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Offered languages
- English
- English
This 90-minute self-guided walking tour traces Palermo's layered history—Phoenician, Arab, Norman, and modern Italian—while exploring the city's fight against the mafia. Starting at Porta Nuova, it passes Palazzo dei Normanni, Mercato al Capo, Quattro Canti, and Fontana Pretoria, ending at Livia Morello Park.
Highlights:
* Visit the Palatine Chapel, Europe's oldest royal residence still in use
* Explore San Cataldo's red Arab-Norman domes
* Learn about the Sicilian Vespers rebellion
* Hear about magistrates Falcone and Borsellino's fight against Cosa Nostra
* See Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house
* Taste arancine, pane câ mèusa, and cannoli
Come hungry, watch your belongings, and let Palermo surprise you.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The tour starts at porta nuova, Via Vittorio Emanuele, very close to the Calatafimi Porta Nuova bus stop. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
The tour ends at Foro Italico Umberto I, 1, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy.
Itinerary
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Porta Nuova (Pass by)
Pass by Porta Nuova, a 1500s western gate built to celebrate Charles V's victory over the Ottomans at Tunis. Spot the bound Moors and imperial eagle carved into its facade. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Cattedrale di Palermo (Pass by)
Walk along Palermo Cathedral, started by the Normans in 1185 atop a Phoenician site. See Saint Rosalia's remains, royal tombs, and a zodiac sundial, or climb the roof for sweeping city and sea views. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Capo Street Market (Pass by)
Pass by Mercato del Capo, one of Palermo's liveliest street markets. Browse stalls, haggle for bargains, and sample local street food like arancine, pane e panelle, and spleen sandwiches. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll past the Muro della Legalità, a mural-covered wall honoring those who fought the mafia, including writers, artists, and officers who lost their lives defending honesty and justice. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Teatro Massimo (Pass by)
Walk along Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house and Europe's third largest. Learn how it opened in 1896 with Verdi's Falstaff and its link to Italy's Risorgimento history. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Quattro Canti (Pass by)
Pass by the Quattro Canti, Palermo's ornate baroque crossroads also nicknamed the Theatre of the Sun. Admire its four matching facades, each lit by sunlight at different times of day. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Piazza Pretoria (Pass by)
Stroll past Piazza Pretoria to see the Fontana Pretoria, the "Fountain of Shame," with nude classical gods, dolphins, and harpies, built in 1554 and relocated here from Florence. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Piazza Bellini (Pass by)
Walk along Piazza Bellini, home to the Arab-Norman church of San Cataldo and the older Chiesa della Martorana, both showcasing Sicily's mix of Byzantine and Norman architectural styles. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll past Porta Felice, a monumental 1500s gate built by a viceroy for his wife. Nearby, see the Passeggiata delle Cattive, a terrace once used by widows for solitary walks. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Norman Palace (Pass by)
Stroll past Palazzo dei Normanni, built on Phoenician foundations and expanded by Arabs and Normans. Visit the Palatine Chapel, learn about Sicily's Norman kings, and explore Europe's oldest royal residence, now a UNESCO site. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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