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Is Palermo Worth Visiting? Your Complete Travel Guide to Palermo, Sicily

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Many people travel to Sicily for its amazing beaches (which is a very valid reason) but is Palermo worth visiting as well?

Palermo isn’t only the capital of Sicily, but also the most conquered city in the world, home of the delicious arancini ball and absolutely jammed packed with some of the best sites in Sicily.

It’s crazy that Palermo isn’t on the traditional tourist trail in Italy, the city isn’t a hidden gem but does have much more of a local feel. After living in Palermo for 1 month I’m here to share the good, the messy & the marvellous! 

I’ve put together this guide on Palermo that answers some of the most common questions, lists the best things to do in the city, plus helpful tips for planning your stay. So you can decide for yourself; is Palermo worth visiting?

But I’ll cut to the chase, in my option you can’t come to Sicily without spending time in Palermo. This is a city of extreme contrast, making every day exciting and interesting. It has an intoxicating feel that will leave you wanting more.

When some people hear Palermo they may automatically picture Mafia wars, car bombs and murders. And, although the city has a dark mafia history, today Palermo is safe & vibrant. There’re many initiatives that aim to educate visitors on the Mafia history and explain that Sicily doesn’t want its past to define its future.

Sicily is a beautiful & unique part of Italy. It’s important to have a well-thought-out plan & itinerary based on your interests. Many of the most beautiful places in Palermo look like nothing from the outside, so it’s easy to unknowingly walk straight past. Keep reading because I’m going to share with you all the best bits that Palermo has to offer.

Best Time of Year to Visit Sicily

One of the best things about Sicily is its Mediterranean climate, making it a great place to visit all year!

The weather is fairly consistent so it’s easy to predict the type of weather you’ll get during your stay.

So the best time of year to visit Sicily will depend on what type of trip you’re after. 

The summer months are very hot and the sun shines almost every day.

July/August are the busiest months, streets in Palermo are crowded and the beaches are always packed. But that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the vibe is amazing, the nightlife is wild and there is always so much going on.

Keep in mind that that as soon as the calendar ticks over to August prices will increase. Particularly for food/drink, car hire and some activities. 

Autumn can be a great time to visit Sicily if you want to avoid really high temperatures. The weather is more mild and you will still have minimal rainfall.

Then if you are after a much quieter trip winter isn’t a bad time to visit Sicily either. There can be more rain compared to other times of the year but visiting any of the tourist sites can be done without the crowds.

Outdoor dining in Palermo Sicily
Is Palermo Worth Visiting?
Drinking wine on the balcony of an Airbnb in Palermo Sicily
Boats docked at the port of Palermo on a sunny day
Port of Palermo

How to Get to Palermo

Although Palermo is further away from many of the other major cities in Italy, there are still plenty of great options for getting there. Even more, reasons why Palmero is worth visiting! 

Flying:

There are 4 international airports on the island of Sicily and Palermo Airport is one of the biggest.

Palermo International Airport is 30 minutes away from the city centre. The best ways to travel between the airport and the city are by train, shuttle bus, taxi or private transfer.

Viator is a great option for pre-booking your private airport transfer;

Palermo Airport to Palermo city or vice versa, private transfer service

For shuttle buses between Palermo airport and the city check out Prestia e Comande. They have multiple services a day and prices start from 6 euros in peak season.

If you’re flying with a low-cost airline they may only fly into Trapani but that’s okay because Trapani is only 1.5 hours drive from Palermo and there’re shuttle buses that travel between the two cities.

Bus: 

Buses in Italy are fantastic and usually very cheap. Although if travelling during peak season prices are much higher and I would recommend booking these in advance as they do sell out.

Flixbus is a low-cost option and in my experience, the bus was clean and reasonably comfortable.

Travelling from Rome to Palermo with Flixbus can take up to 13 hours. This is an overnight journey so you’d save money on accommodation.

Once the bus arrives in Villa San Giovanni it will drive onto a ferry, during this short trip you can get off the bus to starch your legs, grab an espresso and take in the beautiful views. And, after the ferry, the journey across Sicily to Palermo is 2.5 hours.

Train:

The train is another great transport option in Sicily and the main station in Palermo is within walking distance from the city centre. 

A sleeper train from Palermo to the Amalfi coast takes 11 hours. These trains are awesome, so clean and provide fresh bedding, a comfort pack and breakfast.

Omio is an awesome site for transport schedules in Italy, here you can book train, bus and flight tickets.

Getting Around Palermo

Is Palermo worth visiting? Yes! Because it’s a very walkable city. 

Another reason why Palermo is such a great city to visit is because it’s very walkable. Palermo is by no means small but if you want to explore one area at a time walking is a great option. Not only because it’s easy & free but also because there will be so many beautiful things to admire along the way.

There’s also a public bus system that operates in and around the city. These buses are cheap, 1.4 euros per trip, and once you validate your ticket on the bus it’s valid for 90 minutes.

You can purchase tickets from the bus driver, although this will depend if they happen to ticket with them! So it’s a very hit-or-miss option.

It’s better to buy bus tickets beforehand at newspaper stands, Tobacconists store or AMAT ticket stands which are usually close to bus stops. Then once on board you validate your ticket, I found buying a bunch of bus tickets at once was the most convenient option.

Whenever we said anything to locals about getting the bus they always said something along the lines of ‘Why would you get the bus? I never get the bus, they are so unreliable”.

And my husband and I were thinking about this after being in Palermo for a month they actually are pretty terrible, often running late or cancelled. And, there was even once when the driver took a completely different route to avoid traffic.

But saying that we were still happy to take the bus as we were never on a strict time frame and it was the cheapest transport option.

For Palermo’s public transport schedule, download the Moovit app (but take these times with a grain of salt).

Where to Stay in Palermo

Often what makes a city worth visiting is the accommodation and Palermo has so many great options. And, many are right in the city centre, giving you easy access to some of the best sights in the city.

To make the most of your time in Palermo, book somewhere within the Historic Centre of Palermo.

I stayed between Via Roma and Quattro Canti and it was incredible. historical sites, bars, restaurants & shopping at our doorstep. Plus the port was only a 15-minute walk away.

If staying for longer than a week I would recommend booking an apartment. This will make you feel more like you’re living a typical Sicilian life, plus save you money.

Often apartments will offer a discount off the total price if booking for more than a certain amount of nights. And having your own kitchen could save you money on food as local cafés & supermarkets in Palermo are awesome, so you could do a bit of a grocery shop.

Here’s the link directly to the Palermo Airbnb I booked. And, I absolutely loved it, highly recommend it for couples or solo travellers).

“Entire rental unit hosted by Frediano”.

Plus, Vrbo has heaps of apartment rentals available in Palermo’s historical centre.

One thing about staying in the historical centre of Palermo is the noise, especially if you’re near a main road like Via Roma. It became a bit comical how much noise there was overnight. Cars, motorbikes, sirens and street parties, it almost felt a bit lawless out there like people were doing whatever they wanted. Often I’d even hear dirt bikes flying up the main road. But funnily enough, I loved it, it was all part of the Sicilian experience. 

How Many Days is it Worth Visiting Palermo For?

It’s a hard question, Palermo is a big city and you could spend years exploring every little nook and cranny. I’ve created this guide to be a really good starting point for those visiting Palermo for any amount of time.

I know not everyone has the time to spend weeks just in Palermo, so at the bare minimum, 3 days in Palermo would give you time to visit the best sites in the historic centre. But what’s better is 5 – 7 days will give you time to also visit nearby places like Mondello Beach.

Regardless of how many days you can spend here, Palermo is still worth visiting. 

Best Things To Do In Palermo

Sicily, especially Palermo, isn’t a place where you can just do a quick Google search looking for the “best things to do in Palermo”, and then head off to start exploring.

Sometimes Palermo felt like it had a bit of a secret society. It’s not openly advertising where to go, people are just expected to know.

Some of the sites are hidden behind walls and gates, you may even pass by without even knowing what incredible things are inside. And, often sites don’t have information signs displayed. This can be a nice surprise when you stumble upon something but on the other hand, if you haven’t done your research you will definitely miss out.

After spending a month in Sicily, I had really taken my time to explore Palermo and experience the way the city operates. That’s why I’m sure that Palermo is worth visiting!

So below is a list of 23 things to do in Palermo. Some you may have heard of, but many often fly under the tourist radar.

Mondello Beach Sicily

What is the best beach in Palermo? Well, there isn’t really one! People might feel surprised to know that although Palermo is near the water, it’s actually a port city and therefore no beach.

But not to worry, Mondello Beach is only a short bus ride away and it’s absolutely breathtaking.

Getting to Mondello Beach from the historic centre is easy by public bus and usually takes around 45 minutes to get there.

Bus 806 leaves Palermo and stops right at the beach. And if you’re staying in the Historic Center catch bus 101 or 102 from Via Roma and that’ll take you to the same stop where bus 806 departs from!

Mondello Beach will blow you away with how beautiful it is. The water was the most beautiful turquoise blue, crystal clear and a nice refreshing temperature.

The beach has a fenced-off area with sun lounges for paying guests but in front of that, there’s a strip of sand (yep sand, no pebbles) for free public use.

If travelling during summer I would recommend getting to the beach nice & early. We arrived at 8 am and it was already busy, but you’d be lucky to find any space after 10 am. 

Also during peak season, locals will be walking up the beach selling everything from floaties, jewellery, hand bands, massages and food & drink.

This is a must-do on Mondello beach

Hire a paddle boat on Mondello Beach! A lovely local man hires them out and they don’t need to be pre-booked. He had a few different ones but you can’t go past the one with the slide on top (check out my Instagram Reel).

In July he charges 12.50 euros for 1 hour, and in August it jumped to 15 euros per hour. 

But worth every cent! We Didn’t need to paddle far out before being surrounded by the most picturesque water and away from any crowds. We ended up hiring one for two hours and had the most amazing time.

Not everyone can afford a private boat on the Mediterranean so this is the perfect option for anyone on a budget (like me).

Spiaggia Vergine Maria

This is another beach close to Palermo, I wouldn’t say it’s as beautiful as Mondello but still lovely and is worth visiting. 

Spiaggia Vergine Maria felt like a real locals beach and it would be a safe bet to say we were the only tourists there. So except this beach to be extra busy on the weekends. 

The beach is mainly covered in rocks and smaller pebbles, then surrounding the beach are beautiful cliff faces and small traditional homes. The water is really what made this beach worth visiting. Unlike Mondello, you didn’t need to swim far out for deep water, making it even better for swimming.

To get from Palermo to Spiaggia Vergine Maria, take bus 603 and then it’s only a short walk.

Paddle boats for hire on Mondello Beach in Sicily. And €15 for one hour. reason why palermo is worth visiting this summer
Mondello Beach
Elyse sitting on the side of a paddle boat at Mondello Beach in Sicily. The water is a bright blue color
local beach in sicily during European summer. reason why palermo is worth visiting
Spiaggia Vergine Maria

Palermo Free Walking Tour

Walking tours are the best way to get to know a new city. They allow you to get your bearings and also teach you about the city’s history.

Also being free is an added bonus. The guides generally expect a tip after the tour, but in my experience, this is very much deserved. 

Agora Tours operates free walking tours in Palermo, in multiple languages and these tours run for 2 hours. We learnt about the city’s interesting history and also introduced to some of Sicily’s best street food including arancini balls and Panelle & Croquette sandwiches.

It’s best to book in advance on their website to secure your spot. I really enjoyed this tour as the guide was very knowledgeable and it was an awesome instruction to Palermo.

Agora Tours.

City Audio Guide from Seecily Tourism Services

If you want to tour the city independently but aren’t interested in carrying around a guidebook or reading from your phone then an audio guide is a great alternative.

These can be hired from Seecily Tourism Services, located along Via Vittorio Emanuele, opposite a small laundry mat. The cost of the Audio Guide is 6 euros for 2 hours or 10 euros for 4 hours.

Along with the audio guide, they’ll give you a map that has 10 different routes you can take around Palermo. In total, there are 50 monuments & points of interest included in the audio guide.

The staff at Seecily Tourism also offer heaps of local advice on visiting Sicily, including excursions & transportation.

Teatro Massimo – Palermo Opera House 

The Teatro Massimo is in the middle of a very touristy area of Palermo, so there will be no issue finding it. 

Another reason why Palermo is worth visiting is that the Teatro Massimo is the largest Opera House in Italy and the third largest in Europe (after Paris & Vienna). It’s absolutely beautiful from the outside but paying only 10 euros to explore the inside is well worth the money.

The interior is stunning and was interesting to learn about some of the small details I may not have noticed otherwise. 

During peak season it’s recommended to book these 30-minute tours ahead of time, not too far in advance but they can sell out on the day. You can buy the tickets from the front office at the Opera House.

Mirto Palace House Museum

Now, this is definitely a hidden gem in Palermo! I’d been in the city for 3 weeks before I knew anything about it. 

Mirto Palace gives you the rare opportunity to explore the home of one of the most noble families in Sicilian history. For over four centuries this was the residence of the Filangeri family.

This property dates back to the 17th century and was donated to the regional heritage in 1982. Making this palazzo one of the few open to the public.

Wondering through their 21 bedrooms and living quarters felt like I had stepped back in time. The silk & velvet wallpaper was so unique, the massive chandelier was still in perfect condition and the fountain in the courtyard is incredible.

Entry to Mirto Palace cost 6 euros per person and there was no option to pay by card, so remember to take cash.

street food in sicily. arancini balls and Panelle & Croquette sandwiches.
Arancini and Panelle & Croquette Sandwiches
Inside the opera house in Palermo, this is the third largest opera house in Europe
Teatro Massimo
The extremely detailed fountain inside Mirto Palace. This guide answers the question, is Palermo worth visiting?
Mirto Palace House Museum
Old chairs and fading wallpaper inside mirto palace

No Mafia Memorial

No Mafia Memorial is a free (donation expected) museum in Palermo and aims to inform visitors of Sicily’s dark mafia past and pay tribute to the innocent souls who sadly lost their lives along the way.

The memorial is small and displays videos, images, news articles and informative signs to educate people on what life in Sicily was like under mafia rule. 

Some of these images are graphic and it’s hard to believe that dead bodies on the streets of Palermo had basically become a common occurrence. 

It was a very interesting memorial and also a good cause to support.

Local Markets; Ballarò and Capo Markets in Palermo

Ballarò and Capo Markets in Palermo are centrally located and I highly recommend visiting each to get more of a feel of the Sicilian lifestyle. Plus, this is a good chance to practice your Italian or Sicilian language, especially with numbers/quantities when ordering.

Both markets sell fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood. Plus, so many stalls with delicious street food, and they had heaps of vegetarian options as well. 

I loved the stalls that sold freshly squeezed fruit juices for as little as 1 euro, but apart from them, I wouldn’t say these markets are cheap. I kind of think they might rip tourists off a bit. A lot of the stores don’t display prices and even when buying fruit the salesman would just throw in some extras because he thought we might like it but of course charge for that.

Although it was a fun experience and more of an interesting way to buy fresh produce compared to the supermarket.  

Capuchin Monastery Catacombs

The Capuchin Monastery Catacombs are burial catacombs on the outskirts of Palermo. They open at 9 am and close during lunch hours, it can get quite busy so I would suggest arriving early.

Open every day from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 15:00 to 17:30.

Entry is only 3 euros and these funds go to the church to preserve the cemetery and also feed the homeless.

There is a strict no-photography rule inside the catacombs. Staff make regular announcements reminding people of this. I wouldn’t even take your phone out to check the time, they’re always watching!

The Catacombs are quite confronting, there are 100s of bodies and each is very well preserved. There is much more left of them than just bones.

There’s also a section for small children, including babies and Siamese twins. This section took me by surprise and I literally gasped when I saw these babies.

As someone who unfortunately can only read in English, I felt disappointed to see that all the information was only in Italian. So after my visit, I did leave with a lot of questions but I followed up later on Google.

Palermo Cathedral

The Palermo Cathedral or the Cattedrale di Palermo is in the centre of Palermo. During your time in the city, you will pass by this incredible monument multiple times. And, although just seeing it from the outside is impressive, it is definitely worth purchasing a pass to explore the inside, including underground tombs, a museum and the rooftop.

Tickets to see the tombs, cathedral rooftop and the museum cost 15 euros and I think this is worth the money.

To avoid the crowds (especially if visiting during peak season) I would recommend arriving early. We visited on Monday morning and arrived 20 mins before the cathedral opened to be one of the first in. 

Access to the rooftop is available in sessions and this starts from 09:30 am. Although, as the walkway is quite narrow this would still be annoying if there were heaps of people up there. 

The museum located next to the cathedral was ok! A little bit boring to be honest but the interior was beautiful and the views from the windows looking out to the Cathedral were awesome.

If you didn’t want to pay for the Palermo Cathedral pass, can still access the front courtyard and the cathedral is free entry from 7 AM, except access is limited when mass is in session.

If you’re finding this free guide helpful, please consider supporting my work!

Front entrance to the no mafia Memorial in Palermo
Fresh fruit markets in Palermo. This guide answers the question, is Palermo worth visiting?
Outside the Palermo cathedral showing for many details and large clock on front of the building
Palermo Cathedral
Elyse on the rooftop of the Palermo Cathedral

More Churches in Palermo

The first word that comes to mind when I think of churches in Palermo is WOW!

And, you don’t need to be a religious person to be blown away by these.

Sicily has so many churches but I found the ones in Palermo to be far more detailed and visually appealing. The paintings, carvings on the walls and the sheer size of them blew my mind and weren’t something I was expecting to be so impressed with. (So, another reason Palermo is worth visiting 😉).

I will add a list of my favourite churches in Palermo but I won’t go into too much detail as it’s better to get a bit of a surprise when you walk through the doors. 

Entrance to these churches costs between 3 – 10 euros but if you show tickets from other churches or cathedrals that you’ve visited it’ll often make the ticket half-price. 

Take their opening hours lightly, if churches have a wedding or religious event they can close to the general public without notice.

Also, it’s recommended to dress modestly when visiting the sites.

– Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio

Famous for its magnificent golden mosaics

Church of San Cataldo

The first thing you’ll notice is the three red domes on top. 

– Santa Caterina Church

This is a magnificent baroque church, make sure you purchase the 10 euro ticket which will also give you access to the monastery & rooftop (the views are stunning). 

Santa Maria Della Catena

Offers more simple interior decoration and is located next to the port of Palermo (plus there’s a great coffee shop around the corner).

– Church of the Gésu

Definitely gave me the biggest surprise, the front of the church is nothing special but then the inside is incredible. Plus, this one is free entry. 

– Saint Dominique Church

Saint Dominique was unfortunately closed over the summer so I was unable to see the inside. But the outside is beautiful and centrally located along Via Roma. For even better views of this church, visit the rooftop restaurant next door, Sicilò Food & View 360°. 

Sant’antonio Abate Church

The ticket to this church includes access to the rooftop and bell tower. And, is also located along Via Roma.

Church of Saint Matthew of Palermo

Located along a busy touristy street, Via Vittorio Emanuele.

Carmine Maggiore Church

On top, there’s a large dome that is equally as impressive from the outside.

Quattro Canti Crossroads, “Four Corners”

This is a free point of interest in Palermo, in Palermo’s historic centre.  And, is the perfect place to help you get your bearings when you’re new to the city. 

Quattro Canti Crossroads or Piazza Vigliena sits at the intersection of Via Maqueda and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele. These are two major streets in Palermo, lined with shopping, restaurants, bars and even market stalls during the busy months. 

Each corner is as beautiful as the next, each representing a different season and displaying statues of different kings & saints.

Fontana Pretoria

This fountain is located just around the corner from the Quattro Canti crossroads, and has the nickname “fountain of shame”. The locals of the church & monastery that overlook the fountain were so disturbed by seeing so many naked statutes they began referring to it as the fountain of shame. 

Built in 1555 the fountain is still in in perfect condition today. During my month in Palermo the fence around the fountain was permanently closed, but you could still get a great view. 

And, if you visit the rooftop of Santa Caterina Church, you will get an incredible birdseye view. 

the roof inside Church of the Gésu in Palermo. reason why palermo is worth visiting
Church of the Gésu
Statue of a Saint on one of the four corners in Palermo. This guide answers the question, is Palermo worth visiting
Quattro Canti Crossroads
Statues surrounding the fountain of shame in Sicily. This guide answers the question, is Palermo worth visiting
Fontana Pretoria

Hike up Mount Pellegrino

Overlooking the city of Palermo is Mount Pellegrino and the summit sits at 606 meters above sea level. This is the perfect hike for those trying to escape the noisy city or walk off all the Arancini Balls. 

There are a few different routes you can take to reach the summit of Mount Pellegrino. 

When coming from Palermo catch bus 107 from Palermo Port and get off at the stop near the roundabout at the end of Via Isaac Rabin. From there you will see a sign made from rocks with a plaque on it saying “Via Al Santuario Di Monte Pellegrino”. Then it’s a paved path that zig-zags up the hill.

We only managed to get a short way up this path before local workmen advised us that the path is currently closed.

Our next (and successful) attempt, was starting the hike from Viale Diana. This road leads to Mondello Beach so to get here from Palermo catch bus 806. 

The entrance to the path isn’t very clear, there are lots of bush, cactus and fenced-off areas. You should use the app Map.me to find the beginning of the trail. This is the easiest option, just type in Saint Rosalia Sanctuary for the address.

The hike from here was interesting and slightly challenging. It’s 2.6 km to the summit and for the first hour and a half, we felt like we were rock climbing.

Once the rocky part ended it was easier to see the road, head around to the right and you’ll eventually see a small town.

Or if you aren’t starving by this point, walk along the road to the left for about 1 km and at the end you’ll be greeted with the most amazing views of Palermo. Including Spiaggia Vergine Maria beach.

Point of Interest on Top of Mount Pellegrino 

Up the top of Mount Pellegrino is Saint Rosalia Sanctuary. Which is a very beautiful and unique church in Sicily. This church is basically built into the cliff face.

If there’s no special event, the church is open to the public for free but it’s asked that you dress modestly.

Near the church, there are also souvenir shops and a few small restaurants. And, I found most of the local people could speak English.

If you like the sounds of all this but not so much the hiking part, I’ll be honest, you can actually get a bus to the top. 

Bus 812 will stop right out the front of Saint Rosalia Sanctuary.

Palermo Nightlife

Is Palermo worth visiting for its nightlife? Yes! The nightlife in Palermo is so much fun, think cheap beer & street parties.

Palermo in general is a bit of an in-the-know community, it can be hard to know ahead of time where will be good to go out on any particular night and it changes from week to week. 

But this is a good reminder to live in the moment, there will always be something going on. Nights out in Palermo will always be wild & new, just follow the crowds because they always seem to know.

A suggested night-out route in Palermo is starting from the port, there are a few bars opposite the water near the end of Via Dei Cassari. Then follow the road up and towards Vucciria Market.

Vucciria Market is an open-air marketplace filled with lots of local bars, and restaurants and often has live music. Regardless of where you’d been earlier, by the end of the night, this square will be packed with people drinking & dancing.

Along Via Maqueda & Via Vittorio Emanuele (these two streets cross over each other) is also a great vibe at night. Filled with bars and restaurants, and always plenty of people about. 

I loved this area too but it is definitely aimed more at tourists, so it has less of a local vibe and prices here are always higher.

View of palermo city from Mount Pellegrino. reason why palermo is worth visiting
Hike up Mount Pellegrino
The church of Saint-Rosalia-Sanctuary in Sicily. The church is built into the cliff face
Saint Rosalia Sanctuary
eggplant pasta served with a local beer

More About Palermo – A quick Q&A

How expensive is Palermo?

One of the reasons we decided to stay in Sicily for a month as opposed to any other part of Italy was because we had read that it has one of the lowest costs of living in the country.

And although I can’t confirm, it’s true, compared to every other city in Italy, I can say that overall Palermo is a very cheap European destination and is especially worth visiting if you’re on a budget.

A few examples of average prices in Palermo;

Beer 1 – 2 euros (in Rome they were above 4 euros)  

Cocktails are between 7-8 euros in touristy areas. And their famous Aperol Spritz is 3 euros for take away and 4-5 euros at the bar. 

Espresso 1.10 euros

Big Arancini balls 2-3 euros

Sit-down meal 10 – 15 euros

Ice Cream 2 euros 

Laundry mat (a lot of apartments don’t have washing machines) 7 euros for washing cycle & 5 euros for dryer.

The entrance price to historical sites was between 3 – 15 euros.

Car Hire, average 100 euros per day

Also, remember I was visiting over the summer and a lot of the prices are inflated over this time. 

Except when it comes to shopping, so many of the big outlet stores were having sales of 50 – 70% off over summer.

Sicily Tips – That could save you money

If there are no prices shown, always ask. Otherwise, they’ll just charge whatever they feel like at the time and that’s when you’ll get ripped off. Especially at markets or street food stalls.

If eating in a restaurant a lot of places charge a service fee of 3 euros. Plus they will always charge for water.

When stocking up on groceries for your apartment or snacks for a road trip, visit Lidl Supermarket. They have amazing products and everything was so cheap. (it reminded me of Aldi)

Is Palermo Safe?

With all this talk of wild Street parties and cheap alcohol, some people may ask is Palomo safe at night? 

I honestly always felt very safe whether I was by myself or with my husband. I was always very comfortable and never felt like I had to watch my back. Also, I never witnessed anything like fighting or “naughty” behaviour.

Sicily is not considered a dangerous place and the overall risk for travellers in Palermo is considered medium. Always be vigilant of your belongings and never leave drinks unattended.

So Is Palermo Worth Visiting?

Oh, 100% Palermo is worth visiting.

If visiting for as little as 3 – 5 days or you have the option to base yourself here for an extended period, Palermo is an incredible city that won’t disappoint.

In this guide, I have included 23 of the best things to do in Palermo and heaps of information for planning your stay. I hope I’ve convinced you that Palermo is worth visiting and that you’ve now added it to your Italian bucket list.

It’s a very underrated city, which is a shame because Palermo is flourishing and is the perfect mix of modern lifestyle surrounded by incredible history. 

This is the first guide I have posted about Italy! So many more to come… if you would like them sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my mailing list here.  

Thanks for reading, 

Happy Travels. 

If you found this information helpful, please consider booking your trip via my affiliate links. This won’t be at any extra cost to you and will help fund this blog, thank you.

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This Post Has 16 Comments

  1. Linnea

    I had no idea it was so cheap! That’s great to know!

  2. Brittany

    You are right – Palermo is underrated. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before reading your post. Your photos make me want to book a trip there right now! I would love to explore the markets, enjoy some of the delicious food, and take a swim in the clear blue water.

  3. Kim

    Sicily and Palmero are definitely on my bucket list. You have so many inspiring places to visit that I’ll be referring to this when I visit.

    1. Elyse

      That’s great, thank you so much Kim

  4. Hannah F

    Wow, those churches are stunning!! I’m always amazed at how they were able to build such intricate and beautiful architecture without all the technology we have now. Looks like a beautiful place to visit!

    1. Elyse

      That’s so true Hannah, it’s all very impressive

  5. Karen

    After reading this, I would like to visit Palmero. The Arancini and Panelle & Croquette Sandwiches look delicious. That might be the reason alone.

    1. Elyse

      haha I don’t blame you Karen, I would happily fly all the way there just for an Arancini Ball

  6. Lia

    I have been to Sicily however not to Palermo, defintely will add it to my bucket list Elyse….a great blog, thank you for sharing.

    1. Elyse

      Thanks so much for reading Lia, I’m sure you’ll love Palermo

  7. Sue

    Palermo is definitely on my never ending Italy bucket list the next time I visit that lovely country. Your post was so informative!

  8. Gladis

    Wow! I did not know Palermo was cheap. I’m going to Italy in August, and I’ll add it to my list. Thank you for a great post.

  9. Linda Jane

    Palermo sounds like a fascinating place to visit in Italy! Thanks for sharing such helpful information. I’m inspired & I’m saving this for later!

  10. Rhonda

    We had an exchange student from the other side of the Island, and there was some strange rivalry between her town and Palermo. Nice to read the other side! Looks fabulous.

    1. Elyse

      Thanks Rhonda, I’m guessing she was from Catania haha

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