Located in Sicily, Palermo is Italy’s 5th-largest city. It doesn’t tend to get as much love and attention as Italy’s northern cities, which is a shame, because it’s a beautiful and unique city that’s worth visiting.
Palermo was founded in the 8th century BC, so it goes without saying that the city has a long and vibrant history characterized by Arab and Norman rule, immigration, and Mafia presence. With 3 days in Palermo, you can enjoy delicious Sicilian food, see historic sites, and learn how Cosa Nostra (the Sicilian Mafia) impacted life in Palermo from the 1950s to present day.
This 3 days in Palermo itinerary includes a visit to Palermo’s most famous sites, as well as a short day trip. I haven’t over-planned this itinerary, because I think it’s important to take things slow and factor in time for spontaneous detours and resting.
- When is the Best Time to Spend 3 Days in Palermo?
- How to Get Around Palermo
- Where to Stay in Palermo
- How to Spend 3 Days in Palermo
- 3 Days in Palermo FAQ
- Final Thoughts: Spending Three Days in Palermo
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When is the Best Time to Spend 3 Days in Palermo?
April to early June and September to October are generally considered the best times to visit Palermo. During these months, the temperatures aren’t as sweltering as they are in the summer. From late October to March, Palermo is quieter.
There are fewer tourists and sites and attractions tend to close earlier. The trade off is that during these months the weather is cool (light jacket weather) and because it’s tourism low season, there are less crowds, and accommodations and tours are priced a little lower.
Regardless of what time of year you visit, there are plenty of things to do in Palermo!
How to Get Around Palermo
For 3 days in Palermo, a car isn’t necessary. You can easily get around by walking, public transport, and taxis.
Walking and free shuttle: The historic center of Palermo is small enough that you can walk to most sites. There is also a free shuttle bus, the ‘Free Centro Storico.’ This free bus operates daily between 6:30 AM and 9:00 PM and stops at many of the key sites of interest.
Public transport in Palermo: Palermo has a network of buses and trams, which are operated by AMAT. In most cases you can purchase tickets on board, but it’s quicker to purchase tickets in advance at a tabaccheria. These are small convenience stores that are recognizable by the big T posted outside. Tickets are €1,40 per trip. Public transport in Palermo works well and you can use Google Maps to plan your routes.
Taxis in Palermo: Taxis in Palermo are reliable, but do have a reputation of overcharging tourists – so be sure to settle on the price before getting in the cab. I also like to track the trip on my own maps app whenever I take a cab in a foreign city. This way, I can be sure the driver is taking me to the correct place. If you want to avoid the hassle of this, you can simply order a taxi using the Uber app.
Where to Stay in Palermo
Palermo is a large city that’s made up of 25 different districts. Of all these districts, the best ones to stay in are Old Town or Politeama/Libertà. Both these districts are safe, and close to the main sights.
If you stay in either of these districts, you won’t need a car and you’ll barely need to take public transportation or cabs.
A popular neighborhood outside the center is Mondelo, in the north of Palermo. It used to be a seaside fishing village, and has now become a sought after district to live in. Mondelo has access to beaches as well as a busy nightlife during the summer.
If you choose to stay there it’s recommended to have a car to get you around because the district is a bit far from the city center.
There are plenty of hotels in different price ranges available in all of these neighborhoods, and a couple hostels as well. If you choose to rent an Airbnb, just be sure to support a host who is local to the region so that your tourism dollars go into the hands of locals.
How to Spend 3 Days in Palermo
Ready to spend three days in Palermo? Read on for your detailed itinerary.
Day 1: Sightsee in Palermo’s Old Town, Politeama, and Libertà
It’s day 1 in Palermo! You’ll want to get an early start. Head out the door around 9:00 AM, and stop in a cafe to have a coffee and cornetto (croissant).
I recommend Bar Del Corso. It’s a small standing cafe where you can have a quick espresso and grab a cornetto before a short walk to your first stop of the day, Ballaro Market.
Start your day with a wander through Ballaro Market.
This market is the largest and oldest in Palermo. It is loud, smelly, busy, and sells everything from fish and vegetables to clothing and cannoli. Going in the morning is the best time, because this is when the market is most active.
Be sure to wander through all of the market’s streets. If hunger strikes, sit down at one of the street stalls for arancini (yes, arancini can be eaten for breakfast!) or a fresh sandwich. Once you’ve had your morning fill, head to your next stop.
Walk 10 minutes to Quattro Canti.
On your way to this famous intersection, make a quick stop at Museo del Giocattolo, which is a small, privately owned toy museum. I randomly stumbled on this museum on my last trip to Palermo. It’s a fascinating, unique spot, worth checking out!
Quattro Canti is a Baroque square which was built in the early 1600s, and it’s an absolute must see in Palermo.
This piazza is octagonal, made up of four ornate facades with statues and small fountains. As the sun shifts position in the sky throughout the day, a different facade is lit up by the sunlight.
After admiring Quattro Canti, walk 1 minute south down Via Maqueda to Piazza Pretoria.
Here, you can see Fontana Pretoria. This beautiful fountain was built in Florence, but transferred to Palermo in 1574.
Between the 18th and 19th century, the fountain was seen as a depiction of the corrupt municipality of Palermo, a depiction completed by its nude statues. Therefore, this fountain is known as the fountain of shame.
In the same square as the fountain, you can see Chiesa di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria. It’s possible to visit the inside and the roof of the church (for a small fee). Attached to the church is a small cloister where you’ll find a sweet shop that sells arguably the best cannoli in all of Palermo.
Near Fontana Pretoria you’ll also find the Church of San Cataldo. It’s a 12th century catholic church known for its three-domed roof and Arab influence.
You might be starting to feel hungry. If so, head to Taverna Dei Canti. It’s a small restaurant that serves typical Sicilian food – I really enjoyed the pizza! Be warned that this area of Palermo is busy, and so this restaurant might be packed. If that’s the case, there’s many others nearby to choose from.
Next, visit the No Mafia Memorial.
Head west down Via Vittorio Emanuele, a lively road with lots of shops. After a 5 to 10 minute walk, you’ll come to the No Mafia Memorial.
This small museum is dedicated to educating people about the harm caused by the Sicilian mafia. It focuses on the history of the mafia in Sicily, and the people who suffered and died as a result of the mafia.
A visit to the No Mafia Memorial is a good way to kickstart your understanding of the mafia in Sicily. On day two of this 3 days in Palermo itinerary, though, you’ll go on a walking tour of the city that goes into this history, in depth.
Although the No Mafia Memorial is free to visit, I do recommend leaving a small donation if you can to support the museum’s educational efforts.
Wrap up your day at Palermo Cathedral.
A short walk further down Via Vittorio Emanuele will bring you to Palermo Cathedral, known in Italian as Cattedrale di Palermo. This cathedral dates back to 1185. It’s characterized by different architectural styles, due to a long history of additions, alterations and restorations.
Palermo Cathedral is free to admire from the outside, and it’s free to enter. For 7,00 euro (as of June 2024) you can climb to its roof terrace for incredible views of Palermo.
Day 2: Learn Mafia History and Visit Palermo’s Catacombs
It’s day 2 in Palermo! You’ll be starting the day with a walking tour, which typically begins at 10:00 AM.
Head out the door around 9:00 AM so you can stop in a cafe for coffee and a breakfast sandwich. I recommend Radici di Sicilia, a cafe that’s just a 4 minute walk from the starting point of the walking tour (which is Teatro Massimo).
Start your day with the No Mafia walking tour.
The No Mafia walking tour is a unique tour that teaches the history of Mafia in Palermo, and the civil Anti-Mafia movement.
While walking through Palermo’s historic center, you’ll learn how the Mafia impacted Palermo over the last few decades – for example, why businesses had to pay protection tax to the Mafia. And, you’ll learn how the city has transformed since the start of the resistance in 2003.
This Palermo tour is a must-do in the city because it delves into important history that continues to impact Sicily.
The No Mafia tour runs twice a day, in the morning and in the late afternoon, and the tour is 3 hours long. For this itinerary, I recommend doing the morning tour. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen!
After the tour wraps up, you’ll be ready for lunch – Head to Mercato del Capo. This market is a 15 minute walk from the city center, or a quick taxi or bus ride.
Have a late lunch in Capo Market (Mercato del Capo).
This famous Palermo market is the perfect spot for a seafood lunch. It’s a small market located where Via Porta Carini and Via Volturno meet.
The market runs the length of one small street. Along its sides are vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, ceramics, and more. You can grab food from a counter, or sit at one of the tables off to the side of the market where you can have a fresh seafood lunch.
Visit the Palermo Catacombs (Capuchin Catacombs).
After lunch, you’ll head to the Capuchin Catacombs. These catacombs, which date back to 1599, are below the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini.
The Capuchin Catacombs are basically an open cemetery. They initially housed only the bodies of Friars, but from the 1700s on, those of esteem (i.e. the rich) could buy their place in the catacombs. Mummification alongside the Friars was a symbol of status and dignity reserved for the wealthy.
Visiting hours are 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM. So, you’ll be free to have a long lunch, and then you can head to the Catacombs for their afternoon opening time, 3:00 PM. Entry into the Catacombs is 5,00 euro (as of June 2024). You can pay by cash or card.
To get to the Palermo Capuchin Catacombs, go by taxi or driving, or by public transport. A taxi from the city center takes 15 – 20 minutes. Or, take bus N5 from Palermo Centrale. The trip is 30 minutes by bus and costs 1,40 euro each way.
When you visit the Capuchin Catacombs, please practice responsible tourism. The Capuchin Crypt is a holy place, and the resting place of many people. Follow the posted rules, do not take photos or videos, and be respectful of the space.
After visiting the Catacombs, take some downtime before heading out for dinner. I recommend Enosteria Sicula. It’s a short walk from the city center, and well worth it.
The menu is always changing, so I can’t share specific dishes to order, but rest assured I had one of the best pasta of my life there!
Day 3: Day Trip to Monreale
It’s day 3 in Palermo! On your last day in Palermo, you’ll venture just outside the city to see one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Sicily.
There’s no rush this morning. Take it slow, and enjoy a tasty breakfast before setting out. I recommend going to Sciampagna on Via Riccardo Wagner. They serve delicious baked goods and fantastic coffee.
The best way to visit Monreale is by bus. You can go by car, but parking can be tricky especially if you go in the summer when it is busy.
There are two buses that will take you there: Bus number 389 which departs from Piazza Indipendenza or another bus run by Azienda Siciliana Trasporti (AST) which leaves from the train station.
The trip is about 1 hour each way because of traffic. Be sure to bring change with you to pay the fare, which is 1,40 euro each way.
You also have the option of hiring a taxi to bring you to and from Monreale. This usually costs €20 to €30 per person.
Spend late morning and afternoon in Monreale.
Monreale is a town just 7 kilometers away from the center of Palermo. It’s home to one of the greatest existing examples of Norman architecture: a cathedral, built beginning in 1174 by William II of Sicily.
Cattedrale di Monreale’s (Cathedral Monreale) detailed mosaics are super impressive, making a trip to the hill-side town of Monreale an essential day trip while in Palermo. You’ll spend at least an hour admiring the cathedral – both inside and outside.
After visiting the Monreale Cathedral, go for a wander through the adjoining piazza called Piazza Guglielmo II, and the surrounding streets.
Have lunch in Piazza Guglielmo II.
When you start to get hungry, head back to the piazza to enjoy a late lunch with a view of the cathedral. I recommend having a pizza at Pizzeria Guglielmo di Milazzo.
After visiting Monreale, head back to Palermo’s historic center.
With the rest of your day, do what you please! Take a rest, or do some shopping.
For a unique souvenir or gift, head to Cutiecuticchi, which is located at Via Calderai 47. It’s a locally owned ceramics shop that sells a selection of hand-made mosaics with stones, sculptures, ornamental plates, clocks, and paintings that narrate the history and traditions of Sicily.
3 Days in Palermo FAQ
How many days do you need in Palermo?
Spending three days in Palermo is the perfect amount of time. With 3 days in Palermo, you can visit the city’s most famous historic sites, like Palermo Cathedral and the Capuchin Catacombs. You’ll have time to learn about the Sicilian mafia, wander the city’s neighborhoods, and try lots of local dishes in Palermo’s markets. You’ll also have time to take a day trip to nearby Monreale.
Is Palermo a walkable city?
Yes, Palermo is a very walkable city. The city’s historic sites and points of interest are almost all within the historic center, within walking distance of each other. The historic center of Palermo also has several pedestrianized areas, like the main streets Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele. Palermo is walkable, and worth wandering on foot, because you’ll come across beautiful buildings and lovely shops as you wander.
Is it safe to walk around Palermo?
Yes, Palermo is a safe city. At night, it is recommended to avoid the streets near the city’s central train station and near Ballaro market if you are walking. But aside from those areas, it’s perfectly fine to walk around Palermo. As with all cities in Italy (and Europe in general), there is a risk of petty theft like pickpocketing – always keep your phone and wallet in your front pockets, and keep your bag or purse in front of you. As with traveling anywhere, keep alert as to what is going on around you.
Final Thoughts: Spending Three Days in Palermo
Three days in Palermo is the perfect amount of time to get to know the biggest city on the island of Sicily. If you’re planning to visit other parts of Sicily, you’ll likely fly in and out of Palermo’s airport – so I recommend spending three days in the city before or after your travels around the island.
More on Palermo from Pina Travels:
- What Not To Do in Palermo: 16 Essential Palermo Tips
- 9 of the Best Tours From Palermo, Sicily
- Your Essential Guide to Palermo, Sicily
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Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.
