Palermo Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Xerones (CC BY 2.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Daniele Raimondo, Aubourg Christophe, giovanni soffie, Aldo Marro, Luiz PEREIRA LEITE · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Italy
- Region:
- Western Mediterranean
- Coordinates:
- 38.1157° N, 13.3613° E
About Palermo
Cruises to Palermo run from April through October, bringing warm Mediterranean weather and long daylight hours perfect for exploring Sicily's capital. The port sits at the heart of Palermo's historic centre, putting major attractions within easy reach on foot.
Palermo is Sicily's largest city, renowned for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy. The port area itself features the striking Fontana Pretoria fountain and the historic Quattro Canti landmark, both just metres away. Within a short walk, you'll find the magnificent Palermo Cathedral and the imposing Palazzo dei Normanni, a royal palace showcasing centuries of Norman rule.
What to see near the port
- Quattro Canti – a historic landmark at the port entrance (rating 4.7)
- Fontana Pretoria – an ornate fountain just 0.1 km away (rating 4.6)
- Palermo Cathedral – a church 0.5 km from the port (rating 4.7)
- Palazzo dei Normanni – a historical landmark 0.9 km away (rating 4.5)
- Porta Nuova – a cultural landmark 0.8 km from the port (rating 4.6)
Palermo makes an ideal port of call on Western Mediterranean cruises, with nearby ports including Barcelona, Cannes and Cagliari.
Palermo is the capital and largest city of the autonomous island region of Sicily in southern Italy, located on the eponymous gulf facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. A 2,700-year-old city, it is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Palermo on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
-
Photo: Vincenzo Cuttitta · via Google Maps Church
Palermo Cathedral
4.7 (52,295) 0.5 km from port
4 bell towers top this architecturally diverse church dating from the 1100s & housing royal tombs.
Near: Chiesa di Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto (66 m) · Liceo Classico Vittorio Emanuele II (83 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 5 · “Built in the 12th century - how could you not love this historic building. Entry is free but there are…” — Matthew Sexton
- 5 · “Impressive inside and out. The size of the place, the crypt, the architecture and the view from the top make…” — John P.
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Photo: Simone Paris · via Google Maps Historical landmark
Quattro Canti
4.7 (31,599) 0.0 km from port
Baroque, octagonal public plaza featuring 4 fountains topped by ornate statues in niches.
Near: Quintocanto Hotel & Spa (45 m) · Fontana Pretoria (57 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Quattro Canti quickly became one of our favourite places in Palermo. We found ourselves walking through this beautiful historic intersection…” — Mike Tazzeo
- 5 · “The sculptures on all four sides are very exquisite and quite distinctive. The sculptures on each side are different. There…” — Howie
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Photo: LUCIANO LUMINARI · via Google Maps Historical landmark
Palazzo dei Normanni
4.5 (28,782) 0.9 km from port
Grand 9th century palace with a neo-classical facade, historic chapel & ornate royal apartments.
Near: Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel (13 m) · Royal gardens (112 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Saturday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- 5 · “Well worth a visit! For €19 per person there’s lots to see: - 9th-century royal palace - Palatine Chapel, a…” — Kaya
- 5 · “Great palace from the beginning of the last millennium, giving a taste of life back then, with grand rooms and…” — Stephen Ryan
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Photo: Jana Krüger · via Google Maps Museum
Catacombe dei Cappuccini di Palermo
4.3 (16,487) 2.0 km from port
Home to 8000 corpses dating from the 16th century to 1920, dressed & divided into categories.
Near: Convento Frati Minori Cappuccini (19 m) · Parrocchia di Santa Maria della Pace (36 m)
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 5:10 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:10 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:10 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:10 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 5:10 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:10 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 5:10 pm
- 5 · “The experience was incredible - seeing the love and care with which locals preserved the remains of their loved ones.…” — Yoana Petrova
- 5 · “I loved this. £5PP. Very interesting, slightly different sightseeing but really reccomend. There was a que so be mindful of…” — Lalakoulis
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Tourist attraction
Foro Italico
4.4 (11,346) 1.2 km from port
Picturesque waterfront promenade with a wide lawn, sculptures & colorful benches.
Near: Kalhesa Restaurant & Sushi Bar (163 m) · Hotel NH Palermo (213 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “This is the promenade of Palermo just off the old town, with green grass, for a nice walk by the…” — Aslihan Arikan-Zammit
- 5 · “So amazing, ocean is so close to you, the view is expansive, with boats occasionally passing by; it's clean, neither…” — Shi Xian
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Fountain
Fontana Pretoria
4.6 (8,109) 0.1 km from port
Landmark 1500s fountain known for its ornate, tiered design & nude statues of mythological figures.
Near: Palazzo Pretorio (43 m) · Palazzo delle Aquile (45 m)
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Beautiful, although right now it’s under construction, but from some angles you can see the beauty of it. You must…” — Bar Shimshi
- 5 · “Just behind the Quattro Canti, the Fontana Pretoria is an absolute masterpiece and undoubtedly one of the most impressive fountains…” — Łukasz Hodurek
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Cultural landmark
Porta Nuova
4.6 (2,215) 0.8 km from port
Landmark triumphal arch & gateway built in 1570 & standing at 43 meters high, with Moorish statues.
Near: Carabinieri Comando Legione e Comando 12° Reggimento Carabinieri "Sicilia" - Palermo (25 m) · Royal gardens (116 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Honestly a really impressive gate that is nicely illuminated at night and even more stunning at daytime. Inside the gate…” — Andi
- 4 · “It is a beautiful historic gate which is just next to the palace. It seemed well-maintained when I visited it…” — Siu Y Lo
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Historical landmark
Chiaramonte Steri Palace
4.6 (1,202) 0.8 km from port
1307 palace, now university building, home to medieval Hall of the Barons & the Philippine Prisons.
Near: University of Palermo (42 m) · Giardino Garibaldi (73 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
- 5 · “Visiting museum was possible only with the guided tour (it is included in the price of the tickets). It took…” — Olena Saenko
- 5 · “An extraordinary historic palace that once housed the prison of the Inquisition, where inmates etched their stories into the walls…” — nurlan aliyev
Map of Palermo and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Palermo
Cruises to Western Mediterranean mostly sail april to October.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cruises calling at Palermo
Deals update daily — see all Western Mediterranean cruises.
