Palermo at a glance
Palermo is the capital of Sicily and the easiest base for the north and west of the island. The historic centre packs Norman palaces, domed churches, baroque squares and street markets into a few square kilometres, and most sights are within walking distance of each other.
Seven buildings in the city, together with the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale, form the UNESCO site "Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale", listed in 2015. Among them are the Palazzo dei Normanni with its Cappella Palatina, the cathedral, San Giovanni degli Eremiti, La Zisa, San Cataldo and the church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, better known as La Martorana.
Palermo sights: prices and hours in 2026
Adult prices and hours as published by the city in September 2026. They can change without notice, and on public holidays hours differ, so ask at the door.
| Sight | Adult price | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Palazzo dei Normanni (Royal Palace) and Cappella Palatina | €19 combined | Palace Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat 8:30 to 16:30, Sun 8:30 to 12:30, closed Tue and Wed. Chapel Mon to Sat 8:30 to 16:30, Sun 8:30 to 12:30 |
| Teatro Massimo | €14 | Daily 9:30 to 19:00 from April to October, 9:30 to 18:00 from November to March |
| San Giovanni degli Eremiti | €8 | Mon to Sat 9:00 to 19:00, Sun 9:00 to 13:30 |
| La Zisa | €8 | Tue to Sat 9:00 to 18:30, closed Mon |
| La Martorana | €4 | Mon to Sat 10:00 to 18:30 |
| San Cataldo | €2.50 | Check the hours on site |
| Capuchin Catacombs | €5 | Daily 9:00 to 17:30, last entry 17:10 |
If you plan to see several museums, the Palermo Culture Pass costs €29.60 for 7 days and covers the Steri, the Salinas museum, the Botanical Garden and Palazzo Riso (2026 price; it was €25.60 in 2025).
Our picks: Palermo
Street food, the anti-mafia walk and a half day to Monreale and Cefalù.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Monreale and Cefalù half-day trip from Palermo
Transport by air-conditioned minivan or coach. Entry fees are not included.
Check availability →
Palermo street food walk with a local guide
Two and a half hours through markets and the centre with tastings.
Check availability →Palermo walking tour on the anti-mafia movement
Three hours with a guide and a contribution to the Addiopizzo association. Museum and monument entries are extra.
Check availability →Palermo tours and day trips
Walking tours, food tours of the markets and excursions to Monreale and Cefalù, with live prices and availability.
The cathedral and the old centre
The Cattedrale di Palermo stands on Via Vittorio Emanuele. The nave is free to enter, daily from early morning until 19:00 (on Sundays from 8:00; Sunday hours for visitors can differ, so check at the door). The paid Area Monumentale covers the roof terraces, the treasury, the crypt and the royal tombs. From April to October it opens Monday to Saturday 9:30 to 18:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 18:00. In winter the hours are shorter. Tickets are sold only at the cathedral's own ticket shop and on site, not through resellers.
A short walk away the Quattro Canti, the baroque crossing of Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda, divides the old town into four districts. From there the main streets lead to the Teatro Massimo on Piazza Verdi and to the markets.
Markets: Ballarò, Vucciria and Capo
Palermo's street markets are free to walk through and there are no fixed official hours. Ballarò, around Piazza Ballarò, is liveliest in the morning. The Vucciria, on Piazza Caracciolo, now comes alive mostly in the evening. Capo lies behind the Teatro Massimo and is entered from Porta Carini.
Go hungry, eat standing up and carry small change. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket in the crowded lanes.
Monreale: the mosaics above the city
Monreale sits on a hillside 10 km from the centre, about 16 minutes by car. The cathedral is covered in gold mosaics and is one of the three cathedrals in the UNESCO series. Entry is free. It is open Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 12:45 and 14:00 to 16:45, and on Sundays and holidays 14:00 to 17:00, with Mass on Sunday mornings.
The cloister costs €8 and is open Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 18:30 and Sunday 9:00 to 13:00. It is free on the first Sunday of each month. In the cathedral a coin machine has been used to switch on the lights over the mosaics, so carry a few coins. Terraces and museum are ticketed separately, so ask at the entrance for the current price.
Driving in Palermo: the ZTL
The historic centre is a limited traffic zone (ZTL, zona a traffico limitato) monitored by cameras.
Summer hours until 31 October 2026
Monday to Thursday 8:00 to 20:00, Friday 8:00 to 24:00, Saturday 0:00 to 6:00 and 20:00 to 24:00, Sunday 0:00 to 6:00. Winter hours start on 1 November; check the current schedule before you drive in.
Fines
Fines of about €81 to €164 are reported. With a rental car the notice goes first to the rental company, which passes the cost on to you.
The easy option
Leave the car outside the centre and walk. A day pass exists, but it has to be activated before you enter, so ask your hotel to handle it.
Airports and car hire →Onward from Palermo
Palermo airport is 35 km from the city, about 51 minutes by road. A regional train to Catania takes about 2 h 57 and costs €17.20; Catania has its own guide.
Palermo: frequently asked questions
How much is the Cappella Palatina?
The combined ticket for the Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cappella Palatina costs €19 in 2026. The Royal Palace is closed to visitors on Tuesday and Wednesday, so plan the visit for another day.
Is Palermo cathedral free?
The nave is free. The Area Monumentale with the roof, treasury, crypt and royal tombs is ticketed, and tickets are sold only at the cathedral itself.
How do I get from Palermo to Monreale?
Monreale is 10 km from the centre, about 16 minutes by car. Ask your hotel or the tourist office for the current bus line. The cathedral is free, the cloister costs €8.
Can I drive in the centre of Palermo?
Only outside ZTL hours or with a valid pass. Summer hours run until 31 October 2026, and cameras read licence plates. Park outside the zone and walk.
Is a day in Palermo enough?
One day covers the Palatine Chapel, the cathedral and a market. Add a second day for Monreale and the Teatro Massimo, and a third for Cefalù.