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".

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Explore Palermo

Palermo in pictures

Gallery

A few frames from our own trips. The rest are in the gallery below.

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

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

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

Private & Small Group Tours in Palermo

Days out with people who know the way

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

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

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

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

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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

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Italy,Sicily

Villa

Villa Sontuoso

5/6 Beds 6/7 Baths 11/14

Air Conditioning +13 more

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Italy,Sicily,Mondello

Villa

Villa Mondello

6 Beds 6 Baths 15

Balcony +10 more

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Italy,Sicily

Villa

Villa Recupero

5 Beds 5 Baths 9

Air Conditioning +14 more

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Italy,Sicily

Villa

Villa Eccezionale

7 Beds 6 Baths 17

Air Conditioning +14 more

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Italy,Sicily,Palermo

Villa

Villa Sussurro delle Onde

5/6 Beds 6/7 Baths 10/13

Air Conditioning +14 more

View Details

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Popular Transfer Routes in Palermo

The rides our guests ask for most, with a driver who knows the way.

Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Palermo and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.

Rome Florence

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Rome Naples

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Rome Venice

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Florence Venice

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Milan Venice

Private Transfer

Naples Amalfi

Private Transfer

Rome Amalfi

Private Transfer

Milan Lake Como

Private Transfer

Florence Siena

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Naples Sorrento

Private Transfer

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In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“My husband and I just took a two week trip to Italy that was planned for us by Eleanor Kinchin-Smith. It was a fantastic trip and we could not have been more thrilled. We worked together with Ele to let her know about our interests and our style of travel. She…”
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“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do…”
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“As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they…”
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“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…”
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“Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wond…”
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“Jesse & Giuseppe, Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever”
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