- Must visit
Teatro Massimo
One of the largest opera houses in Europe, known for its grandeur and excellent acoustics.
Booking flights offers an excellent way to get to the Sicilian capital. Palermo has excellent regional air connections to Rome, Milan, Paris, and Madrid, all of which cater for flights across the Atlantic. With alternatives requiring a mixture of buses, ferries, and trains, flying is by far the easiest way to make the trip.
There's only one airport in Palermo. Falcone Borsellino Airport can be found over 20 miles to the city's northwest, so it's a fair distance out of town. However, transfers aren't usually a problem. Prestia e Comande run buses every 30 minutes into Palermo city center and take 55 minutes, while car hire and taxis are also available on site.
No airlines fly from North America to Palermo. However, plenty of airlines fly from cities with transatlantic connections. Options for regional flights include easyJet, Ryanair, Eurowings, Volotea, and Alitalia. Most offer low-cost fares, and all operate throughout the year.
For those coming from America, flying is comfortably the best way to reach Palermo. Travelers won't be able to fly straight from American cities to Palermo itself, but they will have a choice of methods for their transfer to Sicily, and flights to Palermo are usually the best option. Flights travel from European hubs like Rome Fiumicino, Paris CDG, London Heathrow, and Milan Malpensa. All cater for American visitors and journey times to Palermo range from two to three hours. Flights are far faster than alternatives, which include buses or trains from Rome and Milan. Those options will take at least eight hours, and probably longer, so there's a massive difference between transport methods.
If visitors are headed to resorts on Sicily's northern coast, be sure to arrange shuttle transfers or taxis before flying. When in the city itself, public transport is always available to make sightseeing easier but it's even easier with a PMO Tourist Card. This card offers free transport, making it simple to reach highlights like the Norman Palace, the cathedral, or the stunning Palatine Chapel. Beyond those must-see historical sites, shopping at Vucciria Market is a wonderful experience, and the Museum of Archaeology is a time-trap, offering an endless selection of ancient art works and discoveries from the Greek and Roman eras.
Discover the best of Palermo — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Palermo trip today.
One of the largest opera houses in Europe, known for its grandeur and excellent acoustics.
A historic royal palace with richly decorated rooms and the Palatine Chapel.
A beautiful architectural mix from different periods, with royal tombs and a treasury.
A Baroque square at the intersection of Palermo's two major streets, adorned with statues representing the four seasons.
A vibrant market where locals shop for fresh produce, offering an authentic Palermo experience.
Once a busy daytime market, Vucciria is now known for its vibrant nightlife and street food.
A deep-fried rice ball filled with ragù, peas, and cheese, characteristic of Sicilian cuisine.
Chickpea flour fritters, typically served in a sandwich or on their own as a snack. A popular street food in Palermo.
Pasta with sardines, wild fennel, pine nuts, and raisins. A traditional dish reflecting Palermo's Arab influence.
Prices are moderate compared to northern Italian cities. Accommodation is affordable, while dining can vary in cost.
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Leave small change or round up the bill in restaurants and bars. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, but rounding up the fare is common.
Official public transport app
Palermo Airport -> Palermo Centrale
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need