Palazzo Pretorio, Palermo

Palazzo Pretorio, Palermo: Our most recommended tours and activities

Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour

Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour

Discover the top sights in Palermo's historic center on a guided walking tour. Learn about the history and everyday realities of the influence of the Mafia, as well as the civic movement against Mafioso power as you explore the city. Meet your guide and begin your mafia-themed adventure through the streets of Palermo. See notable sites like Teatro Massimo, the open-air market Il Capo, and Piazza Della Memoria, which serves as a memorial dedicated to prosecutors and judges killed by the mafia. Along the Cassaro, see shops and businesses with orange stickers on their windows, representing owners that have said no to paying the extortion racket and have subscribed to the ethical consumer campaign titled pago chi non paga (I pay who does not pay).  After strolling by sights like Piazza Beati Paoli, Palermo Cathedral, and the city hall, finish the tour in the heart of Palermo's old town center. Get tips from your guide on how to continue your visit and where to taste the best Sicilian specialties.

Palermo: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour

Palermo: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Guided Walking Tour

By choosing this small group tour, you will have the opportunity to admire the best attractions, with a tasty local break! This three hours small group tour will take you to the must-see spots of the city centre, crossing the Baroque and Normann-Arab style architecture, including attractions such as the Piazza Pretoria (Praetorian Square), called by the locals Square of Shame. The huge marble fountain you can admire in this square is amazing, and it is also the reason of the square's name, due to the nudity of its statues. The Praetorian Palace is located in this plaza, too, and it hosts the Town Hall, which is usually open to the public so that you may spot the mayor of Palermo. This impressive building was built in the 14th century, and it was renovated in the 19th century. Your cultural and historical experience will be enriched by admiring the Royal Palace, which now hosts the Regional Parliament of Sicily. After the Normans conquered Sicily in 1072, the palace was the main residence of the kings. In 1132, King Roger II added the magnificent Palatine Chapel, which is decorated with unique golden mosaics. When visiting Palermo, we cannot ignore its religious significance, so that they will be part of our small group itinerary, such as the Martorana Church, famous around the world for its beauty and majestic appearance. In fact, an Arabic traveller who visited the Martorana in 1184 called this Christian church "the most beautiful monument in the world", which perfectly resumes all we could have said about this site. One more unmissable stop will be the Cathedral of Palermo, a brilliant and unique example of stratification of styles, from Muslim to Normans to the Christian reconversion.

Palermo: Markets and Monuments City Center Walking Tour

Palermo: Markets and Monuments City Center Walking Tour

Get a feel for the rich history, culture, and architecture of central Palermo on a 3-hour guided walking tour. Your guide will take you to Norman Sicily churches and beautiful palaces, through bustling city squares and famous old street markets. Head first to the Teatro Massimo and learn about Italy’s largest opera house, known for its perfect acoustics. Then visit the beautiful Palermo Cathedral, dating from the 12th century and part of Unesco ’s list of World Heritage sites. See the Church of the Gesù, one of the most important Baroque churches in Palermo, as well as the Praetorian Palace, an outstanding palace of the 15th century.   Continue to Pretoria Square, referred to by locals as the “square of shame” for the nudity of its fountain statues. You’ll also visit the nearby Bellini Square where you’ll see the Church of San Cataldo and Martorana Church, two more Norman Sicily–era churches and Unesco World Heritage sites.   Along the way, your guide will lead you through the famous Capo street markets. Observe the lively scenes and multitude of smells, textiles, and colorful foods as you weave among the stalls. You can also buy and taste some of the city’s popular street food, including: panelle, crocché, sfincione and arancina The tour ends in the exact center of historic Palermo, the Baroque Villena Square, also known as Quattro Canti (Four Corners). It was built in the early 1600s at the crossing of the two most prominent streets in Palermo: Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda.

Palermo: Highlights Walking Tour

Palermo: Highlights Walking Tour

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of Palermo with a private tour led by a seasoned guide. Embark on a captivating exploration of the city's rich history and architectural wonders. Your journey begins at the meeting point in Via Rosolino Pilo, where you'll rendezvous with your guide in front of the hotel Mediterraneo. From there, set forth on a three-hour odyssey through Palermo's enchanting streets, delving into the mesmerizing blend of Baroque and Norman-Arabic influences that define its landscape. Discover the majestic Piazza Pretoria, where the grandeur of the fountain takes center stage amidst the bustling square. Traverse through time as you visit the historic Praetorian Palace, a symbol of Palermo's political legacy. Behold the splendor of the Royal Palace, now home to the Regional Parliament. Marvel at the intricate mosaics and Byzantine charm of Martorana Church, before venturing to the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Palermo, a testament to the city's enduring faith and architectural prowess. Along the way, savor the flavors of Sicily with a stop at a local shop to indulge in a traditional Sicilian cannolo, adding a deliciously authentic touch to your exploration.

Palermo: City & Palazzo dei Normanni Guided Walking Tour

Palermo: City & Palazzo dei Normanni Guided Walking Tour

Begin by delving into the heart of Palermo's historic center on a three-hour small group tour, marveling at Baroque and Normann-Arab style architecture. Admire iconic landmarks such as the Praetorian Square, home to the striking marble fountain and the historic Praetorian Palace. Continue your journey through Palermo's religious heritage with visits to the exterior of the Martorana Church and the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Palermo, showcasing centuries of architectural evolution. After immersing yourself in Palermo's cultural treasures, delve deeper into history with a guided tour of the Palazzo dei Normanni and its magnificent Cappella Palatina. Learn about over 800 years of Sicilian history as you explore the oldest royal residence in Europe, once the seat of Sicilian kings. Marvel at the exquisite blend of Islamic, Byzantine, and Norman influences in the Palatine Chapel, a testament to the diverse cultural exchanges of the medieval era. Your tour includes access to the palace's gardens, providing a tranquil retreat amidst the city's vibrant streets. With a total duration of 4.5 hours, this comprehensive experience offers the perfect blend of cultural immersion and historical exploration in the enchanting city of Palermo.

tour Palermo with audioguide

tour Palermo with audioguide

You will be able to take a walking tour at your own pace, choose monuments and routes in complete autonomy, thanks to the rental of the audio guide and the support of the city map. How it works: You can rent the audio guide at the Palermo infopoint in the historic center, in via Vittorio Emanuele 351. Together with the audio guide, a map of the city with 10 routes, designed for you, is provided. Along each route on the map you will find a monument or point of interest indicated to which a button in the audio guide will refer. In total the audio guide offers 50 buttons that correspond to monuments or points of interest. among the 10 routes the UNESCO route is included with the main monuments of the Arbor-Norman route. 50 Monuments or places of interest: Intro Palermo , Historic center, Quattro Canti square, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Bologni Square, Unesco Cathedral, Beati Paoli square, Capo Market, Street food, Immaculate Conception Church, Porta Carini, Theater MassimoVia Maqueda, San Giuseppe dei Teatini Church,Pretoria FountainGesu Church, Ballarò Market,San Giovanni degli Eremiti Church and Unesco Cloister, Norman Palace and Unesco Palatine Chapel, Porta Nuova, Palazzo Pretorio, Statue of the Genius of Palermo, Bellini Theater, Church of the Martorana, Church of San Cataldo Unesco, GAM Museum, Statue of the Genius of Palermo in Piazza Revolution, Church of the Magione, Church of the Spasimo, Kalsa district, Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, Palazzo Abatellis, Marina square, Steri place, Church of the Catena, Mura delle Cattivi, Porta Felice, Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, Buca dell a Salvezza, Antica Focacceria San Francesco, Church of San Francesco, Vucciria Market, Church of San Domenico, Via Bandiera, Porto della Cala, Fontna del Garaffello, Statue of the Genius of Palermo in Vucciria, Archaeological Museum, Piazza Politeama Politeama Theater.

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What people are saying about Palazzo Pretorio, Palermo

Overall rating

4.8
(217 reviews)

Delia was our guide, she is very-very knowledgeable, relaxed and adaptable to our preferences (in particular as we were traveling with 2 kids <10y). The visit has definitely been value for money, it gave us a real vision of the city! Thank you very much

It seems like you can't truly understand the essence of Palermo until you do this tour. Do it as soon as you arrive in Palermo and you will see everything differently. it's a great way to meet like minded people too.

We really loved the walking tour. It was nice to have history about the mafia in Palermo and Sicily. Our guide, Hermes, was amazing. Really worth the price.

Claudio has a deep knowledge of the historical, political and economics of the mafia in Sicily. This was an exceptional tour that I highly recommend!

Great guide. A little different than I expected but we enjoyed guides knowledge and passion for tour.