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Plan your trip with this complete Palermo travel guide – discover the best local food, top attractions and where to stay in Sicily’s historic capital.
The capital of Sicily often gets overlooked in favour of the glamour of Taormina and the East of Sicily, but I am a huge fan and have spent three weeks in total in Palermo as a solo traveller.
With incredible architecture, history and beautiful beach towns nearby (not to mention the amazing local Sicilian food) Palermo is a wonderful city break.
Here’s everything you need to know about where to eat, what to do and see in Sicily’s historic capital, Palermo!
Palermo Travel Guide Contents
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WHERE TO EAT IN PALERMO
RESTAURANTS
Osteria Pane e Alivi
Piazza Sant’Onofrio, 17, 90134
I was lucky to swipe a table for one here on a busy Friday night and I’m so glad I did, because the food, wine and service were fantastic. There were a lot of locals on neighbouring tables which is always a good sign! Book to avoid disappointment.
Da Bacco
Via Orologio, 29, 90133
Part of the joy of Da Bacco is that it’s in the middle of the lovely old side streets towards the historical centre, and close to the Teatro Massimo; a really fantastic location that comes alive in the evening, whilst still being far enough away from the hectic areas. The rest of the joy comes from the excellent food and friendly service.
Corona Trattoria
Via Guglielmo Marconi, 9, 90141
Charming trattoria run by a local family, Corona Trattoria serves an array of excellent Sicilian seafood dishes. It’s also ideally situated close to Enoteco Picone, making the two a fantastic pairing for wine bar and dinner vibes.
Mercato del Capo
Via S. Gregorio, 58, 90134
Palermo is home to several very good markets serving street food, drinks and fresh produce, but Mercato del Capo is the most famous.
There are lots of places to grab some panelle (chickpea flour chips), croquettes and arancini to eat on the move, but you an also eat in at most of these stalls, washing everything down with a cold glass of wine in the sunshine.
The atmosphere is buzzy and the crowd full of locals and tourists alike. A fantastic place for lunch.
Apud Jatum Panormus
Via Umberto Giordano, 61, 90144
Whilst Sicily is much more well known for its seafood, if you’re after a pizza, Apud Jatum is one of the most highly rated around.
With a delicious yet light dough and toppings of the highest quality, locals will happily venture further out of the city for a pizza from here. That said, they’re on Just Eat too, so make a perfect order for a night in on your holiday after a long day of sightseeing.
Il Culinario
Via Principe di Belmonte, 87, 90139
I sought out Il Culinario on a rainy evening (I know – I did not sign up for rain in Sicily…) and was instantly soothed by their incredible aubergine parmigiana and street food selection of panelle and croquettes. Service was excellent, as was the tiramisu – if a little on the small side (the dessert, not the servers).
TOP TIP: Don’t rely on Google Maps for accurate opening days or times! My overarching experience in Italy is that they kind of do what they want. I have to respect it!
Ai Lattarini
Piazzetta Visita Poveri, 5, 90133
Set down a little street off of Via Roma strung with festoon lights, a hanging heart and live music often playing, Ai Lattarini is a great spot for drinks or a casual meal. You may find it better as an aperitivo spot, but the pistachio pasta I had was exemplary, proving that Sicilians know how to utilize the native pistachio for more than just gelato.
Speaking of, Gelateria Al Cassaro is round the corner, so you can combine both there and Ai Lattarini for a meal.
L’Acerba Osteria Dinamica
Vicolo Maestro Cristofaro, 10, 90134
Tucked away in a tiny square (if you can call it that – this is the only restaurant that can fit!), not too far from Mercato del Capo, sits L’Acerba Osteria Dinamica. Lovely spot for an aperitivo on one of their outdoor sofas or small tables, the spritz came with a big bowl of olives and crisps. But you should keep some room for a full meal, because you will want everything you see coming out of the kitchen.
Le Angeliche
Vicolo Abbadia, 10, 90134
Le Angeliche is a super cute little restaurant just off of Mercato del Capo, with a even more beautiful courtyard out the back strung with lights. I had hoped for their aubergine parmigiana after reading about how good it was beforehand, but their menu changes daily according to local ingredients so I missed out.
It’s a bit pricier and the food a bit fancier than I’m used to in all honesty, but I think people will like it; it feels quite romantic, so maybe one for the couples or a special occasion.
La Majolica
Via dello Spirito Santo a Monte Pietà, 31, 90134
Traditionally I like to get a big sandwich made up for my flight home to avoid whatever stale offering is on board ruining the culinary delights of time spent in Italy. La Majolica was a recommendation I had, and the beautiful burrata, tomato, Serrano ham and rocket toasted panino I got for €5 really hit the spot.
Biga Genio e Farina
Via Maqueda, 284-286, 90134
Via E. Amari, 127-129, 90139
Fantastic, reasonably priced pizza by the slice. Perfect for a snack on the go or a full meal if you opt for a selection of different pizzas, there are a couple of Biga’s in Palermo. Well worth hunting down, but there is one very conveniently placed on the main stretch of bars down towards Quattro Canti on Via Maqueda.
Pastory
Via Sammartino, 19/C D E, 90141
Clue’s in the name! The menu at Pastory is vastly just pasta, so if you’re looking to branch out, head elsewhere, but if you know for sure you want some damn good pasta – look no further.
All pasta cooked at Pastory is made fresh onsite every morning using a recipe that’s been handed down generations, and if you needed any more convincing, there is the option to add burrata on top of any dish for a mere €2.
Taverna Azzurra
Via discesa Maccheronai, 10, 90133
Casual, unpretentious bar serving pizza by the slice, Sicilian street food and cheap drinks. Stop here for good vibes and street food as you make your way around the streets on a self guided aperitivo tour.
CAFES
Cioccolateria Lorenzo
Via del Quattro Aprile, 7, 90133
Despite Tiramisu being a Northern Italy thing, I obviously had to seek out some of the good stuff in Sicily, and found that people had cited Cioccolateria Lorenzo’s Tiramisu as the best they have ever had.
I schlepped over to this cute coffee shop in the pouring rain out to find out for myself and can confirm that their tiramisu is definitely up there with the best I’ve had. And it only cost about €4 for a big slice (which I ate for breakfast, by the way).
The array of cakes they have on offer means there’s something for everyone here, and it’s worth going to even if it’s out of your way. The cheesecake looks amazing.
NonnAnge Bakery and Coffee
Via Sant’Agostino, 11, 90134
Small café serving good coffee, fantastic cakes and excellent brunches including pancakes and avocado toast. A good spot to fill up before a day of sightseeing.
Amari Ventitré
Via E. Amari, 28, 90139
Probably not near enough to where most people will be staying in Palermo to specifically venture to, but if you do find yourself in this part of town, you cannot go wrong at Amari Ventitré.
This place was a couple of minutes from my Air BnB on my most recent trip to Palermo and oh WOW those pistachio crème croissants are something else. In fact, I tried most of their pistachio cakes and treats to cheer me up on a rainy afternoon and everything was excellent. A reliable spot full of locals.
GELATO
Gelato in Sicily is God tier, especially if you’re going for pistachio! Here’s some of the best places for gelato in Palermo.
Dolce Capo
Via dei Candelai, 95, 90134
Gelateria la Kala
Piazza Fonderia, 8, 90133
Roro Gelateria
Piazza Marina, 13-14, 90133
Cappadonia Gelati
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 401, 90134
Piazzetta Francesco Bagnasco, 29, 90141
Gelateria Al Cassaro
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 214, 90133
Frisku Cream Sweet Love
Via E. Amari, 40, 90139
BARS IN PALERMO
ROOFTOP BARS
Le Terrazze del Sole
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 291, 90100
Le Terrazze del Sole is a rooftop bar and restaurant with beautiful views looking down onto Santa Caterina and Fontana Pretoria.
Nearby to Quattri Canti, it’s a lovely setting for sunset, though I didn’t rate the aperitivo on the menu and would just stick to the drinks next time – there are better places to eat in Palermo.
Seven Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Hotel Ambasciatori, Via Roma, n°111, 90133
Located at the top of Hotel Ambasciatori, Seven Rooftop Bar and Restaurant offers a classy setting for a well executed cocktail, all with sweeping views of the city beyond.
Il Bar at Rinascente
Via Roma, 289, 90133
A rooftop bar on top of a department store is an underrated novelty, if you ask me! So many have utilized their rooftop views by opening a restaurant and bar, and Rinascente on Via Roma is no different. Go up to the top floor, through the food hall, and be welcomed into a wonderful sun trap for a glass of something cold as you look down onto Piazza San Domenico.
Osservatorio
Hotel Plaza Opera, Via Nicolò Gallo, 2, 90139
Osservatorio at the top of Hotel Plaza Opera is both a fine dining restaurant and a sophisticated spot for a sundowner. Boasting beautiful views of Palermo, there is an outside terrace and inside seating for the more mild months. Bookings recommended.
COCKTAIL BARS
Terzo Tempo Cocktail Lab
Via Orologio, 1, 90133
Tucked down on one of the pretty streets not too far from Teatro Massimo and the main stretch of busy Via Maqueda and Via Roma, Terzo Tempo is perfectly situated for an excellent pre or after dinner cocktail.
Mak Mixology
Via Bari, 50, 90133
Just off of Via Maqueda, where the bars come alive for aperitivo long into the evenings, Mak Mixology is inside, away from the searing heat or unfortunate rain, depending on the time of year you visit. Despite being quite big, it has a classic old school feel to it as there is often live music playing.
Occhiovivo!
Piazza Croce dei Vespri, 7, 90133
I stumbled across Occhiovivo! as I tried to escape the cold on the 30 min walk from the station to my AirBnB, and it turned out to be one of those great lucky finds. Beautiful wine, fantastic aperitivo of polenta chips and olives (all complimentary, as is standard) and an excellent and friendly bartender who can make an excellent mezcal margarita.
Occhiovivo! is also a bistro, so you could easily come for cocktails and stay the whole evening for dinner too.
Cantavespri
Vicolo Valguarnera, 10, 90133
Along with Sartoria, Cantavespri was a recommendation passed onto me by the talented barman at Occhiovivo. These three cocktail bars sit in dangerously close (or dangerously fun?) territory to each other and are all well worth checking out.
Sartoria
Discesa dei Giudici, 1/A, 90133
Sartoria sits in the best location for a night out, in close proximity to cocktail bars Occhiovivo and Cantavespri. You could easily while away the whole evening in this area, and alongside some of the best cocktails in Palermo, Sartoria also serve excellent charcuterie platters to help you along, so why not?
Villa Igiea
Via Belmonte, 43, 90142
Set on the outskirts of Palermo overlooking the sea is luxury hotel Villa Igiea. Their Terrazza bar is plush, picturesque and serves great cocktails; so if you fancy yourself a more luxurious aperitivo experience, go to Villa Igiea, but not without a reservation!
WINE BARS
Enoteca Picone
Via Guglielmo Marconi, 36, 90141
Lovely wine bar dating back to 1946. Buy a bottle from their wide selection to drink in, or enjoy one of wines by the glass alongside their excellent cheese and charcuterie boards. Save some room though, because Corona Trattoria is around the corner, so a double hit for these two spots works well. Book to avoid disappointment.
Vino e Cacio – Salumeria
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 389, 90134
An excellent place for a pit stop in amongst the sightseeing, this wine bar is close to Quattro Canti and a short walk to the duomo. They have a few tables outside but I preferred inside; there was a cozy vibe and a bustling atmosphere. Aside from their mouthwatering cheese and charcuterie boards, this is also an excellent spot to take your pick of their deli bar and get a sandwich made up to go.
THINGS TO DO IN PALERMO
Palermo is an old city with lots of historical buildings of significance and beautiful architecture. There is plenty to do to fill a long weekend here, or even a week if you want to explore outside of the city too.
Palermo Duomo
The duomo in Palermo is one of my favourites in Italy. It started life as a mosque, and as such has beautiful Moorish architecture combined with later Catholic additions.
You can buy a ticket to tour around the cathedral and climb onto the roof for fantastic views of the city and the sea beyond, as well as explore the crypts. Tickets vary in price depending where you want to explore, but the roof is just €7, and it’s my favourite thing I’ve done in Palermo.
Botanical Gardens
Palermo has some beautiful botanical gardens to wander around, which is particularly lovely to do on a sunny day. Tickets are only €5 per person and the gardens are open every day. You can check specific opening times depending on the time of you you’re visiting here.
Quattro Canti
Quattro Canti is a Baroque square in Palermo old town. Each corner of the square has a fountain representing the four seasons. It’s an area full of energy, and particularly lovely in the evening with people sat enjoying a gelato, take away spritz and the live music of the buskers that perform there.
Mercato del Capo
As mentioned above, Mercato del Capo has a wealth of places to eat, either sit down or on the go. But even if you don’t set time aside for a lunch in this buzzy market, it is well worth a walk through. Great for street photography, a cheap spritz and some panelle!
Teatro Massimo
Dating back to the late 1800s, Teatro Massimo is the biggest opera house in Italy and the third biggest in Europe. It’s absolutely beautiful and well worth taking the 40 min tour around to explore and learn about the history and impressive architecture.
Guided tours are available every day, costing €12 (only €6 if you are under 26!) and lasting 40 mins; they are available in English, Italian, French, German and Spanish and accessible for those with mobility issues. Backstage tours can be added to your ticket for an extra €5 depending on rehearsal schedules, but this is not fully accessible.
If you fancy having a night at the Opera, you can check out the schedule and buy tickets online here. Tickets range from just €20 euros up to €145 for the good seats.
Santa Caterina
Formerly a working monastery (as recently as 2014), Santa Caterina is another must do in Palermo. The church itself is beautiful, but you can also explore the rooms and take a walk on the roof, which have amazing views onto Fontana Pretoria. Don’t miss getting yourself a huge cannoli from the patisserie inside and enjoy it in the pretty enclosed courtyard.
Fontana Pretoria
Huge, stunning fountain that was originally built in Florence before being dissembled and rebuilt in Palermo, close to Santa Caterina and Quattro Canti. The impressive fountain dates back nearly 500 years.
Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace)
Also known as the Royal Palace of Palermo, the Palazzo dei Normanni was the residence of past Kings of Sicily and dates back nearly 1000 years to the early days of Norman power. The palace holds some of the best examples of Arab-Norman-Byzantine architecture in Sicily, with some beautiful mosaics.
Many people will know Sicily as home of the mafia, and there are tours you can do to learn about the history of their influence over the island.
This tour will take you through the historic centre of Palermo, discovering famous landmarks whilst you learn about the local anti-mafia resistance efforts. The ticket price includes a donation to the charity that works on these efforts. Book here.
Street Food Tour
Sicilians are fantastic at street food, especially when it’s fried: arancini, panelle, croquettes, sfincione…damn, I shouldn’t write whilst hungry.
Whilst you can totally guide yourself around Mercato del Capo and sample traditional favourites on your own, a street food tour is a fantastic way to really learn about the food, the traditions behind it, and meet new people at the same time – perfect for the solo traveller who wants to make some pals!
Tour includes 7 food tastings and 3 alcoholic drinks, 3 hours duration: book here.
Tour includes various food tastings and sight seeing, no drinks. 3 hours: book here.
Mondello Boat Trip
Whilst I highly recommended spending the day on Mondello Beach itself, if you’ve got a decent amount of time in Palermo in the hot summer months, I’d say spend another day doing this boat trip out of Palermo to the waters of Mondello – especially if you’re with a group of friends, there’s no day like a Boat Day!
A huge Sicilian lunch of fresh salads, pastas, fish and fruit was served to us by the owners of the boat (a husband and wife team), along with free flowing wine, spritz and prosecco. An excellent day! Book here.
Sicilian Cooking Course
Whilst you’ll find the Italian favourites you’re used to in Sicily, Sicilian cooking is quite different to other Italian food, with a real focus on seafood. Learn more about Sicilian cooking and specialities with a cooking course.
Shop at the local market for all the ingredients needed to make yourselves a 3 course Sicilian lunch under the guidance of a local chef. Includes wine, a digital recipe book to go home with, and starts at a convenient central location. Book here.
DAY TRIPS FROM PALERMO
There are lots of great things to see and do in Palermo that make it a brilliant city break, but it also serves as a good launch pad to some beautiful beaches and towns nearby.
Mondello Beach
Just 30 mins away on the bus that runs every 10 minutes from the city is one of the best beaches in Sicily, Mondello. Sicily’s coastline is wonderful, but a lot of the beaches will be pebbly or rocky beaches with inviting waters around them. Mondello is a long stretch of sandy beach and the water off it looks Caribbean, it’s that clear!
There are plenty of little bars on the beachfront for you to grab a sandwich or a spritz, and in Mondello town there is a fab Alimentari (local shop) where you can sit in the last of the sun after a day on the beach for some food and a drink before heading back into the city.
Half of Palermo will head out to Mondello on the weekends if the weather is half decent, so be prepared for crowded buses with standing room only.
Cefalù
Cefalù is not only my favourite place in Sicily but one of my favourite places in the world. Whilst Palermo is a little rough around the edges, Cefalu is a truly picturesque town just an hour’s train ride out of Palermo Centrale.
The huge rock of Cefalù overlooking the town is impressive, the beaches are wonderful, the winding streets quintessentially Italian and there are lots of fantastic restaurants and bars. It’s an unmissable part of Sicily.
Sant’Elia
A tiny coastal town with an incredibly beautiful spot where everyone sits on the rocks in the sunshine, kids (and big kids, to be fair) jumping off into the surrounding azure waters.
Agrigento
Agrigento is a history buff’s dream. Founded over 500 years BC by the ancient Greeks, Agrigento is home to some truly amazing archaeological sites of Greek temples. It’s a little further afield from the other places mentioned here – a 2 hour train journey – but it’s a fantastic place to spend a day if you have extended time in Palermo.
WHERE TO STAY IN PALERMO
Accommodation in Palermo its very reasonable, with plenty of great options coming in at under £100 per night between two.
The couple of times I’ve stayed in Palermo I’ve also been working remotely, so opted for an AirBnB with balcony and fast internet speed to accommodate – the first place I ever stayed was only £25 per night!
Whilst Air BnBs have been great for me on past visits, I’m looking forward to staying in one of these cute hotels next time.
Panto – Rooftop Boutique Rooms
Fantastic location nearby to Fontaina Pretoria and buzzy Via Maqueda, this B&B has just 3 rooms, and a lovely sun trap rooftop for all to enjoy. Rooms are modern, have air con and the breakfast comes highly rated. Book here.
Enjoy a traditional Italian breakfast with beautiful views of the Palermo duomo from the terrace at La Terrazza Sul Centro. This B&B is perfectly situated in the historical centre of Palermo, with everything you need on your doorstop and Palermo Centrale a quick 10 min walk away. Book here.
Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel & Spa
You will pay more of a premium for a room at Casa Nostra, but the pull is the beautiful outdoor pool tucked away at this beautiful hotel in the middle of the historical centre of Palermo – a rarity in the city.
Great location on a quiet street not far from Mercato del Capo, Casa Nostra offers beautiful design throughout, spa facilities and a fitness centre – all whilst maintaining a boutique feel. Book here.
Lovely B&B close to the duomo and Mercato del Capo, tucked away on a quiet street. Rooms are classically decorated and are complete with air con (must have for the summer months!) and there is a courtyard with city views where you can relax and eat breakfast. Book here.
Situated opposite Teatro Massimo, these suites are more like apartments, complete with kitchen facilities. The suites boast period rooms full of character, with high ceilings and balconies overlooking the opera house across the road. Book here.
GETTING TO PALERMO
Palermo is an approximately 3 hour flight from London, but flights will not run all year – BA tend to stop the flights to Sicily in the winter. Once they are up and running, they do not fly every day, rather a few times a week. I’m not sure why to be honest, perhaps Sicily really is an undiscovered gem! It’ll cost you 23500 Avios + £1 or 14500 Avios + £35 to buy a reward flight to Palermo with your hard earned Avios points.
The best way to get to and from the airport is to either take the train into Palermo Centrale (you can change here for onwards travel if you’re not staying in Palermo), or get the bus from the airport into the city. Getting a taxi is a €50, which is pretty punchy given comparative price of public transport.
The bus from the airport is actually a coach, quite swish and air conditioned. It runs every 30 mins from the right hand side as you exit the airport, and you can either buy a ticket at the desk. Tickets can be bought online on the Terravision website or via the app and the process is very straightforward. Tickets cost €6 one way, and the journey takes up to 50 mins depending on where in Palermo you get off.
To take the train from the airport, follow the signs that lead downstairs to the train station and buy a ticket from the machines – it’ll cost you around €7-8 for a one way ticket. Alternatively, buy online via the Trainline app.
The trains run approximately twice an hour into Palermo Centrale (though this may drop down to once an hour on Sundays), and if you are travelling further on, you’ll change trains at Palermo Centrale station. Journey time is approximately an hour, though individual trains will vary a little.
Train connections from the rest of Sicily and mainland Italy are good – there is a daily 11.5 hour service between Palermo and Rome, regular connections to Messina (change for Catania) and Agrigento. There’s even the incredible overnight sleeper train that goes all the way to the capital and connects onto the mainland via ferry!
GETTING AROUND PALERMO
Palermo isn’t huge, so if you’re staying fairly central, getting on foot will be super easy. CityMapper is not yet available for Sicily, so use Google Maps or Maps.Me.
The buses in the city are €1.40 for each ride, or you can buy a €3.50 pass for the whole day in the Palermo area – which also includes going out to Mondello. There are 3 and 7 day passes available too. I bought my ticket from a conductor taking payment in the queue.
Taxis are available but I have never needed to take one!
FOUND THIS PALERMO TRAVEL GUIDE USEFUL? PIN FOR LATER!
Updated July 2025.
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