Our most recommended things to do in Palermo

From Palermo: Zingaro Reserve, San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello

1. From Palermo: Zingaro Reserve, San Vito Lo Capo and Scopello

Depart from Palermo and discover the colors of the sea that cannot be missed during a trip to Sicily. Leave from the main pick-up points in Palermo and arrive in Castellammare del Golfo a bit like a small pearl of sailors from where the cruise departs. The boat leaves Catsellammare port at 9:30 AM. You will first discover the famous caves that rise right out of the sea and where the captain comes over to see them. Resuming navigation, we enter the 7km-long Zingaro Reserve where beaches and coves alternate and where you will meet the most beautiful beach called "Cala Uzzo". Cala Uzzo is the largest bay, the most beautiful, and the place richest in fish due to the fishing bans in the reserve, therefore a perfect place for snorkeling. Continuing the navigation at 11:30 AM you will arrive in San Vito Lo Capo where you will have 4 hours of free time to visit it. San Vito is a very small town: the boat mooring, the beach, and the center are very close on foot (7 min). Here you can find the most beautiful beach in the area with white sand and Caribbean color of the sea. In the center, you can eat the typical "couscous" which will make you relive the Arab culture that characterized the town in the past. Or you can taste the typical "hot-cold" ice cream. Above all, walking through the narrow streets with their scents and colors is an experience not to be missed. Free time in San Vito Lo Capo is from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM. When you get back on board, on the way back you will be enchanted at the sight of the famous "Faraglioni of Scopello" exclusive place that invites you to come back and where to do many bath with a breathtaking view. Return to the Port of Castellammare at 5.30 PM and arrive in Palermo at 6.30 PM. During the day you can choose to buy a typical light snack on board: "Pane Cunsato", water The cost of round trip transfer from Palermo to Castellammare is € 29,00 per person. This rate will not be applied if you come by your own means.

Palermo: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket

2. Palermo: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket

Discover Palermo, the chief town of Sicily, on an open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tour! Start from the terminal outside the Politeama Theater, cruise past the Massimo Theatre, and continue towards Piazza Quattro Canti and the nearby Vucciria Market. The tour continues towards the botanical gardens, passing near Palazzo Steri. After a quick glance of the central station, you'll find yourself in the vicinity of the Royal Palace, the Flea Market, and the Cathedral. Then return to the terminal along the ancient via Roma. The second route takes you to the beautiful villas of Palermo. Starting from the terminal outside the Politeama Theatre, admire the gorgeous English Garden and then continue towards Villa Malfitano and the wonderful Zisa Castle. The tour passes near the Mercato del Capo and the Massimo Theatre, towards the port, and then returns to the terminal in Politeama Square.

Palermo: Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine

3. Palermo: Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine

This pizza making class is a memorable way to spend an afternoon in Palermo, especially if you’re travelling with your family. Guided by a pizzaiolo, first, you’ll stretch the dough and make the base ready for fresh toppings of tomato and mozzarella cheese. And you’ll also discover how to make gelato - both main course and dessert are sorted! Pizza is probably the world’s favourite food, and where better to learn than Italy? As you’re in Palermo, you’ll also see how a traditional “sfincione palermitano”is made. In English, that means thick sponge, so this is a little different to the thin-based traditional Neapolitan pizza you might be used to - not that that makes it any less mouthwatering. Watch your pizzaiolo make the thick, bready dough and pay attention because you’ll pick up plenty of tips that you can use to take home when cooking in your own kitchen! Your pizza chef will show you how to stretch, sauce, bake and slice your creation. But your dough is going to have to rest before you sample your creation. However, we’ve got the time you’d otherwise be waiting filled with two activities. Firstly, anyone over 18 can sample wines. Then, everybody will learn (demostration) how to make chocolate gelato and the cone to put it in. Your chef will also take you through the history of Italian ice cream - perfect! Once everything is ready, you’ll be able to eat your delicious pizza and gelato. However, that’s not the end of the class. You’ll get a souvenir to take home - a digital booklet with recipes so you can make pizza and gelato for your family and friends back home, who are sure to be impressed! An unforgettable afternoon, you’ll learn about Italian culture and its most delicious specialities while enjoying a fun and easy experience with your family.

Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour

4. Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour

Discover the top sights in Palermo from a unique angle on a guided walking tour. Every stop is a chance to pause for reflection on the realities of the Mafia and consider the civic movement against Mafioso power. Meet your guide and begin your mafia-themed adventure through the streets of Palermo. Explore Teatro Massimo, the open-air market Il Capo, and Piazza Della Memoria (a memorial dedicated to prosecutors and judges killed by the mafia). Along the Cassaro, come across places 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 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: Small Group Night Street Food Tour

5. Palermo: Small Group Night Street Food Tour

Meet your local guide at the main opera house and get to know the other travelers. You'll then walk through the streets before having a welcome toast. Enjoy a glass of fresh Sicilian wine and some interesting bites that you won't normally find in touristy places. On this tour, you'll get to know the real Palermo, its food, its people, and its secrets. Learn about the Sicilian lifestyle as you stroll towards the old port of Palermo. Stop at street food stalls in the heart of Vucciria and sample the best bites selected by your guide. You will get to try the famous spleen sandwich and hear some interesting facts about its origins. The small group allows for easy interaction with your guide and the rest of the group. Your guide will then show you hidden spots and discuss several topics during the walk, from history to art to social issues. Feel free to ask your guide whatever you want. The walk ends at the old port of Palermo for one last sweet treat, a Brioche with ice cream. This will be the memorable end to the tour and your last chance to get some tips to help you enjoy the rest of your stay as much as possible. MUST KNOW: local traditional street food is deliciously Fried, Fat and Full of carbs. We only offer what locals eat in the streets. Do not expect seafood and fine fresh produce. On this tour you will eat fritters, delis, pizzas, offal, local wine and beer. This tour is not recommended to picky eaters.

Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

6. Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

This popular 8-hour itinerary takes you to see the most interesting sites of western Sicily. With your guide you’ll visit and explore Segesta, a Greek archaeological site. Travel to Nubia and the Salt Pans in Trapani, and admire the Sicilian coast and natural landscapes en route. You’ll also stop at Erice, a medieval hilltop town. Enjoy spectacular views throughout the day. All of the sites are relatively near Palermo, meaning that you’ll have plenty of time to explore each of them. This itinerary is also known as the Elimians's Road, named for the Elimians who were among the first inhabitants of this part of Sicily.

Palermo: Capo Gallo Private Boat Tour with Snacks

7. Palermo: Capo Gallo Private Boat Tour with Snacks

Make the most of your holiday in Palmero with a 4-hour private boat cruise. Relax on the sundeck, listen to music with the stereo system, or take a shower aboard your boat. Enjoy a fruit-based aperitif as you sail to the Gulf of Mondello and stop for a swim. Check out the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve. Come to the meeting point at the port and board your boat to start the adventure. Set sail from Marina Arenella on a boat equipped with an underwater camera. Then, visit the Gulf of Mondello, a famous sandy bay, and go swimming. Afterward, enter the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve. Make two stops here and go snorkeling among the fish. Next, sail to the uninhabited island of Isola delle Femmine, which faces the beautiful coast of Palmero. Finally, pass by the fishing town of Barcarello and swim at the coast of Addaura. Return to the port to finish your tour.

Palermo: Market Tour and Sicilian Cooking Class with Lunch

8. Palermo: Market Tour and Sicilian Cooking Class with Lunch

One of our best sellers arrives in Palermo! Thanks to this cooking lesson in a small group, you will have the opportunity to learn some of the recipes of the traditional Sicilian cuisine with a professional chef, visiting a picturesque market of Palermo, one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. During the cooking class you will be assisted by a local trained professional chef, and you will learn to cook some of the most famous recipes of the island's culinary tradition. You will have the opportunity to personally buy local products, chosen according to the season, which will allow you to make some of the dishes of the tradition of Palermo. Together with your personal chef, you will feel Sicilian food expert for a moment! You will start your eXPerience with a visit to a famous market of Palermo, “mercato del capo” where you can discover the culinary delights that this city offers. You will be introduced to the flavors of Sicily, learning how to choose and distinguish fresh ingredients, that you will use during your cooking class. After the market stop, it will be time to put your apron on and start your cooking class! Your professional chef will make you learn to create some of the typical dishes of the culinary culture of Sicily, in the highly entertaining way which is typical of our cooking classes! During you cooking class in Palermo, you will prepare a 3 course meal: just to mention some of the Sicilian specialties that you might prepare during this experience (the menu may vary according to seasonal ingredients available), you may discover the secrets of "arancini”, fried rice meatballs filled with meat sauce and peas, home made Pasta alla norma, to end with the most famous Sicilian dessert: cannoli! You will end this amazing eXPerience by savoring the dishes that you have prepared with your own hands. Get your recipe booklet and be ready to surprise your friends with Sicilian recipes back home!

From Palermo: Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip

9. From Palermo: Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip

Escape the hustle and bustle of Palermo city center on a half-day tour to Monreale and Cefalù. Marvel at a Norman cathedral on the slopes of Monte Caputo, and learn the Greek and Medieval history of one of Sicily’s most beautiful towns. Following a pick-up from your hotel or the port of Palermo, transfer to Monreale where you will have approximately 1-hour to tour the Duomo. An official audio guide is included to learn the history of the 12th-century building, considered one of the greatest landmarks of medieval ecclesiastical architecture in the south of Italy. Then, drive along the north coast of Sicily, on route to the beautiful town of Cefalù. Sit back and relax on the 1.5-hour journey, and on arrival go to the 12th-century Duomo. See traces of the Middle Ages at the Osterio Magno. Get panoramic views from the Porta Terra. Discover Greek and Arabic pottery in the Mandralisca Museum, and walk down some curving stone steps to a picturesque cluster of 16th-century wash basins at the Lavatoio.

Vela Boheme ~ Vintage Sicilian Boat Tour

10. Vela Boheme ~ Vintage Sicilian Boat Tour

We organize some Sea Tours every day in the morning, afternoon and sunset, from Mondello to Mongerbino so if you want to get some fresh air and go to swim at sea let’s ask us !

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Sicily’s ancient capital is peppered with UNESCO-listed sites and an interesting mix of architectural styles.

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What people are saying about Palermo

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 3,914 reviews

Fabrizio was the perfect guide. The food tour was a great introduction to Palermo, with a great balance of iconic sightseeing, exploring the street market, learning and eating. Being able to ask Fabrizio for recommendations both during and after the tour via text made our trip feel fulfilling, stress free and authentic.

great trip and the guys were great,We had a great day and it was what we wanted as we were left alone to enjoy the sites without any commentry or visits to shopping experiences.We would highly reccomend as we got to visit three places that are hard to access by public transport

This was a great half day trip from Palermo. Monreale had great views over the cities and a lovely church. Cefalu was beautiful on the water. It was during the holidays/off season, so my was closed, but it was fun to visit.

Great way to learn a bit of history and to sample the local street food!

Very knowledgeable! Nice, Funny, good pace of tour