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10+ Things to do in Palermo, Sicily
February 16, 2025
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Planning a trip to Sicily? Let’s dive into the 10+ best things to do in Palermo.
Sicily’s capital, Palermo, is a vibrant and chaotic city with history, culture, and hidden food gems. Once considered the mafia capital of the world, Palermo is now a popular tourist destination for visitors in Sicily.
When we first started planning our 2-week road trip through Sicily, we heard a lot of mixed opinions on visiting Palermo, with many people encouraging us to skip the city altogether. I am so happy that we chose to keep Palermo in our Sicily road trip itinerary, and I hope I can encourage you to do the same.
If you’re planning a trip to Sicily, a day or two in Palermo should absolutely be on your itinerary.
Things to do in Palermo
The result of being “the most conquered city in the world,” Palermo is a mixing pot of cultures, evident in their food and architecture, where you’ll see influences from Arab, Roman, Greek, and Gothic styles. This makes Palermo the type of city you can simply wander and get lost in, taking in all of the different sights and smells. But there are so many cool things to do in Palermo, so let’s dive in.
1. Visit Palermo’s food markets
If you want to understand Sicilian culture, head to Palermo’s street food markets. These food markets are an incredible place to sample authentic Sicilian dishes that have been passed on from generations past.
A visit to the markets can be overstimulating to say the least – colorful fruits and veggies sold at food stalls, the smells of traditional dishes being churned out on tiny plates to sample, the shouts of vendors selling you their products over the next.
2. Wind down with an aperitivo
In Italy, there is no better way to give off your evening than with an aperitivo. Enjoy an aperitvo, or light cocktail, is an Italian ritual. Italians believe that enjoying a light drink before dinner helps to stimulate your appetite.
Starting around 5 PM you’ll find many shops offering classic apperitvos, like Aperol Spritz, Campari Spritz, and Hugo Spritz, alongside an assortment of appetizers. The appetizers are typically included with the cost of your drink and include snack options like potato chips, peanuts, and focaccia.
3. Check out Palermo Cathedral
The Palermo Cathedral, otherwise known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is one of the most beautiful architectural landmarks in Sicily, and a must-do activity if you’re visiting Palermo.
Established in 1185 by Archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio, it was constructed on the site of a former Muslim mosque. Interestingly, that mosque had been built over an earlier Christian basilica, leading to generations of mixing cultures and architectural styles at a single site.
Opening Hours:
- Monday through Saturday 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM , Sundays 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tickets
- Full-price tickets cost €7, with a few options for reduced admission.
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4. Stroll through the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni)
The Norman Palace, or Palazzo dei Normanni, is one of the most historically significant places in Italy, and one of the best things to do in Palermo. Originally built in the 9th century by the Arabs, it serves as a beautiful example of the blending of cultures in Palermo.
Today you can visit the Norman Palace and access areas including the famous Cappella Palatina, royal apartments, and various halls filled with frescoes and mosaics.
Opening Hours:
- Monday through Saturday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Sundays 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
Tickets:
- Full-price tickets cost €15,50 with a €1 booking fee if booked online.
5. Try Sicilian cannoli
Palermo is considered by many to be the birthplace of cannoli (singular: cannolo). While this fact may be up for debate, it is still home to some of the best cannoli in the world. But you need to know where to go in order to enjoy the best of the best.
- Lucchese Angela: A small, unassuming bakery serving some of the best cannoli I’ve ever had in life. On a small street away from the tourist attractions, you’ll find this sweet bakery. The cannoli are all filled on the spot for optimal freshness.
- I Segreti del Chiostro: You might be thinking that that doesn’t sound like a typical name for a bakery, and you’d be right. This small pastry shop is located inside of the monastery. The program was set up as a means to recover and pass on the tradition of Sicilian convent pastry. Today you’ll find that it is one of the busiest confectionary shops in Palermo, but the line is well worth the wait. In addition to their must-try cannoli, you’ll find a number of other traditional Sicilian pastries. Don’t miss a slice of the ricotta cheesecake.
6. Take a break at the Palermo Botanical Gardens
The Palermo Botanical Gardens, or Orto Botanico di Palermo, are some of the most famous botanical gardens in all of Europe. Originally established as part of the university in 1789, the gardens are now home to over 12,000 different plant species.
The entry ticket costs €7.00, with reduced tickets available for seniors and students. The gardens are open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily, opening one hour later on Sundays.
7. Villa Bonanno
Located near the Norman Palace, Villa Bonanno is a peaceful oasis in the heart of Palermo’s chaos. In this park, you’ll find lush green plants, palm trees, and the remnants of ancient Roman ruins. It’s the perfect place to unwind in the loud, busy city.
I recommend stopping by after you visit the Norman Palace. The public park is free to enter and explore.
8. Enjoy a glass of natural wine
You probably already know that Italy is home to some of the best wines in the world. But did you know that the natural wine scene is booming in Sicily? The mineral-rich soil from the volcanic area of Mt. Etna makes it a prime environment for natural winemaking.
There are several small wine bars where you can taste Sicilian natural wine. Here are a few natural wine bars in Palermo that I recommend:
- Bottega Monteleone
- dal Barone
- Enotequa
9. Visit Quattro Canti
Quattro Canti is considered by many to be the heart of Palermo’s historic center. Built in the early 17th century, it marks the intersection of two major streets, Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele. These major streets divide the historic center into four quarters. You’ll find street vendors selling drinks and souvenirs, live music, and plenty of tourists here. It’s a lovely example of Baroque architecture and a must-visit square in Palermo.
10. Grab a cup of gelato from the famous Gelateria Al Cassaro
What is a trip to Italy without a taste of true Italian gelato? Gelateria Al Cassaro is the spot for you! I recommend grabbing a cone and wandering the streets – enjoying the live music often playing in the streets.
11. Take a day trip to Cefalu
Cefalu is a fun and easy day trip from Palermo. Located just 1 hour along the coast, it is an easy and beautiful drive if you have your own car.
If not, the train is an easy way to get between the two cities, with train rides costing just a few euros if booked in advance. Grab your tickets to Cefalu here.
Here are a few things to do in Cefalu:
- Enjoy a traditional Sicilian granita
- Hike La Rocca for the best views
- Spend a day on the beach (rent a paddleboard for some fun)
- Enjoy the fresh seafood at Marina
Best restaurants in Palermo
There is no shortage of incredible food in Palermo if you know where to look. Here are a few of my favorite spots that we visited, or that came highly recommended to us.
- Il Cambusone: a small laid-back restaurant known for their seafood dishes. Don’t miss the homemade cannoli.
- Antica Focaccerria: a popular restaurant for quick, classic Sicilian dishes.
- Sfrigola Via Maqueda: small shop serving fresh arancini
- Bisso Bistrot: located in the heart of Palermo at the Quattro Canti, this restaurant serves classic Sicilian dishes at great prices
- Osteria Nonna Dora: a local favorite for hearty Sicilian dishes in a casual setting
How many days do I need in Palermo?
One day is sufficient for exploring many of Palermo’s highlights and enjoying the city’s culinary scene. However, if you have time to spare in your Sicily travel itinerary, there is plenty to do in Palermo to keep you occupied for days.
Ad Hoc Rooms
Ad Hoc Rooms is a small bed and breakfast in central Palermo. It offers a gorgeous balcony with views of the city and a daily breakfast.
Check rates and availabilityHow to get to Palermo, Sicily
Palermo is super easy to get to, with flights from within Italy, as well as direct flights from across Europe and the US. As Sicily gains popularity as a travel destination, we’ve seen more airlines add flights.
United Airlines is launching direct flights between both New York, Chicago and San Francisco, and Palermo, Sicily this year.
Getting around Palermo
All of the best things to do in Palermo listed in this guide are easily accessible by walking throughout the city. In fact, I would go as far as to say to avoid having a car in Palermo.
We loved renting a car for our 2-week Sicilian road trip, but parking and driving regulations in Palermo are a real headache. Avoid driving in any protected zones, indicated by the sign ‘ZTL’. Driving in this area without a permit will result in major fines.
If you’re arriving in Palermo for the start of your trip, you could consider waiting to pick up your rental car. Otherwise, I would recommend finding a good parking spot and leaving it until you head to your next destination.
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