Palermo Italy
Country: Italy · Region: Western Mediterranean · Currency: Euro
Palermo is Sicily's capital on the northern coast, featuring a thousand years of history with stunning Arab-Norman architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, and renowned local cuisine. The cruise port provides easy access to UNESCO-listed monuments and cultural attractions in the city center.
Top sights
Palatine Chapel, Palazzo dei Normanni, Palermo Cathedral, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, Monreale Cathedral, Catacombe dei Cappuccini
Things to do
- Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina)
- A chapel with magnificent mosaics and Arabian-style decorations, among the most beautiful in the world, located inside Palazzo dei Normanni.
- San Giovanni degli Eremiti
- Church notable for brilliant red domes showing Arab influences in the 12th century, with €6 admission providing access to a quiet and peaceful garden.
- Monreale Cathedral
- One of the greatest extant examples of Norman architecture begun in 1174, with a cloister featuring 228 small columns with diverse medieval art influences.
- Catacombe dei Cappuccini
- Catacombs containing over 8,000 mummified ex-residents from Palermo and surrounding villages, ranging from clothed skeletons to remarkably well-preserved figures.
Where to eat
- Stuzzicandoci
- Best place to eat a delicious arancina in Palermo downtown with quality ingredients and courteous staff.
- Pani câ Meusa – Porta Carbone
- Offers the best sandwiches with excellent typical Palermo street food delicacies.
Bars and nightlife
- The Bar Brothers
- Great little bar for beers and cocktails with seats out on the street and beers from €2.50 to €3.50.
Forecast for Palermo
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Weather in Palermo by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58°F | 48°F | 3.3 in | 12 |
| February | 59°F | 48°F | 3.3 in | 9 |
| March | 62°F | 50°F | 3.7 in | 12 |
| April | 66°F | 53°F | 1.5 in | 7 |
| May | 72°F | 59°F | 2.4 in | 8 |
| June | 81°F | 68°F | 0.8 in | 4 |
| July | 87°F | 73°F | 0.4 in | 3 |
| August | 87°F | 74°F | 1.1 in | 5 |
| September | 81°F | 69°F | 2.6 in | 10 |
| October | 75°F | 63°F | 3.8 in | 11 |
| November | 67°F | 57°F | 4.4 in | 13 |
| December | 61°F | 51°F | 3.3 in | 10 |
Getting around
Most interesting sites in the city center are easily reached on foot; alternatively use the 24-hour bus ticket (€4) or rent bicycles and e-scooters available throughout the city.
What to eat
Try local specialties like panino con la milza, panelle, and arancina at street food vendors and sandwich stands in the old city center; numerous trattorias and pizzerias offer traditional Sicilian cuisine.
Tips
Purchase a 24-hour bus ticket for €4 to explore the city efficiently, or take the free Centro Storico bus which covers all main tourist areas.
Best for
History, Arab-Norman architecture, street food
More ports in Western Mediterranean
Ajaccio · Barcelona · Cadiz · Cagliari · Cannes · Cartagena (Spain) · Florence and Pisa (Livorno) · Genoa · Ibiza · La Spezia · Malaga · Marseille · Messina · Monte Carlo · Naples · Palma de Mallorca · Rome (Civitavecchia) · Salerno · Sorrento · Toulon · Valencia · Valletta · Villefranche