Palermo Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Palermo, Sicily, Italy)



Picture of the Fontana PretoriaThe Italian city of Palermo is a true mixture of history, sophistication, charisma and beauty, although as with any large city, there are run-down areas where life away from the glamorous side of tourism is less appealing. Palermo prides itself on its strong Sicilian character and coastal charm, with many grand mosques, majestic buildings, popular theatres and tall palm trees.

Although tourists head to Palermo during its sunny summer season, many others also enjoy its mild winters, when package details are readily available and often extremely good value. As the island's principal city, Palermo was founded more than 1,000 years ago and as a result of its age, has plenty of ancient attractions worth exploring. Here are some helpful travel tips worth noting.


Further photo of the Fontana Pretoria

Useful Contact Details

The main tourist information centre in Palermo can be found on the Piazza Castelnuovo and features an array of leaflets and brochures about the island. However, other outlets are plentiful and located at the airport and the train station, along with a series of tourist booths.

Tourist Information Booths
Locations: Molo Piave, Piazza Bellini, Piazza Marina, Piazza della Vittoria and Via Cavour
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 09:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 20:00, Friday and Saturday - 08:30 to 20:30, Sunday - 09:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00

Palermo Tourist Office
Address: Piazza Castelnuovo 35, Palermo, Italy, IT
Tel: +39 091 605 81 11
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 14:00 and 14:30 to 18:00

Language and Dialect

Sicilian Italian, the language of Palermo, is known to be romantic and often known as the 'language of love'. Basic Italian phrases are simple to learn and many phrasebooks are available for those wishing to make the effort.


Dos and Don'ts