Best Day Trips from Palermo
The Sicilian capital of Palermo is a fascinating town to explore. It wouldn't be hard to spend several days wandering the cobblestone streets of the city center, enjoying the incredible food and generally excellent weather while you learn more about the history and culture of Sicily.
But just because Palermo has so much to offer doesn't mean you should neglect its surroundings. The fact is, Sicily has some absolutely incredible locations to explore, and day trips from Palermo can take you to some unforgettable locations, from the ancient ruins of Greek temples to a gorgeous seaside town on the Mediterranean Sea.
Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Palermo, and you'll be able to enjoy a day trip to some exceptional places. Once you've visited the best museums in Palermo and had your fill of the city's incredible food, you'll soon see there's so much more to explore outside the city limits.
How to get out of Palermo
Palermo Centrale train station is located close to the city center and makes a good way to get from Palermo airport to the city itself. However, using the train for day trips may not work out as well as you would hope. As a general rule, the deeper you get into southern Italy, the less reliable public transportation becomes. And while most of mainland Italy has an excellent and very reliable train network, western Sicily does not.
That's not to say you can't get around by train. Depending on where you want to go, you certainly can. But you'll need to bring your patience with you. As an alternative to train travel, bus tours can bring you to some of the day trip locations on this list and are usually more reliable than the trains. Alternatively, if you want to explore at your own pace, it might be worth looking into getting a rental car. In fact, some of the most popular destinations for day trips from Palermo can only be reached this way.
Getting around Palermo itself can also be something of a challenge, but check out our guide on how to get around the city for some guidance on Palermo's public transportation network.
From Palermo to Mondello
This is the most popular beach destination for those in Palermo. And for good reason: Mondello is gorgeous. It's a small fishing village that has managed to remain relatively undiscovered by tourism, meaning you won't have to battle huge crowds to get a spot on the sand.
The water here is crystal clear and perfect for swimming, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes along the shore where you can enjoy some delicious Sicilian seafood. If you're looking for a day trip that will let you see a more natural side of Sicily without having to travel too far from Palermo itself, this beautiful town is a great place to try.
How to get to Mondello
Mondello is almost on the outskirts of Palermo itself, only a 25-minute drive away from the city, making it a very popular day trip for locals. You can also reach Mondello by bus, but you'll need to make a change, and the journey will take around an hour, not including the time spent waiting for the bus.
From Palermo to Villa Romana del Casale
This is one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Sicily. Located near the town of Piazza Armerina, this ancient villa dates back to the 4th century AD and was once home to a rich Roman family. The villa itself is somewhat small, but it's the incredible mosaics that adorn its walls and floors that make Villa Romana del Casale so special.
These mosaics are some of the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the world, and they provide a fascinating insight into daily life during the height of the Roman Empire. If you're interested in history or archaeology, this is definitely a day trip worth taking from Palermo. Plus, the town of Piazza Armerina is a charming place to spend a few hours wandering the narrow streets by itself, so this is definitely a day trip worth taking.
How to get to Villa Romana del Casale
The villa lies in the center of Sicily and can be reached on a day trip from Palermo in just over two hours by car. Long-distance bus 17211 can also take you from Palermo to Piazza Armerina in two and a half hours, but you'll still need another bus to take you to the Roman villa itself. To make things easier on yourself, consider taking a bus trip from the city, which may also include a guided tour to help you get the best out of the villa.
From Palermo to Agrigento
This is one of the most popular day trips from Palermo, and it's easy to see why. Agrigento is home to the Valley of the Temples, an archaeological park that contains some of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world.
The Valley of the Temples is actually a misnomer, as only a handful of the temples here were ever completed. Nevertheless, the ruins that remain are still incredibly impressive and provide a fascinating insight into ancient Greek architecture. Even if you're not particularly interested in history or archaeology, this is still a day trip worth taking for the sheer beauty of the temples themselves.
How to get to Agrigento
The train from Palermo Centrale to Agrigento takes around two and a half hours to reach the city. From there, it's only three kilometers to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the temples, and city bus number 2 can bring you to this unique encounter with ancient history.
From Palermo to Monreale
This small town is located just outside of Palermo and is home to one of the most important Norman cathedrals in all of Sicily. The Cathedral of Monreale is a beautiful building, both inside and out, and its mosaics are some of the finest examples of Norman art in the world.
This is definitely a day trip worth taking if you're interested in religious architecture or simply want to see one of the most beautiful buildings in Sicily.
How to get to Monreale
The best way to reach Monreale from Palermo is by bus. Buses leave regularly from Piazza Giulio Cesare, and the journey takes around 30 minutes. Once you arrive in Monreale, the cathedral is only a short walk from the bus stop.
From Palermo to San Vito lo Capo
This small town is located on the northwestern coast of Sicily and is one of the most popular beach resorts in the region. San Vito lo Capo has a lovely sandy beach that's perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and simply relaxing by the sea. The town itself is very pretty, with narrow streets and colorful houses, and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy some delicious Sicilian food. This is definitely a day trip worth taking if you want to escape the heat of Palermo for a few hours and enjoy some time by the sea.
How to get to San Vito lo Capo
San Vito lo Capo can be reached by bus from Palermo in around three hours. On the other hand, if you've chosen to rent a car, you can make the journey in less than two hours.
From Palermo to Cefalu
This small town is located on the northeast coast of Sicily and is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Palermo. Cefalu is a pretty medieval town with narrow streets and plenty of charming cafes and restaurants. The town's Norman cathedral is also well worth a visit and has won a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its historical importance.
Cefalu is a great place to relax for a few hours, especially if you want to escape the heat of Palermo. It's also a good choice if you want to enjoy some fresh seafood, as there are plenty of excellent restaurants where you can try some of the local specialties.
How to get to Cefalu
The best way to reach Cefalu from Palermo is by train. It will take you a little over an hour, and along the way, you'll be treated to gorgeous views of the coast that make the train preferable to driving so that you can relax and enjoy the scenery. This is undoubtedly one of the best day trips from Palermo and definitely a journey to add to your list.
From Palermo to Parco della Madonie
This large nature park is located in the mountains just outside of Palermo and is a great place to escape the craziness of the city. The park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, and there are plenty of hiking trails that wind their way through the forests and up to the peaks of the mountains.
If you're looking for a day trip that will allow you to enjoy some time in nature, then Parco della Madonie is definitely worth considering. There's also an excellent visitor center where you can learn more about the park and its history.
How to get to Parco della Madonie
The best way to reach Parco della Madonie from Palermo is by car. It takes around an hour to reach the park from Palermo, and once you're there, you can explore at your own pace. There are also a few buses that operate from Palermo to the park, but they are infrequent, and it's generally easier to drive. Plus, having your own car will make it easier to get around the nature reserve and see everything it has to offer.
From Palermo to Corleone
There's more to Sicily than just the Mafia. However, there's no denying that organized crime has left an indelible mark on the history and culture of the island. And you can learn more about this dark story in the town of Corleone outside Palermo.
Corleone is perhaps best known as being the home of the fictional Godfather in the movies of the same name. But Corleone was a hotbed of Mafia activity for centuries, and the town has capitalized on this association with some interesting Mafia-themed attractions. Check out the Anti-Mafia Center to learn more about the battle against the sinister crime organization for one of the most unusual of the best day trips from Palermo.
How to get to Corleone
Corleone is a little over an hour's dive from the center of Palermo. If you don't have a car, see if you can organize a tour bus to take you there, as there are no trains to this rural town.
From Palermo to Mount Etna
If you're looking for an adventurous day trip from Palermo, then a journey to Mount Etna is definitely worth considering. Mount Etna is Europe's tallest active volcano, and it's possible to take a cable car or even hike to the summit.
Of course, there's always the chance of an eruption when you visit Mount Etna, but this only adds to the thrill of the experience. And even if you don't want to risk getting too close to the crater, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area, including visiting lava caves and exploring the nearby town of Taormina.
How to get to Mount Etna
Mount Etna can be reached by car from Palermo in around three and a half hours. Given the distance involved, a car is definitely the best way to get there, although you may be able to find some bus tours from Palermo that will also take you to the volcano. Although it's quite a journey, and you may want to stay overnight to make the most of your trip, this is definitely one of the best day trips from Palermo and offers an experience that's hard to find anywhere else.
Conclusion
Palermo is a relatively small city, but that doesn't mean it lacks things to do. It's an easy place to spend a few days enjoying the historic architecture, learning more about the unique culture, and enjoying incredible food. But if you're curious about what else Sicily has to offer, there are so many great day trips from Palermo you can take that will show you more of this fascinating island.
Whether you're interested in ancient history, the more recent story of the Mafia, or just want to relax in a beautiful seaside town, these day trips from Palermo will make for a memorable vacation. Leave your bags behind and try some of these day trips to see more of what Sicily has to offer.