What are the best things to do in Palermo?
Top picks in Palermo include Palermo Cathedral, Palatine Chapel, Church of the Gesù. See the full list and itinerary on this Palermo travel guide.
Photo: Tango7174 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Palermo
Travel guide for Palermo, Italy — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Palermo is a stop in Italy, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise Palermo Cathedral, Palatine Chapel, Church of the Gesù instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 100–220 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Palermo
1
Palermo Cathedral
2
Palatine Chapel
3
Church of the Gesù
Budget travel
Free things to do in Palermo
Palermo Cathedral
Church of the Gesù
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Palermo itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Palermo Cathedral
- Visit Palatine Chapel
- Visit Church of the Gesù
- Eat at Stuzzicandoci
Budget
Palermo trip cost
Budget
USD 45–75
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 100–220
per person / day
Luxury
USD 255–420+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Palermo, Italy. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Palermo
Estimated total (USD)
$2,880
≈ $1,440 per person · $411 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $160/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Palermo mid-range ground costs (budget 45–75 · mid 100–220 · luxury 255–420+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Stuzzicandoci
Best place to eat a delicious arancina in Palermo downtown. The owner is really kind and friendly. Quality ingredients and courteous staff.
Timilia
Very good pizzeria, a real delight. Also Vegan options. For those intolerant to gluten and lactose, the pizzas are gluten-free and the mozza
Maqueda Bistrot
Great place, very delicious pasta and the bruschetta with the mozarella is tasty. They serve both pasta and great burgers.
Vecchia Trattoria da Totò
The real Palermo cuisine. Informal trattoria with tables also outdoors. Good mixed fried food, excellent mussels. No English menu.
Bisso Bistrot
Bistro in the centre of Palermo with a wide choice of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Beautiful restaurant, with retro air, very unique old boo
Il Proverbio
Discesa dei Giudici, 24. Close to station and Quattro Canti. Great Sicilian food, most dishes are €4-6.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Villa Addaura
Villa Addaura, a bed and breakfast in Mondello, is in a beautiful location 10 metres from the sea.
Hotel Casa Giuditta
Offers rooms and self-catering apartments with 17th-century style decorations. Fully furnished with all mod cons: a/c, washing machines, kit
Florio Park Hotel
First category hotel complex by the sea on a beautiful golden and sandy beach. Inside a 4-hectare park, the hotel has 17 pavilions (1 or 2 f
B&B Novecento
Original liberty style building in the historical centre, three-star B&B with rooms with AC, WiFi, private bathroom (external or also ensuit
B&B Teatro Massimo
Bed and breakfast Teatro Massimo is an elegant residence in the heart of Palermo, 50 m from the Teatro Massimo, in the pedestrian area of th
Shopping
- Isola Saporita
- Mercato di Ballarò
- La Coppola Storta
Nightlife
- Enoteca Picone
- The Bar Brothers
- dal Barone
Museums & culture
- Palermo Cathedral
- Church of the Gesù
In pictures
Palermo gallery
Photos: Tango7174, Kiban, Allie_Caulfield, Bjs, Bengt Nyman — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Palermo travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Palermo?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Palermo?
Plan at least 1 days in Palermo for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Palermo?
Popular stays in Palermo include Villa Addaura, Hotel Casa Giuditta, Florio Park Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Palermo cost?
On the ground in Palermo (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 45–75 per person per day, mid-range about 100–220, and luxury about 255–420+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Palermo, Italy. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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