Driving routes, distances and day-trip ideas nearby.
A ready week, day by day: highly rated places, lunches, tours and trips out of town. Ratings and opening hours come from Tripadvisor, distances are real driving distances.
An unhurried first day: the centre on foot, one landmark and a quiet dinner near where you're staying. Don't plan anything far — after travelling, getting your bearings matters more.
All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.
Hotel check-in is usually from 2pm — if you arrive earlier, most places will store your luggage.
The fullest day: two or three key places back to back. Start early — queues build by midday at the popular ones, and the light is better for photographs after lunch.
All day
A free day — the market, the waterfront, the next neighbourhood over.
Up to 34 °C in the days ahead — do the walking in the morning and spend midday indoors.
A day for what needs time and attention: museums, historic quarters, and lunch somewhere locals actually go.
Afternoon
Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view
5.0· 174from €115
Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view — rated 5 from 174 reviews.
Many museums close on a Monday or Tuesday — check the opening hours before you set out.
Get beyond the city: the nearby towns and countryside are usually what stays with you. A rental car is the practical way — public transport on these routes is slow and infrequent.
All day
Cinisi
Cinisi is 34 km from Palermo, about 35m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.
Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.
Rent a car in PalermoA free day. Go back to wherever you wanted to linger, and add one or two places from the list you haven't reached.
Afternoon
Palermo Airport transfers to/from Palermo city center (One-way)
5.0· 69from €90
Palermo Airport transfers to/from Palermo city center (One-way) — rated 5 from 69 reviews.
Carry some cash for markets and small cafés — cards are not taken everywhere.
A good day for a guided tour: a guide tells you what the signs don't, and takes the driving off your hands.
All day
Santa Ninfa
Santa Ninfa is 97 km from Palermo, about 1h 10m by car. Leave in the morning so you're back before dark.
Book the car ahead: in season there is little left and the counter price is higher.
Rent a car in PalermoA calm finish: a favourite spot once more, some shopping, a late lunch. Leave yourself room before the airport.
Afternoon
Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta
5.0· 56from €151
Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta — rated 5 from 56 reviews.
Allow twice what the map says for the airport run — it is never the quiet hour when you need it.
Within a ~2.5h drive of Palermo.
Where you can drive from Palermo.
Tap a place for photos, opening hours and reviews
Top attractions
Restaurants and cafés
Cooking class in a villa with Palermo view
€115
Palermo Airport transfers to/from Palermo city center (One-way)
€90
Sicilian Cooking Class : Homemade Pasta
€151
Tour Palermo city
€190
Hotel Politeama
from €165 / night
Grand Hotel Et Des Palmes
from €331 / night
Casa Nostra Boutique Hotel & Spa
from €333 / night
Hotel Pontemare
from €115 / night
Source — Tripadvisor
Outstanding Stay in Palermo across July and August
Absolutely outstanding boutique hotel in the historic Kalsa district…..it really felt like a retreat from the hot and vibrant city….amazing rooms, attentive staff…particularly Alessandro, Alex.Fabrizio and Wilfred to name but a few were very kind to us. This is THE place in Palermo.
Amazing restaurant in Sicily - hidden gem!
We went here and it was excellent!!! Genuinely one of the best restaurants I have been too. Don’t go to the restaurants on the central road - walk here (it’s only a short walk from the centre)! Amazing staff and service too who explained all the food and where the ingredients are from.
Great food, right in the centre of Palermo
Wouldn't normally have chosen a restaurant right on the main thoroughfare as they tend to not be great and be expensive. Not so for Bisso! Was recommended by our walking tour guide and we really enjoyed it. Very reasonably priced with good portions of very tasty food. Despite the restaurant being very busy the staff…