Top Palermo Historical Tours

Capital of Sicily, Palermo is a city of rich history and impressive architecture—with hidden secrets round every corner. On this bike tour, hop onto the saddle, escape the tourist trail with your guide, and see sides of Palermo many visitors miss. Spin along peaceful back-streets and through pretty squares, sample Sicilian street food, and experience life in Palermo away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist traps.

Explore Palermo’s key sights on foot on this walking tour of the Sicilian capital. Meet your guide in a convenient location in central Palermo, and set off. Visit popular landmarks ranging from the Palermo Cathedral and Palazzo Pretorio to the Massimo Theater. Learn about the city’s long entanglement with the mafia, and meet the shopkeepers and other individuals who have pioneered a local anti-mafia movement.

Walking tour in the heart of the city of Palermo, discovering historical markets, churches and squares. A journey through the history and culture of a unique city in the world.

Maximize your time in Palermo with this sightseeing tour, which showcases the best of the city and the surrounding region. Visit the hillside town of Monreale, known for its Norman cathedral and 12th-century mosaics, and explore Palermo’s historic center. Enjoy beach time at the seaside resort of Mondello and venture up Monte Pellegrino to view the 17th-century Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia cave shrine.

Discover two of Palermo’s most distinctive landmarks on this immersive, private tour. Set off from your accommodation—hotel pickup and drop-off are included—and venture first to the Capuchin Catacombs: a macabre destination home to thousands of mummified bodies, many of them priests. Next, discover the UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Monreale, famous for its fusion of Norman and Arabic architecture. A break for Sicilian coffee and nibbles is also included.

On this full-day tour from Palermo, you’ll be driven to three of Sicily’s most stunning and history-packed destinations. Enjoy free time to explore the castle town of Castelbuono, the hillside town of Monreale, and the originally Greek seaside hub of Cefalu. Discover the region’s Arab-Norman roots with optional visits to the opulent Cappella Palatina and 14th-century Castelbuono.

Spend a day exploring the ancient sights of the Valley of the Temples with this day trip from Palermo. Travel to Agrigento for a quick coffee break (own expense) before visiting the fascinating site for a 1-hour tour. See the temples of Hera, Concordia and Apollo. Take a midday break for lunch (own expense) before stopping at the archaeology museum for a 1-hour self-guided visit.

See two of northern Sicily’s most characterful destinations when you embark on this full-day trip from Palermo. In the morning, your guide picks you up from your accommodation; board an air-conditioned minivan and head to the medieval village of Castelbuono, located in the Madonie Mountains. See the Castle of Ventimiglia and visit a local pastry shop before continuing to Cefalù, home to a UNESCO-listed cathedral and impeccable seaside views.

Cover three of Sicily’s most iconic locations in this full-day tour of Monte Etna, Taormina, and Castelmola. Explore the slopes and lava fields of the UNESCO-listed volcanic crater, with optional cable car or all-terrain drives to the top. Then, organize a visit to the famed Greek-Roman Theatre or simply relax in a cafe, topped off by a stop at Castelmola village.

Spend half a day exploring Monreale and Palermo. Begin with an hour-long tour of the Monreale Cathedral, beloved for its mosaics dating back to the 12th century. Head to Palermo’s historic center to see the Palazzo de Normanni and its lovely gardens, the historic Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the elaborate fountain in the Piazza Pretoria, and more. Return to your hotel or port after a morning of incredible architecture and history.

Spend an unforgettable day exploring Mt Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, on this day trip from Palermo. See the looming mountain up close and learn about its unique landscapes, studied since the Greek period.

Discover the ancient origins of Sicily during this private sightseeing tour from the Palermo region. Visit the town of Erice, famous for its sweet confections and for being associated with the goddess of fertility. Then, see ancient Greek ruins in the towns of Segesta and Selinunte and learn about the indigenous people of Sicily. This is not a guided tour but a private, English-speaking driver is included.

Discover ancient ruins left over from the Greeks on this private excursion. Enjoy pickup from the Palermo area and head to Agrigento where you can find the UNESCO-listed Temple Valley. Learn about its ancient history and explore its many sites before heading to the seaside to see the white cliffs dubbed as the ‘Turkish Stairway.”

Discover a number of western Sicily’s most popular destinations on this full-day tour from Palermo. Meet your guide at your accommodation, climb aboard a climate-controlled minivan, and head first to Segesta, where you’ll explore the ancient Greek amphitheater and temple (entry own expense). Then, discover the medieval town of Erice, enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch (own expense) in Saline, and finish with a walking tour of the elegant city of Trapani.

Although Sicily is an island, crossing distances between the capital and destinations along the coast—especially along the south and west sides—can be tiring and time-consuming. With this tour to Agrigento from Palermo, let a guide take care of the roughly 2-hour drive between coasts, and then take you on a private tour of the strikingly well-preserved Valley of the Temples archeological site.

Enjoy the freedom and flexibility to explore Santo Stefano di Camastra, Corleone, and Cefalù on your own during this full-day self-guided tour from Palermo. All transportation from your hotel and between towns is included.

On this two-for-one, full-day private tour, you’ll discover top historical sights in both Monreale—famous for its mosaic-filled 12th-century cathedral—and stunning, seaside Cefalù. Travel comfortably by air-conditioned minivan, with bottled water and hotel transfers included. You’ll also enjoy free time to browse local boutiques.

Highlights during the excursion: Visit of the Valley of the temples with a private local guide A very unusual meal : a picnic in the nature A visit to Scala dei turchi

Explore Western Sicily from Palermo easily without having to rent a car with this tour of Erice, Trapani, and the salt flats. Travel comfortably from stop to stop by air-conditioned minivan as a guide tells you all about the area and its history as you go. Plus, round-trip transport from your Palermo hotel is included.

Palermo is rich in historic and cultural treasures, but getting around the city and nearby Monreale with public transportation can be stressful and time consuming. Save hours by exploring with a private driver, skipping the hassle of crowded buses and trains and taking in highlights like the Norman palace, Zisa Castle, and Ballarò and Vucciria markets in just hours. Afterwards, set off to nearby Monreale to admire its magnificent cathedral.

Visit two Sicilian towns in one day on this full-day tour from Palermo. Explore the hilltop town of Castelbuono, with its atmospheric medieval lanes and historic Castle of Ventimiglia. After a typical Sicilian lunch (own expense), continue to the seafront town of Cefalu, with its magnificent cathedral and beautiful sandy beach.

Cefalù and Monreale are the jewels in the crown of northern Sicily, with beautiful architecture and rich Arab, Byzantine, and Norman history to explore. When your cruise ship docks in Palermo, spin through the Madonie Regional Natural Park by air-conditioned minivan and reach both sites in one day. Discover top attractions including the Norman-style Cefalù Cathedral and Monreal’s UNESCO–listed Norman-Byzantine cathedral, and see the best of Sicily with ease—with round-trip travel from the port in Palermo included.

Treat yourself to a tour of Segesta, Erice, Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans Natural Reserve to admire unique panoramas. Visit ancient temples and explore the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily. The tour begins with the legendary Segesta, which reveals its solitary temple, an example of refined Doric style. Erice is the small medieval village which stands on Monte San Giuliano. It amazes for simplicity and charm. Continuing towards the extreme part of western Sicily, you will be enchanted by the white salt pans of Trapani. The first stop on this "salt route" is near the salt flats of Nubia where you can also visit the museum. Here the different stages of salt processing are illustrated and showcases the traditional tools that were once used for harvesting.

Discover the origins of The Godfather during this day-long tour of Sicily. Taking in sites linked to both real-life mafia events and sites based on the Francis Ford Coppola movies, the tour gives you the lowdown on Sicily’s gangster history. Visit the site of the Portella della Ginestra massacre, sample traditional Sicilian cannoli, and explore the village of Corleone as tales of Don Vito Corleone ring in your ears.