PalermoByHeart

PalermoByHeart

What to see around Palermo

Beaches, towns, nature and islands, with a map.

Photo: Andrea Calcagno, CC BY-SA 2.0

What to see around Palermo

Beaches, historic towns, nature and islands in the province. Distances come from the Metropolitan City of Palermo; times and fares for connections are marked to confirm until verified.

Where the places are

Map of the province of Palermo. Hover over a point for a preview; click or tap a point to open its details over the map.

  • Beach
  • Culture
  • Nature and mountains
  • Islands

A dot split in two or three parts has several categories (for example Cefalù: beach and culture).

  • ✓Reachable by public transport
  • ~Only partly
  • ABetter by car
  • ?To confirm
Cartina della provincia di Palermo / Map of the province of Palermo

Boundaries: ISTAT, via openpolis (CC BY 3.0). Dots mark the centre of each place. Ustica can only be reached by sea.

Il golfo di Mondello con la spiaggia e il mare turchese, visto dall'alto
Photo: Andrea Calcagno, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Mondello

within Palermo, seaside district
Fits a 3-day trip

In 3 days: Mondello or Cefalù.

Reachable by public transport

AMAT buses: summer line 806 and shuttles 84, 86 and 87 in season. Check times with AMAT.

The beach most used by locals, with two kilometres of sand and Liberty-style villas and gardens.

Beach

Getting there

  • AMAT bus line 806summer line: route and times being confirmedTo confirm
    The AMAT page used so far refers to a past season. Times and fare of line 806 are being confirmed.
Sources (3)
Full guide
Cefalù vista dall'alto, con il Duomo e la Rocca sul mare
Photo: Matthias Süßen, CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)

Cefalù

about 80 km, 1 hour
Fits a 3-day trip

In 3 days: Cefalù or Mondello.

Reachable by public transport

Train from Palermo Centrale (RFI board of 4 November 2026). From 4 November to 17 January RFI reports changes around Palermo: check before you leave.

Seaside town with the cathedral built by Roger II and the Temple of Diana on the rock. Beaches: Salinelle, Capo Playa, Finale di Pollina, Lungomare, Caldura, Mazzaforno and Sant'Ambrogio.

BeachCulture

Getting there

  • By car from Palermoabout 1 hour, A20 motorway (about 80 km)Verified
  • By train from Palermo Centraleduration, times and fare not yet verifiedTo confirm
    This is the easiest link without a car. Duration, times and fare are being confirmed.
Sources (4)
Full guide
La facciata del Duomo di Monreale con le due torri
Photo: Berthold Werner, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Monreale

8 km, via Corso Calatafimi
Fits a 3-day trip
Reachable by public transport

AMAT bus line 389, running until 15 June 2027. Times still to be confirmed.

Cathedral and Benedictine Cloister, with 12th-century mosaics.

Culture

Getting there

  • AMAT bus line 389 (extension)extension to Monreale in service from 18 June 2026 to 15 June 2027Verified
  • Line 389 times and stopsnot statedTo confirm
    Times and departure point in the city being confirmed.
  • Cathedral and cloister hours and ticketCathedral: Monday to Saturday 9:00-13:00 (last entry 12:45) and 14:00-17:00; Sundays and holidays 14:00-17:00 (no visits in the morning); no visits during services. Cloister, terraces and prices: not verifiedVerified
Sources (3)
Full guide
La facciata di Villa Palagonia a Bagheria tra le palme
Photo: Jpbazard Jean-Pierre Bazard, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Bagheria

15 km
Better by car

A car is the better choice (editors' note). Train from Palermo Centrale (RFI board of 4 November 2026). From 4 November to 17 January RFI reports changes around Palermo: check before you leave.

Monumental 18th-century villas, including Villa Palagonia and Villa Cattolica.

Culture
Sources (2)
Full guide
L'Isola delle Femmine, un isolotto con una torre, visto dalla costa
Photo: Ziegler175, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Isola delle Femmine

west coast
Better by car

A car is the better choice (editors' note). Trains from Palermo (RFI board of 4 November 2026). From 4 November to 17 January the board reports timetable changes and replacement buses.

A fishing village known for its wide beach and its seabed. The islet off the coast is a nature reserve: you do not simply go there, you admire it from the shore. Visits are guided only, by booking, with LIPU.

Beach
Sources (2)
Full guide
Il centro marinaro e la baia di Terrasini, con spiaggia e rocce nell'acqua
Photo: Ciccio, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Terrasini

about 60 km from Palermo
Better by car

Better by car (editors' note).

A seaside town on the west coast, along the SS 113 beyond Sferracavallo and Isola delle Femmine.

Beach
Sources (1)
Full guide
Il lungomare di Sferracavallo con il Monte Gallo sullo sfondo
Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Sferracavallo

within Palermo, seaside district
Better by car

Better by car (editors' note).

A major fishing centre with a seafront full of trattorias serving fresh fish. People come mainly for a seafood lunch or dinner and a short stroll, not for swimming.

Beach
Sources (1)
Full guide
La costa dell'Addaura con il porticciolo e Monte Pellegrino
Photo: trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Addaura, Vergine Maria, Arenella

east coast of Palermo
Better by car

Better by car (editors' note).

Seaside villages with beach clubs and small tourist harbours.

Beach
Sources (1)
Full guide
Il castello di Caccamo sulla rupe
Photo: Pequod76, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Caccamo

20 km, Termini Imerese exit (A19)

Reachable by car only.

Better by car

Better by car (editors' note).

Medieval castle and the church of San Benedetto alla Badia.

Culture
Sources (1)
Full guide
Resti archeologici di Himera tra l'erba, con il mare lontano
Photo: GustavoMartinezFernandez, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Himera

50 km, via Buonfornello

Reachable by car only.

Better by car

Better by car (editors' note).

Archaeological excavations of a Greek colony, with a small museum.

Culture
Sources (1)
Full guide
Panorama di Petralia Soprana sulla collina, nelle Madonie
Photo: Filippo Piazza, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Castelbuono

distance and times to be checked; best combined with Cefalù
Fits a 3-day trip

To combine with Cefalù; best in autumn and winter, when the sea is not an option.

Better by car

Better by car (editors' note).

Village in the Madonie Park, overlooked by the Ventimiglia Castle, which houses the Civic Museum. Editors' suggestion: combine it with Cefalù, especially in autumn and winter, when swimming is not an option.

Culture
Sources (1)
Full guide
La costa e il porto dell'isola di Ustica visti dall'alto
Photo: Accurimbono, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Ustica

1 h 30 by sea
Recommended for 7 days or more (in summer)

Works as a day trip only if the hydrofoil timetable allows it: check the operator's site.

Reachable by public transport

Reached by sea only, about 1 hour 30. Times and fares to be confirmed.

Island in the province of Palermo, linked by sea from Palermo harbour with Liberty Lines.

IslandsBeach

Getting there

  • Crossing time1 hour 30 minutes (Liberty Lines hydrofoil)Verified
  • Timesvary by day of the week, new timetable from 1 November 2026To confirm
    A new timetable applies from 1 November 2026; times per day are being confirmed. Check the Liberty Lines site, which also flags suspended runs.
  • Ticket pricenot yet verifiedTo confirm
    Price being confirmed.
  • Siremar ferryabout 3 hours, daily all year (times and prices not verified)Verified
Sources (3)
Full guide
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