Palermo Cruise Port Guide: 10 Best Things to Do

LAST UPDATED September 15, 2025 BY Katarina Komazec

The Palermo cruise port handles both cruise ships and ferries.

The cruise pier sits about a 25-30 minute walk from the city center and Palermo Cathedral, so you can reach the main sights on foot. Palermo Marina is about 10–15 minutes on foot from the port.

The cruise area includes three berths that take ships of all sizes, plus several ferry berths with connections to mainland Italy and other Mediterranean cities.

On the pier, you’ll find a small white terminal building, a dedicated area for tour buses and taxis, and port authority staff who can point you in the right direction.

There’s also an information point at the terminal entrance/exit.

Getting Around Palermo Cruise Port

10 Best Things to Do in Palermo Cruise Port

Palermo is one of the most diverse and unique cities in Sicily, and in my opinion, it feels completely different from the rest of the island.

Its turbulent history has made it a true melting pot of civilizations, and that mix is still visible today in the city’s architecture, food, and everyday life.

Here are the top things to do on a cruise stop in Palermo:

1. Palermo Cathedral

Built by the Normans between 1169 and 1185, the Palermo Cathedral is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale.”

Dedicated to SS. Assunta, it stands near the ancient Punic-Roman walls of the first Phoenician settlement.

The cathedral is a symbol of Palermo, blending Western, Byzantine, and Islamic styles.

Inside, you can visit the Crypt and Royal Tombs of Sicilian kings and queens, including King Roger II, as well as the Treasury, Apses, Roofs, and Underground rooms.

Don’t miss the climb to the cathedral roofs: 110 steps lead to spectacular panoramic views of Palermo, and it’s often less crowded than expected.

👉 Check out Palermo Cathedral tours and activities

2. Norman Palace

A short 450 m walk down Via Vittorio Emanuele from the Cathedral brings you to Villa Bonanno Park and Piazza Indipendenza, home to the imposing Norman Palace (Royal Palace of Palermo).

Dating back to the 9th century, the palace was originally built for Arab emirs, later expanded by the Normans, and then occupied by the Spaniards. It became the seat of the Kings of Sicily during the 11th–12th century Hauteville dynasty and today houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

The palace’s architecture reflects the diverse cultures that shaped it. Inside, highlights include the magnificent Palatine Chapel commissioned by King Roger II, the Royal Apartments, archaeological exhibitions, and the Royal Gardens.

👉 Check out Norman Palace tours and activities

3. Church of Saint John of the Hermits

Just a 5-minute walk from the Norman Palace, the Church of Saint John of the Hermits (Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti) is one of Palermo’s most distinctive landmarks.

Easily recognized by its bright red domes, the medieval church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale.”

There is a small entry fee to visit the church complex.

4. Palermo Street Markets

The lively street markets of Palermo are the best place to soak up the city’s authentic atmosphere.

Within a 10–15 minute walk from the Cathedral you’ll find the three most famous ones: Mercato di Ballarò, Mercato della Vucciria, and Mercato del Capo.

Here you can sample traditional Sicilian dishes such as arancini (fried rice balls with ham and cheese) and the iconic cannoli, along with seafood, spices, cheeses, and fresh produce.

Each market has its own character; I especially enjoyed Mercato del Capo, though all are worth a visit.

👉 Check out Palermo food tours and activities

5. Quattro Canti

Only a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral, Quattro Canti (“Four Corners”) is a Baroque, octagonal square at the crossroads of Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele.

Each of the four symmetrical facades features a fountain for the seasons, statues of Palermo’s kings, and the city’s patron saints.

Although small and always busy, the square isn’t pedestrianized, so watch out for cars, tuk-tuks, buses, and carriages.

The surrounding streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and street vendors, making this one of Palermo’s liveliest spots.

👉 For a sweet stop, try Cappadonia Gelati on Via Vittorio Emanuele; it’s an award-winning gelateria famous for its gelato stuffed in a brioche bun. 😋

👉 Explore Quattro Canti tours and activities

6. Pretoria Square

Just steps from Quattro Canti, Pretoria Square (Piazza Pretoria) is one of Palermo’s most photographed spots.

At its center stands the 16th-century Fontana Pretoria, an ornate tiered fountain decorated with nude mythological statues.

The square is framed by landmarks such as the Baroque Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini with its colorful dome, the Palazzo Pretorio (Palermo’s Town Hall), and the Santa Caterina Monastery with its church.

Always lively with tourists, the piazza is a stop on all major sightseeing tours, including the Hop-On Hop-Off bus.

👉 Check out Piazza Pretoria tours and activities

7. Teatro Massimo

A 10-minute walk from the Cathedral brings you to Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, dominated by the grand Teatro Massimo.

Opened in 1897, it is the largest opera house in Italy and the third-largest in Europe (after Paris and Vienna), with seating for 1,387 people.

Built on the site of two demolished churches and a convent, the theater is steeped in history and even legends of a ghostly presence.

Today, it is renowned for world-class opera performances and for its appearance in The Godfather Part III.

Guided tours (daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm) showcase the lavish interiors, share fascinating stories, and include access to the Opera Terrace with panoramic views of Palermo. The lively square in front is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés.

👉 Explore Teatro Massimo tours and activities

8. Palermo Museums

Palermo is packed with fascinating museums, many housed in former palaces of Sicilian nobility. Here are some worth visiting:

• Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas – Near Teatro Massimo, with Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Etruscan collections. The courtyards are lovely, and entry is free on Sundays.
• Sicily Regional Art Museum (Palazzo Abatellis) – A 15th-century palace with Renaissance paintings, woodwork, and frescoes.
• Palazzo Valguarnera Gangi – An 18th-century palace famous for its ornate Rococo rooms and Hall of Mirrors.
• Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri – A 14th-century palace now serving as a museum and home to the University rector’s offices.
• Palazzo Mirto – A richly decorated noble residence showcasing aristocratic life in Palermo.
• Catacombe dei Cappuccini – The city’s most unusual site, with 8,000 mummified corpses dating from the 16th to early 20th century. More info.

👉 Check out Palermo Museums tickets and passes

9. Palermo Marina

From the cruise terminal, you can reach Palermo Marina with a 15-minute walk along Via Francesco Crispi (turn left when exiting) or by taking Bus 107 to Porta Felice.

The marina area is pleasant for a stroll and offers several points of interest:

• Murale Falcone e Borsellino – A striking mural honoring judges Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, both murdered by the mafia in the 1990s.
• Porta Felice – The ancient city gate, once topped by an arch destroyed during World War II.
• Foro Italico – A waterfront promenade with a wide lawn, sculptures, and colorful benches, perfect for a relaxing break.
• Palermo Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico) – Just 5 minutes further, home to exotic plants from around the world.
• Villa Giulia – A scenic public park next to the gardens, with free entrance.

10. Day Trips from Palermo

If you’d like to explore beyond the city, Palermo is a great base for day trips to historic towns and scenic spots:

• Cefalù – About an hour’s drive west of the port, this coastal gem is famous for its postcard-perfect waterfront, medieval alleys, and the 12th-century Norman Cathedral.
• Monreale – Just 17 km (11 miles) southwest of Palermo, the town offers sweeping views of La Conca d’Oro valley. Its highlight is the Monreale Cathedral, adorned with golden mosaics and ornate cloisters.
• Godfather Villages – Fans of The Godfather trilogy can visit Savoca and Forza d’Agrò, the villages where key scenes were filmed.
• Agrigento & Valley of the Temples – A 2h15 drive takes you to one of Sicily’s most important archaeological sites, with vast ruins of ancient Akragas and its iconic Greek temples.

👉 Explore Palermo shore excursions

Palermo Cruise Port FAQ

Helpful Resources for Your Cruise Stop

🌐 Useful Websites

• Find the Port of Palermo on Google Maps
• Palermo Cruise Ship Schedule
• Palermo Tourism Office
• Local Weather Forecast
• AMAT Palermo – official site for local buses and trams
• Trenitalia – train timetables across Sicily and mainland Italy

⚓ Other Ports Often Included in Palermo Itineraries

Planning a stop in Palermo cruise port? These Western Mediterranean ports are often part of the same itinerary:

• Civitavecchia (Rome) – gateway to Rome’s landmarks
• Salerno – ideal for the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii
• Cagliari – Sardinia’s capital with beaches and rugged landscapes
• Barcelona and Valencia – historic cities with world-class architecture
• Malta (Valletta) – medieval streets and stunning harbor views
• La Spezia – access point for Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre
• Ajaccio (Corsica) – dramatic coastline and Napoleonic history
• Naples – excursions to Pompeii, Capri, and Amalfi
• Marseille – France’s vibrant port with access to Provence

You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, USA & Canada, Middle East, Australia & New Zealand

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