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The range of things to do in Palermo surprises you at every turn, blending bold architecture, chaotic markets, and sacred silence into one unforgettable experience. This Sicilian capital is not just historic, it is alive and layered with Byzantine mosaics, Arab domes, and streets humming with life. Whether you’re walking through an 800-year-old cathedral, eating panelle off a paper napkin in Ballarò, or watching the sun slip behind Monte Pellegrino, Palermo never sits still. Here’s where to start if you want to experience the city the way it’s meant to be lived.
Top 10 Things To Do In Palermo
From street food adventures to sacred landmarks, the things to do in Palermo offer a full dive into Sicily’s culture, history, and everyday rhythm.
1. Climb To The Rooftop Of Palermo Cathedral
Photo: Wittylama / Wikimedia Commons
Among the most memorable things to see in Palermo is climbing to the rooftop of the city’s cathedral. The structure was originally built in the late 12th century during Norman rule, but you will see how different rulers left their mark, where Arab arches, Gothic windows, and Baroque domes all coexist in one massive complex. Once inside, the nave features royal tombs, including that of Emperor Frederick II. The real highlight, however, is the rooftop. The stairway is steep and narrow but leads to an open walkway that wraps around the towers. From the top, the view stretches across the old city, framed by Monte Pellegrino and the harbour.
Location: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo
Cost: €5 / ₹500
Nearby Attractions: Quattro Canti, Piazza Bologni, Cassaro Alto
2. Watch A Live Opera At Teatro Massimo
Photo: Vinpao / Wikimedia Commons
Watching an opera at Teatro Massimo is one of the grandest experiences in Palermo. Located in the city’s heart, this neoclassical theatre is the largest in Italy and among the biggest in Europe. Completed in 1897, it was designed with perfect acoustics—you’ll hear the difference as soon as the orchestra begins. Even before the show, wide marble staircases, carved columns, and bronze doors led into a red-and-gold interior with six tiers of boxes. If not attending a performance, guided tours include the royal box, dressing rooms, and rehearsal halls. Evening shows bring the full magic to life.
Location: Piazza Verdi, Palermo
Timings: 9:30 AM – 6 PM
Cost: €10 / ₹100 (tour) & €15–100 / ₹150-1000 (show ticket)
Nearby Attractions: Via Maqueda, Piazza Ruggero Settimo, Church of San Domenico
3. Explore The Underground Chambers Of The Capuchin Catacombs
Photo: Gmihail / Wikimedia Commons
If you want to understand Palermo’s relationship with death, religion, and social status, walking through the Capuchin Catacombs makes that reality visible. This is one of the most striking things to do in Palermo, and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere in Italy. The tunnels beneath the Capuchin monastery were first used in the late 1500s to bury friars, but by the 17th century, the practice expanded to include wealthy locals who saw burial here as a privilege. Bodies were dehydrated using natural ventilation and then dressed and placed into wall niches, glass cases, or open alcoves.
Location: Piazza Cappuccini, Palermo
Timings: 9 AM – 12:15 PM & 3 PM – 5:15 PM
Cost: €3 / ₹300
Nearby Attractions: Zisa Castle, Villa Malfitano, Porta Nuova
4. Taste Local Street Food At Ballarò Market
Photo: Alessandro Cataldo / Wikimedia Commons
If you’re exploring what to do in Palermo, tasting street food at Ballarò Market is essential. This vibrant open-air market winds through narrow alleys covered in colorful tarps, with handwritten signs and crates of produce, spices, and fish packed in ice. The scent of frying oil pulls you in, leading to panelle, arancine, sfincione, and stigghiola. Vendors shout in Palermitan dialect, sometimes singing prices or teasing each other. Locals eat standing or perched on crates, and visitors are welcome to join. Gritty, loud, and full of flavor, Ballarò serves Palermo’s history in every bite.
Location: Via Ballarò, Historic Centre
Nearby Attractions: Church of Gesù, Piazza Casa Professa, Palazzo Conte Federico
5. Tour The Royal Apartments In Palazzo Dei Normanni
Photo: Derbrauni / Wikimedia Commons
Touring the royal apartments inside Palazzo dei Normanni is one of the most historically layered places in Palermo. This palace began as an Arab fortress in the 9th century and was later transformed by the Normans into a seat of power. As you move through its halls, you’ll notice how Islamic geometric designs blend with Norman arches and later Spanish additions. The royal apartments still reflect centuries of political rule. The rooms are decorated with coffered ceilings, period furniture, and state emblems that once hosted Sicilian kings and later Bourbon officials.
Location: Piazza del Parlamento, Palermo
Timings: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday-Saturday) & 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Sunday)
Cost: €15 / ₹1500
Nearby Attractions: Cappella Palatina, Porta Nuova, San Giovanni degli Eremiti
6. Wander Through The Historic Vucciria Market At Night
Photo: trolvag / Wikimedia Commons
Wandering through Vucciria Market after dark is one of the liveliest ways to experience Palermo, especially if you want to see how the city winds down without slowing down. By day, the market is quieter than it once was, but at night it transforms. Grills sizzle, beer bottles clink, and narrow lanes fill with locals eating, drinking, and talking over live music. Grab grilled octopus, fried calamari, or skewered meats from street stands. There’s no formal seating—just stools, paper plates, and a crowd. It’s social, messy, and unmistakably Palermitan, set among faded murals and old painted signs.
Location: Between Via Roma and Corso Vittorio Emanuele
Nearby Attractions: Piazza San Domenico, Church of Sant’Eulalia, Oratory of San Lorenzo
7. Admire Byzantine Mosaics At The Church Of Martorana
Photo: bradhostetler / Wikimedia Commons
Admiring the mosaics inside the Church of Martorana is one of the most visually striking things to do. Officially known as Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, this 12th-century church was commissioned by George of Antioch, an admiral in the Norman court, and it blends Arab, Norman, and Byzantine influences in a single compact space. When you enter, the first thing that catches your attention is the dome. At its centre is an image of Christ Pantocrator set against a gold backdrop, with angels and saints positioned around him in sharp, bright mosaic work.
Location: Piazza Bellini, Palermo
Timings: 9:30 AM – 1 PM, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Monday-Saturday) & 9 AM – 10:30 AM (Sunday)
Cost: €2 / ₹200
Nearby Attractions: Santa Caterina Church, Piazza Pretoria, Church of San Cataldo
8. Relax At The Foro Italico Waterfront Promenade
Photo: Dedda71 / Wikimedia Commons
Spending time at the Foro Italico is among the most laid-back things, especially when you need a break from crowded streets. This long seafront promenade runs along Via Foro Umberto I, offering a clear view of the Gulf of Palermo and a wide green space where locals come to walk, cycle, picnic, or simply sit on the grass facing the water. The path is flat and open, lined with benches, trees, and sculptures that were added as part of recent restoration efforts. The breeze coming in from the sea brings a noticeable drop in temperature, making it a popular spot in the afternoon.
Location: Via Foro Umberto I, Palermo
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Porta Felice, Botanical Gardens, Piazza Marina
9. Visit The Art Collections At Galleria Regionale Della Sicilia
Photo: Fabrizio Garrisi / Wikimedia Commons
Exploring the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia inside Palazzo Abatellis gives you a detailed look at how art developed in Sicily across centuries. The building itself dates back to the 15th century and was originally the home of Francesco Abatellis, a port official. Today, the rooms hold a permanent collection that begins with medieval religious art, paintings on wood panels, carved crucifixes, and altar pieces from local churches. One of the most well-known works here is the Annunciata by Antonello da Messina, placed on its own inside a plain room, lit to emphasise her expression.
Location: Palazzo Abatellis, Via Alloro
Timings: 9 AM – 6:30 PM (Tuesday-Friday), 9 AM – 1 PM (Saturday-Sunday)
Cost: €8 / ₹800
Nearby Attractions: Oratorio dei Bianchi, Piazza Marina, Palazzo Chiaramonte
10. Hike The Trails And Viewpoints Of Monte Pellegrino
Photo: Radek Kucharski / Wikimedia Commons
Walking up Monte Pellegrino gives you a mix of city views, nature trails, and a direct link to Palermo’s religious history. The mountain stands just outside the centre and is easy to reach by bus, car, or on foot, depending on where you start. Paved switchbacks lead upward through pine forests, with stops along the way offering open views of the coastline, the Gulf of Palermo, and the rooftops of the city below. The climb is steady but manageable, and you’ll pass small chapels and stone rest points. At the summit, the Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia, built inside a cave, marks the spot where Palermo’s patron saint was believed to have lived in the 12th century.
Location: Accessible from Via Pietro Bonanno
Timings: 24*7
Nearby Attractions: Sanctuary of Saint Rosalia, Addaura Caves, Mondello Beach
The range of things to do in Palermo reveals why this city is so central to Sicilian history. Each experience uncovers a different layer—sacred chapels, royal halls, bustling markets, or breezy seafronts—all within the city’s core. Palermo doesn’t separate its rich past from everyday life; it blends them seamlessly. If you’re looking to explore culture, flavor, and history all at once, Palermo delivers. Start planning your trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Peter Herrmann / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
