The best things to do in Palermo: 3 Palermo itineraries
Centuries of dizzying highs and crushing lows, along with architectural influences from around the world and through the ages, have created a complex city with a wealth of sights and attractions to captivate travellers. But with so many things to see and do in Palermo, from the Byzantine mosaics to the Arabesque domes and frescoed cupolas, fitting it all in can be tricky.
To help you find your way efficiently around Palermo’s top attractions, we’ve created three itineraries to guide you around different parts of the city. Alternatively, pick your favourite things to do in Palermo from our itineraries and curate your own adventure - or contact us and allow our team to create a bespoke adventure just for you.
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Palermo itinerary #1: Quattro Canti to the Norman Palace
Our first Palermo itinerary begins at the Quattro Canti, the epicentre of the old town centre's four quarters and the union of the city's two most important thoroughfares: Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda.
The Quattro Canti
The Quattro Canti comprises four inward-facing, early seventeenth-century buildings, one at each cardinal point. The official name of the Quattro Canti is Piazza Villena, after the Spanish Viceroy who commissioned it in 1611, but it’s also known as Il Teatro del Sole - the Theatre of the Sun - because at any time of day, one of the four façades is illuminated by the sun.
Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Teatini
Just a few steps up the street Corso Vittorio Emanuele from the Quattro Canti is the Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini, a must-see for anyone who loves Baroque architecture. It’s filled with an abundance of frescoes and busy stucco and marble work.
Piazza Pretoria and the Fountain of Shame
Heading southeast along the street Via Maqueda from the Quattro Canti, you’ll soon come to Piazza Pretoria, home to a splendid fountain and several other impressive buildings, including City Hall, the florid Baroque Chiesa di Santa Caterina and the sixteenth-century aristocratic Palazzo Bonocore. The fountain, known for generations as the Fontanta della Vergogna (the Fountain of Shame), is one of the only examples of pure Renaissance architecture to be found in Palermo.
Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio (aka La Martorana)
Just behind City Hall is another square, Piazza Bellini, home to one of Palermo’s most historically and artistically fascinating churches: the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (more commonly known as La Martorana). It was commissioned in 1143 by George of Antioch as a celebration of Greek-Byzantine Orthodox rites.
Chiesa di San Cataldo
Standing next to La Martorana is the mid-twelfth-century, cubic Chiesa di San Cataldo, immediately recognisable thanks to the three red domes that emerge from its roof. The Chiesa di San Cataldo is part of Palermo’s Arab-Norman UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chiesa del Gesù (aka Casa Professa)
Continuing a few steps southeast along Via Maqueda, you’ll come to Via del Ponticello on your right. About 150m along this road is Casa Professa, a voluminous Baroque masterpiece built by the Jesuits between 1564 and 1578. Its florid decorations are among the most splendid in Palermo.
The Ballarò
Turn left on leaving Casa Professa and you’ll stumble upon the Ballarò, probably the oldest of Palermo’s Arabic markets. Here you'll find a vast array of fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, as well as bars, trattorie and street food vendors.
Piazza Bologni and Corso Vittorio Emanuele
Returning to Casa Professa and heading up the road opposite, Salita Raffadali, you’ll soon come to one of Palermo's finest squares, Piazza Bologni. It opens out onto Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo's most ancient street, which extends for some 2km.
Cattedrale di Palermo
Palermo's cathedral is one of the city's most extraordinary sights. Its façade is a treasure trove of architectural history, covering some 1,500 years. Spiral stairs at the west of the cathedral lead up through the bell tower and out onto the roof, where fabulous views of the city await.
Palazzo dei Normanni
From the cathedral, continue up Corso Vittorio Emanuele, past the splendid Piazza Vittoria, under the sixteenth-century Porta Nuova and on to Piazza Indipendenza, home of the Norman Palace. A variety of halls, rooms and courtyards are open to visitors, but the real treasure of the Palazzo dei Normanni is the Palatine Chapel.
Cappella Palatina
Of all the things to do in Palermo, the Palatine Chapel should not be missed; it’s one of the most significant artistic treasures to be found anywhere in Europe. Completed in 1142 and built at the behest of King Roger II, the craftsmanship is remarkable.
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Palermo itinerary #2: La Kalsa
The Kalsa district is one of Palermo's most ancient quarters and was the main commercial centre when the city was under Arab dominion. With so many Palermo sights and attractions, it's easy to spend days discovering La Kalsa - but here are a few of our favourite highlights.
La Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi
Just a short stroll up Via Paternostro from Corso Vittorio Emanuele is the Piazza San Francesco and the wonderful Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi. Begun in 1255, it retains aspects of the Arab-Norman style but is also one of Palermo's first forays into a Romanesque Gothic style.
One of the roads leading off the piazza, Via dell'Immacolatella, takes us to our next port of call: the sublime Oratorio di San Lorenzo.
L'Oratorio di San Lorenzo
The Oratory of San Lorenzo is the masterpiece of the Palermitan sculptor Giacomo Serpotta. He decorated the oratory at the beginning of the eighteenth century and created a sculptural feast for the eyes.
Once you’ve finished there, head back to the Piazza San Francesco and follow the road to the right of the Basilica di San Francesco, down to Piazza Marina.
Palazzo Steri (aka Palazzo Chiaramonte)
Dwarfing Piazza Marina from its northern side, Palazzo Steri is a classic example of a fortified palazzo built by powerful mediaeval barons. It has had a long and fascinating history and functioned as the Sicilian headquarters of the dreaded Spanish Inquisition.
Porta Felice
Heading out of Piazza Marina from its northeastern corner, you’ll come to Corso Vittorio Emanuele. Turn right and you’ll see Porta Felice and the sea. Standing between the two sections of Porta Felice - two spectacular semi-pyramidal pillars - you’ll have a fabulous view up the long, straight expanse of Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
Le Mura delle Cattive
Just before passing through Porta Felice, you will notice a flight of steps on your right. This leads up to the Mura delle Cattive, a panoramic promenade atop the city's sixteenth-century defensive walls where you can take in the impressive sea views.
At the southern end of the Mura delle Cattive, steps take you back down to street level. Turn right here and head straight on to Via Alloro and Palazzo Abatellis.
Palazzo Abatellis (aka the Regional Art Gallery)
The gallery, completed in 1488, houses a wide range of art, including a few notable masterpieces like Francesco Laurana's sculpture of Eleanor of Aragon.
On exiting Palazzo Abbatellis, turn right, back towards the sea, and then right again along Via Torremuzza. Once you arrive at Piazza Kalsa, turn right onto Via Santa Teresa and continue straight on for just over 200m, where you’ll see Santa Maria dello Spasimo on your right.
Santa Maria dello Spasimo
Santa Maria dello Spasimo is an early sixteenth-century monastic complex with an unfinished church and a lovely raised garden. Today, Lo Spasimo is a cultural centre - a venue for jazz concerts, cinema screenings and other events.
On leaving Lo Spasimo, turn left and head a few metres up the road to Piazza Magione where you’ll find La Basilica della Magione.
La Basilica della Magione
Completed in 1191, the Basilica della Magione is a special piece of architecture, not only because of its unique aesthetic qualities but also because it is the last truly Arab-Norman church to be built in Sicily.
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Palermo itinerary #3: Capo Market to the Cala Marina
Our third itinerary will take you from west to east, from the historic Capo Market down to La Cala, Palermo's marina. On the way, you'll experience some of the best things to see and do in Palermo.
The Capo Market
The morning is the best time to witness the hustle, bustle, colour and vitality of the Capo Market, which is one of Palermo’s four main Arabic-heritage street markets. While in the market, we recommend you try a Palermitan street food speciality: a sandwich filled with panelle (chickpea fritters), potato croquettes, a dash of lemon and a pinch of salt.
Travel less than 100m from the market before you take a left onto Via Sant'Agostino and continue for another 200m, then turn right and continue until you arrive at the Teatro Massimo.
Teatro Massimo
Teatro Massimo, the third-largest opera house in Europe, has played host to many of the opera world’s most famous stars and is open to the public for guided tours. We recommend a visit to admire its wonderful Liberty-style frescoes, its elegant salons and, most importantly, the voluminous, sumptuously decorated arena itself.
Piazza Olivella and the Regional Archaeological Museum
Opposite Teatro Massimo is a maze of narrow streets lined with artisanal craft shops, bars and restaurants. At the bottom of these streets is Piazza Olivella, home to the Museo Archeologico Regionale Salinas. The museum, housed in a beautifully-restored ex-convent, boasts a superb collection of antiquities from Sicily's numerous archaeological sites, including Selinunte, Solunto, Tindari, Himera and Mozia.
On exiting the museum, turn right and immediately right again, following Via Bara dell'Olivella down to Via Roma, one of Palermo's main shopping streets. Cross Via Roma, go past Palazzo Branciforte and turn right into Via di Lampedusa. At the end of this road on your left is the Oratorio di Santa Cita.
L'Oratorio di Santa Cita
The Oratorio di Santa Cita is another masterpiece of decorative art by Palermo's greatest sculptor, Giacomo Serpotta. Although the exterior is quite plain, the interior features some of his most exquisite stucco work.
As you leave Oratorio di Santa Cita, turn left and then right onto Via Squarcialupo. Keep going straight until you come to the end. Take a right turn here, into Via Giovanni Meli, and you'll soon arrive at Piazza San Domenico and the road, opposite the Via Roman, which leads down to the Vucciria Market.
The Vucciria Market
For many Palermitani, the Vucciria is the symbol of their city. Once a thriving market, in recent years it has become more of a nightlife hotspot. If you head there during the day, however, you'll discover a bit of Palermo that seems lost in time.
Your tour ends with the chance for some refreshments at La Cala, Palermo's marina, where there are a few nice waterfront bars. Simply head east down Via dei Cassari, and you'll be there in time for a well-earned sundowner!
With so many things to do in Palermo and its surrounding areas, it’s worth giving yourself at least three days to take in all the attractions. Discover our superb villas near Palermo and contact our team when you’re ready to start planning your Sicilian adventure.
