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Palermo
Palermo city breaks and holidays
Palermo, Sicily’s vibrant and stylish capital, is the perfect choice for an Italian city break, filled with history, culture and plenty of culinary delights! Spend your days wandering through bustling markets, marvelling at architectural gems like Palermo Cathedral and the Norman Palace, and soaking up the sun in buzzy piazzas. Switch things up in your city sightseeing itinerary and head to the beach for an afternoon dip. Mondello Beach glows with a turquoise hue and is the ideal spot to unwind. With its lively atmosphere, rich heritage and loveable Mediterranean charm, Palermo ticks all the city-break boxes!
Things to do in Palermo
- Ballaro Market|
- Fontana Pretoria|
- Palermo Cathedral|
- Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel|
- San Cataldo & Martorana Church|
- Teatro Massimo|
- Mondello Beach|
Popular Hotels in Palermo
A city by the beach
Like to enjoy the best of both worlds? Get ready for sightseeing and sunbathing all in one day in Palermo. Mondello Beach is just outside the city and is famous for its bright-white sand and glistening water. It’s fab for water sports like paddleboarding too. The best bit? You can hop on the bus and be there within 40 minutes!
Don’t miss these top sights
There are landmarks aplenty in Sicily’s capital, so see how many you can tick off. There's the Royal Palace with its golden Palatine Chapel and the grand Palermo Cathedral. Wander through bustling Ballarò Market, admire Teatro Massimo’s neoclassical splendour and explore the Capuchin Catacombs. The list goes on...
Treat your taste buds
Street food and markets, like Ballaro and Capo, reign supreme here in Palermo, and they're where you can sample the most authentic cuisine in the city. Try arancini, panelle and sfincione pizza, alongside seafood-topped and citrus-infused pasta dishes. Prefer a sweet treat? You can't miss out on trying cannoli and cassata - yum!
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Hotel Plaza Opera
Palermo City, Palermo
Our rating
Based on 658 reviews
- Stunning roof top restaurant
- Beautiful Boutique hotel
- Relaxing wellness area
- 900m from the Port of Palermo
- 1.6km from the Historical centre
Ballaro Market
Palermo City, Palermo
Palermo’s oldest and liveliest street market is a treat for the senses, with colourful stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, spices, and tasty street food like arancini and panelle. Its narrow lanes echo with...
Capo Market
Palermo City, Palermo
This bustling maze of stalls overflows with fresh fish, fruits, vegetables and fragrant spices. It’s known for vibrant colours, lively vendors and irresistible street food. Wander through its narrow streets and...
Fontana Pretoria
Palermo City, Palermo
This stunning fountain, in Palermo’s Piazza Pretoria, is a 16th-century marble masterpiece adorned with elegant statues of nymphs, gods and mythical creatures. It’s sometimes nicknamed the ‘Fountain of Shame’...
Language
Italian and Sicilian
Currency
Euro (€)
Time difference
+1hr
Cost of a beer
£4.30
Local transport costs
£4
3 course meal
£45
Sightseeing
Peel back layers of history and culture as you uncover the city’s fascinating sighs. Explore Norman-Arab architecture, bustling markets and ornate Baroque squares. Just some of its highlights include the Palatine Chapel, Palermo Cathedral and Teatro Massimo. Nearby, you can admire Monreale’s dazzling mosaics or head to seaside Mondello for coastal vistas.
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Eating and drinking
Get ready for a feast of flavours as you eat and drink your way around the city. Savour street food like arancini and panelle at the many lively markets, or visit a traditional trattoria for fresh seafood, pasta con le sarde and caponata. Pair meals with local wines or refreshing granita, finishing with iconic Sicilian desserts like cannoli.
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Shopping
Fancy a spot of retail therapy on your city break? Palermo’s got you covered. From vibrant street markets to elegant boutiques and designer shops on Via della Libertà. Via Ruggero Settimo hosts high-street brands, while local artisans sell ceramics, coral jewellery and more. For souvenirs, pick up traditional sweets, olive oil and locally made wine.
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Getting around
Palermo is best explored on foot, especially in the historic centre, where narrow streets reveal lively markets and landmarks. If you’re looking to head outside the city, there are public buses, trains and taxis available.
Climate
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FAQs
What makes Palermo a great destination for a city break?
Palermo is a vibrant city in Sicily, Italy, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and lively street markets. With influences from Arabic, Norman and Baroque cultures, it offers an unforgettable blend of heritage, delicious Sicilian cuisine and Mediterranean charm.
How many days do you need for a Palermo city break?
A three to four-day trip is ideal for a Palermo city break. This allows enough time to see the main attractions, such as the Palermo Cathedral, Teatro Massimo, and the historic markets, while also leaving plenty of time to enjoy day trips to nearby beaches or Monreale.
What are the must-see attractions in Palermo?
Top attractions include Palermo Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel, Quattro Canti, Teatro Massimo, and the bustling Ballarò Market. Don’t miss the Norman Palace and the nearby Monreale Cathedral for breathtaking mosaics.
Is Palermo good for foodies?
Palermo is a paradise for food enthusiasts. The city is famous for its street food, including arancini, panelle, and cannoli. Traditional Sicilian dishes and fresh seafood are available in local trattorias and markets too.
