Palermo

Palermo is Sicily's capital and largest city, known for Arab-Norman palaces, mosaic chapels and street markets.

Find a room in Palermo Start with the essentials Plan a trip to Palermo

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Palermo is the capital and largest city of Sicily, on the island's north coast. It sits on the Conca d'Oro, a plain between the sea and limestone mountains. Phoenicians founded the city, and it later passed to Carthage, Rome, the Arabs, the Normans and the Spanish. The Arab-Norman palaces and churches are the city's best-known sights. Inside the Norman palace, the Cappella Palatina has Byzantine-style mosaics and a ceiling by Arab-influenced craftsmen.

Street markets are the other draw. Ballarò, the oldest of the historic markets, sells fruit, vegetables and fish, and Vucciria and Il Capo sell food too. Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house, opened in 1897 and has an active programme of performances. For the sea, Palermitans favour Mondello, a seaside district on the north coast. Monte Pellegrino, about 600 metres high, gives views over the city. Summers are hot, and spring and autumn are warm. The rainiest months run from October to March.

Palermo in five

See the Arab-Norman sites on one dayPalermo Cathedral, the Palatine Chapel and the nearby churches are part of a UNESCO group, and Monreale and Cefalù belong to it as well. Check opening hours and ticket rules for each, since many close at midday.
Eat street food at the marketsBallarò, Capo and Vucciria are the old street markets. Arancine, panelle and sfincione are the usual snacks, so share a few plates instead of ordering a full meal.
Pick a base before you bookThe old center is lively and loud, the Politeama area is calmer and Mondello is a beach resort 30 minutes away. Choose by whether you want nightlife, quiet or sea.Sicily
Use buses and walking, not a carThe historic center is compact, and much of it restricts traffic (ZTL). Driving and parking are stressful, so rent a car only for the days you leave town.
Arrive by airport train or busPalermo airport links to the center by train and by bus in roughly 45–60 minutes. Check current operators and timetables before landing, especially for late arrivals.

Things to do in Palermo

See all attractions in Palermo

Church · PalermoChurch of Jesus of Casa Professa

Church · PalermoPalermo CathedralGo early if you plan to visit the roof, when crowds are less likely to build.

people walking on street near brown concrete building during daytime

Museum · PalermoMuseo DiocesanoStart upstairs if you want to see the decorated palace rooms early in your visit.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to PalermoPut the places you like in Palermo on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Falcone-Borsellino (PMO), about 45–60 min by train or bus
Getting there: Flights, overnight ferries from some mainland ports, trains in Sicily
Getting around: Walk the center; buses and taxis beyond; car for the interior
Best base: Old center, Kalsa or Politeama; Mondello for the beach
Time needed: 3 days, 4–5 with day trips

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Mild, rainy
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Almond blossom
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Spring, pleasant
MayClear8 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Warm, ideal
JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Hot, beach
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Very hot
AugustClear5 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, quiet center
SeptemberClear9 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Warm sea
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Mild, ideal
NovemberRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low14°Rain risk
DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Mild, festive

Average daily high and low in Palermo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Palermo

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 13°
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 93%

Palermo

06:02 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+1

Today20°16°93%Tuesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 93%.
Wed22°16°18%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 18%.
Thu20°18°71%Thursday: Rain. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 71%.
Fri23°18°18%Friday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 18%.
Sat21°15°10%Saturday: Rain. High 21°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun22°15°8%Sunday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 8%.

Updated 03:31 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8933 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Cefalùabout 45–60 min by trainA seaside old town with a Norman cathedral and a beach.Read the guide
Monrealeabout 30 min by busA cathedral covered in gold mosaics above the city.
Ericeabout 2 hours by bus or carA hilltop medieval town above Trapani with long views.Read the guide

Before you go to Palermo

Stays in the old center or PoliteamaCompare areas and ratesCheck availability

Street-food and market tourA local guide through Ballarò and CapoCompare tours

eSIM for ItalyMaps and bus apps in narrow lanesRead the guide

Travel insurance for ItalyHeat illness and delayed ferriesRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Palermo, checked

Italy is in the Schengen area. Check whether you need a visa for your passport on the Italian Foreign Ministry site (esteri.it) before you book.Source
Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
Many churches in Palermo, including the Cappella Palatina, ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees. Carry a light scarf.
Some restaurants add a coperto (cover charge) per person, and tips are optional. Check the bill before you add a tip.

Plan around Palermo

All of Sicily

The island's regions and routes

Read the guide Cefalù

Norman cathedral and beach, an hour east

Read the guide Erice

Hilltop town above the west coast

Read the guide Agrigento

Greek temples on the south coast

Read the guide All of Italy

Regions, cities and how to link them

Read the guide ETIAS explained

The EU authorization that is not yet in force

Read the guide

Palermo FAQ

How many days do you need in Palermo?

Three days cover the old center, the Arab-Norman churches and the markets. Add one or two days for Monreale, Cefalù or Segesta. Palermo suits slow eating and wandering more than a sight checklist.

Is Palermo safe?

Palermo is generally fine for visitors who take normal city care. Pickpocketing happens in markets and busy streets, so keep bags zipped and phones out of back pockets. Quiet side streets are less comfortable late at night.

Where should I stay in Palermo?

The old center near Quattro Canti for sights and nightlife, La Kalsa for a local feel, Politeama for calm and Mondello for the beach. Most first-timers choose the old center or Kalsa.

Is Palermo worth visiting?

Yes, for Norman mosaics, Baroque churches and some of Italy's best street food. It is rougher than Florence or Rome, and that is part of the appeal for many visitors.

Do you need a car in Palermo?

No. The center is compact and parking is difficult. Rent a car only if you plan to explore Sicily's interior or the coast beyond the train lines.