The port of Palermo, which can be counted among the most important ports in Italy and the Mediterranean, is located in the Gulf of the same name and consists of three main piers (Santa Lucia, Piave and Vittorio Veneto), where ferries from the mainland dock. Within the port area, moreover, it is possible to identify specific areas for the mooring of pleasure boats (the Marina of Palermo - La Cala, the Marina Villa Igiea and the port of Arenella).
As for connections, the port of Palermo can be reached thanks to the ferries that depart from Naples and Salerno (travel time: about 10h30min. at night), but also from Livorno,Civitavecchia and Genoa (the number of routes increases with the approach of summer). Also scheduled during the summer runs to Ustica and the Aeolian Islands.
Palermo is served by the AMAT (Azienda Municipalizzato Auto Trasporti), which manages the transport by road and rail of the city.
Regional trains depart from:
For further train connections, consult the website trenitalia.com
To reach Palermo there are various solutions. Leaving the airport, you can rely on the services of Prestia and Comandè (runs every 30min. From 05.00 to 00.30, single route 6 euros, travel time 50 min.). Alternatively, you will have the opportunity to use the Trinacria Express of FS (runs every 30 min., Travel time about 1 hour).
If you prefer a taxi, at the exit of the arrivals area you will find a taxi sharing service (8 euros per person, minimum 4 users) and a taxi service managed by the Trinacria and Autoradio taxi cooperatives (rates range between € 35.00 and 45.00).
The distance by car or taxi is approx. 31 km.
Autoservizi Salemi makes connections with Palermo (central station). Alternatively, reach Trapani central station with the AST (Azienda Siciliana Trasporti) bus. Once at the station, take the regional train that leads to Palermo (see "How to reach the port of Palermo - Trains").
The distance by car or taxi is approx. 110 km.
From Trapani, Messina and Reggio Calabria regional trains leave for Palermo (see "How to reach the port of Palermo - Trains").
From the central station of Palermo, the port is about 3 km away.
The car park, located a few meters from the maritime station, is guarded 24 hours a day and is indoors. Active free shuttle service for boarding.
Tel .: +39 091321667
Located inside the port of Palermo, the parking is covered and is under video surveillance.
Tel .: +39 091 6113490
In the heart of the historic center of Palermo, the car park is manned and under video surveillance.
Tel .: +39 091333139
Open 24 hours a day, the parking is covered and under video surveillance.
Tel .: +39 0916117585
Parking located in the historic center of the city. Open Monday to Saturday from 7.30am to 8pm. Tel .: +39 091 611 3712
Open every day, the car park is covered and not far from the port.
Tel .: +39 091 9825284
The car park - open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - is dedicated to those who are about to leave for a cruise.
Tel .: +39 091334450
Accessible all day, the car park is located near the central station of Palermo and is managed by Metropark (FS Group).
Tel .: +39 064486911
Located near the central station, the car park is open every day (except Sunday) from 7.30 to 20.
Tel .: +39 0916168297
Liberty Lines, Calata Marinai d'Italia
Grandi Navi Veloci, Calata Marinai d'Italia
Grimaldi group, Molo Piave
Tirrenia, Calata Marinai d'Italia
There are numerous commercial activities that you will find both on the port and inside the historic center of Palermo. Shopping lovers will be able to indulge their passion in the numerous shops of clothing, accessories, perfumes, etc. in the heart of the city. Those who love good food will be spoiled for choice: Palermo is in fact full of restaurants, pastry shops, ice cream parlors and shops of typical Sicilian products to lick their lips.
It is really difficult in so few lines to suggest what to see in Palermo: the city is really rich in history, and there are countless traces left by the peoples who inhabited it. However, we will try to show you the main places and monuments that are worth visiting during your stay in Palermo.
Once in the city, it is absolutely necessary to immerse yourself in the historic center, not far from the port area. In this part of Palermo there are seven sites protected by UNESCO. Among these stand out the Cathedral of Palermo, Palazzo dei Normanni (seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly), the Palatine Chapel and the Martorana Church.
Also worthy of mention is Palazzo Pretorio (representative office of the Municipality of Palermo) and the nearby Pretoria fountain, the Quattro Canti, the Regional Gallery of Sicily in Palazzo Abatellis, the "Antonio Salinas" regional archaeological museum, the botanical garden, the Forum Italico and the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy. Not far from the Norman palace is Porta Nuova, which for a long time represented one of the main access routes to Palermo.
The city is also known for the presence of a very particular place: we refer to the famous catacombs of the Capuchins, which are located in the basement of the homonymous convent. The catacombs house around 8,000 mummified corpses. The most famous and impressive body is certainly that of little Rosalia Lombardo, who because of the treatments she has undergone simply seems to be asleep.
Finally, strolling through the streets of the historic center, it is impossible not to come across the characteristic market of Ballarò, where you can breathe the true essence of Palermo (other Palermo markets are Vucciria, Capo, Lattarini and that of Pulci).