Palermo, Sicily

Overview

Discover Palermo: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

The capital of Sicily, Palermo, derives its name from the Greek "panormus", meaning "all port". Through history the city has been conquered by the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans and the Arabs, the civilizations of which have all left their mark, and contributed to its great architectural and cultural importance.

Among the many monuments, there are numerous buildings of great significance such as Palermo Cathedral, the Norman Church of St Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Church of St Maria dell'Ammiraglio, also known as Martorana, the Church of the Magione, Palazzo Abatellis, Theatre Politeama and the Sicilian Regional Gallery.

A visit to the Massimo Theatre, one of the largest and most prestigious theatres in Europe, should be on every tourist's itinerary. Many artists, poets and writers have cited Palermo in their works, amongst these are Petrarch, Dante, D'Annunzio, and Wolfgang Goethe, who proclaimed Palermo to be "a land of indescribable beauty".

Plan Your Experience

Explore Palermo

Our own photographs

Palermo Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Palermo, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Pretoria Square- Palermo

Top view of Palermo cityscape with San Giovanni Eremiti domes, Sicily, Italy.

Piazza Della Opera Palermo

Palermo Catacombs - Italy Vacation Specialists Palermo Private Tours

Famous Byzantine Mosaics in Palatine Chapel. Norman Palace of Kings interior in the historical city

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

Sicilian Secrets & Maltese Discovery

This is a wonderful option for those who want to experience Sicily and Malta in comfort and style. This tour will take you around a number of cities in Sicily that are worth visiting, including the magnificent Malta and it's unforgettable beaches....

Small Group

8 Days / 7 Nights

Mediterranean Magic: Discover the Islands of Sicily and Malta

This private journey through Sicily and Malta provides an immersive experience of the rich history, culture, and landscapes of these iconic Mediterranean islands. Starting in Palermo, we cover the highlights of Sicily including Agrigento and the Vall...

Private

9 Days / 8 Nights

Amalfi Coast & Sicily

Embark on a memorable journey with your family through the enchanting Amalfi Coast and captivating Sicily. Discover the beautiful coastal wonders of the Amalfi Coast, from taking scenic boat trips to exploring charming villages. Dive into history at...

Private

9 Days / 8 Nights

Exploring the 1 Euro Houses and Surrounding Areas in Sicily September 10-18, 2022

This unique adventure through Sicily will showcase some of the highlights of this unique island as we meet with local officials and experience towns which are welcoming visitors to restore houses that can be purchased for 1 Euro. We will show you th...

Small Group

8 Days / 7 Nights

Private & Small Group Tours in Palermo

Days out with people who know the way

Highlights of Palermo & Monreale from Cruise

This is a privately guided tour, that departs out of Palermo. You tell us where to pick you up! Your cruise ship, hotel or apartment in Palermo... we will come to get you there to begin this tour of Palermo and Monreale where you will discover Paler...

Private

6 hours

Full day exploring Palermo and its area

This is a full day tour of Sicily's capital city - Palermo and the area around the city. It includes visiting the Monreale cathedral and exploring one of Sicily's most fantastic piazzas. Your English speaking driver guide can pick you up to enjoy th...

Small Group

8 hours

Palermo and Monreale Full Day Private Tour

Our Privately guided tour of Palermo and Monreale is one of our favorite tours in Sicily and it is definitely one that will be well worth the money because there is so very much history in both locations that you will definitely need a guide to bring...

Private

8 hours

Villas

Private homes with stories of their own

Italy,Sicily,Palermo

Villa

Villa Sussurro delle Onde

5/6 Beds 6/7 Baths 10/13

Air Conditioning +14 more

View Details

Photo Gallery

Fontana Pretoria on the square Piazza Pretoria in the Sicilian port city of Palermo

The port city of Castellammare del Golfo near Palermo in Sicily

Aeolian Islands

Agrigento

Castellammare del Golfo

Taormina

Termini Imerese

Tindari

Trapani

Aeolian Islands

Agrigento

Castellammare del Golfo

Catania

Cefalu

Enna

Erice

Forza D'Agro

Giardini Naxos

Island of Favignana

Island of Ustica

Marsala

Messina

Modica

Mondello

Monreale

Noto

Palermo

Pantelleria Island

Piazza Armerina

Porticello

Ragusa

San Vito Lo Capo

Savoca

Scala dei Turchi

Sciacca

Scopello

Segesta

Selinunte

Siracusa

Taormina

Termini Imerese

Tindari

4 Beds 4 Baths 8+2

Air Conditioning +13 more

From €12,640 / night

View Details

Italy,Sicily

Villa

Villa Sontuoso

5/6 Beds 6/7 Baths 11/14

Air Conditioning +13 more

View Details

Italy,Sicily,Palermo

Villa

Villa Sussurro delle Onde

5/6 Beds 6/7 Baths 10/13

Air Conditioning +14 more

View Details

Italy,Sicily

Villa

Villa Recupero

5 Beds 5 Baths 9

Air Conditioning +14 more

View Details

Italy,Sicily,Mondello

Villa

Villa Mondello

6 Beds 6 Baths 15

Balcony +10 more

View Details

Find it faster

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Search our tours, places to stay and the corners of Italy we know best.

Tell Us Where You Want to Go

Getting here

The Road to Palermo

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Falcone Borsellino Airport Palermo, Sicily Cefalu Sicily Trapani Sicily Agrigento Sicily Catania Sicily, Fontanarossa Airport

Where you are going Palermo, Sicily

Starting somewhere else? Tell us where, and we will arrange the car.

Plan my transfer

Your Name*

Your Email*

Your Phone Number*

Dates for Travel (MM/DD/YYYY)

Number of Adults

Number of Kids under 12 years

Your request *

In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS…”
Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group Read their story

“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as w…”
Leon and Michele Read their story

“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while o…”
Tammy Joyce, All About Honeymoons Read their story

“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and…”
Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent Read their story

“I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want…”
JoAnne Beaudoin, Retired Nurse Read their story

“I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and fl…”
Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan Read their story