PalermoSicily · Italy

All About Palermo

Palermo is not only the largest city in Sicily but also the one which has seen more cultures walk its ancient streets than any other. The capital of the island, it has been a thriving port city for almost 3,000 years. An impressive rollcall of sites, both natural and architectural, has made it one of the most popular vacation destinations anywhere in the Mediterranean. Those with ferry tickets to Palermo are therefore able to enjoy not just the city’s historic and cultural delights, but also a gastronomic heritage that blends flavors from Italy, North African nations such as Morocco and Algeria, and even the Middle East.

The city faces out towards the Tyrrhenian Sea arm of the Mediterranean, on the western side of the island’s north coast. Deserving of any visitor’s time, its coastal location has been so important to Palermo over so much of its history that it seems only right to arrive by sea if at all possible. Ferryscanner has everything you need to successfully compare ferries to and from the city, and purchase ferry tickets to Palermo online.
 

Routes and Ferries to Palermo

Palermo is very well served by ferries, meaning there is an excellent number of ferry tickets to Palermo available. The shortest routes connect it to several of the Aeolian Islands further north and east, meaning these dramatic isles can be explored without the need to travel to either Milazzo or Messina.

It’s Liberty Lines ferries that make these connections. The shortest is the sailing between Salina and Palermo, which is scheduled to last three hours and 20 minutes. Vessels then continue their journey to the neighboring islands of Lipari and Vulcano. It takes a further 35 minutes to reach the port at Lipari, and 50 minutes to dock at Vulcano. Liberty Lines operates up to three sailings per week in either direction. The capital of Sardinia, called Cagliari, can be reached in about 12 hours. There are up to six sailings weekly, under the auspices of Grimaldi Lines.

When it comes to ferries to and from mainland Italy, Palermo also offers an impressive array of choices. Salerno, on the southern half of the Italian peninsula, can be reached in around 9.5 hours. Tickets for an adult foot passenger cost as little as €33, and rarely rise above €55. There are usually two sailings per week in either direction during the peak season months of May to October. Grimaldi Lines operates this route too.

Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) handles a similar route to the nearby southern Italian city of Naples, famed for looking after the treasures of Pompeii and Herculaneum. This route takes 11 hours from Palermo but has the advantage of seeing up to 17 crossings in either direction each week, with prices starting at €24.

Further north, ferries to Civitavecchia make a link with Rome possible. Journeys are scheduled to last just under 14 hours and are also run by GNV, one of the region’s best ferry companies. Prices for adults range from €45-110, with additional charges for taking vehicles on board. By contrast, Grimaldi Lines sail to Livorno, a port city on the western coast of Italy close to both Florence and Pisa. Sailings take 19.5 hours, with passengers able to take advantage of comfortable seating and cabins during this time, depending on the exact ticket purchased. Finally, Genoa can be reached in just one hour more via a dedicated GNV ferry route which operates up to seven times per week and costs from €75-140 for a foot passenger.

Outside of Italy, Palermo has an international ferry connection with the Tunisian capital, Tunis. This journey takes just 10 hours, with customs formalities taking place on board. GNV and Grimaldi Lines operate ferries on this route, giving the option of up to three sailings per week.

Palermo is well connected with other cities in Sicily by train, with it taking roughly four hours to follow the north coast east towards Messina. High-speed rail services operated by Trenitalia also link Palermo with major cities on the Italian peninsula including Rome. Palermo’s Falcone Borsellino Airport lies 22 miles northwest of the city. It receives flights from all over Europe, largely on a seasonal summer basis.
 

Ports of Palermo

The ports of Palermo were first used by the Phoenician Empire some 3,000 years ago. Forming the basis of the city, its old town (or ‘borgo vecchio’) wraps its way around the port area. As a result, those arriving or departing by ferry are mere steps away from many of Palermo’s most important sites. In addition to the larger ferry terminals, there is also a section for yachts and small private vessels known as the tourist marina.
 

Best Beaches

The province of Palermo, in which the city sits, has around 150 kilometers of coastline. Here visitors will find everything from dramatic cliff landscapes to tiny coves ideal for snorkeling. When it comes to beaches, there is no shortage either. Many are long ribbons of sand perfect for both family escapes and romantic evening strolls.

Spiaggia di Mondello

North of Palermo close to Capo Gallo Nature Reserve, Mondello Beach has the laid-back ambiance of a seaside town that has been welcoming beachgoers for decades. A good range of facilities includes restaurants and sports courts, while water sports are also on the agenda here.

Crucicchia Beach

A short distance south of Palermo in the town of Ficarazzi, Crucicchia Beach is particularly popular with the younger crowd. On summer nights it has been known to host international DJ sets, but the rest of the time it is a relatively quiet and unspoiled area of the coast with golden sands and calm seas.

Santa Flavia Beach

Also, just a short way south is Santa Flavia Beach. Offering some of the clearest waters on the island, it’s a well-known swimming spot, with boat tours bringing the inquisitive to this area of beach to enjoy the bounty both above and below the waves.
 

Places to Visit

Three thousand years of settlement certainly makes its presence felt in and around Palermo. These are the best places to visit.

Arab-Norman Palermo World Heritage Site

A cluster of structures in the center of town together forms the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arab-Norman Palermo. They include the Palazzo Reale, which was the seat of power on the island for centuries, and the ornate Palatine Chapel.

Antonio Salinas Regional Archeological Museum

This museum contains one of the largest and most impressive archeological collections not just in Sicily but in the whole of Italy, which is quite some feat. Its galleries are filled with statues, mosaics, and sarcophagi among a multitude of other amazing artifacts.

Botanical Gardens

These gardens were founded in 1785 with an area of about ten hectares and are said to be the biggest in Italy. Particularly impressive are the glasshouses, which provide the necessary environments to ensure the survival of species from right around the globe.
 

Transportation Around Palermo

There are around 90 different bus routes within the city limits operated by AMAT. Up-to-date schedules can be obtained at tourist information offices, although most routes are limited on Sundays and public holidays. However, Palermo also has a metro system and a tram network, which have the advantage of being easier to understand by newcomers to the city. One line of the metro system loops around the city center from Palermo Centrale railway station to ‘Giachery’ close to the port, while another runs along the coast to the airport. The four tram lines connect up with the metro system but tend to serve the outer residential areas that are of less interest to tourists. You shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a taxi as an alternative. Hotels can often call in advance and arrange a timed pick-up for you.