Top Palermo Art & Culture

Palermo is a city rich in culture and art with eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But, if you don’t know where to go, there’s a risk you might leave with the wrong impression. So opt for a Palermo walking tour with a passionate local guide, and orient yourself around the city’s historical attractions such as La Martorana church and Palermo Cathedral. Even better: a Sicilian cannolo or granita is included.

Palazzo Conte Federico is one of the oldest historic buildings in the city of Palermo. It is still inhabited by the family, who will accompany you personally on the tour.

Explore Palermo’s key sights on foot on this walking tour of the Sicilian capital. Meet your guide in a convenient location in central Palermo, and set off. Visit popular landmarks ranging from the Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo Pretorio to the Massimo Theater. Learn about the city’s long entanglement with the mafia, and meet the shopkeepers and other individuals who have pioneered a local anti-mafia movement.

Palermo’s lively streets and rich Sicilian heritage can sometimes feel overwhelming. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local on a private walking tour. This personalized tour allows you to discover the exterior of monuments, including museums, while learning about the city’s history and culture. If you wish to include a museum visit, your guide can customize the itinerary to fit your interests—just let us know in advance. Your guide contacts you beforehand to understand your preferences, ensuring you see the places you truly want to experience. Ideal for families, solo travelers, or couples, this tour reveals Palermo’s hidden gems and traditions.

Dig deep into Palermo’s history on this guided tour of Palermo Royal Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) and its Palatine Chapel (Cappella Palatina). With a guide helping you navigate, you’ll enter one of Europe’s oldest royal residences, which was once home to the Kings of Sicily, and then explore the chapel with its mix of mosaics and architecture. Entry to the palace gardens is also included.

Discover an excavated Roman villa and UNESCO-listed temples on this full-day tour of Villa Romana del Casale and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. After leaving Palermo with your driver, you’ll travel to Piazza Armerina to explore the famous mosaic-embellished Roman villa. Then, continue to the Valley of the Temples to discover a world of Greek mythology, tyrannical rulers, and ruins—guide included.

Indulge all your senses on a walking tour of Palermo's rich street food traditions. Join a knowledgeable guide for a walk through the historic part of the city and its vibrant outdoor markets. Start at one of Palermo's puppet theaters and visit a street market, a street food shop, and landmarks in the historic center. Watch the lively scenes around you, observing what seems like another time.

Snack your way through the streets of Palermo on this Sicilian food tour. Explore backstreet markets and food stalls specializing in local delicacies such as stuffed rice balls and chickpea fritters as your guide fills you in on local history and culture. Find eateries you’d probably miss going alone. Plus, this small-group tour has a limited number of participants for a more personalized experience.

Spend a day exploring the ancient sights of the Valley of the Temples with this day trip from Palermo. Travel to Agrigento for a quick coffee break (own expense) before visiting the fascinating site for a 1-hour tour. See the temples of Hera, Concordia and Apollo. Take a midday break for lunch (own expense) before stopping at the archaeology museum for a 1-hour self-guided visit.

One of the most delightful museums in Sicily, the International Museum of Marionettes Antonio Pasqualino offers a behind-the-scenes look at the island’s rich puppeteering culture and history. Avoid a delay at the entrance with this pre-booked ticket and dedicate your time to the fascinating collection of Sicilian and international marionettes inside. Take in the three floors of the museum housing puppets, a book and video library, theater, and bookshop.

Discover one of Sicily’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites with an entrance ticket to the Monreale Cloister. Learn about the building’s architecture and art including mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and the New Testament. Enjoy a moment of relax in the peaceful setting of the cloister.

Visit some of the most beautiful parts of Western Sicily with this day trip from Palermo to Erice, Segesta, Nubia and the Trapani Salt Pans. Visit an archaeological excavation at Segesta. Take in the excellent views from the hilltop town of Erice. See how sea salt is still collected off the Sicilian coast at the Salt Pans of Trapani.

Discover the origins of The Godfather and see one of Sicily's great religious sites during this day-long tour. Taking in sites linked to real-life mafia events and sites based on the Francis Ford Coppola movies, the tour gives you the lowdown on Sicily’s gangster history. In the village of Corleone, visit the historic center and the Anti-Mafia Museum (own expense). After checking out the Bosco della Ficuzza Nature Reserve, visit Monreale, a Cathedral overlooking Palermo with famed golden mosaics.

Palermo is a fascinating city with almost 3,000 years of history. Explore its glorious past and delve into its vibrant present with this walking tour that takes in the city’s sumptuous churches and squares, as well as the bustling landmark markets where locals still shop today. Admire A-list sights like the Teatro Massimo, cathedral, and Piazza Pretorio and stroll down lively Via Vittorio Emanuele and through Mercato del Capo.

Explore the Palatine Chapel at your own pace with an audio guide. Discover the world-famous architecture made of Norman, Arab and Byzantine features. Gaze at the incredible muqarnas ceiling, the oldest of its kind. Hear stories from your audio guide about the ceiling’s intricate wood carvings, and how its paintings tell stories of battle and local rulers. Each culture added their own distinct style to the chapel – showcasing Sicily’s diversity. Enhance your experience by adding a visit to the Norman Palace, the oldest royal residence in Europe and home to the kings of Sicily. Today, the palace houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

Maximize your time in Palermo with this sightseeing tour, which showcases the best of the city and the surrounding region. Visit the hillside town of Monreale, known for its Norman cathedral and 12th-century mosaics, explore Palermo’s historic center, and enjoy beach time at the seaside resort of Mondello.

Davide and Pietro's many years of experience and knowledge of the places will make this tour pleasant, exhaustive and fascinating. Monreale and Cefalù are two unique Palermo villages that are part of the UNESCO heritage. Davide and Pietro will accompany you and keep you company as you discover these Sicilian wonders

On this full-day tour from Palermo, you’ll be driven to three of Sicily’s most stunning and history-packed destinations. Enjoy free time to explore the castle town of Castelbuono, the hillside town of Monreale, and the originally Greek seaside hub of Cefalu. Discover the region’s Arab-Norman roots with optional visits to the opulent Cappella Palatina and 14th-century Castelbuono.

Optimize your time in Sicily with this driving tour that includes pickup in Palermo and hassle-free transport to three of the top sights on the island: the Valley of the Temples, Agrigento, and the Scala dei Turchi beach. Enjoy free time to explore the Greek ruins in the “Valle dei Templi”, then sightsee in Agrigento. End with a photo op at the dramatic Scala dei Turchi coastline.

Step away from Palermo for a day to discover two of Sicily’s unsung attractions on the island’s west side. This day-long tour visits the medieval hill town of Erice where views cascade down to the sea, and the town of Marsala, famous for its sweet wine and salt plains. Lunch and wine are included mid-tour, and you’ll get the lowdown on the Sicilian towns from an attentive driver-guide.

the tour in English was organized to visit the historic market of Ballarò tasting the delicious street food of Palermo (Street Food), continuation to Monte Pellegrino with a visit to the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia "Patrona" of the city of Palermo

On this two-for-one, full-day private tour, you’ll discover top historical sights in both Monreale—famous for its mosaic-filled 12th-century cathedral—and stunning, seaside Cefalù. Travel comfortably by air-conditioned minivan, with bottled water and hotel transfers included. You’ll also enjoy free time to browse local boutiques.

Go beyond Palermo to see Monreale and Mondello on a half-day tour with a private guide. Traveling in the comfort of a private car just for your personal group, you’ll head to the mosaic-famed Monreale Cathedral and the coastal town of Mondello. Hear tips for must-see sights, and learn about Sicily's history from your dedicated private guide.