Deep-dive

Visiting Palermo

Seven Arab-Norman monuments on the UNESCO list (Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel, Cathedral, Zisa, Martorana, San Cataldo, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Admiral's Bridge) with Monreale and Cefalù; Teatro Massimo, Quattro Canti, markets, Capuchin Catacombs. Mondello beach. Municipal tourist tax.

Sections: Attractions · Museums · Nature · Itineraries · Excursions · Accessible visits

What to see

The UNESCO site "Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale" (2015) includes seven city monuments: the Royal Palace with the Palatine Chapel (seat of the Regional Assembly, visits run by the Fondazione Federico II), the Cathedral, the Zisa palace, the churches of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (Martorana) and San Cataldo in Piazza Bellini, San Giovanni degli Eremiti and the Admiral's Bridge, plus the cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù. In the historic centre add the Quattro Canti and the Pretoria fountain, the Teatro Massimo (Italy's largest opera house), Serpotta's oratories, Palazzo Abatellis with the regional gallery, the Salinas archaeological museum, Palazzo Steri and the Inquisition museum, Palazzo Branciforte, the Botanical Garden and the Capuchin Catacombs. The Ballarò, Capo and Vucciria markets are stops in their own right.

Mondello: the city beach, white sand and Art Nouveau bathing establishments, buses from Piazza Politeama; Addaura and Sferracavallo for the rocks.
Monte Pellegrino: Saint Rosalia's sanctuary and a belvedere over the city; Capo Gallo reserve for coastal trails.
Monreale (UNESCO cathedral and cloister): 30 minutes by bus from the centre.
Cefalù: an hour by train; UNESCO cathedral and beach.
Segesta, Erice and Trapani, the Zingaro reserve and San Vito Lo Capo: to the west, by car or coach.
Bagheria (Villa Palagonia) and Solunto: to the east, regional train.
Ustica: hydrofoil from the port, marine reserve.

Seasons and tourist tax

April–June and September–October are the best periods; July and August are very hot and Mondello is crowded. The Festino week (14–15 July) and 4 September (Acchianata) are the most intense moments; in winter the city is liveable and uncrowded. Guests in accommodation pay the municipal tourist tax, with rates by category published by the Comune. Many regional museums are free on the first Sunday of the month.

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