Two capitals of European imagination—Palermo under the Sicilian sun and Paris along the Seine—share something in common: centuries of power, art, and delicious everyday life. Palermo’s streets whisper of Phoenicians, Normans, Arabs, and Spaniards, while Paris perfected boulevards, cafés, and a museum canon without equal. This week-long itinerary balances UNESCO landmarks with markets, pastries, and people-watching.

In Palermo, you’ll trace the Arab‑Norman Route (a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble), sample panelle and arancine in noisy markets, and escape to hilltown cathedrals and Tyrrhenian coves. Paris delivers the greatest hits—the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Versailles—plus bistros, neighborhood boulangeries, and twilight river views that feel like cinema. Think baroque domes by day and candlelit dinners by night.

Practical notes: book time-slotted entries for major sights (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle) well in advance. Pickpockets work crowded areas in both cities—keep valuables zipped and cross-body. Sicily’s cuisine leans sunny—citrus, pistachios, almonds, seafood—while Paris rewards the curious with regional French classics, natural wines, and better bread than seems reasonable.

Palermo

Palermo is a tapestry: Arabic muqarnas ceilings next to Norman cloisters, baroque piazzas, and 19th-century theaters. Markets like Capo, Ballarò, and Vucciria serve as open-air kitchens where fritters sizzle and vendors sing prices. Don’t miss the Palatine Chapel—golden mosaics like starlight trapped in stone.

• Top sights: Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina, Palermo Cathedral rooftops, Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Teatro Massimo, Chiesa della Martorana & San Cataldo, Monreale Cathedral.
• Local flavor: Street snacks (panelle, sfincione), cannoli and setteveli cake, sunset passeggiata along Foro Italico or La Cala marina.
• Fun fact: The Arab‑Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale comprise a single UNESCO listing—eight sites that fuse Latin, Byzantine, and Islamic art.

Where to stay: Browse VRBO Palermo apartments or compare hotels on Hotels.com Palermo.

• Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte Hotel (historic seaside villa with lush gardens): Villa Igiea
• Grand Hotel Villa Igiea (bookable alternative): Grand Hotel Villa Igiea
• NH Palermo (harbor views, good pool in season): NH Palermo
• Hotel Garibaldi (near Politeama and shopping): Hotel Garibaldi
• Astoria Palace Hotel (value-minded, modern rooms): Astoria Palace Hotel

Getting in: Fly into Palermo (PMO). Compare Europe-bound flights on Omio and, if you’re coming from outside Europe, consider long-hauls via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. PMO–city taxis take ~35–45 minutes; a private transfer is convenient if you land late (see Day 1 note). Within Palermo, walk, take city buses/trams, or short taxis.

Paris

“The City of Light” shines brightest in small moments: a warm baguette on a bench, light filtering through stained glass, a river breeze at dusk. You’ll hit the classics—the Louvre and Eiffel Tower—then slip into neighborhoods where bakers know regulars by name.

• Top sights: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Île de la Cité (Notre‑Dame, Sainte‑Chapelle), Montmartre & Sacré‑Cœur, Versailles (day trip), the Seine.
• Taste notes: Buttery viennoiserie, buckwheat galettes, classic bistros, natural wine bars; save room for a Paris‑Brest or tarte citron.
• Seasonal tip: Museums close on certain days (e.g., Louvre on Tuesdays). Sunrise/sunset at the Trocadéro or Passerelle Debilly makes unreal photos.

Where to stay: Explore VRBO Paris apartments or compare hotels on Hotels.com Paris.

• The Ritz Paris (opaline legend on Place Vendôme): The Ritz Paris
• Hôtel des Arts Montmartre (arty boutique steps from Sacré‑Cœur): Hôtel des Arts Montmartre
• Hôtel des Grands Boulevards (contemporary hideaway with a great bar): Hôtel des Grands Boulevards
• Hotel du College de France (Left Bank value, scholarly vibe): Hotel du College de France
• Generator Paris (stylish hostel, private rooms available): Generator Paris

Getting around: From CDG, RER B to central Paris takes ~35–45 minutes; taxis have fixed fares to city (Right Bank/Left Bank). Compare intra‑Europe flights on Omio, and trains within Europe via Omio Trains. In the city, use metro/RER and your feet; consider loading rides on a contactless card or Navigo Easy at vending machines.

Day 1 — Arrive in Palermo: Gold Mosaics and Street-Food Night

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs in the old center: Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria’s fountain of mythic figures, and the baroque San Giuseppe dei Teatini. Espresso and a cassatina at Antico Caffè Spinnato set the tone.

Evening: Join a nocturnal tasting through backstreets where grills smoke and voices rise. Try the classic night tour for serious eaters:

Night Street Food Tour of Palermo with a Local - For real foodies!

Expect panelle (chickpea fritters), crocchè (potato croquettes), stigghiole (if you’re adventurous), and a sweet finish of cannoli. Prefer to transit quickly from PMO? Consider a pre‑booked ride: Palermo Airport ⇄ City Private Transfer.

Day 2 — Arab‑Norman Palermo, Markets, and Teatro Massimo

Morning: Dive straight into the UNESCO core with a focused small‑group walk:

Discover the Charm of Palermo: A 3‑Hour UNESCO Sites Walking Tour

You'll see the Palatine Chapel’s golden mosaics, Palermo Cathedral, and the Arab‑Byzantine gems of Martorana and San Cataldo—context you’ll feel for the rest of the day.

Afternoon: Lunch at Antica Focacceria San Francesco (since 1834; slow‑braised spleen sandwiches for the brave, otherwise panelle and sfincione). Then browse Mercato del Capo for spices and citrus; tour Teatro Massimo (opera house famed from The Godfather Part III).

Evening: Dinner at Osteria Ballarò (seasonal Sicilian plates, good wine list) or Trattoria Ai Cascinari (homey Palermo classics—try pasta con le sarde). Nightcap at Taverna Azzurra, a convivial hole‑in‑the‑wall where locals sip zibibbo and chat in the street.

Day 3 — Monreale’s Mosaics and Seaside Cefalù

Morning & Afternoon: See two of Sicily’s most beloved towns in one day—mountaintop Monreale for glittering mosaics and coastal Cefalù for medieval lanes and sea views:

Private Monreale, Cefalù & Castelbuono Tour (from Palermo)

In Monreale, count the biblical scenes shimmering across the nave; in Cefalù, climb La Rocca for Tyrrhenian panoramas or linger with a granite al limone on the lungomare. Lunch suggestions in Cefalù: Il Normanno (seafood pasta, local wines) or Al Porticciolo (catch of the day by the harbor).

Evening: Back in Palermo, feast at Ferro di Cavallo (affordable trattoria, huge portions—arrive early) or Ristorante Gagini (contemporary Sicilian tasting menus in a 16th‑century space). Gelato brioche bun at Brioscià if you’ve got room.

Day 4 — Fly to Paris, Tuileries Stroll, and Seine Dinner Cruise

Morning: Fly Palermo → Paris. Nonstops run ~2h40–3h in peak seasons; with a connection (usually Rome/Milan) expect 4–6h total. Typical one‑way fares range about $60–$180 on low‑cost carriers. Compare and book on Omio. From CDG, take RER B (35–45 minutes) or a fixed‑fare taxi to the city.

Afternoon: Check in, then decompress in the Tuileries Gardens; wander to Place de la Concorde and the Cour Carrée. If energy holds and it’s not Tuesday, browse a wing of the Louvre or save it for tomorrow’s guided visit.

Evening: See Paris unfurl from the water with a glass‑canopy dinner cruise—landmarks glide by as courses arrive:

Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise

Pre‑cruise snacks: macarons from Pierre Hermé or a warm baguette tradition from Du Pain et des Idées (go before they sell out). Post‑cruise, toast with a nightcap near Pont Neuf.

Day 5 — Île de la Cité, Marais Bites, and Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Morning: Coffee at Shakespeare & Company Café or Café Panis with Notre‑Dame in view. Step inside Notre‑Dame (reopened with timed entry; check current access on site) and then to Sainte‑Chapelle for stained‑glass galaxies. Stroll the flower market and cross to the Right Bank.

Afternoon: Casual lunch in the Marais: L’As du Fallafel (brisk, iconic sandwiches), Miznon (inventive pita fillings), or Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes, stellar cider). Browse Rue des Rosiers and the arcaded Place des Vosges.

Evening: Ride the “Iron Lady” with reserved access timed to golden hour:

Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access (Top or 2nd floor by lift)

Dinner nearby: Le Petit Cler (classic bistro plates on a pedestrian street), Les Cocottes (modern French, seasonal), or Cafe Constant (neighborhoody, convivial). Walk the Champ de Mars after—sparkle shows on the hour.

Day 6 — Versailles in the Morning, Montmartre at Dusk

Morning: Let a guide streamline the palace, Hall of Mirrors, and gardens with skip‑the‑line logistics:

Versailles Palace and Gardens Tour from Paris

If going independently, RER C (Versailles Château Rive Gauche) makes it easy—buy round‑trip and arrive early to beat crowds.

Afternoon: Back in Paris, pause for an éclair at Stohrer (since 1730) or a kouign‑amann at Blé Sucré. Then head to Montmartre: wind past “Amélie” corners, vineyard rows, and artists on Place du Tertre.

Evening: Watch sunset from the steps of Sacré‑Cœur. Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (classic French, fast‑moving queue, unbeatable value) or Le Relais Gascon (mountainous salad bowls with garlicky potatoes). Cocktails at Le Syndicat (French spirits only, creative menu) to finish.

Day 7 — Louvre Highlights and Departure

Morning: See the Louvre with a pro who gets you to the essentials (Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo) while decoding centuries of art history:

Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour with Reserved Access

Breakfast options before or after: Carette (buttery croissants and hot chocolate), Holybelly (Aussie‑style brunch, filter coffee), or La Fontaine de Belleville (Parisian café classics with jazz on some nights).

Afternoon (Departure): Early lunch near your hotel—Bistrot Paul Bert (steak frites), Le Servan (Franco‑Asian accents), or a picnic from a fromagerie and boulangerie. Head to CDG/ORY: RER B or Orlyval/RER for trains; taxis take ~45–70 minutes depending on traffic. Fly onward or home.

City‑to‑City Logistics

• Palermo → Paris flight: Morning departure, ~2h40–3h nonstop in season (4–6h with connection). Check fares and schedules on Omio (flights in Europe). Aim to land by midday to enjoy Parisian afternoon light.
• Paris local transport: Metro/RER cover virtually all sights; buy a carnet of rides or load trips to a Navigo Easy at stations. For regional trains elsewhere in France, compare on Omio Trains.
• Buses/Ferries (alternatives in Europe): If mixing modes, check Omio Buses and Omio Ferries.

Extra Palermo & Paris Experiences (Optional)

• Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty — daytime market grazing through Capo and Ballarò.

  

• Paris Seine River Dinner Cruise by Bateaux Mouches — a classic alt to Bateaux Parisiens if schedules suit you better.

  

Eat & Drink Cheat Sheet

• Palermo Coffee & Sweets: Pasticceria Cappello (Setteveli cake), I Segreti del Chiostro (nuns’ pastries), Al Cassaro for gelato.
• Palermo Meals: Buatta (heritage recipes in a stylish room), Trattoria da Salvo (seafood near La Cala), Nni Franco U’ Vastiddaru (fast, iconic pani câ meusa).
• Paris Bakeries & Coffee: Du Pain et des Idées (escargot pastries), Tout Autour du Pain (award‑winning baguette), KB Café Roasters (specialty coffee in SoPi), Boot Café (tiny, photogenic nook).
• Paris Bistros & Wine: Le Baratin (Belleville natural wine pioneer), Septime (book far ahead), Frenchie Bar à Vins (walk‑in friendly), Bouillon Chartier (historic, budget‑friendly).

Booking Pointers

• Hotels & Apartments: Palermo on Hotels.com or VRBO; Paris on Hotels.com or VRBO. Paris standouts: Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, The Peninsula Paris, Hôtel des Arts Bastille, Hôtel du Temps, or the value‑favorite Hotel du College de France. Cozy Left Bank pick: Hôtel du Champ de Mars.
• Transport: Compare Europe flights and trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains); for long‑haul into Europe, check Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Activities: Time major entries (Louvre, Eiffel, Versailles) with skip‑the‑line or guided options above—Paris moves smoother when you reserve ahead.

Summary: In seven days you’ve tasted Palermo’s layered history—gold‑leaf chapels, shouting markets, and seaside day trips—then traded Mediterranean sun for Parisian glow. With smart transport and a few well‑chosen tours, you experienced both cities like a local with a historian in tow. You’ll leave with mosaics in your memory and the Seine’s reflections in your camera roll.