10 Things to Do in Palermo in Summer

There is truly a lot to see and do in Palermo. Sicily's capital is an ideal place to visit during the summer months, with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy and temperatures that are never sweltering, allowing you to make the most of your visit to the city.

From the Vegetable Festival, with world-class artists and concerts, to its enchanting, paradisiacal beaches and nature excursions, Palermo is a radiant destination that won't leave you indifferent. With centuries of history behind it, walking through the streets of the historic centre, its churches and monuments, will leave you in love with Palermo. Join me on this tour of the best activities the city has to offer in summer.

Get on board one of the best tourist buses in Palermo and visit the main corners of the city with an audio guide in your own language. Moreover, thanks to the hop on-hop off mode, you can get off the bus as many times as you want, go at your own pace, and get back on at any of the stops along the route.

Although it is true that this type of tour can be done at any time of the year, the warm temperatures make it a perfect plan for the summer months, as they are open-top buses, which allow you to get 360° views. You'll feel the caress of the Sicilian sunshine as you stroll around its most important landmarks. This is one of the best tours to do in Palermo.

Every summer, in the seaside neighbourhood of Mondello, the World Festival on the Beach takes place, where you can enjoy musical performances and sporting events. It has been held since 1986 and lasts for the whole week. The activities also include food and drink stands, making it an ideal excuse to spend the day on the beach, surrounded by an incredible atmosphere.

While the activities, and especially the sporting competitions, take place throughout the neighbourhood, the piazza Valdesi is usually the heart of the festival. Facing the sea and surrounded by palm trees, this piazza is the perfect place to enjoy the World Beach Festival. In the beach area you can watch competitions in windsurfing, kitesurfing, and volleyball, among others.

Useful information:

• When it takes place: the first days of Palermo's summer.
• Location: Mondello neighbourhood, Palermo.
• Price: the entrance and the right to attend the sporting events, as well as the musical shows, is free of charge.

During the months of July and August one of the most awaited festivals for jazz lovers takes place in Palermo. In the summer months, the city fills up with concerts featuring some of the most important figures on the current jazz scene. The town is transformed into a real party to be enjoyed as a family, as a couple, alone or with friends.

The Sicilian Jazz Festival also includes other activities, such as a large number of workshops and seminars for all ages. If you are visiting Palermo at the beginning of the summer you cannot miss this festival. During the Jazz Festival a number of concerts take place in nightclubs and theatres such as the Teatro Massimo or the Teatro di Verdura. Most of them are completely free of charge.

Useful information:

• When it takes place:during the months of July and August, date to be confirmed.
• Location: in different venues and theatres in the city.
• Price: the vast majority of the festival's events are free.

During the first fortnight of July, Palermo pays homage to its patron saint with five days of celebrations. This is one of the most colourful and joyful festivals in Sicily, as all Palermitans take to the streets to enjoy themselves. The festival includes, among other things, a parade of floats and costumes, music and light show, and an impressive fireworks display by the sea at the Foro Umberto.

You can also enjoy typical local food and drink stalls. The highlight of the festival is on the evening of July 14th, when an extensive procession is led by a giant chariot. The procession goes from Palermo Cathedral to the Foro Italico. On the 15th the relics of Santa Rosalia are carried on a platform and then returned to be blessed.

You will see that this is a most picturesque festival, as the thousands of people who attend the festivities are contagious. It is customary for confetti to be thrown from the balconies as the procession moves along, and the whole route is beautifully illuminated.

Useful information:

• When it takes place: during the first fortnight of July.
• Location: the procession of floats and costumes moves through the streets of the old town.
• Price: This is an absolutely free and popular festival.

Palermo is a city with a rich history and culture, but another of its attractions is its coastline. With some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, the capital of Sicily shines in the summer sun.

The warmer months are ideal for a day at the beach, and none is better than Mondello Beach. It is a paradise of fine white sand and turquoise sea. Located very close to the centre of Palermo, Mondello has everything you need for a perfect family day out in the Sicilian summer.

The beach has sun loungers and umbrellas, beach bars and pedal boats for hire. All along the coast you can stroll along the promenade, where you'll find shops and a wide range of restaurants. Ideal to sit and have a bite to eat while you watch the boats and sailboats on the jetty.

Of course you can't leave Sicily without sampling its delicious food, and for that there's nothing better than taking one of Palermo's best food tours. You'll walk through the streets of the city with your guide and get to know the best of the local gastronomy, open-air markets and the whole atmosphere of the Palermo nightlife.

Of course, this type of tour can be done at any time of the year, but in summer it is always much better, since, being on foot, the pleasant temperatures that the city offers in these months is perfect to enjoy it to the fullest.

The Festival Teatro del Fuoco in Palermo is one of those events not to be missed if you happen to be in the Sicilian capital at the end of July.

The festival includes various dance, music and theatre performances, as well as workshops and exhibitions, where you can marvel and enjoy yourself like a Sicilian. Night dances with hundreds of thousands of coloured lights and, of course, fire. An incomparable spectacle that will leave you speechless, not for nothing was it declared by Forbes magazine as one of the 12 best festivals in the world.

Useful information:

• When it takes place: during the summer, from 12 July to 1 August.
• Location: Teatro di Verdura, Viale del Fante, 39, Palermo.
• Price: from 16 euros per person.

There are plenty of options for a getaway from Palermo. You can choose between the famous Etna Volcano and the picturesque town of Taormina, the Roman Villa or the Valley of the Temples, all of which you can visit in a day. A nature excursion is always better in warmer temperatures, which is why the Sicilian summer is ideal for it.

Sign up for one of the best day trips from Palermo and experience the region's past in a unique way. Sicily has it all, and while its cities generally get all the plaudits, its natural spaces are truly beautiful. One of the most popular destinations is undoubtedly a visit to the majestic Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. The excursion takes all day, but it is well worth it.

Declared together with the cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalù a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Zisa Palace, also called La Zisa, is a beautiful palace located in the western region of the city of Palermo. It is a 12th century building in Arabic style. Here you can delight in the Moorish decorations, while observing how royalty lived in those times, as it was conceived as a summer residence for the Norman kings.

Over the years it has undergone structural modifications, such as the addition of battlements in the 14th century and the reconstruction of sectors that had deteriorated in the late 20th century. This Sicilian monument is ideal to visit in summer, as it has beautiful gardens around the castle where you can stroll around.

The Zisa is considered one of the best museums in Palermo, as inside you can see pieces of Islamic art as well as handmade objects from the Mediterranean area. Don't miss its Moorish-style mosaics, they are absolutely incredible.

Finally, let me tell you that you can't leave Sicily without taking a tour of the key points of the mafia world. Without a doubt, this is one of the most recognisable features of the island. Thanks to films such as The Godfather, the region's fame has grown considerably.

Palermo has some of the best tours about the Sicilian Mafia, so I recommend you don't miss this great opportunity to learn all about it.

As these are walking tours through the streets of Palermo, it is always best to do them in the summer months, as the pleasant temperatures will make your experience an unforgettable adventure. This is one of the best things to do in Palermo in months like August, for example, when the average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius.

Every year, during the month of August, the Sicilian town of San Piero Patti welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors, who join the locals to enjoy the best gastronomy in Sicily. Ca' Food is a festival that brings together art, musical performances, Sicilian street food tastings, culture and tradition, activities for the little ones and much more.

Located about 2 hours from Palermo, this getaway is the best excuse to get to know a bit of the capital's surroundings and all the beauty of the coastal region. The festival is a gourmet event of the highest quality, where you have a choice of venues and stands to choose from, food made with local produce. And of course, a party atmosphere second to none.

Useful information:

• When it takes place: mid-August, in the middle of the Sicilian summer.
• Location: San Piero Patti, 2 hours away from Palermo,location to be determined.
• Price: it is a popular event with free tastings and shows. Of course, apart from the tastings, if you want to eat a dish, you have to pay for it.

Below I will answer some of the most common questions about summer in Palermo.

What is the weather like in Palermo during the summer months?

Summer temperatures in Palermo range between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, the weather is rather dry and pleasant. However, always remember to check a weather website to make sure you don't get any surprises on your trip.

What should I take into account when packing my suitcase if I travel to Palermo in summer?

When packing your suitcase, you should always take into account your subjective experience, as there is no one better than you to know if you are one of those who suffer from the heat or if you can tolerate it well. Summer in Palermo doesn't tend to bring much rain, so there's no need to pack an umbrella or raincoat. With temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius, make sure you pack comfortable shoes and cool clothes, a swimming costume and some good flip-flops.

Is Palermo a good city to visit with children?

Although it is not one of the most kid-friendly cities in the world, there are several activities and museums that children will certainly enjoy, such as the Antonio Pasqualino Puppet Museum or the Mondello beach, where they can enjoy water sports. In addition, in any corner of the city you can enjoy the delicious Sicilian granita, the incredible cannolis and pizza, as here in Italy it is almost obligatory.

It may not be a very comfortable city to visit with very young children who still use their pushchairs, as the streets are quite old, many of them cobbled, especially in the area of the historic centre, so it may be more practical to carry them in their arms.

Is Palermo an expensive city to visit?

No, within the European cities, Palermo is not an expensive city at all, you can eat for around 10 euros per person. Of course it will always depend on the type of place you choose. There are options for all budgets, as with accommodation. A hostel, airbnb or hotel further away from the old town will always be more affordable, as this is the most popular area of the city.