Palermo in 2 Days: everything you need to know

Palermo is the capital of the island of Sicily and within the Italian territory it is the most populated city in the south of the country. For centuries it has been a cultural capital for the whole region and today it is a metropolis that combines tradition and history with a lot of tourism and modernity. Exactly for this reason the best things to do in Palermo have to do with touring the city's great urban and architectural treasures.

Below, I have planned an itinerary that will keep you busy over two days in a short visit to the city of Palermo. This is enough time for you to get an idea of the beauty that characterises this place and has made it one of the most interesting destinations to visit in all of Italy as well as in the whole of the European Mediterranean.

For the first day of your visit I have organised a couple of activities that are a must for a tourist in Palermo. The city has several dozen historic buildings of great importance that can be compared to the monuments of Rome or the picturesque buildings of Venice.

The tour I propose is one that will allow you to keep yourself entertained while also having the opportunity to get to know these important sites of Sicilian culture and history. These are undoubtedly unforgettable places that will mark some of the best memories of your time on this beautiful island.

Take a short tour of the Norman Palace and its chapel after breakfast

Visiting the city's main attraction is an ideal way to start the first day of your visit to Palermo and in this case it is the Norman Palace and its chapel. The building is a grand construction that for many is the ultimate representation of the Arab-Norman-Byzantine style that dominated Sicilian architecture for several centuries.

It was once the private residence of the Kings of Sicily as well as the Sicilian parliament. In fact the building is considered to be the oldest royal residence in Europe and the chapel inside, known as the Palatine Chapel, is a jewel of the city in its own right. In fact both sites are Unesco World Heritage Sites.

Especially as you will have the opportunity to experience the different types of breakfasts enjoyed by the locals on a daily basis.

Note that this is one of the best things to do with children in Palermo, as it is a quiet and entertaining activity. The best thing about it is that you can complement it with a street food tour in case you had breakfast at the hotel, but still have an appetite for the authentic Sicilian food that you missed in your hotel breakfast. Knowing that the surrounding area is part of this kind of gastronomic tour can be a good workout to calm mid-morning cravings.

Continue the day with a tour of the city's best markets

When the street food tour is over you still have the rest of the morning to continue participating in other of Palermo's best gastronomic tours. So if the samples and tastings you enjoyed in the previous activity were not enough, a tour of one of the best markets in the city is an excellent idea.

You should bear in mind that Palermo is a very important city for the fishing industry as well as for the production of some typical Italian foods such as olive oil.

Of these markets you should know that many are located in the city centre and among them are the Vucciria, the Capo and Ballarò. This is exactly why visiting them after the street food tour is a good decision, as you will stay in the same area that you will continue to visit for the other activities of the day.

All these markets are characterised by their resemblance to the souks of the Arab cities, which is logical because this is a city that received Byzantine influences during many centuries of history.

It is important to take this opportunity to do a little shopping for Sicilian handicrafts and culinary products, as these places offer the best prices as well as the best quality items in the wide range of local offerings.

Be sure to visit the Co-cathedral and the Cathedral of Palermo.

The Cathedral of Pal ermo can be considered the most important architectural attraction of the whole city and understandably so, as it is an imposing building that stands out among the panorama of a city that in itself has quite an interesting identity.

At the same time, a couple of streets away is the Co-cathedral of Santa Maria dell'Almirante which is characterised by its vaulted structure, a baroque remodelling and is also well known for its Byzantine mosaics.

Both buildings are the highlights in a city that is full of impressive churches that are well worth a visit. However, in the short time you have available, these two places should not be missing from your tourist itinerary. The surroundings of both places are full of restaurants and therefore they can be an excellent option for lunch.

Both places are always part of the best tours of Palermo because of the historical and cultural importance they have for the city. They are also some of the best things to do in Palermo at Christmas because both places have a very festive atmosphere during this special time of year for Catholicism.

Continue through the centre to visit Quattro Canti and the Pretoria Fountain

Quattro Canti, one of Palermo's greatest treasures, is located on the same street as Palermo's Co-cathedral. It is a public square with an octagonal shape with baroque style buildings and four fountains crowned with ornate statues that create a totally iconic setting.

On each corner there is a statue of four kings of the kingdom of Sicily as well as four statues in honour of the four seasons and it all ends with other statues alluding to four saints of Catholicism. The area around this intersection of streets is lined with shops and commercial establishments and less than 100m away is the famous Pretoria fountain.

This is a picturesque construction that is known locally as the fountain of shame and may have something to do with the fact that at the time the naked statues caused a stir within the Sicilian community. It may also be because it is a popular nickname that served as a constant attack to denounce the corruption of the city council.

Go to the Catacombs of the Capuchins

Just outside the historic centre of Palermo there are equally important and worthwhile attractions and one of these is the Catacombs of the Capuchins. Basically, this is the cemetery that was created for the convent of the Capuchin friars and by visiting it you will have the opportunity to walk among the tombs and perfectly preserved remains of the bodies of this Catholic congregation.

You should know that it is quite an interesting experience and for some it can be a bit claustrophobic. It can also affect sensitivity depending on how people handle the prospect of touring a cemetery with exposed skeletons.

Either way you have to know that this is one of the best museums in Palermo and at the same time it is a good opportunity to visit the Zisa neighbourhood which is the epicentre of Byzantine culture within the Sicilian capital.

End the day with a visit to the Teatro Massimo

By the time you've finished touring the Capuchin catacombs you'll probably be close to sunset, but you'll still have the rest of the evening to take part in other activities if you still have energy left. So, my last recommendation for the first day of your visit to Palermo is to take a taxi and head to the Teatro Massimo, which is one of the largest theatres in Europe

It is actually the temple of lyrical music in Sicily and is the most important building dedicated to culture in the whole city, while it also holds the title of the largest closed auditorium in Italy. There is also a significant variety of restaurants in the surrounding area dedicated to both Sicilian and international cuisine and you can dine here after your visit.

This area of central Palermo is part of the Palermo Hop On Hop Off bus route. These are an excellent alternative for those who wish to have the possibility of an audio guide telling the history of some of the most important streets of the city.

On the second day of your visit to Palermo there will still be a large number of places of interest to visit so that you can say goodbye to the city in style.

Especially because it is one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Italy and, despite having only 48 hours at your disposal, you will make good use of the time and get to know some places that some Sicilians have not yet had the opportunity to see.

So I invite you to continue reading this compilation of plans that will allow you to affirm that you know Palermo in its greatest splendour.

Breakfast in the surroundings of the Giardino Garibaldi

The Giardino Garibaldi is a public park located a couple of metres from the port of Palermo. In turn, many locals define it as the best public park in the whole city. This is because it is a green oasis in the middle of a metropolis full of big palaces and buildings that some would define as decadent.

The surroundings of this public garden are full of restaurants and therefore it is a good opportunity for you to sit down and enjoy a Sicilian breakfast accompanied by a good Italian espresso.

You should also know that this is one of the best things to do in Palermo in September as the crowds are low enough that you can enjoy the garden at your own pace.

Take the opportunity to walk around the Porto di Palermo

The fact that you are in the vicinity of the Giardino Garibaldi makes a tour of the Porto di Palermo an excellent idea. This is a commercial port that is set up for sailboats and yachts right in the historic centre of the city. It has nothing to do with the city's cruise terminal which is definitely not a tourist area and not worth visiting.

In this area you can take the opportunity to visit the Castello a Mare or visit the Porta Felice, which is an ornamental construction very close to the Palazzo Butera that offers one of the best views of the harbour and at the same time is a real architectural jewel of Palermo. The Museo internazionale delle marionette Antonio Pasqualino is also located in this area of the city and is dedicated to telling the story of how puppets are made.

Take part in a Sicilian cooking class

After touring one of Italy's most beautiful ports you could take part in a Sicilian cooking class. This would be an excellent use of your time learning a skill that will last a lifetime and help you remember this trip through your palate.

Most of these classes are organised by local chefs who seek to pass on their knowledge of Sicily' s culinary history to those who wish to participate in such an event. They are designed for very limited groups of people and conveniently many of these establishments are located in the historic centre of Palermo. Which means you won't have to walk far for the reservation you make after you've been to the city's port.

In turn, this is one of the best things to do in Palermo in January or February for the fact that it's just an entertaining activity that will help you escape a little of the cold that can be felt in this city during the winter.

Continue the day with a short trip to Mondello

When you've finished your cooking class you'll have the rest of the afternoon to explore Palermo and so one of the best things to do is to head to Mondello. This place is a famous seaside neighbourhood located less than 20 minutes away from the centre of Palermo and stands out for the tranquillity of its streets, as well as for the excellent beaches along the town.

The site also has the natural park Capo Gallo which is an excellent alternative for hiking tours for the true lovers of hiking. I recommend you go for this idea knowing that a visit to Mondello is one of the best excursions from Palermo and perfectly something you can complete in less than five hours on the second day of your visit to the Sicilian capital.

Don't forget to arrange a safe transfer to the airport

Finally, don't forget to plan a safe and timely transfer to Palermo airport, which is only a couple of kilometres from the city. Therefore, transfers to Palermo airport from your accommodation may be the most comfortable and favourable option to keep you calm knowing that you won't miss your flight.

Clearly, a taxi could be a good alternative, but it all depends on the area where you are staying to know how expensive this service can be. At least relative to a private transfer that you book in advance and that takes place in a first class vehicle.