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Things to do in Palermo

12 places · 12 h 5 min of sightseeing · 3 days

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Palermo

How many days do you need in Palermo?

12 places add up to 12 h 5 min of pure sightseeing. At 6 hours a day, not counting walking and meals, that's 3 days.

The best-known places in order, as long as they fit into 6 hours of sightseeing a day. Sightseeing only, without walking and meals — build the day-by-day plan with opening hours and the route in a RouteMarket notebook.

1 day — 6 h

2 days — 11 h 45 min

3 days — 12 h 5 min

Top sights

Ordered by how well known each place is. Data: OpenStreetMap and Wikipedia.

  1. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter — 15 min visit. It is a supersonic interceptor fighter, unlike the Fiat G59 4B training aircraft.
  2. Palermo Cathedral — 1 h 40 min visit. Unlike nearby churches, it is the only temple that houses the tombs of Sicilian kings and Roman emperors, including Frederick II. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–17:30.
  3. Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele — 1 h 30 min visit. As the largest opera house in Italy, it hosts international productions, ensuring excellent acoustics. Hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–15:00.
  4. Cappella Palatina — 1 h 15 min visit. Built in the 12th century by King Roger II, it is famous for its dazzling golden mosaics and unique Islamic coffered ceiling.
  5. Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana) — 40 min visit. This 12th-century Byzantine church is famous for its stunning mosaics depicting Christ, saints, and biblical scenes, rare in Sicily. Hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–18:30 · Sun 13:00–18:30.
  6. Palazzo dei Normanni — 2 h visit. It is one of the oldest royal palaces in Europe, serving as the seat of the Sicilian parliament since the 9th century. Hours: Mon–Sat 08:15–17:45 · Sun 08:15–13:00.
  7. Chiesa di San Cataldo — 20 min visit. It is distinguished by its three red domes, which are an excellent example of 12th-century Arab-Norman architecture.
  8. Capuchin Catacombs — 1 h 15 min visit. It houses approximately 8,000 mummified bodies of monks and laypeople, resting here since the 16th century. Hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–12:00, 15:00–17:30.
  9. Teatro dei Pupi Kemonia - Franco Cuticchio figlio d'arte — 1 h visit. In this theater, the tradition of Sicilian puppets, known as Opera dei Pupi, is continued by the Cuticchio family, heirs of the art.
  10. Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti — 50 min visit. Dating from the 12th century, it features five characteristic red domes, originally serving as a mosque before its transformation.
  11. Castello della Zisa — 1 h visit. As a former summer residence of kings, it stands out with a harmonious blend of Norman and Arab architecture and a water cooling system. Hours: Mon–Sat 09:00–18:30 · Sun 09:00–13:00.
  12. Quattro Canti — 20 min visit. Four identical facades adorned with sculptures of seasons, kings, and patronesses create a Baroque intersection of two main streets from the early 17th century.
  13. Teatro Politeama — 30 min visit. Its neoclassical facade features a monumental triumphal arch through which a street passes, unique among Palermo's theaters.
  14. Chiesa del Gesù (Casa Professa) — 50 min visit. Its exceptionally rich and ornate interior with marble inlays is much more expressive than in Cappella Palatina or La Martorana.
  15. Castello della Cuba (Cuba sottana) — 30 min visit. This former royal palace features rare Islamic-Norman architecture, with a history that deviates from traditional temples.
  16. Piazza Pretoria — 30 min visit. It is the only square in the city where a monumental fountain with nude sculptures dominates the surrounding palace architecture.
  17. Museo dell'Osservatorio Astronomico — 1 h 10 min visit. Its establishment in the 18th century makes it one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Italy.
  18. Chiesa del Santo Spirito — 25 min visit. Its simple Norman architecture conceals immense historical significance, being the starting point of the famous Sicilian Vespers.
  19. Chiesa di San Giovanni dei Lebbrosi — 20 min visit. Its simple, Norman architecture and beautiful garden create an intimate escape from the city bustle.
  20. Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonio Salinas — 1 h 30 min visit. Gathers the most important artifacts from prehistory, antiquity, and Roman times, offering a deep dive into Sicily's ancient history. Hours: Tue–Sat 09:00–19:00 · Sun 09:00–13:00 · Mon closed.
  21. Fontana Pretoria — 25 min visit. It is the only fountain in Palermo that was originally created in Florence, only to be moved to the city in 1574.
  22. Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini — 40 min visit. Its impressive Baroque structure with a magnificent dome stands out with the richness of its interior decorations, full of frescoes and intricate altars.
  23. Chiesa di San Domenico — 45 min visit. It is the pantheon of the most important Sicilians, where one can admire the tombs of prominent figures surrounded by rich Baroque.
  24. Porta Felice — 15 min visit. It serves as a representative entrance to the city from the sea, offering a unique view of the port.

Where to eat

What to see in Palermo in one day?

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, Cappella Palatina, Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana), Chiesa di San Cataldo, Quattro Canti.

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