Embark on a private day tour of Palermo and Monreale’s historic monuments, with a scenic city panorama. Explore beautiful places, visit the famous cathedral in Monreale, and enjoy a tailored tour to suit your interests.
Embark on a private day tour of Palermo and Monreale’s historic monuments, with a scenic city panorama. Explore beautiful places, visit the famous cathedral in Monreale, and enjoy a tailored tour to suit your interests.
- Cattedrale di Monreale - Visitors will be dropped off by their driver in Piazza Guglielmo II, where they can explore the stunning Monreale Cathedral. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the most significant medieval churches globally. The cathedral’s mosaics are truly unique and exquisite, covering an area of over 6,000 square…
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Cattedrale di Monreale - Visitors will be dropped off by their driver in Piazza Guglielmo II, where they can explore the stunning Monreale Cathedral. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the most significant medieval churches globally. The cathedral’s mosaics are truly unique and exquisite, covering an area of over 6,000 square meters with more than 130 Byzantine mosaics adorning the church. For a fee, access to various areas of the cathedral, such as the terraces, is available. Adjacent to the cathedral is the San Benedetto Monastery. The monastery’s cloister features a Romanesque square plan, with over 90 columns decorated with mosaics and Romanesque capitals. At the center of the cloister is a garden with a palm tree-shaped fountain. Nearby, the Diocesan Museum offers collections of paintings, sacred vestments, liturgical objects, and a beautiful series of 18th-century frescoes. From Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, one can view the Duomo while enjoying the garden with the famous marble fountain, Fontana del Tritone. Another must-see is the Belvedere, located a short walk from the Town Hall, offering views over the Conca d’Oro and the hills of Palermo.
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Norman Palace - The tour will pass through the Royal Palace, Porta Nuova, and Villa Bonanno. The Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo, one of Sicily’s most visited buildings, is the oldest royal residence in Europe and currently houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly. Inside, visitors can explore several courtyards, including the Maqueda Courtyard and the Fountain Courtyard. The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is accessible from the patio, while the Palatine Chapel is on the first level. The palace contains numerous artworks, including 19th and 20th-century masterpieces by Francesco Lojacono, Antonino Leto, Joan Mirò, and Renato Guttuso.
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Palermo Cathedral - The Cathedral of Palermo is the city’s most iconic building. Constructed in 1184 by Archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio in honor of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 3, 2015. The main entrance to the Cathedral is free, but a ticket is required to visit the monumental area and the roofs, which offer a stunning and evocative view of the city.
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Capo Street Market - The Mercato del Capo in Palermo is located in the upper part of the ancient Arab neighborhood of the Schiavoni, known for pirates and slave traders. This popular neighborhood, formed during the Muslim era, is nestled between baroque churches and iconic street food. The market’s main entrance is through the 14th-century Porta Carini. A narrow street widens and narrows between the stalls, making it impassable as people stop to observe, negotiate, taste, and buy. It is renowned as the fish market par excellence. Bright colors and enticing scents mix with typical specialties and the traders’ calls, inviting visitors to purchase their goods. This market is a must-visit.
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Via Roma - From the Mercato del Capo, the route descends towards Piazza Verdi in front of the Teatro Massimo, continuing along Via Roma, which crosses Piazza San Domenico, home to the church of the same name. Over the years, many buildings have been constructed along the street, including bank headquarters, the Palazzo delle Poste, the Biondo Theater, the Palazzo del Banco di Sicilia, and numerous other buildings in Eclectic or Liberty style. At the intersection with Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the route ascends to reach the Quattro Canti.
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Quattro Canti - Visitors will be dropped off in Piazza Pretoria to explore the main churches, including La Martorana, San Cataldo, San Giuseppe dei Teatini, the Fountain of Shame, and the Four Corners. The tour continues with the Church of Gesù (Casa Professa), one of Palermo’s most important baroque churches, towards the historic Ballarò market.
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Mercato di Ballarò - With over 1000 years of history, the Ballarò market is one of Palermo’s oldest existing landmarks. Located in the bustling Albergheria district, it has evolved over the years while maintaining its distinctive style. Among the stalls and shops, visitors can purchase meat, fresh fish, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, cheeses, typical products, and sweets. In addition to the classic stalls, there are many places to sit and enjoy typical dishes at very affordable prices. Ballarò is also famous for its prestigious monuments, such as the Tower of S. Nicolò, offering a 360° panoramic view of Palermo, the Church of Carmine Maggiore, and the Chamber of Wonders.
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Via Ruggiero Settimo - Beyond the Quattro Canti, the route reaches Via Ruggero Settimo, leading to Piazza Castelnuovo. Together with the adjacent Piazza Ruggero Settimo, it forms a large space commonly known as “Piazza Politeama,” named after the theater dominating the square. The Viale della Libertà, surrounded by villas and gardens, including the English Garden, is also nearby.
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Via della Favorita - Via della Favorita stretches from Piazza Generale Cascino to the east gate of Parco della Favorita. The expansive Favorita Park, covering approximately 400 hectares, was created by Ferdinand of Bourbon during his first stay in Palermo from 1798 to 1802.
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Palazzina Cinese - In December 1798, fleeing the riots in Naples, the royal couple Ferdinand of Bourbon and Carolina arrived in Palermo, warmly welcomed by the local nobility. The king, an avid hunter, purchased much of the land in the Colli plain from Palermo nobles to create a reserve for his passion. As his residence, he acquired the “casena” of Giuseppe Lombardo, Baron della Scala, which was later renovated and embellished by architect Venanzio Marvuglia. This casena, inspired by oriental themes, became known as the Casina or Chinese Palace, hosting many illustrious guests, including Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton. VISITING HOURS: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:30 (last entry at 17:00); holidays from 9:00 to 13:30 (last entry at 13:00) – closed on Mondays.
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Mondello - The gulf of Mondello is one of the island’s most extraordinary locations, situated at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. Mondello’s atmosphere feels almost tropical due to its vibrant colors. It is filled with services, restaurants, small shops, nautical clubs, and a small port. This area is rich with Liberty-style villas.
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- Bilingual Italian-English driver
- Child seats (on request)
- Pick-up service from/to hotel/port
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- Bottled water
- Bilingual Italian-English driver
- Child seats (on request)
- Pick-up service from/to hotel/port
- Tourist guide
- Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Gratuities
- Tourist guide
- Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Gratuities
Explore the historical landmarks of Palermo and Monreale with a private day tour. Your English-speaking driver will guide you to the most stunning sites, including Teatro Massimo, the Royal Palace, the Palatine Chapel, Piazza dei Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, and the Church of Gesù (Casa Professa), one of Palermo’s most significant baroque churches….
Explore the historical landmarks of Palermo and Monreale with a private day tour. Your English-speaking driver will guide you to the most stunning sites, including Teatro Massimo, the Royal Palace, the Palatine Chapel, Piazza dei Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, and the Church of Gesù (Casa Professa), one of Palermo’s most significant baroque churches. You’ll also visit historic markets like Ballaró and Il Capo, along with other notable buildings. The tour features a panoramic view of the entire city. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Palermo and visit Monreale’s famous cathedral. Discover the Palazzina or Casina Cinese, noted for its distinctive Chinese style, located within Parco della Favorita. Experience the popular seaside resort of Mondello, one of Sicily’s most beautiful and renowned tourist destinations. The tour can be tailored to your interests.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.