Palermo

Sicily’s melting pot of wonders

Palermo stands out as Sicily’s largest city and a key cultural hub on Italy’s island. Its streets carry layers of history from Arab, Norman and Spanish influences visible in architecture and food markets. The historic center features grand palaces alongside lively squares where locals gather. Street vendors sell fresh produce and pastries while nearby beaches offer easy access to the Mediterranean Sea. Museums display ancient artifacts and artworks reflecting centuries of change. Walking through Palermo reveals a city shaped by many cultures yet retaining its own distinct character.

Add to list Map view

City in Italy

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.4

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, main restaurants, and tourist spots, but less so in markets and small shops. A few Italian phrases help, and locals appreciate the effort. Most signage in tourist areas is bilingual.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Palermo Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for street food and historic markets. Explore grand churches and palaces, taste famous Sicilian dishes and walk lively old town streets.

Place score

7.2

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Walkable

Architecture

Historic sites

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Italy – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Italy, particularly in cities. While larger establishments and chains are fully cashless, smaller shops may still prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Italy, especially in restaurants where 10-15% is typical. Tipping for taxi drivers is usually rounded up or 5-10%. Small tips for hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Italy, especially in public squares and during festivals. In some regions, it is illegal to drink alcohol in certain areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside.

Ferragosto (August)	Many businesses close, and Italians take holidays. It’s very busy in tourist areas.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets and festivities are popular, expect higher prices and crowded attractions.
La Befana (January)	Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany is a public holiday with festive events, and some businesses close.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, ItTaxi
Other:	Italy's tourist infrastructure is well-developed, but some rural or historical areas may require extra planning for accessibility.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Palermo, Italy

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	April - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate and season vary by purpose: sightseeing best April to June and September to October, beaches June to September

15 August (Ferragosto): many shops and restaurants in the city close as locals leave for the coast

Festino di Santa Rosalia, 10 to 15 July, is the city's biggest festival

Don't miss

🕌 Marvel at the golden mosaics inside the Palatine Chapel
🍢 Wander through the bustling Ballarò Market and taste street food
⛪ Admire the mix of styles at Palermo Cathedral
🌊 Relax with a sea breeze walk along Foro Italico
💀 Explore the eerie underground Capuchin Catacombs
🍰 Enjoy cannoli and espresso in a local pasticceria

You've been here?

Why travel to Palermo?

Palermo is a feast for the senses and the soul. Explore the Norman Palace and its breathtaking Palatine Chapel, wander through noisy, colorful markets like Ballarò and Capo and marvel at the city’s unique blend of Arab, Norman and Baroque architecture. The food scene is legendary – street food like panelle, sfincione and cannoli is everywhere and lively trattorias spill onto the streets. Dive into the city’s traditions with a Sicilian puppet show or lose yourself in backstreet alleys and sunlit piazzas. Downsides? Palermo is noisy, chaotic and can be gritty in places, with traffic, crowds and some litter in the historic center. Petty theft and pickpocketing can happen in busy spots and markets, so keep an eye on your belongings. Avoid unlicensed guides and be cautious with taxis. Summers are hot and crowded; spring and fall are ideal for exploring.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Monreale
This Sicilian capital hosts Monreale's vast, golden-domed cathedral and historic Arab-Norman architecture. While Palermo buzzes with chaotic energy, venture up the hill to find a serene, spiritual atmosphere away from the city's frantic streets.
2 Cefalù
A historic fishing town on Sicily’s northern coast, Cefalù offers a medieval cathedral, narrow cobblestone streets and a long sandy beach overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The harbor hosts fresh seafood restaurants and lively markets.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Quattro Canti
2 Church of San Cataldo
3 Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio
4 Pretoria Fountain
5 Cattedrale di Palermo
6 Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele
7 Palazzo Abatellis

🎡Places for activities

1 Palazzo dei Normanni
2 Ballaro Market
3 Capo Market
4 Antica Focacceria San Francesco

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Orto Botanico
2 Isola di Ustica
3 Riserva Naturale Orientata Capo Gallo
4 Parco della Favorita
5 Villa Giulia
6 Mondello
7 Monte Pellegrino

🛍️Shopping

1 Ballaro Market
2 Capo Market
3 Market Della Vucciria

🎈Events

Festa di Santa Rosalia (July)
Settimana delle Culture
Palermo Street Food Fest
Teatro Massimo opera season
Carnival celebrations
Christmas markets
No Mafia Memorial events
Kals’art Festival
International Puppet Festival
Spring flower festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Expect lively street markets; keep valuables secure in crowds.
Book the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel early; it’s a top highlight and gets busy.
Use Quattro Canti as your navigation hub; Via Maqueda and Vittorio Emanuele connect key sights.
Go for sunset on Monte Pellegrino, then reward yourself with a seafood dinner near La Cala.

How to travel to Palermo

Palermo International Airport connects to mainland Italy and Europe, with shuttle buses and trains to the city center. Trains from mainland Italy arrive via ferry to Messina and continue to Palermo. Ferries and hydrofoils link Palermo to Naples, Genoa, Sardinia, Malta and Tunisia. The main train and bus stations are centrally located.

Access summary

From Palermo Airport (PMO): direct bus or train, usually 45–60 min.
From Catania: intercity trains or buses across Sicily, typically 3–4 hours.
Ferries from Naples or Civitavecchia to Palermo port, around 10–12 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Palermo

Palermo offers everything from boutique hotels and B&Bs in the old town to modern hotels near the port and budget hostels. Most accommodations are within walking distance of the main sights. Book ahead for festivals and high season. Some areas can be noisy at night-choose a quieter side street if you’re a light sleeper.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Villa D'Amato

7.8

Mercure Palermo Centro

Mangia's Pollina Resort

8.8

Grand Hotel Wagner

9.3

Eurostars Centrale Palace Hotel

8.7

Grand Hotel Et Des Palmes

9.4

Hotel Politeama

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Palermo

The historic center is best explored on foot – most major sights are within walking distance. Public buses and trams cover the city, but can be slow due to traffic. Taxis are available, but always use licensed ones and agree on the fare. For day trips, trains and buses connect Palermo to other Sicilian towns. Driving is not recommended in the city center due to traffic and limited parking.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-25 %

Daily expenses in Palermo are around 25% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£50	£110	£288
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£49	£113
🍝 Food per day	£25	£54	£155
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£7	£20

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£11
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.20

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.25
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£60
🤧 Cold medication	£7.50
💇 Basic haircut	£9

Safety information overview

General safety

Palermo is generally safe, but petty theft and pickpocketing can happen in crowded markets and public transport. Avoid unlicensed guides and be cautious with taxis. Some neighborhoods are gritty at night — stick to well-lit, busy areas.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with hospitals and pharmacies throughout the city. Tap water is safe to drink. Bring any needed medications. Summer heat can be intense — stay hydrated and avoid midday sun.

Accessibility

Most main attractions are accessible, but uneven pavements, steps and narrow alleys in the old town can be challenging for those with mobility issues. Public transport is improving but not always fully accessible.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available. Public fountains are found in parks and squares — refill your bottle as you explore, especially in summer.