Palermo Tourism And Travel Guide

Palermo is a medley of medieval buildings, historical structures and Byzantine Palaces. The city’s streets are bustling with people with a multicultural background and are a wonderful place to be in, especially in the spring and autumn. You can reach Palermo by air, rail, road and also by sea, which makes it convenient for anyone to get to the city, due to which Tourism in Palermo has seen a growth. The weather in Palermo is great at any time of the year to visit with winters being quite mild. Below is our travel guide to Palermo will take you through the numerous things you can do in the city to the places you must visit to feel the depth of the city.

By Air:

The airport that serves the province of Palermo is the Palermo International Airport, which is 32 km from the center of the city. The airport is located in Punta Raisa and several flights within the country and outside of it ply, for the convenience of passengers.

By Road:

Depending on where you’re coming from in the country, you can take several highways to get to Palermo. You can drive up to Villa San Giovanni and then take a ferry to Messina or you can also take a bus from Rome that will take you to the same port and you can further take a boat ride. The bus is one of the cheapest ways to get to Palermo.

By Rail:

The prime railway station that serves the people of the city is the Palermo Centrale railway station, which is situated at a distance of 1.4 km from the major part of the city. The train goes through the strait of Messina, taking you to Sicily.

By Sea:

The port of Palermo is 3.1 km from the city center and serves the people travelling by water. The port is connected to other important cities of Italy as well as European cities; you can reach Palermo by a cruise ship from any of these cities.

Getting Around:

You can move around the city by using cabs that will take you sightseeing, but this is an expensive option. The best way to get around is to take a bus or use the underground metro. You can also take the tram to go to certain places.

Spring (March-May):

Spring is the best season to visit Palermo with temperatures ranging from 16°C (60°F) to 26°C (80°F). The months of March and April are very hot and nights are quite cool. However, in the month of May the temperatures rise.

Summer (June-August):

Summers are quite hot with temperatures ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 30°C (87°F). This temperature may go up eventually making the region quite hot. This season also sees a good amount of rainfall and thunderstorms.

Autumn (September-November):

As the months pass by, autumn brings in the cold weather. Temperatures during this time range from 12°C (54°F) to 27°C (81°F), also making ita  good time to visit. The colours in nature during this season are something worth seeing.

Winter (December-February):

Winters in Palermo are unpredictable and sometimes have moderate winters but sometimes they are quite extreme. Temperatures in this season range from 6°C (42°F)  to 17°C (63°F) and sometimes drop down further, but snowfall is almost never seen.  

Appreciate Art:

Palermo is a city that has beautiful art and architecture that represents the different kingdoms that have ruled the city. If you want to have a look at some lovely art, you must visit the Palermo Cathedral that has intricate murals painted by talented artists. Also, the Capella Palatina is worth visiting for its style of architecture.

Visit the Catacombs:

If you have made it to Palermo, the catacombs are something that is worth visiting. You can see exhibits of several bodies that have been embalmed and preserved in their original forms and absolutely a place worth visiting.

Go Parasailing:

This spot in the Mediterranean Sea is great to indulge in the activity of parasailing, which you can enjoy at reasonable rates. The experience of seeing the city wile your gliding up in the water is something else.

Take a Stroll on the Beach:

Taking a trip to Palermo means visiting the famous Mondello Beach located a few minutes from Palermo. The beach has clear waters and warm sand during the summers that one must enjoy by taking a walk on the shore or even taking a dip in the water.

Enjoy Palermo at Night:

If you are looking to party on some nights in the city, hit the Le Calette club of Cefalù and have a fun filled time with your friends. There are other places with smaller bars if you’re looking for more quiet and peace.

Palermo is a multicultural city and has a variety of food and at the same time has some of the most authentic Sicilian joints with mouth watering dishes. Street food is famous in Palermo; Sfincione is a spongy and oily pizza with caciocavallo cheese and you can have a bite at Francu U Vastiddaru. If you want more of an upscale dining, you can go to the Bye Bye Blues in Palermo that serves the finest of wines and delicious dishes like amberjack tagliata, marinated squid and many more delicacies. Other amazing restaurants in Palermo include I Pupi, Gagini Social Restaurant and many more.

The oldest and liveliest place to shop in Palermo is the La Vucciria market. The best time to shop there is after 8 pm in the evening as it the best time to enjoy a good shopping experience. You must also try their aperitivos that are absolutely delicious. The Via Maqueda is an exclusive shopping experience; here you can find a good amount of shops that sell Sicilian Jewellery souvenirs and ceramics. Via Della Liberta is another shopping complex where you can find exclusive and world renowned brands. Other places where you can shop are Via Ruggero Settimo, Mercato delle Pulci and a lot more.