Discover Palermo’s richly layered past on this half-day walking tour through Sicily’s vibrant capital.
Highlights
Hidden Gems
- Palermo's Labyrinthine Center
- San Cataldo (exterior)
- The Fountain of Shame
Tour Includes
- Expert local guide
- All tickets and reservation fees
Create Your Custom Journey
Our dedicated team is here to help you design the perfect trip. We’re happy to assist every step of the way.
ITINERARY
What To Expect On Your Tour
Welcome to Palermo
A City Like No Other
Welcome to Palermo, Sicily’s dynamic capital and one of the most richly layered cities in the Mediterranean. Palermo defies easy definition. It’s gritty and grand, chaotic and awe-inspiring – a city where Romanesque churches sit beside Arab domes, and Byzantine mosaics glitter just steps from bustling street markets. On this half-day tour, we’ll dive into the layered history of Palermo, a city shaped by conquest, creativity, and an unbreakable spirit.
The Palazzo dei Normanni and Palatine Chapel
Byzantine and Arabic Artistry Meet in an Amazing Fusion
On the highest hill in the town stands an extraordinary building. Originally constructed as an Arab palace before the invasion of the Normans, it is now home to the Sicilian parliament. The great Norman adventurers of the 11th and 12th centuries changed Europe and their legacy is as strongly felt in Sicily as anywhere. Robert “the fox” de Hauteville and his descendants founded a kingdom that would last all the way up until the unification of Italy in the 19th century. Nowhere is the glory of the Normans better felt than in the Cappella Palatina, with stunning mosaics that dazzle to this day.
Palermo Cathedral
A Dazzling Medieval Showcase
The Cathedral of Palermo, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, serves as a microcosm of Palermo’s rich history. Numerous different styles proliferate from Norman to Neoclassical. There are no clean lines in history, and this building is a textbook example of this, the influence left and felt by different architectural styles through the centuries. Its famous portico leads into a treasure trove of art through the centuries and a burial place for kings, queens, and emperors. Keep an eye out for the heliometer, a type of astronomical measure projecting the summer and winter solstices on the floor of the Cathedral.
Markets, Flavor, and Street Life
Palermo's Street Food Culture Explodes with Flavor
Beyond the mosaics and marble lies another side of Palermo: raw, noisy, delicious. In its historic street markets—Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo—you’ll hear the pulse of the city. Here, we’ll sample the food that fuels Palermo’s streets: crisp panelle (chickpea fritters), golden arancine, and maybe even a bite of the infamous pane ca’ meusa (spleen sandwich). Your guide will help decode the stories behind the flavors, revealing how conquest and creativity have shaped even the street food.
Your Tour
Visit Palermo Your Way!
Our tour is designed for visitors to have a good grounding in the city for further exploration. Or particularly for visitors from the cruise terminal who may have limited time in the city and it can leave from the cruise ship pier. This would be a perfect option to get the most from your time in Palermo. Wear comfortable shoes, we cover a good amount of ground at an easy pace on this tour. The tour includes admission to sites, transportation and an expert guide from Through Eternity.
Create Your Custom Journey
Our dedicated team is here to help you design the perfect trip. We’re happy to assist every step of the way.
