• Write a Review
  • Boards
  • Deals
  • Find a Cruise
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Cruise Tips

Cruises to Palermo (Sicily)

249 Reviews
Palermo (Photo:lapas77/Shutterstock)

About Palermo (Sicily)

Palermo is both an embarkation port and port of call for cruises through Italy year round. MSC Cruises uses the port as a take-off point while popular cruises lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Viking and many more, dock in Palermo giving cruisers the opportunity to eat, shop and explore.

A stop in Palermo has a lot to offer cruisers. The city was founded by Ancient Greeks and eventually became part of the Roman Empire. In the 9th century, the Arabs took over and converted churches to mosques and the common language to Arabic. The Norman period followed, and in the 13th century Palermo was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. The French and Spanish later passed through. All this means that this decidedly Italian city -- and the entire western Sicily area -- has flavors and architecture from all of its periods.

Palmero's historic center is fantastic for strolling. Architectural wonders within the city include the Teatro Massimo, the biggest opera house in Italy (and the third-largest in Europe after Paris and Vienna); the Palazzo Reale and the Cattedrale di Palermo. As you stroll, make time to try Palermo's excellent street food (and there's plenty of yummy Italian favorites such as pizza and gelato to be had too).

Or, if the city doesn't interest you, try an excursion that takes you further afield. High on a hill outside Palermo, Monreale also has a gorgeous Arab-Norman cathedral, along with cafes. The beach town of Cefalu is a lovely summer escape and Greek and Roman history buffs will find daytrips to Erice and Segesta appealing.

  • More about Palermo (Sicily)

  • Why go to Palermo (Sicily)?

  • Palermo (Sicily) Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 131 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Viva under contruction at Fincantieri (Photo: Fincantieri)

9 Night
Europe - Classic Mediterranean

Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Voyager of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas

7 Night
Greek Isles Cruise

1,465 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Norwegian Getaway
Norwegian Getaway

9 Night
Europe - Greek Isles & Eastern Med

3,140 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite
Oosterdam
Oosterdam

12 Night
Adriatic Dream

1,053 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

7 Night
Mediterranean Cruise

731 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

7 Night
Greece & Spain

1,465 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

7 Night
Greece & Spain

1,465 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

11 Night
Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

490 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite

24 Night
Adriatic Dream & Greek Odyssey

1,053 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

11 Night
Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

490 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

12 Night
Greek Isles, Italy & Turkey

Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

9 Night
Europe - Classic Mediterranean

Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

12 Night
Mediterranean - Western Cruise

Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

19 Night
Adriatic Gems & Dreams

1,053 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

11 Night
Mediterranean - Eastern Cruise

490 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

More about Palermo (Sicily)

Why go to Palermo (Sicily)?

Pros:

History and architecture buffs can explore museums, cathedrals and palaces.

Cons:

The traffic can be a bit unwieldy for pedestrians.

Bottom Line:

If Palermo seems too overwhelming, book a tour to a charming town nearby.

Palermo (Sicily) Cruise Port Facilities?

In Palermo, you'll dock at a modern pier, known as Stazione Marittima, within walking distance of downtown. In the terminal building are a cafe, convenience store, restrooms and an ATM machine. Tourist information for Palermo sightseeing buses is also available.

Good to Know?

The traffic is truly crazy; use caution when crossing major thoroughfares. Pickpockets can also be an issue -- leave your valuable belongings on the ship or guard them carefully.

Getting Around?

On Foot: The port is about a mile or a 20-minute walk from the city center. While this is a good walking city, and you can easily walk to dining, museums and shopping, be aware that the old part of the city is a jumbled warren of streets and it's easy to get lost.

By Taxi: Cabs and horse-drawn carts offering tours can be found just outside the terminal gates. In either case it is wise to negotiate a price up front. Cabs can be hired by the trip or hour. There are no ride-sharing services like Lyft or Uber in Palermo.

By Bus: Double-decker hop-on, hop-off tour buses operate around the city, and can also take you to Monreale and Mondello; check schedules to make sure you're on the correct one. Public buses run around the city and to the suburbs as well, although again be warned that pickpockets often ride these routes.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The local currency is the euro. Most banks have ATMs. There are also individual ATMs throughout the city.

Language?

Italian.

Where You're Docked?

You dock at a modern pier, within walking distance of downtown.


Palermo (Sicily) Cruise Reviews
Enjoyed the tour of the city here not as easy to walk into the city but well worth it. Wonderful gelatoRead More
User Avatar
Sail81
You can easily walk into the city. A must see is the cathedral in the old town.Read More
User Avatar
cruiserzoetermeer60
Excellent street food / fruit. Nice old churches. Warm people that love Americans.Read More
User Avatar
Redline
Mich better than expected. Beautiful parks, wide avenues, lots of vegetation. Very cheap, too.Read More
User Avatar
Schlinger

Related Cruises

Cruises to Ocho Rios

Cruises to Ocho Rios

1,206 Reviews
Cruises to Newport

Cruises to Newport

250 Reviews
Cruises to Puerto Limon

Cruises to Puerto Limon

390 Reviews
Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

435 Reviews
Cruises to St. Vincent

Cruises to St. Vincent

133 Reviews
Cruises to Santiago (Valparaiso)

Cruises to Santiago (Valparaiso)

124 Reviews
Cruises to Berlin

Cruises to Berlin

230 Reviews
Cruises to Portland (Maine)

Cruises to Portland (Maine)

382 Reviews
Cruises to Punta Arenas

Cruises to Punta Arenas

187 Reviews
Cruises to Salalah

Cruises to Salalah

34 Reviews
Cruises to Falmouth

Cruises to Falmouth

1,556 Reviews
Cruises to Saint-Malo

Cruises to Saint-Malo

14 Reviews
Cruises to Manila

Cruises to Manila

85 Reviews
Cruises to Suva

Cruises to Suva

125 Reviews
Cruises to Apia, Samoa (formerly Western Samoa)

Cruises to Apia, Samoa (formerly Western Samoa)

1 Review
Cruises to Gothenburg

Cruises to Gothenburg

87 Reviews
Cruises to Hvar

Cruises to Hvar

36 Reviews
Cruises to Tournon

Cruises to Tournon

35 Reviews
Cruises to Skagen

Cruises to Skagen

95 Reviews
Cruises to Pinhao

Cruises to Pinhao

38 Reviews
Want to cruise smarter?
Get expert advice, insider tips and more.
By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critic’s Privacy and Cookies Statement and Terms of Use.
About UsCruise DestinationsFirst Time CruisersFind A Cruise

International Sites

© 1995—2023, The Independent Traveler, Inc.

  • Privacy and Cookies Statement

  • Terms of Use

  • Site Map