Sicily · PALERMO TOURS

The 15 Best Palermo Tours & Day Trips

167 tours  ·  from $6 a head

Palermo is loud, layered and best understood on foot with a paper cone of panelle in hand. These 15 cover the markets, the Norman-Arab churches, the opera house and the trips out to Monreale, Cefalù and Segesta.

Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour - Teatro Massimo and the city’s public face
Mafia History Tours in Sicily, Palermo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo: NO Mafia Walking Tour

1.NO Mafia Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,431 reviews · 3 hours · from $40Our pick

Spend three hours walking Palermo’s historic center with a local guide, visiting Teatro Massimo, Il Capo market, the cathedral, and a memorial to judges and prosecutors killed by the Mafia. Learn how Addiopizzo and local businesses resist extortion. Tours run in English, Italian, French, and Spanish, with small groups available.

“A tour you shouldn't miss when visiting Sicily in general. Helps to realize how the life here is and what struggles the society has. Very authentic and informative! 10/10!”

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Palermo: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket - Route two: villas, gardens, and Zisa Castle
Palermo Tours, Sightseeing Bus Tours in Sicily, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Palermo: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket

2.Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour 24-hour Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,410 reviews · 1 day · from $17

Ride two open-top routes through Palermo, from Quattro Canti and the Cathedral area to the English Garden, Villa Malfitano, and Zisa Castle. A 24-hour ticket lets you hop off at designated stops, with multilingual audio commentary. You can add a bus to Monreale or Mondello Beach; the beach option includes a sunbed.

“It’s just A transportation with WiFi from Palermo to the Beach of Mondello, from “A” to “B”. Everything was in time.”

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Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty - Vucciria: Food, bars and Palermo stories
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Palermo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty

3.Palermo Original Street Food Walking Tour by Streaty

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,105 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $83Top rated

Meet near Teatro Massimo for a small-group walk through Palermo’s street-food culture, with stops at Capo and Vucciria markets, neighborhood food stalls and bars. Expect panelle, arancine, Sicilian cheese and olives, three drinks, and a seasonal sweet. Guides such as Angelo, Simona and Vinz have led the walk, but your assigned guide may vary.

“Fantastic walking tour with insights into history and culture of Palermo. The food was delicious and Angelo really spoke about his life and growing up in Palermo.”

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Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo - Nubia’s salt pans: a brief change of scene
Erice Tours, Full-Day, Marsala Salt Pans Tours, Palermo Tours, Segesta Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

4.Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans Full-Day Excursion from Palermo

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,791 reviews · 8 hours · from $82

Travel from Palermo by air-conditioned van to Segesta’s ancient Greek site, Nubia’s salt pans and medieval Erice. You get set time at each stop to explore independently, rather than a guaranteed guided visit. Drivers speak Italian, English, Spanish or French; past trips have included drivers such as Sergio, Marco and Enzo.

“Marco was a great driver and we had a very fun day. He drove very carefully and was concerned for our safety and comfort. Would definitely recommend! He is a very nice guy!”

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Palermo: Teatro Massimo Opera House Guided Tour - The auditorium is the main event
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Palermo: Teatro Massimo Opera House Guided Tour

5.Teatro Massimo Opera House Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,573 reviews · 1 day · from $14Best value

Spend about 40 minutes inside Palermo’s Teatro Massimo with a guide, seeing the foyer, auditorium, royal box and other public rooms. You’ll hear how the opera house works and may see a rehearsal, though stage access and the rooms open to visitors can vary. Tours run in several languages, including English.

“Excellent guide! She was easy to understand and told us lots of interesting information! We really enjoyed the tour!!”

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From Palermo: Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip - Monreale: give the mosaics your attention
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From Palermo: Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip

6.Monreale and Cefalù Half-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,354 reviews · 6 hours · from $71

Ride from Palermo to Monreale and Cefalù in an air-conditioned minivan, then explore both towns at your own pace. See Monreale’s Norman cathedral, Cefalù’s Duomo, the medieval wash basins and the Mandralisca Museum. Drivers such as Enzo, Sergio and Marco have earned praise for friendly service, but this is mainly transport, not a guided walking tour.

“Trip went from Palermo to Monreale to Cefalù and back to Palermo. It was basically just transportation and that's all. It was fine for what it was.”

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Palermo: Street Food and History Walking Tour - From the meeting point toward Capo Market
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Historical Tours, Palermo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo: Street Food and History Walking Tour

7.Street Food and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,294 reviews · from $54

Walk Palermo’s old town with local guide Fabrizio, pairing Capo Market tastings with stories about the city’s landmarks and food traditions. Try Sicilian staples such as panelle, arancine and cannolo, visit the Cathedral and Quattro Canti, and finish with a drink. The three-hour route suits first-time visitors who want food and history in one outing.

“We had an awesome time on this tour! Everything was super well planned, and our guide Fabrizio made it really fun and interesting. We got to see some amazing places and learned a lot along the way. Definitely worth it!”

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Palermo: Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples Day Tour - Palermo pickup and the drive into the countryside
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Palermo: Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples Day Tour

8.Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,240 reviews · 9 hours · from $77

Ride from central Palermo into Sicily’s countryside, then explore Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples at your own pace with a guidebook. Admission and a live guide are not included, so plan ahead if you want expert commentary. A brief stop at the Scala dei Turchi offers a seaside photo opportunity, not time for a beach visit.

“It was really good. Saw everything I wanted to see.”

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Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily - Market streets, shopkeepers and the price of saying no
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Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily

9.Palermo No Mafia walking tour: discover the Anti-mafia culture in Sicily

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,011 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $39

Walk central Palermo with an English-speaking local guide and examine how the city resists mafia influence, from the Wall of Legality and courthouse memorial to businesses that reject extortion. The small-group tour also visits the Cathedral, Teatro Massimo and lively market streets. It lasts about three hours, ends near Piazza Pretoria and includes a contribution to Addiopizzo.

“Our guide, Sylvia, was superb. Extremely knowledgeable and obviously very passionate about no mafia mission. Highly recommended”

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Palermo: Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine - Chocolate gelato while the dough rests
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Palermo: Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine

10.Pizza and Gelato Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 951 reviews · 3 hours · from $71

At Towns of Italy’s Palermo cooking school, a local chef guides you through pizza dough, toppings and chocolate gelato, with a demonstration of how to make the cone. You’ll eat what you make with wine or soft drinks, and take home a digital recipe booklet. Instructors include Lidia and Marcello, though your chef may vary.

“It was a great experience in a nice atmosphere. With special souvenirs.”

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Palermo: Private Custom Walking Tour with Local Guide - Capo Market and the food conversation
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Palermo: Private Custom Walking Tour with Local Guide

11.Private Custom Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 661 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $53

Meet a local guide at a central Palermo hotel and set out on a private walk shaped around your interests. You can focus on city history, see landmark exteriors, ask for food tips, or arrange a museum visit in advance. Guides such as Delia, Martina, Alessia, and Aurora have led tours in English, Italian, French, and Spanish.

“Our guide was wonderful - we were blessed to have someone who catered for our needs”

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Palazzo Conte Federico - What a 50-minute private tour feels like
Palermo Tours, Tour Reviews

Palazzo Conte Federico

12.Palazzo Conte Federico

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 650 reviews · 45 minutes to 1 hour (approx.) · from $18

Visit Palazzo Conte Federico in central Palermo on a private tour of about 50 minutes. A member of the family that still lives here guides you through the noble floor and Arab-Norman tower, linking the palace’s rooms and objects to the Federico family and the city. The tour is offered in English and costs $18.14 per person.

“This was an amazing experience as we were shown round by a son of the present Conte Federico. A palace but also a home. The tour is in English and Italian and presented with lots of history as well as humour. A fascinating look at a past Palermo. Highly recommended.”

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Palermo: Street Food Walking Tour with Local Guide & Tasting - Capo Market is the heart of the tasting
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Guided, Palermo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo: Street Food Walking Tour with Local Guide & Tasting

13.Street Food Walking Tour with Local Guide & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 632 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $52

Meet your English-speaking guide beside Chiosco Vicari in Piazza Giuseppe Verdi for a 2.5-hour walk through central Palermo and Capo Market. Sample specialties such as sfincione, panelle, crocché, and arancine, then finish with a Sicilian dessert. Guides include Francesco, Alessandra, Silvia, and Alessandro. Vegetarian options are available, but the tour is not suitable for vegans or people with gluten or lactose intolerance.

“I travelled to Palermo with 18 friends for my birthday. Our Sicilian walking food tour with Francesco was an absolute highlight of our trip! From the moment we met him, his warmth, humour, and deep knowledge of Sicilian culture and cuisine made the experience both fun and fascinating. We wandered through charming backstreets and bustling markets, stopping frequently to sample an incredible variety of local specialties — from fresh arancini and panelle to cannoli filled on the spot and perfectly chilled granita. Each stop seemed more delicious than the last, and the portions were very generous — come hungry! Francesco also shared fascinating stories about Palermo’s history, architecture, and ...”

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Palermo Walking Tour and Street Food - From puppet theater to Teatro Massimo
Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Palermo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours in Sicily

Palermo Walking Tour and Street Food

14.Palermo Walking Tour and Street Food

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 617 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48

Join Fabrizio Cavallaro for a three-hour walk through Palermo’s old town, with stops at Capo market, a street-food shop, a puppet theater, and the cathedral. Tastings and a drink are included, along with stories about the city’s streets and landmarks. Groups are capped at 14, and you can request vegetarian or gluten-free food in advance.

“Fabrizio was a great and awesome tour guide and very knowledgeable and looks out for us we felt safe as we toured Palermo amidst the traffic and busy streets”

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Palermo: Small Group Night Street Food Tour - Walking toward the old port
Evening Experiences, Food & Drink, Food Tours in Sicily, Palermo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Palermo: Small Group Night Street Food Tour

15.Small Group Night Street Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 589 reviews · 3 hours · from $81

Meet at Teatro Massimo for a three-hour, English-language walk through Palermo’s backstreets and Vucciria. A local Streaty guide leads you to street-food stalls and bakeries for panelle, crocchè, focaccia, arancini and the famous spleen sandwich, with three Sicilian drinks and a seasonal dessert. Groups are limited to 12, and the generous tastings are meant to replace dinner.

“Our guide Dario was lovely and knowledgeable, providing a lot of good information about both the food we were going to eat but also different spots in Palermo we were passing by. The food itself was delicious and the atmosphere of the tour was a lot of fun!”

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