Paolo· Indoor
- Il Barone Lampedusa· Secret Bars & Speakeasies
- Sicilian Secrets Boat Tour· Boat
Planning where to stay in Palermo?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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