Essential Things to Do in Palermo, Sicily for First-Timers

Oh, Palermo! I am head over heels in love with Sicily’s capital city. Sure, it’s crowded, chaotic, and a bit rough around the edges, but it’s also home to incredible open-air farmers’ markets, 12th-century cathedrals and palaces, countless architectural marvels, and some of the best food in all of Italy. There are honestly so many amazing things to do in Palermo that if you’re anything like me, you’ll never want to leave.

I had the chance to spend one month in Palermo, and I feel so lucky that I was able to get to know this city so intimately. But don’t worry, you don’t have to spend an entire month here to see all of the top Palermo attractions.

If you’re wondering what to do in Palermo during your big trip to Sicily, I’ve got you covered with my top things to see, do, and eat!

Walk along the rooftop of Palermo Cathedral

With an amalgamation of architectural styles, the 12th-century Palermo Cathedral is a prime example of the city’s storied history. I walked past this imposing architectural gem multiple times a day during my month in Palermo, and it never got old.

While you can see the exterior and interior of the Palermo Cathedral for free, I highly recommend paying to access the rooftop. The views from up here are absolutely incredible, and there’s nothing quite like ambling around the rooftop of a historic Sicilian cathedral.

Ticket options: You can buy your tickets right on-site. You can either pay €13 to access the whole complex, including the underground tombs and roof, or pay €7 to go up to the rooftops. I just paid for rooftop access and don’t regret it! Also note that the rooftop closes at 5 pm or 6 pm, depending on the day.

Gorge yourself on Sicilian staples

This is Palermo, so get ready to do a lot of eating. Here’s a tiny crash course in some of the delicious local dishes you have to try!

• Panelle: Chickpea fritters, often served as a panelle panino.
• Arancini: Fried rice balls stuffed with a wide range of ingredients.
• Sfincione: Thick Sicilian pizza topped with tomatoes, anchovies, and white onion.
• Pasta alla Norma: Eggplant, tomato, and salted ricotta pasta.
• Cannoli: Crispy shells stuffed with a sweet ricotta cheese mixture.
• Pistachio everything: From pistachio gelato to pistachio pesto, eat all the Sicilian pistachios!

Take a food and market tour ASAP

Speaking of food, taking a food tour at the beginning of your trip is one of the best things to do in Palermo. Not only does a food tour offer a fun and unique introduction to the city, but you’ll be able to apply all of your newfound foodie knowledge to the rest of your trip.

I like this Original Palermo Street Food & Market Tour because it ticks off all the highlights – in terms of both food and sights – in a small-group setting. I also love that it takes you through two of the best local markets, which are my favorite foodie hot spots in Palermo.

Come very hungry and thirsty because you’re going to sample 10 Sicilian street foods and 3 Sicilian drinks as you meander through places like Vucciria Market, Capo Market, and Via Vittorio Emanuele! From panelle panini and arancini to sfincioni and cannoli, this is one of the most delicious things to do in Palermo!

Spend an afternoon in the quaint town of Monreale

This historic hilltop town is located just 30 minutes from Palermo’s city center and it’s one of the most unique places to visit in Palermo. Monreale is most famous for being home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Monreale Cathedral, which dates back to 1174 and houses 130 incredible Byzantine mosaics.

It’s easily one of the most incredible cathedrals in all of Sicily. As always, I highly recommend paying to access the rooftop for amazing views of Monreale, Palermo, and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

You can check out my full guide on everything to do in Monreale, but my top recommendations are trying Monreale biscuits at Dolceria Antico Biscottificio Modica, meandering around the alleys of the 12th-century Quartiere Ciambra, and grabbing lunch and an Aperol Spritz at La Bodeguita dei Sapori.

Eat street food and shop at Mercato Ballarò

When it comes to the top attractions in Palermo, the city’s sprawling outdoor markets top the list. I was lucky enough to stay near the famous Mercato Ballarò and I loved being able to shop for fresh produce, cheeses, and Sicilian delights whenever I wanted. It’s also a great place to grab lunch because the market is lined by casual little restaurants serving up food that’s both delicious and cheap.

While Ballarò was my go-to, it’s also well worth checking out Capo and Borgo Vecchio markets. These are all wonderful places to grab an affordable meal and shop for souvenirs.

Shopping tips: These markets are awesome places to purchase local delicacies and souvenirs to bring home. The best local food products to look out for are Sicilian olives and olive oil, pistachios from Bronte, pistachio pesto (yum!), Sicilian sea salt, and dried spices.

See historic sites along Vittorio Emanuele

This historic, 1.8-kilometer street is always buzzing with tourists. Running all the way from Porto Felice to Porta Nuova, you’re going to be doing a lot of walking along the main drag of Vittorio Emanuele during your trip to Palermo. Not only is it lined with shops, bars, and restaurants, but it’s also home to some of Palermo’s most famous and historic attractions and architectural masterpieces.

Historic sites along Vittorio Emanuele: Quattro Canti, Palermo Cathedral, Norman Palace, and Fontana Pretoria.

Get a cannolo from I Segreti del Chiostro

You’ll find this “secret” confectionery on the grounds of the Monastero Santa Caterina (Google Maps location), which is located near Quattro Canti. If you want to sample the best cannoli of your life, hunt down the humble I Segreti del Chiostro on the second level of the monastery.

All of the sweet treats here are handmade by nuns using recipes that have been handed down for hundreds of years. You’ll be overwhelmed with choice, but I highly recommend a massive pistachio-and-chocolate cannolo (pictured above)!

Viewpoint: You can get killer views from the top of Monastero Santa Caterina. The price to access the Church Monastery and Roof is €10.

Have a beach day at Mondello & Capo Gallo Reserve

If you’re in town in the summer, having a beach day at Mondello Beach is one of the most popular things to do in Palermo.

The beach is located roughly 30 minutes from the city center by car. You’ll want to get there early to claim a spot on the free section of the beach. Otherwise, be prepared to pay for a chair and umbrella. This beach is absolutely gorgeous but it’s not the only place in the area to go for a swim.

Walk or drive north from the beach until you reach Riserva Naturale di Capo Gallo (Google Maps location). Entry is €1 per person or €6 per car. The water here is unbelievably blue and clear (pictured above) and there’s barely anyone here. There is no sandy beach at Capo Gallo; you’ll access the water from the rocks, so bring your water shoes.

Getting to Mondello Beach: You can either take a taxi (30 minutes) or take Bus 806 from Palermo (40 minutes) for a couple of euros.

Explore the historic seaside town of Cefalù

Oh, Cefalù. I absolutely adore this place. It’s super easy to reach from Palermo via a 60-minute train that will drop you a 5-minute walk to the beach and old town. There are tons of cool things to check out in this historic seaside city, including a lovely beach if you’re in town in summer.

You can read my full guide to things to do in Cefalù, but some highlights include seeing the Byzantine mosaics in the Cefalù Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage site), shopping for Sicilian ceramics, window-shopping along the cobblestone Corso Ruggero, and just getting lost in the historic alleyways.

I loved Cefalù so much I visited multiple times during my time in Palermo! If you’re short on time, you can also take this popular Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip – perfect if you’re looking to maximize your time.

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That completes my guide on the very best things to do in Palermo. What’s on your to-do list? Let me know in the comments!