Is Palermo a good base to explore Sicily?

Palermo is a great base for exploring Sicily and several fascinating places make easy day trips from the city.



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Yes, absolutely. The historic center of the city is pretty compact, and many of the must-sees are within walking distance of each other. But beware, the city has some hills and some sidewalks can be a little narrow or rough, so it might not be the best choice for those with mobility issues.

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Away from the main coastal train routes, buses are generally the best way of getting around Sicily. Buses offer faster, more direct service on certain intercity routes where train connections are inconvenient, such as Catania to Agrigento, Syracuse to Palermo, or Palermo to Trapani.

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Palermo – stay in Sicily's vibrant capital (near the best beach in Sicily) Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is an excellent place to stay if you're looking for a genuine city atmosphere in Sicily. Plus, you'll be close to Palermo Airport, where many people land when travelling to Sicily.

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Places to Avoid in Sicily
  • Ballarò: This neighborhood in Palermo is known for its street markets, but it can also be dangerous, especially at night.
  • Brancaccio: This neighborhood in Palermo is considered to be one of the most dangerous areas in the city, so it's best to avoid it altogether.


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Taormina - The prettiest town in Sicily. One of the most famous and touristy towns in Sicily and not for nothing, a picturesque and colorful town, surrounded by two mountains and a close view of the volcano Etna.

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The east coast Ionian Riviera has some of Sicily's most picturesque pebbly and sandy beaches including those of Isola Bella, Mazzarò, Giardini Naxos and Letojanni (below Taormina).

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Between the 1950s and 1980s the mafia ravaged Palermo: many of the beautiful art deco buildings that epitomized the aesthetic of the city were destroyed (some without permission, in the middle of the night); parks were paved over; and uninviting apartment buildings, some with faulty construction, became a mark of the ...

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The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old. Palermo is in the northwest of the island of Sicily, by the Gulf of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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Staying 2-4 days in Palermo is the perfect amount. With 1 or 2 days, you'll be able to fit in all the highlights, but your days will be long and busy. In my experience, 3-4 days is the sweet spot. It's enough time to get a solid feel for the city without rushing through your days.

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The Amalfi Coast is a great place to relax on the beach, enjoy fine dining and high-end shopping, and take in beautiful scenery. Travelers looking for more culture and history should opt to visit Sicily for their vacation.

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Enna. Enna in one of Sicily's best-kept secrets. The city, which lies in central Sicily, is rarely visited by tourists, as most prefer to focus on the coastline or larger towns. It's a truly wonderful setting, situated 3083 feet above sea level and filled with rolling green hills and tiny clusters of houses.

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Taormina has always had the lion's share of the high-end properties and one of Sicily's most historic hotels sits there in a glorious location. There are other 5-star properties, but the 15th century Dominican monastery known as San Domenico Palace closed for renovation 3 years ago as a 4-star hotel.

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At a high level, we think you're going to need at least two weeks (14 days) to see both eastern and western Sicily. Anything less than that and you'd need to cut some of the best sights in each region to try and fit it all in, which we would absolutely not recommend.

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How long does the train from Palermo to Catania take? The average journey time by train between Palermo and Catania is 4 hours and 32 minutes, with around 17 trains per day.

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