4-day
Specific Tour
Unlimited
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Palermo, the colourful and passionate capital of Sicily, is one of the most charming, authentic and vibrant destinations in the Mediterranean. Built on a magnificent bay at the foot of Mount Pellegrino and washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, Palermo is a fascinating crossroads of cultures. The city combines, in a unique, almost theatrical way, the faded aristocratic charm of its Baroque palaces with bustling, aroma-filled open-air markets reminiscent of Arab bazaars. It is a destination that enchants visitors with its outstanding architecture, its world-famous gastronomy, its intense Mediterranean energy and the warm hospitality of its people.
Palermo’s history is among the richest and most turbulent in all of Europe. It was founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC as “Ziz” (flower) and later passed into the hands of the Romans and the Byzantines. The city’s golden age began in the 9th century under Arab rule, when it became one of the most important and advanced cultural and commercial centres of the Islamic world. In the 11th century, the Normans captured the city, creating a unique, peaceful model state where Arabs, Byzantines and Normans coexisted. This unique “Arab-Norman” heritage left its stamp on the city’s architecture. Later, Palermo came under Spanish rule (the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies), enjoying an immense Baroque flowering, before finally being incorporated into unified Italy in 1860.
The tour begins at the Quattro Canti (Four Corners), the magnificent Baroque circular piazza at the heart of the historic centre. Right next to it lies Piazza Pretoria with the impressive “Fountain of Shame” (Fontana Pretoria). The city’s top attraction is the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni), which conceals within it the Cappella Palatina, an architectural marvel with breathtaking golden Byzantine mosaics. Visit the majestic Palermo Cathedral, which combines Norman, Gothic and Baroque elements. For opera lovers, the Teatro Massimo is the largest opera house in Italy (and famous from the final scene of “The Godfather Part III”). For a completely different, spine-chilling experience, the Capuchin Catacombs (Catacombe dei Cappuccini) hold thousands of mummified bodies. Finally, if you fancy the sea, the cosmopolitan beach of Mondello, with its fine sand and turquoise waters, is just a few kilometres from the centre.
Palermo is one of the world capitals of street food, offering a gastronomic experience unlike any other in Italy. The quintessential snack is Arancine (fried rice balls stuffed with meat ragù and peas, or mozzarella and ham). Try Sfincione (the authentic Sicilian pizza with fluffy dough, tomato sauce, onion, anchovies and caciocavallo cheese) and Panelle (fried chickpea-flour fritters served in a bread roll). The more adventurous should try Pane con la Milza (a sandwich of veal spleen and lung). When it comes to desserts, Sicily has no rival: try authentic Cannoli (a crispy pastry tube filled with fresh ricotta cream) and Cassata Siciliana (a dessert of sponge, ricotta, almond paste and candied fruit), while in summer the locals’ breakfast features Granita (almond or coffee granita) accompanied by a fluffy brioche (Brioche col Tuppo).
Palermo’s nightlife is full of vitality and intensity, with a strongly Mediterranean, open-air character. The absolute highlight is the entertainment in and around the city’s historic markets. At night, the areas around the Vucciria and Ballarò markets are completely transformed. The narrow streets fill with tables, open-air grills, pop-up bars and DJs, creating one huge, living street party where everyone joins in. If you are after a trendier, more low-key and elegant evening of wine, cocktails and aperitivo, Via Chiavettieri and the neighbourhood around Piazza Castelnuovo (near the Teatro Politeama) offer excellent wine bars and lounges frequented mainly by locals.
The official currency of Italy is the Euro (€), which makes transactions very easy. Cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops, but in Palermo it is essential to always carry some cash, as cards are rarely accepted at the traditional open-air markets and street-food stalls. Palermo is one hour behind Greece and the international dialling code is 0039. The city is served by Falcone-Borsellino International Airport (PMO), about 35 kilometres from the centre. Connecting to the city is very easy via the Autolinee Prestia e Comandè express buses, which depart every 30 minutes and take you to the Central Station (Stazione Centrale) or the Teatro Politeama in about 45-50 minutes. Alternatively, the Trinacria Express train links the airport directly with the city’s rail network.
The trip runs for 4 days and starts from €375 per person, departing from Athens. You pick the dates — there is no fixed departure.
The price includes: flight tickets, 1 cabin bag up to 10 kg (and 1 personal item), airport taxes, fuel surcharges, 3 nights in a centrally located hotel, VAT.
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From €375 per person
Price per person for 2 people sharing a double room, in low season, with flights from Athens.
This is a starting price. The final price depends on your dates, flights and hotel, and we confirm it in the personal offer we send you. No payment is needed when you send your request.
With this trip you earn about 375 Loyalty points per person (1 point per €1, worth about €4 off a future trip). Points double for bookings completed in January and February. About Lia's Loyalty Club
Add whatever you need around this trip and send us one request. We reply with one final price for the whole trip.
Price and availability last updated: 19 May 2025
No account needed. We will let you know if anything worth knowing happens.
Optional tours, tickets and activities you can book for your days there. We arrange the trip — these you choose yourself.
Activities, experiences and local guides — book ahead and keep your days free of queues.
Compare prices from all major car rental companies, with free cancellation on most offers.
Attraction tickets, airport transfers, rail passes and day trips, booked in advance.
These activities are provided and sold by our partners. You complete the booking on their page, at exactly the same price.
This is a made-to-order trip, so you choose the dates. We are happy to advise on the best season for this destination and on how the weather, prices and crowds change through the year — just tell us roughly when you are thinking of travelling.
The main inclusions are:
The full list of what is and is not included appears in the "Included / Excluded" section on this page.
It depends on the season and the destination. Many trips do have a direct flight, but depending on your dates the airlines may not have a direct connection available for that period, in which case the trip may involve one stopover. We will tell you the exact flight routing clearly in your quote, before you proceed with the booking.
Not necessarily. The "From €X" price is the lowest price available today, based on current flight and hotel availability for that destination. Because availability changes daily, the final price for your specific dates may differ. We'll send you a firm, written quote before anything is charged, once you tell us the dates you have in mind.
Flight and hotel prices change daily depending on season, demand, day of the week, and how far in advance you book. That's why the price shown is indicative — the earlier you tell us your dates, the easier it is for us to secure the best possible price.
The single-room supplement varies by hotel and destination, and is included in the quote you'll receive for your specific dates. If you're travelling alone, let us know from the start so the quote already reflects the correct single-room price.
Payment is due in full at the time of booking. For certain hotels that have their own payment policy (for example a deposit or a specific payment deadline), we'll let you know clearly before you proceed, so you know exactly what applies.
Yes — once your booking is confirmed, the price is fixed and won't be affected by later changes in flight or hotel prices. Availability and price can only change before your booking is finalised.
Several trips offer the option to depart from a city other than Athens (for example Thessaloniki), usually with a small additional charge. If this applies to a specific trip, it will be noted on the page or mentioned when we send your quote. This trip is also available departing from Larnaca (Cyprus) — the flight price difference is calculated in your personal quote.
For destinations inside the European Union and the Schengen area, Greek citizens travel with a new-type national ID card bearing Latin characters, or with a valid passport. We recommend carrying your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well. Minors must carry their own travel document, and a valid driving licence is required if you are hiring a car. Entry rules change, so please confirm the current requirements with us before you book.
Changes and cancellations follow the terms of the airlines, hotels and suppliers booked for you, so the cost depends on how close to departure you are and on the fare rules of each booking. Tell us as early as possible and we will look for the least costly option. The general terms of participation apply to every booking.
Travel insurance is not included in the price unless the "Included" list on this page says otherwise. We strongly recommend it, especially for trips outside the EU, so that medical care, cancellation and lost luggage are covered. We can arrange a policy for you — just ask when you book.
Yes — this is an individual trip, not a group departure. There is no fixed itinerary and no coach schedule: you travel on your own, at your own pace. We can change the number of nights, the class of hotel, add or drop destinations and arrange transfers, car hire or private guides.
Send us a request through the form on this page, call us, or drop by the office. We will come back with availability and a written quotation before anything is charged. The trip as shown runs for 4 days.
Departure from: Athens · Thessaloniki · Larnaca.
Flights: Direct or with one connection, depending on the season.
Visa (Greek citizens): No visa needed.
Earliest departure: At least 7 days after booking.
Best time to go: May–October.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
Our office helps you with all of the above, step by step.
