I’m Massimiliano, a sales manager who’s always travelling for work. When I’m away I love to take some time to visit the city I’m going to and taste its flavours.
Today I was in Palermo for a business meeting. Like all big cities, Palermo is beautiful but chaotic, so I prefer to rent a car to get around easily.
I am part of the Sicily Rent Car Business Circuit, an advantageous agreement that allows me to optimize delivery times and have discounts on prices and payment methods (find out more).
Palermo citizens are convivial and cheerful people, so after a super productive meeting, my colleagues offered to take me around the city.
A day in Palermo: what to see
If you come to Palermo for the first time you feel lost, like a teenager in love with her first love. I still have the gold of the mosaics and the strings of clothes hanging in my eyes, the voices of the vendors in the historic markets in my ears and the delicious grease of the panelle and crocché on my fingers.
Visiting Palermo in a day is almost impossible, but with a rental car you can do wonders.
What to see in Palermo in a day? Here is my personal suggestion for you of must-see sights.
Mondello Beach
First of all, run to the sea! Mondello beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful and evocative beaches in Palermo with its crystal clear sea and is located just 11 km from the city centre, perfect for those who have a few hours to spend at the beach. It is nestled between Monte Pellegrino and Monte Gallo, a natural setting that gives you the feeling of being on a beautiful island.
Palermo Cathedral
Back in the city, take a moment to admire Palermo Cathedral, an undisputed symbol of the architectural styles found in Sicily. There are countless influences to be listed: Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Aragonese, Spanish and finally Habsburg-Bourbon.
Admission to the Cathedral is free, while a separate ticket is required to visit the treasury, the crypt, the tombs and to climb to the roofs. Don’t miss the Chapel of Santa Rosalia, the city’s beloved patron saint.
Fares
Combined ticket 7€
Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel
A masterpiece of art, the Palazzo dei Normanni is a must for any day-trip to Palermo. Think of it as Europe’s oldest royal residence, the seat of the empire of Frederick II and Conrad IV, and just a short walk from the Cathedral.
Inside sparkles a precious treasure: a small basilica known as the Palatine Chapel. This chapel covered in golden mosaics dates back to the beginning of the 12th century and is a masterpiece that has no equal in Italy. I would stare at it with my nose in the air for very long minutes.
Fares
Full ticket 7€, reduced 3€
Piazza Pretoria and Martorana Church
Piazza Pretoria is also known among Palermo’s inhabitants as the ‘Piazza della Vergogna’ (Square of Shame), after the nudity of the statues standing in the fountain in the centre. A little further on is another Byzantine jewel, the Church of the Martorana.
The Quattro Canti
A few steps from Piazza Pretoria, the so-called “Quattro Canti ” stand in the middle of a pedestrian crossroads. They are the exact centre of Palermo, and the place where the city’s two main streets meet: Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele.
The name Quattro Canti is a reference to the four decorative structures that border the intersection. Here it is not uncommon to see street artists performing or playing traditional music, something I love.
Massimo Theatre
The Teatro Massimo is a great source of pride for Palermo: it is the largest theatre in Italy and the third largest in Europe. Its majesty can be felt from the outside, but those with more time on their hands should pay a visit to the interior as well.
Fares
Full price ticket 8€, reduced 5€
Politeama Theatre
Continuing to stroll along Via Maqueda after admiring the beauty of the Teatro Massimo, just ten minutes down the road, allow yourself to be enchanted by another theatre: the Politeama, a perfect example of neoclassical architecture.
La Cala
Palermo’s Cala is a small inlet in the heart of the city, with a distinctive U-shape that hosts dozens of small and medium-sized boats.
Today, thanks to the concrete promenade that runs along its banks, the large flowerbeds, and the various seats and lounge bars, it has become a meeting place for those who want to enjoy the sea breeze after a long walk just like I did.
So much beauty can be found in Palermo, a city you will always and forever fall in love with.
Did you like this article? Make a quote for your next car rental here or discover the other destinations that have fascinated our travelers here.