Palermo Cruise Port

Palermo Cruise Port can be found on the North-West of Sicily Island in Italy. This popular port city is the biggest one on the island and is its main port alongside Messina. Porto di Palermo (what it is usually called) represents without exaggeration one of the major Mediterranean cruise ports that mostly receives passengers traveling from Italy to France and Greece and vice versa. It can be almost always found in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries. So, Cruise Panda kindly offers you to explore this busiest port of call!

Where Do Cruise Ships Dock in Palermo?

Unlike other port cities (for instance, Piraeus in Greece, Dubai in the UAE, or Stockholm in Sweden) there is only one Cruise Terminal in Palermo that can accommodate both cruise ships and ferries. It is a temporary cruise terminal located right in the center of the city and thereby is very convenient for those passengers for whom Palermo is the departure port or the final port in their cruise itinerary. 

The old cruise terminal is currently under reconstruction. Due to the location of the port, it will take literally several minutes for you to get to the city’s main tourist attractions which will be described below. And, of course, you can use a hop-on-hop-off bus to get around the most popular “gems” of Palermo. Actually, it can take about 3 hours to walk around the entire historical center of the city.

How to Get to Palermo Cruise Port from the Airport

Palermo International Airport (PMO) is located about 30 kilometers from the city center. The first variant to cover this distance is a taxi. If there are 3 or 4 of you this variant is undoubtedly the shortest and the most convenient. The cost of a taxi is 35-40 euros. 

Another way is by train that takes you from the airport directly to the city center. The travel time is about an hour. The train station is located right at the airport (level-1). There are two train routes regularly running between the airport and the city departing every hour. The first train leaves the airport at 5:15 in the morning and the late one at 00:25 at night. 

Buses are also available and run every 30 minutes from the airport. The bus stops can be found at the western end of the airport’s building. 

What to See in Palermo 

Palermo is a unique hospitable touristic city with an unforgettable charm and a real “gem” allowing you to enjoy exploring its historical sites, architectural and sculptural masterpieces, parks, beaches, and, of course, original cuisine, and feel a wonderful inimitable Mediterranean atmosphere. It is a must to walk across its historical center that keeps a centuries-old history.  

Teatro Politeama

Located at the central city square (Piazza Ruggero Settimo) it represents the second important theater of the city. It is built in a neoclassical style and looks majestic. It is where the main symphony orchestra of Palermo is based. 

Quattro Canti 

Is a popular name for Piazza Vigliena Square, one of the central Palermo squares. The name “four angles” has been given to it because the angles of the four main buildings located there and overlooking the square are cut making the square have an octagon shape. All four angular facades have been created in the same architectural style. The upper decks of each building are decorated with sculptures of the Saints Agatha, Christine, Ninfa, and Oliva used to be considered patronesses of Palermo until the 17th century. Later, they became protectresses of four city districts which are nowadays located behind their sculptures respectively. 

Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emmanuele

Represents the Opera Theatre of Palermo located on Verdi Square. It is considered the largest one in Italy and one of the most significant theaters in Europe. It is renowned worldwide for its outstanding and unique acoustic properties. 

Chiesa di Santa Caterina

Is a Roman Catholic church with its main facade overlooking Bellini Square and a side facade overlooking the exquisite Pretoria fountain located in the historic Kalsa district of Palermo. The church represents a part of the same-name Monastery that used to serve as a home for Dominican nuns for centuries. Since 2017, it became possible to visit both the church and the monastery where you can buy magnificent cakes and pastries cooked by the nuns according to the oldest recipes. 

Piazza Pretoria

Located in the abovementioned Kalsa District, in close proximity to the Quattro Canti Square it was built in the 15th century and is famous for its Renaissance-style appearance. There are numerous buildings and churches on this remarkable and worldwide famous square but the main hallmark of this site is the central fountain surrounded by exquisite white sculptures. 

Catacombe dei Cappuccini

This is a little bit creepy place that represents burial catacombs where the remnants of more than eight thousand people (representatives of the city’s elite, clergy, aristocracy, and other outstanding persons) are buried in the open form. This is the most famous exhibition of that kind in the world where the deceased people lie, hang, sit, and stand forming various frightening installations. Undoubtedly, this is a place only for thrill-seekers!

Where to Swim in Palermo Cruise Port

Palermo is considered to be home to the best Italian beaches. There are numerous amazing beaches with clear water and gold strips of sand located not far from the city. The best of them can be found in the outskirts of Palermo, in small, beautiful, and picturesque towns (the distance usually is not more than 20-25 kilometers and even less), such as Mondello, Cefalu, Capaci, Altavilla, Sferracavallo, and others.