Cruise stopover in Palerme. The best things to do!🤩

Welcome to Mon Tatane Tour (MTT), your travel guide of Cruise stopover in Palerme. ! Dear cruise ship friends, let’s discover together the places to explore in Marseille during your cruise stopover.

Cruise stopover in Palermo

Getting around and the best things to do?

How to exit the cruise port in Palermo

Arriving at the port, you won’t even need a shuttle, you will be directly in the heart of the city. It’s super practical! Leaving the port you will find all kinds of transportation available: taxis, horse-drawn carriages (unfortunately the horses seem neglected and without water, it was really horrible), small trains and even tourist buses.

I highly recommend taking a tourist bus or a small train to save time, as everything is on an incline in the city.
The little train will take you to Palermo Cathedral, where you can stroll through the picturesque streets, full of small shops, ice cream parlors (Gelateria) and much more…
Personally, I go to Palermo twice a year and the tourist bus is definitely the best choice. This avoids getting tired with the climbs in Palermo.

Here are some ideas for activities to do in Palermo during your cruise stopover:

Visit Palermo Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture. There you will discover a collection of sculptures, frescoes and mosaics of great beauty.
Stroll through the Vucciria district, a lively market where you can taste Sicilian specialties.
Visit the Palace of the Normans, a 13th-century royal palace that now houses Sicily’s regional parliament.
Explore the Palermo Catacombs , a network of underground tunnels that house tombs and frescoes dating back to the 4th century.
Taste the culinary specialties of Sicily, such as pasta alla Norma, cassata and granita.

So, don’t waste a minute! Opt for the tourist bus or the little train and explore Palermo without getting exhausted. You will be able to make the most of your time and explore all the treasures this city has to offer.

What to do in Palermo on a cruise stopover?

Cruise stopovers in Palermo – Hop-on Hop-off in Palermo No. 1 in MTT sales

⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 947 reviews

Enjoy the freedom to hop on and off at the stops that interest you. Avoid the tiring climbs of Palermo and save with one of the most affordable tours in Europe.

Don’t miss any must-see sites, like the magnificent cathedral and bustling streets. For a complete experience, the tourist bus is your best ally.

highlights	Hop-on Hop-off in Palermo
Hop-on hop-off bus tour	Explore Palermo, the capital of Sicily, at your own pace with an open-top, hop-on hop-off bus tour. Hop on and off at the stops of your choice to discover the city’s top attractions.
2 different circuits	Enjoy 2 distinct tours that will give you a complete view of Palermo. Discover the iconic sights, bustling markets, botanical gardens, historic palaces and more. Board the bus to explore different facets of the city.
Flexibility of exploration	With the ability to hop on and off at the stops of your choice, you have complete flexibility to explore the attractions that interest you most. Customize your itinerary and spend as much time as you want at each site.
Strategic starting points	The tours begin at the terminals located in front of the Teatro Politeama, providing a strategic starting point to discover the charms of Palermo. Follow the well-planned itineraries so you don’t miss any of the city’s treasures.

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Capuchin Catacombs and Monreale Cathedral

⭐⭐⭐⭐/ 35 reviews

Explore the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, where history and macabre beauty collide. Discover:

The mysteries of mummification through the mummified remains of monks, children and even the famous painter Velazquez.
The remarkable mummy of Rosalia Lombardo, a poignant testimony to the art of preservation.
More than 8,000 bodies that have been lying there for centuries, divided into different categories such as monks, virgins and teachers.

Delve into the depths of these terrifying corridors on a 3-hour tour, exploring the history and significance of this fascinating place. You have plenty of time but do you still have to want

Then, marvel at the Norman architecture of Monreale Cathedral, a jewel of the 12th century. Admire:

Its splendid ornaments in gold and marble, uniting Arab and Norman influences.
The lush gardens and white marble columns of the peaceful Benedictine cloister.

highlights	Description
– Exploration of the Capuchin catacombs	Delve into the depths of the catacombs and discover the mysteries of mummification.
– Mummified remains	Contemplate the mummified remains of monks, children and even the famous painter Velázquez.
– Mummy of Rosalia Lombardo	Admire the remarkable mummy of Rosalia Lombardo, a poignant testament to the art of preservation.
– History and significance	Explore more than 8,000 bodies that have been lying there for centuries, divided into different categories.
– Monreale Cathedral	Admire the Norman architecture of the cathedral, with its splendid gold and marble ornaments.
– Benedictine cloister	Stroll through the lush gardens surrounded by white marble columns of the peaceful cloister.

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Safety in Palermo

Safety in Palermo during the cruise stopover Although ship authorities sometimes emphasize the need to look after your personal belongings and remain vigilant in Palermo, it is essential to put this message into perspective. Although caution is always recommended, especially in major tourist destinations, one should not give in to fear without reason.

In reality, 99% of cruise passengers who stopover in Palermo experience no incidents. Based on our own experience, after a multitude of visits, we have never been confronted with theft or assault. For your information, we must have done Palermo around twenty times!

This suggests that Palermo is no more dangerous than any other city.

By respecting a few simple rules, like everywhere else: