What to do and see in Palermo, Sicily: The Best Literary, Art & Music Tours

May 8, 2022 Marlin Saiz

Palermo is an urban melting pot characterized by history and culture so diverse that it often feels conflicted. Discover an intriguing range of architectural styles, from Arabian domes to baroque buildings, and enjoy delicious cuisine that spans a variety of origins. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Normans, the Palatine Chapel and the church of St. John of the Hermits. Art and music lovers won’t want to miss the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (the “GAM”), the Salinas or an opera or ballet at the Teatro Massimo.
Restaurants in Palermo

1. Hald Day Walking Tour Palermo Combining Art And Food

Roberta Teresi
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UNESCO PALERMO : this 4hours walking tour includes the visit inside the Royal Norman  Palace (12 century) to admire the  Palatina Chapel and its Byzantine mosaics , the main monument to represent the wealth and political and cultural power of the Norman kingdom. San  Giovanni Eremiti church which show the persistence of Arab influences in Sicily (outside) Walking tour in the old city to admire the Cathedral, Quattro Canti and Fountain Pretoria, Bellini square  (Martorana and San Cataldo churches)  Proceeding to the historical market Ballarò we stop  to  experience   the street food ( arancine, panelle, sfincione, milza etc..) as you learn abut Sicilian gastronomy, recipes, sweets and wines, the  perception of its intensity can be altered by smell and  tasting :Sicily is  a land with an extraordinary food tradition.

Inclusions: Professional guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By jstjames1961

My wife and I were planning a trip to Italy. My wife decided to setup a 3 day tour of Sicily where her family came from. She contacted Roberta and shared some family information with her. The idea was to visit Erice area and a little town of Valerice where my wife's family came from. Roberta picked us up at our hotel in Palermo and our way to Erice area she did a great job telling us about the region and the history. During time from when my wife initially contacted Roberta, she took it upon herself to do some research about my wife's family to the point of making contact with some of my wife's relatives. During the ride from Palermo to Erice area Roberta announced that she had made contact with the family and we were to meet them that day. Needless to say my wife and I were very excited to hear this news. We drove to my wife's relatives home in Valerice and they welcomed us in with open arms. Never meeting these people before and not being able to speak their language was a little intimidating. Roberta to the rescue, she was able to act as our translator and we had a terrific visit. My wife's relatives then took us to the church Santuario Maria S.S. della Misericordia in Valerice which all of family attended and were baptized in. The church was built in 1637 and is still in terrific shape. Roberta then took us on a tour of Erice and Trapani. She did an excellent job and I would recommend her services highly. Roberta acted as our tour guide, helped with genealogy, acted as a translator, and even a doctor when my wife started feeling ill when we rode the tram up to Erice. My wife and I can't say enough good things about Roberta Teresi.

2. Private City Kickstart Tour: Palermo

Via dei Benedettini, 5, 90134 Palermo PA, Italy ►► Withlocals™ - Local Private Tours ????????
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Receive a warm welcome to Palermo on a private tour that will kick off your time in the city in the best way possible! In only 90 minutes, a local guide will get you acquainted with Palermo to help you enjoy the rest of your stay to the fullest. Discover where to find Palazzo Reale and Quattro Canti, and how to explore them away from the crowds. And what about that unique family-owned restaurant or that amazing local hotspot? We got you covered; the local guides are experts in the subject! Forget about touristy traps; on this city kickstart tour, your guide will point you in the right direction. Private City Kickstart Tour: Palermo is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Inclusions: Private Tour, Small-group tour option available, Local Guide, Local Tips and Tricks, City Orientation

Exclusions: Hotel pick-up and drop off

Reviewed By Tielemanis

This tour was truly outstanding. The food was delicious, and our guide Dario was very engaging, informative, and fun! The tour was very customized to our needs. An unexpected addition to our tour were the historic insights we got of the area of Palermo we walked through during our tour. I would highly recommend this tour and definitely Dario as your guide.

3. Guided visit to the Museum of Majolica Stanze al Genio

Rooms at the Museum of majolica Genius, Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 11, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy Museum of tiles Stanze al Genio
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The guided tour in English or Italian will make it possible to make a journey that tells 4 centuries of the history of Italian majolica floors. The route is divided into a fully furnished and inhabited museum house

Inclusions: Guided visit to the Maioliceh Stanze al Genio Museum

Exclusions: Everything that is not included in the guided tour

Reviewed By 344lindag

I'm not sure how a museum can be so unassuming from the outside yet is a real gem inside. There is only a small name on the buzzer to enter but what lies inside is wall to wall ceramic tiles and also displays of vintage pieces and furniture. Entrance fee included a personal guided tour in english or italian. A wonderful experience.

4. Palermo experience: Living the market.

Massimo Theater, Piazza Verdi, 90138 Palermo PA, Italy Stefania Casella
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You will experience not only a special day, but you will explore important and artistic monuments, discovering the richness of their different architectural and stylistic trends, from the splendid Byzantine mosaics to the largest opera house in Italy, Massimo Theatre. I will give you an emotion, leaving you a pleasant memory of a unique and unforgettable experience.

Inclusions: A short tasting of the typical local street food is provided., Bottled water

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5. Palermo Walking Tour - Baroque and Aristocracy

Piazza Quattro Canti - Palermo, Via Vittorio Emanuele, 80146 Palermo PA, Italy JustSicily
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In this sublime walk between history and amazement, you will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of the center of Palermo. Please note: - Visits to the listed monuments are subject to change without notice due to the Covid-19 emergency. - Visits to the indicated monuments may undergo changes on holidays.

Inclusions: Professional guide

Exclusions: Entrance tickets to the monuments

Reviewed By uknolans

Elisabetta was excellent and incredibly knowledgeable. We had a fantastic tour of the cathedral and mosaics and the fascinating history of beautiful Sicily.

6. Palermo Sicilian Baroque

Palermo, Palermo, Province of Palermo, Sicily Roberta Teresi

The outstanding baroque monument in Palermo: those not be missed, are to be found in the interiors of churches and oratories This Tour includes the church of Santa Caterina and 2 Oratories Santa Cita and San Domenico Baroque was much more than a design style for churches and palaces, it embraced a concept of the city as a theater, a place for people to gather and take part in great ceremonies and festivals. A tour to enjoy by just walking around

Inclusions: Private tour

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions

Reviewed By jstjames1961

My wife and I were planning a trip to Italy. My wife decided to setup a 3 day tour of Sicily where her family came from. She contacted Roberta and shared some family information with her. The idea was to visit Erice area and a little town of Valerice where my wife's family came from. Roberta picked us up at our hotel in Palermo and our way to Erice area she did a great job telling us about the region and the history. During time from when my wife initially contacted Roberta, she took it upon herself to do some research about my wife's family to the point of making contact with some of my wife's relatives. During the ride from Palermo to Erice area Roberta announced that she had made contact with the family and we were to meet them that day. Needless to say my wife and I were very excited to hear this news. We drove to my wife's relatives home in Valerice and they welcomed us in with open arms. Never meeting these people before and not being able to speak their language was a little intimidating. Roberta to the rescue, she was able to act as our translator and we had a terrific visit. My wife's relatives then took us to the church Santuario Maria S.S. della Misericordia in Valerice which all of family attended and were baptized in. The church was built in 1637 and is still in terrific shape. Roberta then took us on a tour of Erice and Trapani. She did an excellent job and I would recommend her services highly. Roberta acted as our tour guide, helped with genealogy, acted as a translator, and even a doctor when my wife started feeling ill when we rode the tram up to Erice. My wife and I can't say enough good things about Roberta Teresi.

7. Street art tour Palermo

Piazza Bellini, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy Sguardi Urbani - Palermo By Bike

the tour invites you to discover Palermo street art in an alternative way  through the experience on two wheels or on foot. Palermo is full of street art and graffiti made by artists from all over the world. Our bicycle tour takes you into the heart of Street Art and the graffiti scene without forgetting to pay attention to the urban landscape that hosts them. This three-hour tour shows the well-known artists and also the works of those new to the scene. From the smallest sticker to the large-scale work, this tour will make you look at the streets of Palermo in a different way. We will discover the interventions, the way they were born, the stories of the artists and the curiosities of the places where they are found. By bicycle you can discover hidden corners that have an unusual reading of the city. The tour will pass through the famous Palermo districts such as Albegheria, Kalsa, La Loggia, Borgo Vecchio.

Inclusions: Guide

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8. Palermo Walking Tour - Regents and People

Piazza Verdi, 455, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy JustSicily

In this sublime walk between history and amazement, you will have the opportunity to discover the wonders of the center of Palermo. Please note: - Visits to the listed monuments are subject to change without notice due to the Covid-19 emergency. - Visits to the indicated monuments may undergo changes on holidays.

Inclusions: Professional guide

Exclusions: Entrance ticket to the monuments

Reviewed By D L

We met our charming and very knowledgeable guide Elisabeth in the centre of the old town and she took us to some of the most fascinating and beautiful palaces and beautiful, historic byzantine churches in Palermo. Sadly, some places were closed thanks to Covid which was unavoidable. Her knowledge of the history of Sicily in general and of the places visited was impressive and delivered with some humour and obvious passion for her city. Even the walks from one place to another were fascinating when the streets and buildings were woven into Palermo's long, comvoluted but ever fascinating history. Well worth taking this tour.

9. Tour of the ancient artisans of Palermo

Piazza San Domenico, Piazza S. Domenico, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy JustSicily

Meet your tour leader in Piazza S. Domenico and start the tour of the artisans of Palermo who have adorned the city with their superfine manufactures from generation to generation. A walk inside the historical center of the city and its alleys to discover the ancient traditions of the artisans, meet them and discover the secrets hidden behind these ancient professions.

Inclusions: English speaking tour leader or guide

Exclusions: Entrance tickets to the monuments

Reviewed By D L

We met our charming and very knowledgeable guide Elisabeth in the centre of the old town and she took us to some of the most fascinating and beautiful palaces and beautiful, historic byzantine churches in Palermo. Sadly, some places were closed thanks to Covid which was unavoidable. Her knowledge of the history of Sicily in general and of the places visited was impressive and delivered with some humour and obvious passion for her city. Even the walks from one place to another were fascinating when the streets and buildings were woven into Palermo's long, comvoluted but ever fascinating history. Well worth taking this tour.

10. Tour of Agrigento - Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi

Palermo Centrale, P.za Giulio Cesare, 90123 Palermo PA, Italy JustSicily

This tour will give you the opportunity to enjoy the incredible visit of Agrigento, home to a unique archaeological site in the world. After visiting the splendid Scala dei Turchi, a charming monument in limestone overlooking the sea, you will have the opportunity to continue the tour with an exciting journey into the extraordinary monumental and landscape heritage of the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples.

Inclusions: Private transportation, Tourist guide for tours of the Valley of the Temples, Assistance at the station on departure from Palermo, The entrance ticket to the Valley of the Temples

Exclusions: Meals, Return Palermo-Agrigento train tickets

Reviewed By D L

We met our charming and very knowledgeable guide Elisabeth in the centre of the old town and she took us to some of the most fascinating and beautiful palaces and beautiful, historic byzantine churches in Palermo. Sadly, some places were closed thanks to Covid which was unavoidable. Her knowledge of the history of Sicily in general and of the places visited was impressive and delivered with some humour and obvious passion for her city. Even the walks from one place to another were fascinating when the streets and buildings were woven into Palermo's long, comvoluted but ever fascinating history. Well worth taking this tour.

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