Private Day Tour: Monreale and Palermo's Historic Monuments with Scenic City Panorama

Monreale

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Embark on a private day tour of Palermo and Monreale’s historic monuments, with a scenic city panorama. Explore beautiful places, visit the famous cathedral in Monreale, and enjoy a tailored tour to suit your interests.

Duration: 8 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Cattedrale di Monreale - Your driver will drop you off at Piazza Guglielmo II, where you can explore the stunning Monreale Cathedral. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it stands as one of the most significant medieval churches globally. The cathedral’s mosaics are uniquely exquisite, covering over 6,000 square meters with more than 130 Byzantine mosaics. For a fee, you can access various parts of the cathedral, including the terraces. Next to the cathedral is the San Benedetto Monastery, featuring a Romanesque-style cloister with over 90 mosaic-adorned columns and Romanesque capitals. The cloister’s center boasts a garden with a palm-shaped fountain. Nearby, the Diocesan Museum offers collections of paintings, sacred vestments, liturgical objects, and 18th-century frescoes. From Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, you can view the Duomo while enjoying the garden and the famous marble Triton Fountain. The Belvedere, close to the Town Hall, offers a breathtaking view of the Conca d’Oro and the Palermo hills. - Norman Palace - We will pass through the Royal Palace, Porta Nuova, and Villa Bonanno. The Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo, one of Sicily’s most visited buildings, is Europe’s oldest royal residence and now houses the Sicilian Regional Assembly. Inside, you’ll find several courtyards, including the Maqueda and Fountain Courtyards. The patio leads to the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and the first level houses the Palatine Chapel. The palace contains numerous artworks, including 19th and 20th-century masterpieces by Francesco Lojacono, Antonino Leto, Joan Mirò, and Renato Guttuso. - Palermo Cathedral - The Cathedral of Palermo is the city’s most iconic building, constructed in 1184 by Archbishop Gualtiero Offamilio in honor of the Holy Virgin Mary’s Assumption. Since July 3, 2015, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site. The main entrance is free, but a ticket is required to visit the monumental area and the cathedral’s roofs, offering a stunning view of the city. - Capo Street Market - The Mercato del Capo in Palermo is located in the upper part of the ancient Arab Schiavoni neighborhood, known for pirates and slave traders. This bustling area, formed during the Muslim era, is surrounded by baroque churches and iconic street food. The market’s main entrance is through the 14th-century Porta Carini. The narrow street widens and narrows between stalls, with people stopping to observe, negotiate, taste, and buy. It is renowned as the premier fish market. The vibrant colors, enticing scents, and traders’ calls create an unmissable experience. - Via Roma - From Mercato del Capo, we head towards Piazza Verdi in front of Teatro Massimo, then follow Via Roma, which intersects Piazza San Domenico, home to the church of the same name. Over the years, many buildings have been constructed along this street, including bank headquarters, the Palazzo delle Poste, the Biondo theater, the Palazzo del Banco di Sicilia, and numerous other Eclectic or Liberty-style buildings. At the intersection with Corso Vittorio Emanuele, we ascend to reach the Quattro Canti. - Quattro Canti - You will be dropped off at Piazza Pretoria to visit the main churches, including La Martorana, San Cataldo, San Giuseppe dei Teatini, the Fountain of Shame, and the Four Corners. We continue to the Church of Gesù (Casa Professa), one of Palermo’s most important baroque churches, and then to the historic Ballarò market. - Ballarò Medievale - With over 1,000 years of history, the Ballarò market is one of Palermo’s oldest landmarks. Located in the bustling Albergheria district, it has evolved while maintaining its distinctive style. At Ballarò, you can buy meat, fresh fish, locally sourced fruits and vegetables, cheeses, typical products, and sweets. Besides the traditional stalls, there are many places to sit and enjoy typical dishes at affordable prices. Ballarò is also known for its prestigious monuments, such as the Tower of S. Nicolò, offering a 360° panoramic view of Palermo, the Church of Carmine Maggiore, and the Chamber of Wonders. - Via Ruggiero Settimo - Beyond Quattro Canti, we reach Via Ruggero Settimo, leading to Piazza Castelnuovo. Together with the adjacent Piazza Ruggero Settimo, it forms a large space commonly called “Piazza Politeama,” named after the dominating theater. The area includes Viale della Libertà, surrounded by villas and gardens, including the English Garden. - Via della Favorita - Via della Favorita stretches from Piazza Generale Cascino to the east gate of Parco della Favorita. The expansive Favorita park, covering approximately 400 hectares, was created by Ferdinand of Bourbon during his first stay in Palermo from 1798 to 1802. - Palazzina Cinese - In December 1798, fleeing the Naples riots, the royal couple Ferdinand of Bourbon and Carolina arrived in Palermo, warmly welcomed by the local nobility. The king, an avid hunter, purchased much of the land in the Colli plain from Palermo nobles to create a hunting reserve. He also bought the “casena” of Giuseppe Lombardo, Baron della Scala, which was later renovated and embellished by architect Venanzio Marvuglia. This residence, inspired by oriental themes, became known as the Chinese Palace and hosted many illustrious guests, including Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton. VISITING HOURS From Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:30 (last entry at 17:00); holidays from 9:00 to 13:30 (last entry at 13:00) – closed on Mondays. - Mondello - The gulf of Mondello, at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, is one of the island’s most extraordinary places. Mondello’s atmosphere feels almost tropical due to its vibrant colors. The area is filled with services, restaurants, small shops, nautical clubs, and a small port, and is known for its Liberty-style villas.

What's Included

Private transportation
On-board WiFi
Bottled water
Bilingual Italian-English driver
Child seats (on request)
Pick-up service from/to hotel/port

What's Not Included

Tourist guide
Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Gratuities

Additional Information

Explore the historical landmarks of Palermo and Monreale with a private day tour. Your English-speaking driver will guide you to the most stunning sites, including Teatro Massimo, the Royal Palace, the Palatine Chapel, Piazza dei Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, and the Church of Gesù (Casa Professa), one of Palermo’s most significant baroque churches. You’ll also visit historic markets like Ballaró and Il Capo, along with other notable buildings. The tour features a panoramic view of the entire city. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Palermo and visit Monreale’s famous cathedral. Discover the Palazzina or Casina Cinese, noted for its distinctive Chinese style, located within Parco della Favorita. Experience the popular seaside resort of Mondello, one of Sicily’s most beautiful and renowned tourist destinations. The tour can be tailored to your interests.

Location

Cattedrale di Monreale

Piazza Guglielmo II

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

From $89

Select Date and Tickets

up to 8 guests