Private Tour from Palermo to Monreale, Santa Rosalia and Mondello
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Private Tour from Palermo to Monreale, Santa Rosalia and Mondello

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10h
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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About this experience

TOUR to discover the ancient city of Palermo with over 2000 years of history and dominations that have marked Sicily and the Sicilians

We offer EXCLUSIVE WAY Transfer / Arrangement services, our highly qualified, kind and punctual staff will come to pick you up at the time and address indicated and will happily accompany you to your destination.

On all our vehicles we guarantee free wi-fi service and upon request we provide free use of the seat for children aged 0-8 years. Furthermore, when taking charge of the service, the name of the driver and the cellphone number.

>>>>>>>> Important >>>>>>>>
The PRICE indicated in the advertisement is the total cost per vehicle/route regardless of the number of passengers, obviously up to a maximum of 6 passengers.

Available options

Private Tour from Palermo to Monreale, Santa Rosalia and Mondello

Pickup included

What's included

Private transportation
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
Cell phone charging
expenses for: diesel, motorway, access to restricted traffic zones and parking
child seat / seat

Detailed itinerary

1
Stop 1

The permanent market extends from Piazza Casa Professa to the ramparts of Corso Tukory towards Porta Sant'Agata. The market is famous for the sale of the first fruits that come from the Palermo countryside. Ballarò is the oldest of the city's markets, attended daily by hundreds of people, enlivened by the so-called abbanniate, that is, by the boisterous calls of the sellers who, with their characteristic and colorful local accent, try to attract the interest of passers-by. It looks like a mass of crowded stalls and with the street invaded by wooden boxes containing the goods that are constantly shouted, hushed, chanted to advertise the good quality and good price of the products.
Ballarò is mainly a food market, mainly used for the sale of fruit, vegetables, spices, meat and fish, but there are also household items for cooking and cleaning the house, as in the markets of Capo and Vucciria.

2
Stop 2

The Palazzo dei Normanni, also known as the Royal Palace, is located in Palermo and is currently the seat of the Sicilian regional assembly. The palace is the oldest royal residence in Europe, the residence of the sovereigns of the Kingdom of Sicily, the imperial seat with Federico II and Corrado IV and of the historic Sicilian Parliament. On the first floor of the building stands the Palatine Chapel. The west wing is assigned to the Italian Army.

It is one of the most visited monuments on the island. The additional tourist services are managed by the Federico II Foundation; the main entrances (the parliamentary one and the tourist one) are on piazza del Parlamento, the driveway entrance is on the side of piazza Indipendenza. Since 3 July 2015 it has been part of the World Heritage Site (UNESCO) as part of the serial site "Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale".

3
Stop 3

The cathedral of Monreale, also known as the cathedral of Santa Maria Nuova, is the main place of Catholic worship in Monreale, in the metropolitan city of Palermo, the archbishop's seat of the homonymous archdiocese.

Built starting from 1172 at the behest of William II of Altavilla, king of Sicily from 1166 to 1189, it is famous for the rich Byzantine mosaics that decorate the interior. In August 1926, Pope Pius XI elevated it to the dignity of a minor basilica.[4] Since 3 July 2015 it has been part of the World Heritage Site (UNESCO) as part of the Arab-Norman itinerary of Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreal

4
Stop 4

Mount Pellegrino is an Italian mountain relief located in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Its maximum height is 606 m above sea level. and is a limestone promontory that juts out into the Tyrrhenian Sea to close off the northern end of the Gulf of Palermo. The north-western slope circumscribes the south-eastern border of the Mondello bay, while at its foot lies the Montepellegrino district. In the 18th century it was defined as "the most beautiful promontory in the world" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, in the essay Journey to Italy.

5
Stop 5

It rises around a large bay, enclosed between Monte Pellegrino and Monte Gallo, which is detached from the urban center by means of the Parco della Favorita. The beach of this coastal stretch is considered the most famous in the capital and one of the most popular Sicilian coasts for tourism, both nationally and internationally.

6

he exact name of the square is Piazza Villena (in homage to the Viceroy whose full name was Marquis don Juan Fernandez Pacheco de Villena y Ascalon), but ancient sources mention it as Ottangolo or Teatro del Sole because during the hours of the day at least one of architectural backdrop is illuminated by the sun.

The Quattro Canti proper are the four decorative apparatuses that delimit the space of the crossing. Made between 1609 and 1620[3] and surmounted by the royal senatorial and viceroyal coats of arms (in white marble), the four elevations are structured on several levels, with a decoration based on the use of architectural orders and figurative insertions which , from bottom to top, follow one another according to a principle of ascension from the world of nature to that of heaven. The four floors of the facade are decorated as follows: on the lower floor, fountains representing the rivers of the ancient city (Oreto, Kemonia, Pannaria, Papireto).

7
Stop 7

In 1573 the Palermitan senate bought the fountain with the intention of placing it in the center of the square and several houses were demolished to place the monumental construction conceived for an open place.
In 1581 the works of arrangement of the fountain in the square were completed, directed by Camillo Camilliani and assisted by Michelangelo Naccherino
It is popularly known for the Fountain of Shame; the nickname would arise from the presence of the cloistered monastery of the Dominican Order, whose nuns, annoyed by the great profusion of private parts exhibited by the statues, ordered acts of vandalism with the aim of scarring them.

8

The sanctuary of Santa Rosalia is a sanctuary in Palermo built around the seventeenth century on the basis of previous religious buildings in honor of the new patron saint of the city. The place where the sanctuary stands is today a destination for religious and naturalistic tourism in the city of Palermo, since a few steps away there is a belvedere with a unique panorama of the city.
Inside the sanctuary there is also a museum part, inaugurated in 2018, and called the treasure rooms, where historical, artistic and religious objects are collected.
The sanctuary stands at an altitude of 429 meters on Monte Pellegrino, and is accessed via a long staircase.

9

Piazza Marina is a square in the historic center of Palermo located in the Kalsa district or the Tribunal district. At the center of the square is the Garibaldi villa designed by the architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile in 1863, inside the villa there is a magnolioid ficus, planted in 1864, about 30 meters high and with a diameter of about 20 meters, dominates the quadrant of piazza Marina looking at the entrance of Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri.

What's not included

Norman Palace
Cloister of the Cathedral of Monreale

Available languages

Written guide
DE EN IT FR ES

Reviews breakdown

Tripadvisor 5.0
3 reviews
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3
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Important information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
meet and greet service
door-to-door service

About Palermo

Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is a city of rich history, stunning architecture, and a unique cultural blend. Known for its Norman-Arab-Byzantine influences, Palermo offers a mix of grand palaces, bustling markets, and delicious street food that will captivate any traveler.

Top Attractions

Palermo Cathedral

A stunning example of Norman-Arab-Byzantine architecture, Palermo Cathedral is a must-visit for its historical significance and beautiful interior.

Historical/Religious 1-2 hours €7 for the cathedral and cloister

Palermo Cathedral

This grand palace was the seat of the Norman kings of Sicily. It houses the Palatine Chapel, known for its stunning mosaics and Arabic-Norman architecture.

Historical/Architectural 1.5-2 hours €12 for the palace and chapel

Ballarò Market

One of Palermo's most famous street markets, Ballarò offers a vibrant atmosphere with fresh produce, street food, and local crafts.

Cultural/Shopping 1-2 hours Free to explore

Monreale Cathedral

Located just outside Palermo, Monreale Cathedral is famous for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historical/Religious 2-3 hours including travel €6 for the cathedral and cloister

Teatro Massimo

The largest opera house in Italy and one of the most famous in the world, Teatro Massimo is a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture.

Architectural/Entertainment 1 hour for a tour €7 for a guided tour

Must-Try Local Dishes

Arancini

Fried rice balls stuffed with ragù, mozzarella, and peas.

Snack Vegetarian options available

Panelle

Chickpea fritters, a popular street food in Palermo.

Snack Vegan

Pasta alla Norma

Pasta with tomato sauce, fried eggplant, ricotta salata, and basil.

Main Course Vegetarian

Cannoli

Crispy pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta.

Dessert Vegetarian

Popular Activities

Hiking in the nearby mountains Swimming and snorkeling at Mondello Beach Beach lounging at Mondello Beach Enjoying a leisurely meal at a seaside restaurant Visiting museums and historical sites Attending local festivals and events Boat tours to the nearby islands Swimming and water sports at the beach

Best Time to Visit

April to June, September to October

These months offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds. It's ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

15°C to 30°C 59°F to 86°F

Practical Information

Language

  • Official: Italian
  • Widely spoken: Sicilian, English (limited)
  • English: Limited

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (Central European Time), GMT+2 during daylight saving time

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Palermo is generally safe for tourists, but petty crime and pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Be aware of your surroundings and take precautions to protect your belongings.

Important Precautions:
  • • Keep valuables secure
  • • Use licensed taxis
  • • Be cautious of strangers approaching you

Getting there

By air
  • Palermo Falcone-Borsellino Airport • 32 km from city center
By train

Palermo Centrale

By bus

Palermo Centrale Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

The bus system is the primary mode of public transport in Palermo. It's affordable but can be crowded during peak hours.

Taxis

Available • Apps: FreeNow, ItTaxi

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Kalsa Vigàta Mondello

Day trips

Monreale
7 km • Half day

Monreale is famous for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and the Benedictine Abbey.

Cefalù
70 km • Full day

A charming coastal town known for its beautiful beach and medieval cathedral.

Erice
120 km • Full day

A medieval hilltop town with stunning views and well-preserved architecture.

Festivals

Festa di Santa Rosalia • July 10-15 Sagra del Mandarino • January to February Palermo Pride • June

Pro tips

  • Visit the markets early in the morning for the best selection and freshest produce
  • Learn a few basic Italian phrases to enhance your experience and interact with locals
  • Take a food tour to discover the best street food and local specialties
  • Explore the city on foot to discover hidden gems and charming streets
  • Visit the cathedral and other religious sites early in the morning to avoid crowds
From $25 per person

Price varies by option

Adults
Age 0-99
1
Booking requirements:
  • Min travelers: 1
  • Max travelers: 7
Secure booking
Free cancellation available
Instant confirmation

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