Your perfection!
clay399
Oct 30, 2026, 10:46:55 AM
Oct 30, 2026, 10:46:55 AM
Our guy couldn’t have been better. Very, very informative very up-to-date had answers to every question. Five stars plus
About Activity
Palermo, a city of allure, showcases rich cultural and historical treasures, with 8 UNESCO sites. Our intimate small group tour offers delightful exploration of top attractions and local cuisine.
Experience a captivating three-hour journey through Baroque and Normann-Arabic architecture. Piazza Pretoria, known as Square of Shame, boasts a grand marble fountain with striking nude statues. The 14th-century Praetorian Palace houses the Town Hall, open to the public.
Visit the Royal Palace, now the Regional Parliament, with the stunning Palatine Chapel's golden mosaics. Iconic sites like Martorana Church, praised as "most beautiful monument in the world," and the Cathedral of Palermo, reflecting diverse styles, await.
Indulge in a Sicilian cannolo at a local shop during this enriching cultural expedition. Join us for an unforgettable Palermo experience!
What's Included
Includes
- Enjoy entrance to the Cathedral
- Typical Sicilian Cannolo or Granita
- Delight in an enchanting walking tour
- Explore with a Licensed English Speaking Guide
- Marvel (from outside) at the city's main monuments
Excludes
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick up and Drop Off
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- TOWNS OF ITALY TOURIST HUB & COOKING SCHOOL If booking the 5-hour Walking Tour + Palace Guided Visit, note this combo has TWO MEETING POINTS. Walk: 9 AM at Towns of Italy Hub, Via Volturno 40-44. Palace: 1 PM at main entrance, Piazza del Parlamento. Reach each independently. Arrive 15 min early.
Return
- TOWNS OF ITALY TOURIST HUB & COOKING SCHOOL If booking the 5-hour Walking Tour + Palace Guided Visit, note this combo has TWO MEETING POINTS. Walk: 9 AM at Towns of Italy Hub, Via Volturno 40-44. Palace: 1 PM at main entrance, Piazza del Parlamento. Reach each independently. Arrive 15 min early.
Itinerary
The Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele is an opera house and opera company located on the Piazza Verdi in Palermo, Sicily. It was dedicated to King Victor Emanuel II. It is the biggest in Italy, and one of the largest of Europe (at the time of its opening, it was - with its area of 7730 m² - the third largest opera house in Europe after the Palais Garnier in Paris, and the K. K. Hof-Opernhaus in Vienna). It is famous for its perfect acoustics.
The Galleria delle Vittorie (Gallery of the Victory) was built as a commercial mall with an entrance on 301 Via Maqueda in central Palermo, region of Sicily, Italy. The five story structure has deteriorated over the decades, though restoration was attempted.
crossing via Bandiera where there is a typical open-air market
The church of San Domenico, located in the homonymous square that dominates like a majestic queen, in size, historical, cultural and religious importance comes immediately after the Cathedral. Surely it is one of the most beloved churches of Palermo, also because it is considered a “Pantheon of the illustrious men of Sicily”. It is also considered the church symbol of the fight against the mafia.
The market of Piazza Caracciolo winds through alleys and adjacent streets, reflecting the true essence of the city, the energy and dynamism of the cosmopolitan culture of Palermo. Formerly called "la Bucceria" from the French "boucherie", or butcher's shop, since it was initially intended for the sale of meat.
The Garraffo Fountain (Italian: Fontana del Garraffo) is a Baroque fountain of Palermo. It is located in Piazza Marina, down the ancient Cassaro street, now called Via Vittorio Emanuele, within the historic centre of Palermo.
The Palermo Stock Exchange was one of ten active Italian stock exchanges until 1997, when the city's institutions were unified into the single Italian Stock Exchange. Although stockbrokers were already active in the Sicilian capital in 1840, the Palermo Stock Exchange opened trading in 1845. It was the second most important stock exchange in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, after that of Naples. It was based in the city's Palazzo delle Finanze, where it remained for about a century . The Palermo stock exchange was the most important in Sicily; however, she wasn't the only one. In fact, until the First World War, three other stock exchanges were also active on the island: the most important was that of Messina, followed by those of Catania and Agrigento.
The descent of the Judges goes from Piazza Sant'Anna to Piazza Bellini. Once called "calata dei giudici", the street takes its name from the Judges of the Praetorian Court, who once lived there, in the monastery of S. Caterina. The Court was presided over by the praetor (in ancient times called baiulo, corresponding to today's mayor) in civil cases, while in criminal cases there was an avenger. The judges were elected by the king himself, on the proposal of the viceroy, they had to be from Palermo and their office lasted one year.
Situated over the piazza Bellini, in the middle of Palermo, the church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio is also known as La Martorana, in memory of Goffredo and Eloisa de Marturano, the founders of the nearby Benedictine convent. The church was built in 1143-1185 by the Greek admiral George of Antioch, who wanted to thank the Virgin Mary for her help and protection. George himself decided to assign the church to the Greek-Byzantine clergy who still officiates the ceremonies in ancient Greek or Albanian language (in fact the church belongs to the Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi of the Italo-Albanian Catholic Church).
Piazza Pretoria is at the limits of the district of Kalsa, near the corner of Cassaro with Via Maqueda, just a few meters from the Quattro Canti, the intersection where all the four ancient quarters intersect, in the city of Palermo, region of Sicily, Italy. The fountain was created for the garden of don Luigi de Toledo in Florence. Previously the plot of this piazza in Palermo was a garden that belonged to the nuns of San Domenico al Maglio and, after a lot of pressure, was obtained in 1551. Subsequently, in 1584, the Palazzo di San Clemente was built near this site. The creation of this unusual garden (devoid of palaces) and of the fountain was commissioned to the Florentine sculptor Francesco Camilliani, student of Baccio Bandinelli.
“I Quattro Canti” (The Four Corners) is one of Palermo’s most spectacular and popular spots. The four buildings that outline the square were built between 1608 and 1620, while the sculptures and decorative elements were completed in 1663. Piazza Vigliena, one of the many names by which the Quattro Canti are also called, is the ideal starting point for a tour of Palermo city.
The Cathedral of Palermo is a treasure of the Norman architecture in Sicily. The Cathedral of Palermo is one of the most important architectural monuments in Sicily. It was built in 1184 by the Normans as a re-converted Christian church on the site of a Muslim Mosque that was previously built over a Christian basilica. This Cathedral is a must see when visiting Palermo! The reason for building this cathedral was to surpass in beauty the Cathedral of Monreale so you can imagine how architectural exaggeration was involved due to the competitiveness. What we see today is the result of a stratification of styles over the centuries from Gothic to Medieval, Arabic (an actual passage from the Koran is still engraved on one of the columns) to Neoclassical.
Built in 1905 by the mayor Bonanno, who named it Villa Bonanno, is a magnificent garden always open, located in Victory Square, behind the Palace of the Normans. In the garden - planted with palm trees - are visible statues and busts of famous people of Palermo. Also in the garden, were found the remains of Roman patrician houses with mosaics: notable are the mosaics of the seasons and Orpheus, now kept in the National Archaeological Museum. Adjacent to the villa is the fountain with its monument to Philip V, a work of nineteenth-century made by Nuncio Morello. It seems that the fountain was designed in 1661 by Carlo d'Aprile, with the participation of the Serpotta.
The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) in Palermo, also known as the Palazzo dei Normanni (Palace of the Normans), is one of the most extraordinary buildings in Sicily. It chronicles the history of Palermo from the first Punic settlements to the present day. One of the many halls and rooms that can be visited is the Cappella Palatina (Palatine Chapel). Its sumptuous decoration is a veritable manifesto of Arab-Norman art and it has been a World Heritage Site since 2015. The ancient Torre Pisana houses the Palermo Astronomical Observatory and the Specola Museum, while temporary exhibitions are often held in the Sale del Duca di Montalto (Duke of Montalto Halls).
Language Offered
English - GUIDE
Spanish - GUIDE
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The tour takes place regardless of the weather
We are sorry to inform you that pets are not permitted on our tours
Please let us know in advance any special need or impaired mobility of the clients and we will do our best to accomodate them.
Operated by Towns of Italy
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Wonderful friendly informative tour guide.
Meredith_B
Oct 27, 2026, 6:22:24 AM
Oct 27, 2026, 6:22:24 AM
Our tour guide Laura was fantastic. Warm, friendly, funny, informative. In addition to learning about the UNESCO sites, Laura shared her own personal experiences and life which added to our knowledge and understanding of being a Sicilian.
Laura was awesome and...
Deborah_M
Oct 25, 2026, 3:09:42 PM
Oct 25, 2026, 3:09:42 PM
Laura was awesome and very knowledgeable about the history of Palermo. She combined her growing up in the area and now living there. Great humor, passion and fun made the tour even better. She got us around the student demonstration and adjusted the tour without missing a beat. One of the best guides we've had with Viator- She deserves to know that!
Fantastic
leahglos
Oct 25, 2026, 9:23:35 AM
Oct 25, 2026, 9:23:35 AM
Lara, our tour guide, was amazing! So knowledgeable, friendly and fun. Thank you so much. We learnt a lot
Palermo Walking Tour
Catherine_C
Oct 22, 2026, 11:10:09 AM
Oct 22, 2026, 11:10:09 AM
The tour was fine, not amazing. Simon is friendly but seemed distracted, probably because there were so many people on the tour. I would have appreciated more ancient history of Sicily.
Enjoy and Learn!
Toni_G
Oct 19, 2026, 8:38:16 AM
Oct 19, 2026, 8:38:16 AM
What a wonderful way to discover Palermo! Our walking tour booked through Viator with our guide, Simon, was a great part of our visit. He brought the city’s fascinating history to life and helped us appreciate the incredible mix of architectural styles and cultures that make Palermo so unique. There was something amazing around every corner! We loved exploring on foot and learning the stories behind the beautiful buildings, churches and piazzas. And the perfect ending? Cannoli! We were so excited about that delicious surprise—a sweet finish to a memorable experience. Highly recommend this tour and Simon! FYI - you get left at one of the attractions at the end of the tour so know your way back to where you need to be or where you parked your car.
Worth your time.
Peter_F
Oct 19, 2026, 7:32:48 AM
Oct 19, 2026, 7:32:48 AM
Covers all you need to see in Palermo. Informative and humorous tour guide well known by the locals. Recommended.
Great tour, we had fun!
DianeM975
Oct 18, 2026, 2:38:40 PM
Oct 18, 2026, 2:38:40 PM
Simon is a very knowledgeable, fun and enthusiastic guide. We had a great experience. We highly recommend !!
Worthwhile
515albertoq
Oct 18, 2026, 10:21:03 AM
Oct 18, 2026, 10:21:03 AM
Debbie, a local lady, was an excellent guide with plenty of information and a great sense of humor
Great experience
AnneS604
Oct 14, 2026, 10:18:20 AM
Oct 14, 2026, 10:18:20 AM
Fantastic tour with Renata, Towns of Europe in Palermo
Fantastic tour
leet431
Oct 14, 2026, 6:19:45 AM
Oct 14, 2026, 6:19:45 AM
Fantastic tour! I learned so much great history about it Palermo.
Great Guide, nice walk-through town
Lorrie_K
Oct 14, 2026, 3:25:00 AM
Oct 14, 2026, 3:25:00 AM
Guide was very interesting and really engaged everyone in the group. If you’re interested in the history of Paloma it’s worth going on this tour
Excellent day in Palermo
margogt
Oct 11, 2026, 9:22:06 AM
Oct 11, 2026, 9:22:06 AM
Simon was very knowledgeable and engaging, he took great care to include everyone and keep us interested. We truly enjoyed our tour and learned a lot!!
This tour gave a good...
Barbara_W
Oct 7, 2026, 6:12:28 PM
Oct 7, 2026, 6:12:28 PM
This tour gave a good overview of the important sites in Palermo including the market which is always fun to ramble through. The Cannoli treat was delicious even though the torrential rain tried to disrupt the taste treat. Informative guide and well worth the expense
Great time on Palermo walking tour
K8576SIsusanc
Oct 6, 2026, 10:35:26 AM
Oct 6, 2026, 10:35:26 AM
Renata was a fantastic guide- so friendly and knowledgeable! We saw the major sites of Palermo and had a great time. Recommend for all first time visitors!
Excellent intro to Palermo with a top-notch guide.
AGtravelers2
Oct 4, 2026, 4:39:22 PM
Oct 4, 2026, 4:39:22 PM
Diana was an excellent guide, handled the large group well with a good sense of humor. Provided lots of information clearly and expertly. Could not have asked for more from a guide.
A very enjoyable and informative way to see the main historic sites of Palermo in a short time.
Sunshine61753767805
Oct 4, 2026, 11:50:01 AM
Oct 4, 2026, 11:50:01 AM
A very enjoyable and informative way to see the main historic sites of Palermo. Stefania was delightful, funny and knowledgable which made the tour an excellent experience.
Great Tour but tiring!
Camper41078027629
Oct 4, 2026, 9:23:41 AM
Oct 4, 2026, 9:23:41 AM
Diana, our tour guide was precious and wonderful! Great tour! But beware, if you get tired walking slowly or standing for long periods, this may not be for you!
Great overview of UNESCO sites and Sicilian customs (especially food!)
Pdougla002
Oct 4, 2026, 8:00:37 AM
Oct 4, 2026, 8:00:37 AM
Stefania was a wonderful guide! This tour gave us a good basis for planning our next days in the city of Palermo.
Wonderful morning in Palermo!
Z7153KQcarolynp
Oct 4, 2026, 7:20:59 AM
Oct 4, 2026, 7:20:59 AM
Diana was an excellent guide. Her knowledge & humor, kindness & patience with answering questions made for an educational & enjoyable morning. We appreciated her recommendations for restaurants & shops. Lovely guide!
A Tour Not To Be Missed and The Tour Guide You Wnat!
jets024
Oct 2, 2026, 6:54:39 AM
Oct 2, 2026, 6:54:39 AM
We spent his morning 02-Oct on the UNESCO tour. Our tour guide, Debbie, was outstanding. She was engaging, very informative, encouraged group participation, all with a smile and enthusiasm. We are so glad we took this tour and so glad we were lucky enough to have Debbie guiding us.
Palermo UNESCO Tour
Larry B
Oct 1, 2026, 9:07:32 AM
Oct 1, 2026, 9:07:32 AM
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and well-informed about current restaurants and local events. She was a gem. I highly.recommend her to anyone traveling to Palermo.
Great walking tour
905petere
Sep 30, 2026, 11:18:57 AM
Sep 30, 2026, 11:18:57 AM
This was a great experience. The guide was helpful and knowledge. She really gave us a great historical tour filled with information. The tour was just at the right pace and covered all of the major historical sites. Thoroughly recommend it.
Palermo UNESCO walking tour
delmissiersonia
Sep 30, 2026, 8:33:59 AM
Sep 30, 2026, 8:33:59 AM
Excellent tour. Covered all major attractions in Palermo. Renata, the tour guide, was great. Extremely knowledgeable about the city’s history. Added anecdotal information and personal perspective. Would highly recommend this tour
The unforgettable experience.
941larissaw
Sep 29, 2026, 10:50:44 AM
Sep 29, 2026, 10:50:44 AM
One of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides has made this experience unforgettable. The information was presented in a logical way, which was easy to follow. She showed some very famous sites, but also some off the beaten track. She looked after our safety and comfort, too. The tour would be suitable for people of all ages.
Liviana is the BEST tour guide!
Escape20370431727
Sep 29, 2026, 6:50:38 AM
Sep 29, 2026, 6:50:38 AM
Liviana was superb! Super knowledgeable and she kept the tour moving and even told us about stories told that weren’t always true. Love that!
It was a great walking...
Joseph_D
Sep 28, 2026, 5:04:14 PM
Sep 28, 2026, 5:04:14 PM
It was a great walking tour. The tour guide was very passionate and knowledgeable about the Palmero.
A Must Do in Palermo
Journey31714544069
Sep 28, 2026, 11:19:21 AM
Sep 28, 2026, 11:19:21 AM
Outstanding. Our guide was very professional. One of the best. Very knowledgeable and a delightful personality. This tour is essential for any first time visitor to Palermo. We had a great time.
Great way to learn about the city and its history
Aldo_G
Sep 28, 2026, 10:26:55 AM
Sep 28, 2026, 10:26:55 AM
Great way to learn about the city and it history. Laura, our tour guide was amazing. She guided us through the city and finally brought us to the end of the tour with a nice canolo and lemon granite.
Entertaining and enjoyable tour
CassB2
Sep 28, 2026, 7:53:38 AM
Sep 28, 2026, 7:53:38 AM
Our guide Diana was very welcoming and entertaining. We saw a good variety of places within a reasonable walking distance, including inside the cathedral. Towards the end of the tour we had cannoli at a pasticceria and it was one of the best things I’d ever tasted!
This tour was fabulous. ...
Cynthia_A
Sep 28, 2026, 4:01:15 AM
Sep 28, 2026, 4:01:15 AM
This tour was fabulous. Gave history as well as humor. Terrific tour guide! Would recommend to anyone
Fantastic Tour! Not to be Missed!
Valerie_F
Sep 28, 2026, 3:36:34 AM
Sep 28, 2026, 3:36:34 AM
Our tour guide was incredible! So passionate and knowledgeable about the history of Palermo! We learned a great deal and had a lot of laughs along the way. We highly recommend!
Great experience
peoplea2026
Sep 22, 2026, 7:50:21 AM
Sep 22, 2026, 7:50:21 AM
I was late to join the group however the the guide Stephania was very accomodating and knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the historical sites in central Palermo and enjoyed some granita and canoli. I would recommend the tour to others.
Best tour of Palermo
Fuscus
Sep 21, 2026, 7:48:02 AM
Sep 21, 2026, 7:48:02 AM
One of the best guided tours to discover a city! Renata was an amazing guide and person, leading us through the streets of Palermo with plenty of knowledge and charm. Add to the many informations and answers to our questions she gave us the treats of canoli in the park of the cathedral !
Walking your of Palermo
AnthonyM5397
Sep 21, 2026, 3:39:08 AM
Sep 21, 2026, 3:39:08 AM
Fantastic guide renata Great tips
Great walking tour of Palermo, a Must do for any visitor.
nesterl2023
Sep 19, 2026, 10:59:01 AM
Sep 19, 2026, 10:59:01 AM
We had booked for 9/18/26 9am tour but we were delayed on our travels and arrived late 9/17/26 having been up for 30 hrs plus , we were not physically able to make the 3 hr walking tour on 9/18/26. I called and ask for a reschedule and they were kind enough to make the change to 9/19/26 with no penalties. They were very generous and helpful. The tour guide we had was a very nice lady named Laura. She was so full of knowledge and background history of Palermo, her fun and enthusiastic personality made the tour very enjoyable. Her English is excellent, the ear piece was clear and never made any noise….. the weather was great, it waited until we were done before it started to pour .
Great way to understand all the sights of Palermo!
jillianc944
Sep 19, 2026, 8:36:27 AM
Sep 19, 2026, 8:36:27 AM
Towns of Italy was great with communication. And punctual starting time. Laura was an absolute gem, sharing her vast knowledge on all the sites we visited, and also her personal experiences as well. She was a great guide, and always searching out shade for us to stand in. We would recommend this trip.
Great tour
anncL5744KF
Sep 18, 2026, 4:05:18 PM
Sep 18, 2026, 4:05:18 PM
We learned so much about Palermo and Sicily in general that we would never had gotten without a tour like this. Our guide Olivia was great - so knowledgeable and passionate about her city and country.
Wonderful tour
Gerasim_G
Sep 18, 2026, 3:24:32 AM
Sep 18, 2026, 3:24:32 AM
Wonderful city tour! Our guide - Valeria - was knowledgeable, energetic and fun! Someone who truly loves her city, heritage and history. One of the best guides we’ve ever had! Highly recommended!
Don’t miss this tour! So...
Robert_K
Sep 14, 2026, 8:32:07 AM
Sep 14, 2026, 8:32:07 AM
Don’t miss this tour! So informative, fabulous guide, and the best cannoli at the end! Highly recommend.
Great tour
908sallyn
Sep 12, 2026, 10:45:14 AM
Sep 12, 2026, 10:45:14 AM
Great informative tour with our guide Simon, who clearly takes a lot of pride in sharing Palermo's history with his guests. The individual headsets were a bonus enabling us to clearly hear all his commentary over the chaos of the city streets!! Would 100% recommend this tour
Fantastic tour of Palermo with a passionate native
markbM1283NN
Sep 11, 2026, 4:57:57 PM
Sep 11, 2026, 4:57:57 PM
Our guide Laura was absolutely fantastic, giving us so much insight into her home town, including some great tips for bars and restaurants. We enjoyed it a lot - one of the best tours we ever went on in Italy.
Palermo historic walking tour
E9763SSbillc
Sep 10, 2026, 3:40:28 AM
Sep 10, 2026, 3:40:28 AM
Stephanie was an accomplished, knowledgeable, friendly guide. The tour was inciteful, humorous and well-paced. Highly recommended.
Pleasant in Palermo!
Eric_H
Sep 8, 2026, 6:59:04 AM
Sep 8, 2026, 6:59:04 AM
Valeria was such a great tour guide! She made everyone in the group (including kids) feel very welcome. The tour was super informative and really enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Excellent
Erica194
Sep 7, 2026, 10:53:01 AM
Sep 7, 2026, 10:53:01 AM
Valeria was excellent, fun and charming and incredibly knowledgable
Special Sites of Palermo
jeffoX2997BW
Sep 5, 2026, 11:45:53 AM
Sep 5, 2026, 11:45:53 AM
The tour was wonderful highlighted by the exceptional knowledge and enthusiasm of our guide, Laura.
A wonderful treasure
Onituca
Sep 4, 2026, 8:39:23 AM
Sep 4, 2026, 8:39:23 AM
Our guide was Viviana and she is like a ray of sunshine...all smiles and happiness. I really recommend the tour, she is very knowledgeable and you will hear about the history, architecture and the food specific here. You will also have a small treat at rhe end of it, which was delicious.
Palermo walking tour
jaisimha_i
Sep 3, 2026, 7:31:15 AM
Sep 3, 2026, 7:31:15 AM
It was a great walking tour with Liv She took great pains to explain all the history in detail. We also had a complimentary Granita or Cannoli as part of the tour. Strongly recommend if you want to see the attractions and know the history of Palermo
Thank you Amazing Tour Guide Laura <3
A6546HEchloer
Sep 3, 2026, 7:31:03 AM
Sep 3, 2026, 7:31:03 AM
Laura was amazing. Truly such a great guide. Passionate friendly and knowledgeable. Would certainly recommend.
Towns of Italy - Palermo was Wonderful!
Ghalpern
Sep 3, 2026, 7:18:48 AM
Sep 3, 2026, 7:18:48 AM
The Palermo UNESCO walking tour was fantastic! Our guide, Liviana, was so knowledgeable and absolutely fantastic! She made the tour fun!
Help
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
1 (404) 457-8032
Reach us by email
info@amazejourney.com