Palermo is where Sicily’s past is written in stone and mosaic. Founded by Phoenicians, transformed by Arabs, crowned by Normans, the city’s Arab‑Norman route—cathedrals, palaces, and cloisters—earns UNESCO status and your gawking attention. Expect gold-tiled chapels, street markets that buzz like theater, and sunsets that set the Tyrrhenian Sea aflame.

Fun fact: Teatro Massimo is Italy’s largest opera house, and the Palermo Cathedral holds royal tombs of Norman kings. The city claims Italy’s street-food capital title—think arancine, panelle, sfincione, and the daring pani câ meusa. Markets—Ballarò, Capo, and nighttime Vucciria—are stages for snacks and stories.

Practical notes: churches enforce modest dress; many shops break for riposo mid‑afternoon; historic center has a ZTL (limited-traffic zone). Summer is hot—carry water and sunscreen; winter is mild but breezy. Pickpockets work crowded markets, so keep valuables close and hands free for tasting.

Palermo

Palermo’s compact historic core unspools from Quattro Canti—baroque theater under open sky—to the dazzling Cappella Palatina inside the Norman Palace. Stroll Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele for palaces, fountains, and churches where Arabic geometry meets Byzantine gold.

• Top sights: Cappella Palatina, Palermo Cathedral and rooftops, San Cataldo and La Martorana, Quattro Canti, Fontana Pretoria, Teatro Massimo, Kalsa quarter, seaside Foro Italico. Easy half‑day add‑on: Monreale Cathedral and cloister.
• Eat & drink: Pasticceria Cappello for the Setteveli cake; Caffè Spinnato for classic espresso and gelato brioche; Antica Focacceria San Francesco for historic street eats; Ferro di Cavallo for hearty Sicilian; Osteria Ballarò for seasonal plates and salumi; Osteria dei Vespri for a refined Sicilian kitchen; Enoteca Picone for a deep Sicilian wine list; Nni Franco U’ Vastiddaru for late‑night sandwiches.
• Beach & nature: Tram to seaside Foro Italico; short hop to Mondello’s turquoise bay; coastal boat outings reveal caves, coves, and swimming spots near Addaura.

Where to stay (central or seaside):

• Browse apartments and villas: VRBO Palermo
• Compare hotels: Hotels.com: Palermo
• Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel (historic palazzo over the bay; resort‑style pool and gardens): Villa Igiea
• Grand Hotel Villa Igiea (bookable via Hotels.com): Grand Hotel Villa Igiea
• NH Palermo (waterfront; great for families and pool lovers): NH Palermo
• Hotel Garibaldi (near Politeama and shopping streets; good value): Hotel Garibaldi
• Astoria Palace Hotel (spacious rooms, easy taxi access): Astoria Palace Hotel

Getting to Palermo (PMO) & around:

• Flights within Europe: compare routes and prices on Omio (flights). Typical durations—Rome: ~1h10; Milan: ~1h45; London (seasonal direct or 1‑stop): ~3–5h.
• Long‑haul from outside Europe: search deals on Trip.com and Kiwi.com (expect 12–16h with a Europe connection).
• Trains & buses in Europe/Sicily: see Omio (trains) and Omio (buses). Ferries (Naples–Palermo ~10–11h overnight): Omio (ferries).
• Airport to center: 35–45 min by taxi; shuttle bus ~50 min; commuter train to Notarbartolo/Centrale varies 35–60 min. Expect €6–€10 for bus/train; taxis typically €35–€45 depending on time/traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Icons, and First Bites

Afternoon: Land in Palermo and check in. Start with an easy orientation walk: Quattro Canti’s theatrical crossroads, the frothy Fontana Pretoria, and the twin Arab‑Norman jewels of San Cataldo (red domes) and La Martorana (mosaics). For a breezy overview without the footwork, book this open‑top cabriolet city circuit—great right after arrival:

Palermo: Grand Tour in CruiserCar

The 2‑hour loop glides past Teatro Massimo, the Cathedral, and seafront Foro Italico—perfect for mapping your must‑sees and snapping photos in comfort.

Evening: Ease into Palermo’s food scene with dinner near Via Maqueda. Try Trattoria Ferro di Cavallo for chalkboard pastas, grilled swordfish, and mountains of caponata at friendly prices. For a refined spin on tradition, Osteria dei Vespri pairs couscous di pesce and slow-cooked ragù with a serious Sicilian wine list. Nightcap in the Vucciria area: Taverna Azzurra pours local Nero d’Avola at communal barrels; grab a panelle-and-crocchè snack if you’re still peckish.

Day 2: Markets, Mosaics, and Palermo’s Anti‑Mafia Story

Morning: Coffee and a warm iris at Caffè Spinnato set the tone. Then dive into Palermo’s flavors with a guide who knows every stall and story:

Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty

Expect arancine (try pistachio or ragù), sfincione (Sicilian pan pizza), panelle (chickpea fritters), and market lore at Capo or Ballarò. Save room for a slice of Setteveli at Pasticceria Cappello afterward—seven sinful layers of chocolate and hazelnut.

Afternoon: Walk Via Vittorio Emanuele to the Palermo Cathedral; head up to the rooftops for a terracotta panorama (weather permitting). Continue to the Palazzo dei Normanni to see the Cappella Palatina—Byzantine gold mosaics that shimmer like sunlight in a chapel. Note: schedules vary when the Sicilian Assembly is in session, so check hours on the day. Quick lunch options nearby: KePalle for creative arancine (pistachio, Norma, sepia) or Nni Franco U’ Vastiddaru for the city’s cult sandwich, pani câ meusa (spleen), plus safer choices like salsiccia or panelle within the same shop.

Evening: Learn why “No Mafia” is more than a slogan here:

Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily

Guides trace the movement that helped businesses refuse extortion, adding powerful context to the city you’ve been tasting and photographing. Dinner in the Kalsa: Osteria Ballarò for salumi/cheese flights and seasonal primi; or book Gagini for contemporary Sicilian tasting menus in a 16th‑century workshop. Gelato at Brioscia (try almond milk gelato in a brioche) seals the night.

Day 3: Palermo by Sea, Mondello Breezes, and Farewell Stroll

Morning: Take to the water on a small‑group cruise to coves locals love. Departures are typically 9:30 and 15:00—choose morning to maximize your last day:

Palermo Half Day Boat Tour with Palermo Experiences

Swim and snorkel near Queen’s Cave and Addaura, sip an onboard aperitivo, and admire Monte Pellegrino from the water. Pack a towel, reef‑safe sunscreen, and a light layer for sea breeze.

Afternoon: Back in town, lunch on seafood at Osteria Mercede—look for the catch of the day, busiate with prawns and pistachio, or swordfish involtini. If the sea is choppy and you prefer terra firma, head uphill to Monreale Cathedral for jaw‑dropping mosaics and a serene cloister; allow ~30–40 minutes by taxi or bus (approx €2 by bus).

Evening: If you’ve a late flight, take a last passeggiata along the Foro Italico and Kalsa’s alleys, then aperitivo near Piazza Marina—spritz or Etna Bianco with olives and panelle chips. For a final feast, Trattoria ai Cascinari serves soulful, home‑style plates (try pasta con le sarde). Leave time to reach the airport: 35–45 minutes by taxi, ~50 minutes by shuttle.

Optional add‑ons if you extend your stay

• UNESCO essentials with a guide: Discover the Charm of Palermo: A 3-Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour

  

• Day trip temptations: Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, medieval Erice with Marsala salt pans, or Cefalù’s sandy arc and Norman Duomo—all bookable on Viator from Palermo.

Summary: In three well‑spent days you’ll savor Palermo’s markets, marvel at Arab‑Norman masterpieces, and float along a luminous coastline. The city rewards curiosity—with every bite, mosaic, and conversation adding a new layer to Sicily’s richest story.