Normans and Anti Mafia Heroes: A Self Guided Palermo Walking Tour

Duration1h 30m - 2h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

This 90-minute self-guided walking tour traces Palermo's layered history—Phoenician, Arab, Norman, and modern Italian—while exploring the city's fight against the mafia. Starting at Porta Nuova, it passes Palazzo dei Normanni, Mercato al Capo, Quattro Canti, and Fontana Pretoria, ending at Livia Morello Park.

Highlights:

* Visit the Palatine Chapel, Europe's oldest royal residence still in use
* Explore San Cataldo's red Arab-Norman domes
* Learn about the Sicilian Vespers rebellion
* Hear about magistrates Falcone and Borsellino's fight against Cosa Nostra
* See Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house
* Taste arancine, pane câ mèusa, and cannoli

Come hungry, watch your belongings, and let Palermo surprise you.

What's included

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
App for Android and iOS
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Smartphone and headphones
Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Food and drink
Transportation

What to expect

Porta Nuova
Pass by

Pass by Porta Nuova, a 1500s western gate built to celebrate Charles V's victory over the Ottomans at Tunis. Spot the bound Moors and imperial eagle carved into its facade. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Palermo Cathedral
Pass by

Walk along Palermo Cathedral, started by the Normans in 1185 atop a Phoenician site. See Saint Rosalia's remains, royal tombs, and a zodiac sundial, or climb the roof for sweeping city and sea views. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Capo Street Market
Pass by

Pass by Mercato del Capo, one of Palermo's liveliest street markets. Browse stalls, haggle for bargains, and sample local street food like arancine, pane e panelle, and spleen sandwiches. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Pass by

Stroll past the Muro della Legalità, a mural-covered wall honoring those who fought the mafia, including writers, artists, and officers who lost their lives defending honesty and justice. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Pass by

Walk along Teatro Massimo, Italy's largest opera house and Europe's third largest. Learn how it opened in 1896 with Verdi's Falstaff and its link to Italy's Risorgimento history. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Quattro Canti
Pass by

Pass by the Quattro Canti, Palermo's ornate baroque crossroads also nicknamed the Theatre of the Sun. Admire its four matching facades, each lit by sunlight at different times of day. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Piazza Pretoria
Pass by

Stroll past Piazza Pretoria to see the Fontana Pretoria, the "Fountain of Shame," with nude classical gods, dolphins, and harpies, built in 1554 and relocated here from Florence. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Piazza Bellini
Pass by

Walk along Piazza Bellini, home to the Arab-Norman church of San Cataldo and the older Chiesa della Martorana, both showcasing Sicily's mix of Byzantine and Norman architectural styles. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Porta Felice
Pass by

Stroll past Porta Felice, a monumental 1500s gate built by a viceroy for his wife. Nearby, see the Passeggiata delle Cattive, a terrace once used by widows for solitary walks. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Norman Palace
Pass by

Stroll past Palazzo dei Normanni, built on Phoenician foundations and expanded by Arabs and Normans. Visit the Palatine Chapel, learn about Sicily's Norman kings, and explore Europe's oldest royal residence, now a UNESCO site. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The tour starts at porta nuova, Via Vittorio Emanuele, very close to the Calatafimi Porta Nuova bus stop. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point

The tour ends at Foro Italico Umberto I, 1, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy.

Additional information

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions

Cancellation policy

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

Reviews

5.0 (1)

From

$9.99 per person

Check availability & book

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.

Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours · Booked through Viator

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