3 Days In Palermo – The Perfect Itinerary For First-Timers

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 Anjali Wadhwa

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The first time I visited Palermo was on a family trip almost 7 years ago. I was so fascinated by this city that I knew I would return someday.

So, this year I finally had a chance to spend 3 days in Palermo and rediscover this Sicilian town with my sister.

Palermo is the capital of Sicily-an exceptional Italian town.

The range of culture, and centuries of history involving kings, artisans, visitors, and architects makes Palermo reach the top of many bucket lists. While people may come to lay their eyes on the making of the city, others may simply want to savor the taste of the culture and food.

If you are traveling to the Sicilian capital for the first time and have only 72 hours to spend here, you can use this 3-day itinerary and plan your stay.

Contents

Day 1

Begin your Palermo Itinerary by exploring its historic center. Once you make it to the historical center of Palermo, you will see not one or two but nine social and religious monuments.

All these structures belong to the Norman era of Sicily and there are two palaces, three churches, a cathedral, two buildings, and a bridge.

The Norman Palace

Your first day must jump start to something glamorous yet exciting and grounding. Norman Palace is the most iconic building in Palermo and is the best place for you once you are excited to see the soul of the city.

It houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Being a political office won’t hinder your experience to its beauty. You can see the golden walls and frescoed ceilings that are a blend of the artistic styles of Arabs, Byzantines, and Latins.

The building itself displays the charm of Palermo’s ancient history embraced by the grace with which it stands tall and secure through centuries.

Because of its popularity, this place is generally crowded. If you want to avoid long queues or waiting time, I recommend you to buy an online ticket. We did the same and went through the entrance gate and security checks within 10 minutes of reaching.

The Norman Palace is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm every day except Sundays.

Palatine Chapel

Palatine Chapel is an unmissable part of Palermo. There are several reasons behind that. Mainly, its architecture, the dome-like ceiling, and the hexagonal walls are one of a kind in the vicinity of Palermo.

The paintings and the engravings along the designs on the wall of the chapel will leave you speechless.

It is beautiful at the start of the day as the sunlight hits the little windows of the chapel, the golden walls of the chapel light up to their maximum beauty.

Palermo Cathedral

Palermo Cathedral is the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is a Roman Catholic Church. It is a must-visit on your first day of Palermo itinerary.

It is one fine piece of Italian architecture on the outside. On the inside, its grandeur walls, tall pillars and stately craft can leave you spellbound at one sight.

The alterations made to the cathedral throughout history have only added more to the beauty of the church.

The entrance to the Cathedral is free, and it remains open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

The Church of St. Mary of the Admiral

As Palermo has been home to various cultures and religions, every single one of them has had a deep impact on Palermo and the Church of Santa Maria dell’ammiraglio is another evidence of it.

Also known as The Church of St. Mary of the Admiral while the locals call it La Martorana.

It is situated in the centre of Palermo which makes it more feasible to reach. Just in front of Piazza Bellini.

The blue entrance gate supported by off-white or yellowish walls might give it a historic look at first but as you enter the place the tall pillars and glossed ceilings with ancient paintings make it one of a kind.

The church is open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm every day except Sundays.

Quattro Canti

Quattro Canti should not to be missed at any cost. The uniqueness and façade of this baroque building is no less fascinating. You will see many statues and fountains on the three levels of the building.

Located next to Quattro Canti is a square named Piazza Pretoria. The Pretoria fountain right on the center of the square would be a lovely spot to pictures.

Street Food Tour

It is totally up to you how you want to end your first day in Palermo. However, there’s a street food tour that starts from Quattro Canti I can highly recommend.

We enjoyed the curation of so many specialty treats including the sfincione, arancine and fritters which were truly yummy. We also indulged in the tastiest cannoli and gelato.

Day 2

Monreale Cathedral and Monreale Village

Monreale Cathedral - Palermo Itinerary — Monreale Cathedral – Palermo Itinerary

On the second day of your itinerary, you should visit the beautiful Monreale Cathedral along with the Monreale Village.

Here your heart can enjoy the silence and peace of the Monreale Cathedral.

At the same time, you can enjoy the native Italian music along with a beautiful view of the scenic Monreale Village.

The tranquility of the surroundings along with the most spectacular sights to rest your eyes on is a luxurious requirement. The Monreale Cathedral is one of the highlights of your Palermo itinerary and should not be missed.

Though Monreale is located at 5 km from Palermo, it would be very convenient to book a roundtrip shuttle service online beforehand. This way you will save yourself from queues or any last minute unavailability of shuttle transfer. This shuttle service from Palermo to Monreale will cost you €24 per person.

The visiting hours of the church is from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Sundays. The rest of the days it is open from 9:00 am to 12:45 pm and 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Massimo Theatre

The Massimo Theatre was built for any kind of festivities but it is mainly an Opera house now. It is the biggest opera house in Italy.

The walls of the theatre have seen a lot of bureaucratic and political events happening throughout its history of construction and then completion.

But sitting in the theatre would be a once in a lifetime opportunity as the stage, the hall, the ceiling and the entire structure of the theatre have been so beautifully carved and painted that the resonance of the sound refracting through the walls entering in the ears can illuminate the soul for eternity.

As it is one of the most popular buildings in Palermo, I would recommend you to prebook a guided tour of Massimo theater in advance here to avoid any last minute hassle.

Ballaro Market

One of the oldest markets in Palermo, Ballaro Market is a historic public market that is popular for best fresh food produce in Italy.

Apart from fresh fruits and vegetables, the freshly prepared dairy products are mouthwatering too. The small shops with beef, seafood along with red meat and freshly prepared non-veg cuisines are always a must-visit here.

From every corner, you can try and relish the tastes of the most amazing culinary goods.

The Ballaro Market is a favorite for people planning their Palermo itinerary and looking to pop into a cultural market.

Day 3

We are already on the last of 3 days in Palermo. Now that you have seen all the popular landmarks of Palermo, lets visit a museum and spend some relaxing time at the beach.

Palermo Regional Archaeological Museum

The beautiful Regional Archaeological Museum, which was opened by Antonio Salinas, a famous archaeologist himself, can entice you with its collection of articles and objects related to the Greek history of Sicily.

Thus, he brought his knowledge and collections to the museum to preserve and display which makes it a novel museum. The museum is just a small part of the Olivella Monumental Complex, and it also includes the church of St. Ignatius.

The Regional Archaeological Museum remains closed on Mondays but is available from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. The museum timings on Sundays and Holidays will remain from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.

Mondello Beach

When you think of a beach in Palermo, the name that comes up is Mondello Beach. The beach is located 10 km north of the museum.

You can rest at the beach under the Italian sun and meditate over the soothing waves of the sea which makes the experience as calming as possible. This also allows you to leave the hustle and bustle of your Palermo itinerary for a quiet stroll.

Later during the day you can opt for a seaside lunch at Trattoria da Piero. I loved the bruschetta, sardine meatballs and spaghetti. Cannoli was exceptional. The food was so fresh and a feast not only for mouth but eyes as well.

The food is great, the wine is great and the staff is great – the perfect place to end 3 days in Palermo!

If you are feeling adventurous, a short walk from the beach is the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve. This place is breathtaking. The coast of Capo Gallo is more rugged with coastal rocks and crystal clear waters.

Where To Stay For 3 Days In Palermo?

For a short 3 day trip to Palermo, I did recommend you to stay in its historic center, so that everything is easily accessible. You will find many cool restaurants and hotels in this area. To help you plan better, below are my highly recommended accommodations you should choose from, to stay in Palermo.

Budget (Up to €50): Teatro Del Sole Apartment is a steal deal, when looking for a perfect place to stay in Palermo on a budget. Its located in Monte di Pietà, the prime center of the old town. The rooms are comfortable, well equipped and air conditioned. Family rooms are also available. Additionally, this hotel offer facilities like free WiFi and an accessible parking area (chargeable per day).

Mid Range (€50 – €100): Set 0.5 km away from Palermo Cathedral, La Terrazza sul Centro boasts a sun terrace with panoramic architectural views of the surroundings. Rooms are cozy, comfortable, well equipped with modern amenities and have balcony with city views. This lovely B&B provides facilities such has free WiFi, Italian style breakfast and airport shuttle service. It is also just a 10 minute walk away from Palermo Central Train Station.

Luxury (€100+): If you are looking for a luxurious hotel in Palermo, the Grand Hotel Wagner will not disappoint you. Set in the heart of Palermo this charming hotel offers upscale amenities and rooms boasting gorgeous city views. Rooms are exquisitely decorated, soundproof, comfortable, cozy, and spell elegance. Wake up to the sight of amazing views, as you enjoy your breakfast in the room. To top it all this fantastic hotel is within a short distance from Palermo Harbor and Palermo Cathedral. An exciting fact about this hotel is that its exceptional interiors have been featured in a famous Italian movie, ‘The Leopard’.

How To Get Around In Palermo?

Palermo has a very semi-reliable public transport system which includes buses and the metro. Go for it only if you are on a tight budget or have enough time in the city. Buses are only operational within the city center and the metro is good for traveling to outskirt areas. Taxis are available too but they are overpriced.

In Palermo, it is better to avoid public transport hassle and have your own rental car for navigation. It is the best and most convenient way to get around the city.

What’s The Currency Used In Palermo?

The currency used in Palermo is Euro (€). It is always better to keep some cash with you, as not all places accept credit cards.

I hope you enjoy your 3 days in Palermo itinerary as much as we did. In this hustling city rich of heritage and culture, there is something for everyone to discover.

Cheerful Trails

3 Days In Palermo – The Perfect Itinerary For First-Timers