Palermo Travelers Recommend

There’s no better place to experience Sicily’s unique culture than Palermo, whose architecture, cuisine, and language have been influenced by millennia of invaders. Explore this vibrant port city, admire Sicily’s ancient temples, and relax at sea—here are some of our favorite ideas for a 3-day stay.

Day 1: Architecture and Cuisine in Palermo

Begin your stay in the heart of Palermo in the captivating old town, a heady alchemy of Norman, Moorish, and baroque architecture juxtaposed with street markets, dialects, and dishes molded by centuries of Arab influence. A morning tour on foot, bike, or Segway is the best way to appreciate the grandeur of the historic center—marvel at the 12-century Arab-Norman churches decorated with Byzantine mosaics, including the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel. At lunchtime, sample the city’s street food on a food and market tour, or sign up for a cooking class and learn how to prepare traditional local dishes. Alternatively, architecture enthusiasts might visit nearby Monreale or Cefalù to check out the Norman cathedrals, among Sicily’s most significant cultural treasures and UNESCO World Heritage sites. 

Day 2: Archaeology in Agrigento and Segesta

Sicily was once part of the vast Greek empire known as the Magna Grecia, and vestiges of the Hellenic occupation are scattered across the island. Dedicate today to discovering some of Sicily’s most impressive archaeological ruins, and venture out to the Valley of the Temples outside Agrigento. Or, visit Segesta, closer to Palermo but no less dazzling. Both are home to surprisingly well preserved Greek temples dating from as far back as the fifth century BC. Go with a guide to better understand the history and architecture of these Doric treasures—some tours stop for a traditional Sicilian lunch in Agrigento or the hilltop town of Erice.

Day 3: A Day at Sea

End your visit by exploring the Sicilian coastline by sea. Set sail along Mondello Beach to the picturesque marine reserves of Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine, stopping to swim in the crystalline waters and enjoy a lunch of Sicilian classics. Otherwise, sail around to the tip of Capo Mazzaforno to the west and the Finale di Pollina to the east. This stretch of coastline is known for its idyllic beaches, so take a dip in the turquoise bays along the route, before heading back to port to bid farewell to Palermo.

Sicily’s unique history has molded its culture, cuisine, and even language to be worlds apart from mainland Italy. No city illustrates this better than Palermo, with its mix of Norman, Moorish, and baroque architecture; bazaar-like street markets; and Arab-influenced dialect and dishes. Here’s how to experience the city in just one day.

Morning: Culture and Cuisine

Begin exploring in Palermo’s old town and join a walking, bike, or Segway tour to marvel at the historic center’s architecture, much of it part of the Arab-Norman monuments dating from the 12th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the Byzantine mosaics in the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel, Palermo Cathedral, and La Martorana, as well as the baroque Four Corners (Quattro Canti) square, the Renaissance “fountain of shame” in Piazza Pretoria, and the neoclassical Teatro Massimo. Gourmands can opt for a food and market tour that leavens the city’s architecture with its street food, stopping at the outdoor markets for tastings.

Afternoon: Adventures in the Kitchen or Countryside

Food is a fundamental pillar of Palermo’s culture, so take a deep dive into its cuisine with a local cooking class. Shop for ingredients at a traditional open-air market, and then learn the secrets of preparing dishes that blend Spanish, Greek, and Arab elements before feasting on the food you’ve made, paired with Sicilian wines. Alternatively, set off from Palermo to take in the architectural treasures in the surrounding towns, namely the imposing UNESCO-listed Norman cathedrals of Monreale or Cefalù, both exquisitely decorated in Byzantine mosaics and considered among Sicily’s most important cultural treasures.

Night: City Life

Palermo is Sicily’s version of the “city that never sleeps,” with a lively nightlife that stretches from the outdoor markets and their popular street food stands to the trendy restaurants and clubs in neighborhoods like Lo Capo, Castellammare, and Albergaria. Stroll along the waterfront in La Marina to rub elbows with the locals during the evening “passeggiata” walk, relax over a sampling of Sicilian wine paired with artisan cheeses, or sit down to a traditional home-cooked meal with a local cook featuring classics like panzerotti, pasta alla norma, and crostata.

Sicily’s unique culture and cuisine shine in the port city of Palermo, where Arab influence remains strong in the architecture, markets, and food. Spend a day experiencing the city’s long history, then travel further back in time with an excursion to the Italian island’s ancient temples. Here’s how to spend two days in Palermo.

Day 1: Palermo

**Morning:**Explore Palermo’s old town, rich in 12th-century Arab-Norman churches and palaces decorated with Byzantine mosaics. Delve deep into the city’s history and architecture with a guided walking, bike, or Segway tour to take in highlights like the Norman Palace, Palatine Chapel, Palermo Cathedral, and La Martorana.

**Afternoon:**No visit to Palermo is complete without a turn through its souk-like markets, so join a food tour that includes market tastings of popular street food. Alternatively, opt for a cooking class that begins with a market visit to shop for ingredients before preparing—and feasting upon—Palermo’s most unique dishes, often paired with Sicilian wines.

**Night:**After your culinary break, take in the architectural treasures in the towns of Monreale or Cefalù, home to two Norman cathedrals covered in glittering Byzantine mosaics. These churches are among the most significant monuments in Sicily and a must for architecture enthusiasts.

Day 2: The Greek Temples of Agrigento and Segesta

**Morning:**Sicily once was part of the sprawling Greek empire. Modern visitors can see a number of Greek temples still standing on the island, including one of the most striking in the Valley of the Temples outside Agrigento on the southern coast, a popular day trip from Palermo.

**Afternoon:**Stay closer to the city with a trip to Segesta, home to temples no less impressive than those of Agrigento. Some tours also include a stop at the nearby Greek ruins of Selinunte or the hilltop town of Erice, where you can enjoy local food and wine.

**Night:**Relax for your final hours in Palermo with a leisurely sail along the coast. Take in views of towering Mt. Pellegrino, La Cala harbor, and Mondello Beach and, as the sun sets over the sea, toast the city with wine and Sicilian appetizers on board.