Palermo: 14 Sights in the Sicilian Capital

Palermo, the vibrant and colorful capital of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, ranks among Italy's five largest cities with around 650,000 inhabitants.
At first glance, the city may appear a bit run-down and impoverished, but a closer look reveals its true beauty.
Besides numerous attractions, you’ll discover an authentic, traditional Italian lifestyle that gives Palermo its unique charm.

In this post, we’ll share the top 14 sights you shouldn’t miss in Sicily’s capital. A couple of important notes beforehand: Don’t let the number of sights overwhelm you.
Palermo is a compact city, and all major locations are within easy walking distance—so remember to pack comfortable shoes!
Since many sights are religious buildings, please be mindful of proper attire for church visits, even in the heat.

1. CATHEDRAL OF PALERMO

The "Cattedrale di Palermo" or "Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta" is the city’s landmark and a must-see!

The Roman Catholic cathedral, built from the 12th to the 18th century, stands in the heart of the old town and is particularly striking from the outside due to its Norman-Arab style.

Inside, it may appear somewhat sparse, yet it's worth entering to see significant relics and artworks from past centuries.
Additionally, in the crypt lie the sarcophagi of former archbishops, and the side chapel houses the famous Norman royal tombs.

A small area of the Cathedral is free to visit, but an entrance fee is required to see the crypt and royal tombs.
For an additional $7, you can access the roof terrace and enjoy a magnificent view over the city. The Cattedrale di Palermo is open daily from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm.
Further information is available on the official website cattedraledipalermo.it.

2. PALAZZO DEI NORMANNI & CAPPELLA PALATINA

Just a short walk from Palermo Cathedral, you’ll find two more historic sights—the Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace) and the Cappella Palatina.
The palace originated in the 9th century, and successive rulers introduced a blend of various styles, creating the palace’s impressive appearance.

‍The main attraction is inside: the lavish Cappella Palatina, almost every square inch of which is covered with intricate, colorful, gold mosaics and Arabic-style ornamentation.

This small chapel is stunning but comes at a price of $18 per person (as of 2022) for access to the palace, the royal rooms, and the parliament meeting room on the second floor.
‍A tip: You can also access the changing exhibition on the ground floor with this ticket.

However, apart from this, there isn’t much to see in the palace, as it houses mostly government offices.

The Palazzo dei Normanni is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. It’s worth arriving early in summer, as a long queue forms shortly after opening.
Tickets are available at the lower parking area in front of the palace, as they are not sold inside.

THE PERFECT PLACE TO STAY IN PALERMO

For a city trip like Palermo, the accommodation’s location is crucial: the more central, the better!

We chose the centrally located Hotel Elite via booking.com. The hotel’s size, location, and proximity to the bus stop (for the airport bus) made it ideal.

3. PIAZZA PRETORIA

Located in Palermo’s old town, Piazza Pretoria, with its 35-meter wide fountain featuring numerous nude marble figures, is an aesthetic gem to some and a place of shame to others (nicknamed “Piazza della Vergogna”).

The impressive square is framed by historic buildings, including Palazzo Bonocore, Santa Caterina Church, and the town hall Palazzo Pretorio.
Piazza Pretoria is the perfect starting point for your old town tour.

‍Tip: Although the fountain is fenced off in the evening, a visit is still worthwhile as it’s beautifully lit and makes for a great photo.

4. CHIESA DI SAN CATALDO

A short walk from Piazza Pretoria lies the Chiesa di San Cataldo, a Catholic church.
Its simple Norman architecture combined with three distinctive red domes on the roof, along with Arabic-Byzantine elements, makes it one of Palermo’s unique landmarks.

While the exterior is quite beautiful and worth a brief stop, the interior of the church is rather modest.

‍Photo Tip: For the best view of Chiesa di San Cataldo, head to the first floor of the opposite building, which houses the mayor’s office at Piazza Pretoria.
Don’t be deterred by the police at the entrance; the building is open to the public.

5. CHURCH OF SANTA CATERINA D’ALESSANDRIA

Our absolute Palermo highlight is the Church of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (Italian: Santa Caterina d’Alessandria).
This masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque architecture dates back to the 14th century, though its current structure was completed between 1580 and 1596.
The church’s interior is stunning, with intricate marble inlays, sculptures, stucco work, and frescoes.

The tour continues through the beautiful adjacent cloister, the monastery’s interior, and up to the church’s rooftop terrace, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view over Palermo’s old town, as well as views of Fontana Pretoria and the mountainous landscape.

Once you’ve enjoyed the view, you can also take a quick look at the old monastery kitchen, filled with ancient cooking utensils, before visiting the monastery bakery, where you can sample local treats.

The Santa Caterina d’Alessandria is open daily from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Entry to both the church and rooftop terrace costs $7 per person.
For more details, visit monasterosantacaterina.com.

6. CHIESA DEL GESÙ

Another gem on our Palermo sightseeing list is yet another church.
The exterior of Chiesa del Gesù is quite simple and unassuming, so it might surprise you to find that the interior is magnificently decorated.
Like in Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, the walls are adorned with colorful marble, stucco, and frescoes—a truly stunning sight.

Don’t miss Chiesa del Gesù! Since it’s centrally located, you’re likely to come across it during your city exploration.
The Chiesa del Gesù is open daily from 7:45 am to 6:30 pm, and admission is free.

7. TEATRO MASSIMO

Italy’s largest opera house, Teatro Massimo, is situated in the heart of Palermo’s old town.
Fans of "The Godfather Part III" may recognize this iconic building from the film’s climactic scenes featuring Andy Garcia, Sofia Coppola, and Al Pacino.

You can explore the Teatro’s interior on a guided tour, or enjoy the rooftop terrace’s panoramic view of Palermo’s rooftops, the sea, and the surrounding mountains.
However, at $10 for the tour and an additional $10 for terrace access, it’s not exactly a bargain.
Our recommendation: Save your money and take in the view from a location you’ll already be visiting, like Santa Caterina d’Alessandria or the Palermo Cathedral!

Teatro Massimo is open daily from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, with tours available in German, Italian, and English. For more information, visit teatromassimo.it.

8. THE CAPUCHIN CATACOMBS

Next on our itinerary was a rather unusual place—the Capuchin Catacombs (Italian: Le Catacombe dei Cappuccini).
In the monastery’s catacombs lies a tunnel labyrinth where around 8,000 mummified bodies, dressed in clothes, hang along the walls.
Some of the deceased seem to rest peacefully, while others look quite eerie.

Why are all these mummified bodies hanging there? Although it may seem macabre, for the Capuchin monks—and for families who could afford it—this was considered an honorable tradition. In the 16th century, the monks developed a technique to dry and preserve bodies, halting decomposition.
This allowed families to honor their loved ones even after death, rather than burying them in the adjacent cemetery.

The first mummy in the catacombs was a monk named Silvestro da Gubbio, who died in 1599.
The most recent addition was Rosalia Lombardo in 1920, who was only two years old at the time of her embalming.

The Capuchin Catacombs are a bit off the beaten path, located about a 15-minute walk from the Palazzo dei Normanni (Piazza Cappuccini, 1, 90129 Palermo).

The catacombs are open daily from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit the official website: palermocatacombs.com.

TIP FOR ANTIQUE LOVERS

On our way to the Capuchin Catacombs, we stumbled upon an antique market in the heart of the city. It’s located between Piazza Domenico Peranni and Corso Amedeo.

9. PALERMO’S MARKETS

The city’s three main markets—Mercato di Ballaró, Mercato della Vucciria, and Mercato del Capo—offer a fascinating mix of culinary delights, various scents, a mix of loud and chaotic sounds, and vibrant scenes.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, fish, and meat are abundant at the many stalls. But for tourists, the real highlight is often the delicious street food.
Warm dishes include Palermo specialties like Cazzilli (potato croquettes) or Panelle (chickpea fritters). Be sure to visit the markets with an empty stomach!

Most stalls are open daily from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm.

10. THE OLD PORT OF PALERMO

The old fishing port, Marina di Palermo, in La Cala Bay, is one of the most beautiful spots in the city—not to be confused with the nearby industrial port, Porto di Palermo.

The old harbor is especially magical at dusk, as countless fishing and sailboats gently sway in the water while the sun slowly sets on the horizon.

11. SANTA MARIA DELLO SPASIMO

The church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo, located in the Kalsa district, is another Palermo highlight.
What makes this Gothic-style church unique is that its roof was never completed.

Construction of the church and its adjoining monastery began in 1509. By 1569, the Senate, which had purchased the building, halted construction, as they needed the roofless church for Palermo’s planned defensive wall.

Although the intended use of Santa Maria dello Spasimo changed over the centuries, it served as a hospital, granary, institution for the poor, hospital, and later as a theater.
Today, performances are still held in the building’s open-air ruins.
The ruin and surrounding grounds offer a peaceful oasis amidst Palermo’s bustling city life.

Santa Maria dello Spasimo is open daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Entrance is free unless there is a scheduled performance. For more information, visit turismo.comune.palermo.it.

12. QUATTRO CANTI

The most beautiful intersection in Palermo is Quattro Canti (the "Four Corners"), with its four symmetrical Baroque façades where Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele intersect.

On your tour through the city, you’ll inevitably come across this historic crossroads. The good news is that it’s in a pedestrian zone, so you can leisurely take photos here.

13. VILLA GIULIA

The locals adore Villa Giulia, one of the city’s most beautiful public parks. Unlike the adjoining, somewhat neglected Palermo Botanical Garden, admission to Villa Giulia is free.
Amidst the greenery, statues, and fountains, you can relax on one of the many benches or enjoy a sweet cannolo with a cup of coffee at the park café.

14. ADDITIONAL TIPS & INFORMATION

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN PALERMO?

Despite its manageable size, Palermo has a lot to offer. By the end of our stay, we felt like we had only scratched the surface.
There’s so much more to see and discover, and we could have easily stayed an extra night.
In general, we recommend:

• 1 night to visit the main sights in the city.
• 2 nights for a more relaxed, dolce vita sightseeing pace.
• 3 or more nights if you also want to explore the surrounding areas (such as a day trip to Cefalù or a beach day at Spiaggia di Mondello).

WHERE TO PARK IN PALERMO?

As in many Italian cities, Palermo’s city center (the old town) is a restricted traffic zone (known as ZTL in Palermo).
Although there are no barriers, you can’t simply drive into these areas. Various signs (mainly in Italian) indicate the ZTL zones.
Ignoring them, or accidentally driving into one, could be costly.

If you’ve booked a hotel in this zone, this is the only exception that allows you to enter. Just remember to register your vehicle with the hotel.

ANYONE PARKING OUTSIDE THE ZTL ZONES SHOULD KNOW

• Parking in Palermo is a challenge, so it’s best to book accommodation with parking included.
• White parking lines are for residents with parking permits only.
• Blue parking lines indicate paid parking spaces.
• Yellow parking lines are reserved for people with disabilities.

THE RIGHT ACCOMMODATION IN PALERMO

When visiting Palermo, location is essential. The closer to the center, the better!
This allows you to reach all major sights by foot, take a break at your accommodation, or enjoy an extra aperitivo in the evening without needing to drive.

We stayed at the centrally located Hotel Elite, which we booked via booking.com. The hotel’s size, location, and proximity to the bus stop (for the airport shuttle) were ideal.

UNITED AGAINST THE MAFIA

Tourists generally won’t encounter the Mafia, though it remains active. If you’d like to support businesses in Palermo that stand against the Mafia, look for stickers reading “Addiopizzo” (meaning “Farewell, Protection Money”) on the doors of restaurants, shops, or hotels.
These businesses refuse to pay protection money to the Mafia.For more information and a list of participating establishments, visit addiopizzo.org.

WHAT MIGHT BOTHER YOU IN PALERMO

Despite its charm, Palermo—like much of Sicily—faces a significant waste issue. Trash accumulates on streets, sidewalks, and in parks, and few seem concerned.
We can only hope that Palermo’s residents find a solution soon to benefit both the environment and tourists.

The often-persistent street vendors can also be a bit bothersome, frequently trying to sell items during your city tours or while you’re enjoying a meal at a restaurant.

Want to know how our Sicily road trip continued after Palermo? Be sure to check out our post, “Sicily: A 1-Week Road Trip on Italy's Largest Island”.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• The best Travel Guides for Palermo
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Palermo

Can’t get enough of Italian charm combined with lots of dolce vita? Then the dreamy island of Sardinia might be just what you’re looking for! In our post "8-Day Road Trip in Sardinia – Our Tips & Highlights", we reveal the most beautiful spots, highlights, and everything else you need to know about this Mediterranean gem. Check it out!

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