Two Days in Palermo: Exploring the City's Best

• Day 1:
  • Quattro Canti - Start your day at the Piazza Pretoria with a visit to the stunning Four Corners, where the four Spanish-built Baroque facades converge at the heart of the historic center.
  • Palermo Cathedral - This iconic 12th-century Norman cathedral is a must-see attraction with its impressive array of artwork and historical significance.
  • Teatro Massimo - Take a break from the heat with a visit to the elaborately decorated Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house.
  • Ballarò Street Market - Head over to the Ballarò market, one of Palermo's oldest markets, to experience the vibrant energy and colors of the city's lively street food and local craft culture.
  • Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina -Cap off your first day with a visit to the spectacular Palazzo dei Normanni and the magnificent Cappella Palatina, two of the most important and beautiful attractions of Sicily.
• Day 2:
  • Vucciria Market - Visit the Vucciria market to see the sights and flavours of traditional Palermitan street food and local artisan crafts.
  • Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonio Salinas - Get up close and personal with the history of the area at the Antonio Salinas Archaeological Museum that houses a vast collection of ancient Greek, Roman and Phoenician artefacts.
  • Orto Botanico di Palermo - Take a peaceful break at the charming Orto Botanico, set amidst the chaos of the city. This botanical garden is perfect for anyone looking to unwind and get closer to nature.
  • Piazza Bellini and La Martorana - End your trip with a visit to Piazza Bellini to admire the beautiful church of La Martorana, a stunning example of Byzantine and Arab-Norman architecture.

Time and Costs Estimates:

• Quattro Canti (1-2 hours, free)
• Palermo Cathedral (1-2 hours, free)
• Teatro Massimo (1-2 hours, €10 tour)
• Ballarò Street Market (1-2 hours, cost depends on purchases)
• Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina (2-3 hours, €12 entrance fee)
• Vucciria Market (1-2 hours, cost depending on purchases)
• Museo Archeologico Regionale Antonio Salinas (2-3 hours, €12 entrance fee)
• Orto Botanico di Palermo (1-2 hours, €5 entrance fee)
• Piazza Bellini and La Martorana (1-2 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: €39 per person

Transportation:

Palermo is a walkable city, and most attractions are reachable by foot. If you are looking to save time, you can take the city's reliable bus or tram services. You could also hire a taxi but travel time may vary according to the traffic.

Useful Tips:

If you have more time, you can venture out to explore other attractions such as the beach at Mondello or the hilltop town of Monreale with its stunning cathedral, different museums dedicated to art and history or explore specific city neighborhoods such as Kalsa and La Cala.

If you have less time, you can consider combing some attractions or skipping some market to make sure you have enough time to sightsee or relax.