Destinations

What to See in Palermo This Summer: 11 Top Places plus Travel Tips

Discover how to reach Palermo by ferry with GNV and what to see this summer: routes, onboard Wi-Fi, and 11 must-see attractions.

17 June 2025

Reaching Palermo by sea with GNV

Set off for Palermo with GNV’s comfortable overnight crossings:

Naples – Palermo

Genoa – Palermo

On GNV ships, you’ll find comfortable cabins, restaurants, entertainment, and Seafy Wi-Fi (available on GNV Spirit and Allegra), perfect for planning your trip or sharing your journey.

🌴 What to see in Palermo in summer: 11 must-see places

🏰 1. Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina

The Royal Palace, a symbol of Sicilian history, houses the stunning Palatine Chapel, decorated with golden Byzantine mosaics and an Islamic muqarnas wooden ceiling.

📍 Location: Piazza Indipendenza, 10 min walk from Quattro Canti. 🎟️ Tip: book your visit in advance using onboard Wi-Fi.

⛪ 2. Palermo Cathedral

A UNESCO World Heritage Site combining Norman, Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles. Don’t miss the rooftop panoramic views over the city.

📍 Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 500 m from Quattro Canti. 🕒 Visit in the morning to avoid the heat.

🎭 3. Teatro Massimo

Italy’s largest opera house and the third largest in Europe. Explore its grand interiors and check out the summer programme of concerts and events.

📍 Piazza Verdi, 5 min walk from Quattro Canti.

🏛️ 4. Quattro Canti (Piazza Vigliena)

This iconic Baroque intersection is known as the “Theatre of the Sun”, with each facade representing seasons, Spanish kings, and Palermo’s patron saints.

📍 Where Corso Vittorio Emanuele meets Via Maqueda.

💦 5. Fontana Pretoria (“Fountain of Shame”)

One of Italy’s most beautiful fountains, featuring 48 allegorical statues. 📍 Piazza Pretoria, behind Quattro Canti.

🍽️ 6. Historic markets & street food (Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo)

Experience Palermo’s authentic life:

✅ Ballarò: biggest market, near the central station ✅ Vucciria: best for nightlife and street food ✅ Capo: morning market with fresh fish and local delicacies

Don’t leave without tasting an arancina, Palermo’s queen of street food!

🏖️ 7. Mondello Beach

White sand, turquoise water, and beach clubs just 10 km from the city centre.

🚍 How to get there: bus 806 (30 min, €1.50-2) or by car/scooter (15-20 min).

⛰️ 8. Monte Pellegrino & Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia

Called by Goethe “the most beautiful promontory in the world”. 📍 Reachable by bus 812 or by car. Sunset views are unforgettable.

🏰 9. Monreale Cathedral

A Norman masterpiece with over 6,000 m² of golden Byzantine mosaics.

🚍 How to get there: bus 389 from Piazza Indipendenza (~30-40 min).

⛪ 10. Martorana Church (Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio)

Arab-Norman church with 12th-century golden mosaics.

📍 Piazza Bellini, near Quattro Canti.

🌅 11. La Cala & Foro Italico (Palermo seafront)

Enjoy an evening stroll by the sea among boats, green lawns, and cycle paths. 📍 10 min walk from the city centre.

💡 Final tips

Before docking, connect to Seafy Wi-Fi onboard GNV Spirit and Allegra to:

✅ Download offline maps ✅ Check transport timetables ✅ Book tours and tickets

✨ Have a great trip and welcome to Palermo – your Sicilian adventure begins the moment you connect to Wi-Fi onboard and see Monte Pellegrino appear on the horizon!

Sources:

GNV Grandi Navi Veloci – EN

Il mosaico di Ruggero II della Martorana di Palermo: un’immagine che dice di più di mille parole

Passeggiando per Palermo (e pensando alla Sicilia)

Quattro Canti – Wikipedia

Piazza Politeama, Palermo to Lido di Mondello – one way to travel

Palermo, la Fontana Pretoria (o della Vergogna) nasconde un segreto

Arancino o arancina? Hanno tutti ragione | La Cucina Italiana

Monte Pellegrino and its sanctuary | Wonderful Italy

Side Trips in Mondello – Frommers

Nuova luce sui mosaici di Monreale – Vatican News

Palermo to Monreale by Bus | How to Visit Monreale Without a Tour