Best Things To Do in Palermo, Italy

Are you looking for what to do in Palermo?

WHAT TO SEE

The city is full of historical and architectural attractions

  • Riso: Museo d'Arte Contemporanea della Sicilia
  • Oratorio del Rosario di San Domenico
  • Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri
  • Galleria d'Arte Moderna Sant'Anna    
  • Galleria Regionale della Sicilia (Regional Gallery)/Palazzo Abatellis
  • Chiesa di Santa Cita/Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita
  • Catacombs of the Capuchins (Catacombe dei Cappuccini)
  • Monreale norman cathedral
  • Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana)
  • Palazzo dei Normanni
  • Teatro Massimo
  • Cathedral of Palermo
  • Orto Botanico di Palermo

WHERE TO BE

Visit the Wine Pump: Italy is one of the biggest wine producers in the world and if you happen to visit Palermo, you definitely need to visit Vino & Co in Piazza Marina. This is where you are allowed to fill up an empty five liter with either red wine or white wine.

Visit Monreale: You can get a bus and head to Monreale, which rises above the city and offers amazing views of the Golden Shell. You will however need some time so that you can get to tour the royal tombs where they buried King William 1 and King William 2.

Explore the squares: You can also go and see the Quattro Canti, a famous square that divides the town into two main quarters. The square is found on the intersection Via Maqueda and Corso.

Nightlife in Palermo: There are a lot of cozy places where you can go for a drink at night or even for your lunch. Try the following few places.

American Bar: You will find this bar along Corso Vittorio Emanuele Street, at the top floor.  The roof terrace offers beautiful views of the city. If you are looking for something cozy and romantic as well, then you can try out this place.

Bier Garten: This is a great place where you can chill out at night, sometimes you get to see upcoming artists performing here. It’s a lively venue that offers great entertainment. They also have an extensive list of wines and beers.

Below we have a list of things to do in Palermo and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Palermo getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Palermo with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Palermo

Here is the list of things to do in Palermo and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Palazzo Dei Normanni

    4.5 (1057 Votes)
    Palazzo Dei Normanni

    Historical Site, Plaza, Architecture , Neighborhoods

    Built in the 12th century by William II, this Norman castle is famed to be one of the most superlative Arab-Norman structures around the globe. Worth admiring for the visitors are the magnificent Mosaics, Roof done in wood which is designed and painted intricately, marble work and other remains of the Catalan times. Today, it stands as the regional parliament of Sicily.
  2. Palermo Cathedral

    Church, Religious Site, Historical Site, Architecture

    This is an architectural complex dedicated to Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palermo. The church was erected in early 12th century and has been restored, renovated and modified several times by several styles which makes it a versatile structure defined by various cultures. With the additions to the original structure of Walter Ophamil by world renowned artists like Ferdinando Fuga, Francesco Mi...Read more
  3. Monreale Norman Cathedral

    Church, Religious Site, Historical Site, Architecture

    A classic Norman building in the province of Sicily, this place is famous for its golden Mosaics. Constructed in the 12th century as an extension to the royal complex of Palermo, Monreale Norman Cathedral is a grand display of art and culture of Palermo. Because of the diversity of the craftsmen included in the construction, the cathedral displays a blend of Sicilian and Byzantine art resulting...Read more
  4. Teatro Massimo

    4.7 (1135 Votes)
    Teatro Massimo

    Entertainment, Performance, Theatre, Architecture

    If you want to explore the place where the final scene of the movie Godfather was shot, you have to visit Teatro Massimo. Dedicated to king Emanuel 2, this is the largest theatre in Italy and third largest in Europe. Renowned for its perfect acoustics, this theatre was constructed in late 19th century and is inspired by Sicilian architecture. The exterior is designed in neoclassical style incor...Read more
  5. Catacombs Of The Capuchins Or Catacombe Dei Cappuccini

    History Museum, Historical Site, Architecture

    ‘Catacombs of the Capuchins’- the one of its kind museum of Mummies and has a strange but unique charm that makes it one of the most visited places in Palermo.  Initially only the monks were availed the facility to be preserved after death but later, it became a status symbol for the local lords and rich society to be preserved forever. With the hidden formula of Professor Alfr...Read more
  6. Santa Maria Dell'ammiraglio Or La Martorana

    Church, Religious Site, Historical Site, Architecture

    Built in Romanesque style and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, this Chiesa della Martorana in Palermo dates from 1143 and is famed for its spectacular mosaics.  The official name for La Martorana is Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio which means St. Mary of the Admiral. The facade and the interiors have undergone several changes in past 10 centuries but the glorious mosaics have survived the test of...Read more
  7. Orto Botanico Di Palermo

    Botanical Garden

    Set up in 1875 on a design by architects Leon Du Fourny and Venanzio Marvuglia, it is one of the most significant botanical gardens in Europe for the richness and abundance of vegetable specimen coming from all over the world. This garden lies within the city of Palermo and has its beginning from the early 18the century. These gardens are a part of University of Palermo and with extensive enlar...Read more
  8. Oratorio Del Rosario Di Santa Cita  And Chiesa Di Santa Cita

    Church, Religious Site, Architecture , Cathedral

    This Oratory is dedicated to Virgin of Rosary. It was constructed in 16th century to embark the gratitude for the Virgin’s help at the Battle of Lepanto fought against the Turks. The walls of the Oratory depict the famous battle and also various scenes from New Testament. The mother of pearl benches is also worth observing. The neighboring church of Santa Cita has some sculptures worth vi...Read more
  9. Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri

    4.6 (980 Votes)
    Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri

    Historical Site, Plaza, Neighborhoods

    Built in early 14th century, this was a home and fortress to Chiaromonte family. The place went under a renovation and second floor was added. The wooden ceiling has decorated beams has mythological stories and biblical episodes depicted in chivalric cycle. It is named as a medieval encyclopedia and was a palace belonging to Aragonese and Spanish. The ground floor was a Philippine prison with s...Read more
  10. Oratorio Del Rosario Di San Domenico

    Church, Religious Site, Historical Site, Architecture

    Founded in the late 16th century is this Oratory of the Rosary of St. Dominic that flaunts itself in the colorful Vucciria. Various artists have left a legacy of their works in the construction of this structure and flashes Serpotta’s artistic flavor that enchants visitors for years. The extensive use of marble and polychrome and the themes that are displayed throughout are nothing but a ...Read more
  11. Galleria D'arte Moderna Sant'anna

    Art And Culture, Art Gallery, Museum, Educational Site

    The Gallery of Modern Art Empedocles Restivo is a museum of ' modern art located in Via Sant'Anna, in the district Kalsa the historic center of Palermo. The museum complex consists of two buildings joined in historical times: the former convent of the Franciscan Church of St. Anne Mercy, of Baroque style and the adjoining Catalan Gothic Palazzo Bonet. The gallery exhibits works of more than 20 ...Read more
  12. Palazzo Riso Or Museo D Arte Contemporanea Della Sicilia

    Museum, Educational Site, Architecture

    The Palazzo Riso, or RISO, Museo d’Arte Contemporanea della Sicilia (RISO, Contemporary Art Museum of Sicily also known as Palazzo Belmonte Riso), is a regional contemporary art museum located in the ancient Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo, Italy. This classic architectural piece was designed by architect Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia in the late 18th century. Belonging to the Prince of Be...Read more
  13. Falcone-Borsellino Airport (Punta Raisi Airport) Image
    ©
    Falcone-Borsellino Airport (Punta Raisi Airport) is an international airport located in Palermo, Italy. It is the main airport serving the city of Palermo and the surrounding region of Sicily. The airport is named after Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, two prominent Italian anti-mafia judges who were assassinated in 1992.The airport is located 19 km (12 mi) west of Palermo, on the norther...Read more
  14. Museo Zoologia Pietro Doderlein Image
    ©
    The Museo Zoologia Pietro Doderlein was founded in 1876 by Pietro Doderlein, a professor of zoology at the University of Palermo. Doderlein was a passionate naturalist and collector of specimens, and he wanted to create a museum to house his collection and to promote the study of zoology. The museum was initially housed in the University of Palermo, but it was later moved to its current locatio...Read more
  15. Lo Cicero Nicolo Image
    ©
    The zoo Lo Cicero Nicolo, located in Palermo, Italy, was started in 1973 by Nicolo Lo Cicero. He was a passionate animal lover and wanted to create a place where people could come and learn about different species of animals.The zoo was initially started as a private collection of animals, but as it gained popularity, it was opened to the public. The main purpose of the zoo was to educate peopl...Read more