Palermo on a budget: free attractions and entertainment

This city is a time machine, where eras mingle on every block and stately monuments intertwine with a resort vibe. In one of Europe’s oldest cities, the eras flow into each other, preserved in the architecture, and old luxurious buildings stand in today’s poorer neighborhoods. Palermo has attractions at every turn, and you can see many of them without spending a dime.

Free churches

Many of the churches in Palermo are payable landmarks, as they are both of museum value. But there are a few luxurious churches that don’t cost a penny to enter.

Cathedral (Cattedrale della Santa Vergine Maria Assunta)

This chic terracotta building incorporates several architectural styles. It was begun in 1179, and the final construction and reconstruction work was completed in 1801. In addition to the facade, you can see marble statues, paintings and church objects. The cathedral is open to the public from 8:30 to 18:00, 11:00 to 18:00 on weekends. There is a fee to visit the tomb and treasury. More information on the cathedral’s website.

Church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini (Chiesa di San Giuseppe dei Teatini)

Baroque temple with luxurious interior decoration, built in the 17th century. Read more about it in the article about the oldest city district of Albergeria. It is open from 7:30 to 12:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. More information can be found on the church page.

Church of La Magione (Chiesa della Magione)

Another medieval temple laid out in 1150. It is a striking example of pure Norman architecture — simple and stately. The interior decoration has hardly been preserved, but the church is worth a visit during a stroll through the Arab neighborhood of Kalsa. Opening hours are 8:45 to 18:30 with a siesta break 12:00—15:00, more information on the temple page.

Chiesa di Sant’Anna La Misericordia (Chiesa di Sant’Anna La Misericordia)

In the heart of historic Palermo stands a majestic Baroque church with a beautiful facade and lavish interior. More information about the church on the website.

Church of Gesù (Chiesa del Gesù, Casa Professa)

One of the most beautiful churches in Sicily and an incredible example of Sicilian Baroque in all its glory is also free to view. Read more about the church here.

Church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo (Santa Maria dello Spasimo)

The monastery, which was never completed, was turned into a jazz school and an open-air concert hall in the twentieth century. Few tourists come here, but these dilapidated walls are a very atmospheric location for a photo shoot. Read more about the place here.

Free museums, palaces and galleries

Palermo, like any other ancient city in Italy, is full of cultural attractions: museums, art galleries and palaces. During the centuries-long history of the city, many masters of various visual arts have worked here, and entire collections of their works have been gathered here.

Most museums charge admission, but there is a pleasant exception in the form of the Maritime Museum (Arsenale della Real Marina), which invites you to see a rich collection of exhibits on naval battles, the traditions of sailors in Sicily and the history of shipbuilding on the island. Its doors are open from 9:30 to 12:30. More information on the museum’s website.

But in Italy, every first Sunday of the month is a day when you can visit most arts and culture venues for free. However, this day usually has reduced opening hours (usually until 13:00).

1. The Museum of Islamic Culture (Museo d’arte islamica) is a collection of luxurious household and interior objects created during the Arab period in Sicily (9th — 11th century). The museum is located in the Castello della Zisa, which was built with all the luxury of a royal residence by Roger II between 1136 and 1148. Visiting hours on Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. More information on the website.
2. Palazzo Ajutamicristo is a striking example of Sicilian architecture of the late 15th century. The palace has painted walls and ceilings, interior decoration and stone carvings in the exterior. The palazzo is open from 9:00 to 19:00. The first Sunday of the month is from 9:00 to 13:00. More information on the palace's website.
   
3. The Chinese Palace (Palazzina Cinese, Real Casina Cina) is a unique building of the XVIII century with impressive interior and exterior decoration: unusual architecture, picturesque garden, queen’s quarters and many unusual details in the interior. Admission is free, but currently only by appointment. More information on the website.
4. Villa Florio (Villino Florio) is one of the first buildings with a garden in late 19th century Sicily, built in the Art Nouveau style between 1899 and 1902. The large-scale and multi-stage renovation of the cultural heritage has led to impressive results — even the smallest details have been restored to their original appearance. The villa is open Tuesday through Saturday and on the first Sunday of the month from 9:00 to 13:00. More information on the palace page.
   
5. Villa Niscemi is a beautifully preserved structure with balconies, stucco and a richly painted interior. Surrounding the building is a picturesque park with a pond and benches, and the entrance is open from 9:00 until sunset. The villa itself is open Monday through Saturday by appointment, Sunday and public holidays from 08:00 to 13:00. Details on the website.
6. San Giovanni degli Eremiti is a striking building of a former Benedictine monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an example of the Arab-Norman style. On Sunday it is open from 9:00 to 13:00. Free admission on Sundays is temporarily suspended, follow the information on the church page.
7. Galleria d’Arte Moderna — displays paintings and sculptures by Italian masters, some paintings are large-scale. Open on Sundays from 9:30 to 18:30. More information can be found on the gallery’s website.
8. Regional Art Gallery (Galleria regionale della Sicilia di Palazzo Abatellis) — in a XV century building there are 16 rooms with a rich collection of works of art in wood, paintings, sculptures, mainly on religious themes. On Sunday the gallery is open from 9:00 to 13:00. More information on the website.
9. Villino Ida Basile is a private residence designed and built by the famous architect Ernesto Basile in 1903 for his wife. Here you can see the personal studio of the author of the building and a beautiful garden in the patio. At the moment the building is the library of the Palermo Cultural Authority. The villa is open weekdays from 09:00 to 13:00 and on Wednesday from 15:00 to 17:00. More information on the website.
10. Palazzo Mirto (Ralazzo Mirto) is an aristocratic mansion of royal descendants, the Filangheri family. Here you can see the life and life of Sicilian nobles and masterpieces of fine art. On Sunday, the museum welcomes guests from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and details can be found on the palazzo’s page.

Mondello Free Beach

Mondello Beach is located on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The combination of a picturesque bay, clear water and well-developed beach infrastructure has made this place very popular. During the high season, visitors come here from all over Palermo and the surrounding area.

Mondello is considered to be the best beach in Palermo and one of the most attractive in Sicily because of its clean white sand, gentle entrance, well-developed (but paid) infrastructure, park, medical centers and lifeguard posts. You can find information about prices on Mondello’s website.

Looking at it, one cannot say that about 150 years ago it was just a small village with a marshy bank. At the end of XIX century on this territory were carried out works on drainage and ennobling of the surroundings, then the sand was brought. Over time, luxurious villas appeared on the place of fishermen’s houses. King Carl-Ferdinand Bourbon of Sicily called the renewed Mondello a «paradise corner».

Fishermen’s houses continue to stand next to the luxury villas, whose owners regularly supply fresh seafood to local restaurants and cafes.

Mondello is generally a paid beach, but you can also relax here for free, the main thing is to know the places:

1. A narrow strip near the surf. At high tide, this part is under water.
2. On the passageways between the toll beaches.
3. Near wooden beach huts rented by locals.
4. In the northern part of the coast, where also everything is landscaped: showers, toilets, trash cans, playground, rental of deck chairs and umbrellas, cafe.
5. At the foot of Monte Gallo Mountain are rocky wild beaches.

Free transportation

The city’s public transportation is represented by metro and buses. All information about public transportation in Palermo

There are 2 free buses in the city:

1. The Free Centro Storico (Navetta Arancione) is the so-called orange bus that connects Porta Felice with Piazza Indipendenza and runs along most of Palermo’s main streets. It departs every 28 minutes. The detailed route can be found on the website.
2. Free Express — runs from Basile stop to Piazza Indipendenza (the route is temporarily suspended).

Free entertainment

Palermo’s attractions seem to be an endless string of museums and churches. However, there are also plenty of experiences to be had simply on the streets or around the city.

1. In the evenings, the city’s squares are often filled with artists and amateurs in various styles: dance, fire shows, musicians. Come to Quattro Canti or to Teatro Massimo. And near the Teatro Politeama you can catch a performance by professionals: a symphony orchestra or singers.
2. In the heat of the day you can hide from the heat in the Giardino Garibaldi Park in Piazza del Mar, in the shade of tall magnolias, look at the Garraffo Fountain, busts of historical figures and the 300-year-old ficus of Magnoloides.
3. The Parco d’Orleans offers 3,000 birds (parrots, flamingos, herons, birds of prey and others). It has one of the largest parrot collections in Europe. The Ornithological Park is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00 with a siesta break from 13:00 to 17:00, Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 13:00. Monday is a day off. More information on the park page.
4. If you come to Palermo in mid-May, you can catch the extravaganza World Festival on the Beach at Mondello Beach. This grand celebration includes a rich sports and music program with competitions, relay races, workshops and concerts.

Free toilets

It is difficult to find a free public restroom in Palermo. Therefore, the cheapest option to solve such a problem is to buy an inexpensive drink in a café and use the restroom.

Free Wi-Fi

If free internet access is needed, in Palermo it can be found at the Linguistic Center — International House di Durden Patricia Carlota S. N. N. C. In cases where Wi-Fi is needed urgently, here and now, go to any nearby café with an Internet access sign, order an inexpensive drink and use the Wi-Fi service as a customer.

Free excursions in Palermo

As in other major European cities, in Palermo you can sign up for a free guided tour with a local guide. The language of the tour is Italian, Spanish or English.

This program of free activities will keep you busy for a couple of days in Palermo. To plan your outing and not to miss any interesting places, take a look at our detailed Palermo travel guides.