Palermo Past & Present: City Center Walking Tour (ENG only)
We are A group of Sicilian tour guides and we can’t wait to welcome you in our city!
Pickup
Meet us right outside the shoe shop "Premier" located in Via Maqueda 461. Your guide will be carrying a tour guide badge around his/her neck.
Description
👋 WHO WE ARE
We are a team of Sicilian tour guides, we lead free-tip walking tours designed to help travelers experience the real Palermo and get a useful introductory look at this city.
Born and raised in this city, we’ll take you beyond the surface — from majestic squares to secret alleys, from street food to ancient legends. This isn’t just a walking tour — it’s a deep dive into Palermo’s soul.
IMPORTANT: We are professional guides and we run tours as a primary occupation. Please, book this tour only if you are seriously planning to join. Cancelling a reservation is fine, not showing up is disrespectful.
🔍 WHAT TO EXPECT
Palermo is full of contrasts — chaotic and elegant, ancient and vibrant.
We’ll guide you through a mix of grand landmarks and raw, local corners, giving you a deep and honest view of the city’s spirit. We talk food, culture, legends, and daily life — always with heart, humor, and truth. Palermo is not a postcard. It’s a living, breathing story. Come walk it with us — we’ll show you the real thing.
☀️ MORNING TOUR
Itinerary:
- Teatro Massimo – Start strong with Italy’s biggest opera house and a story of rebirth.
- Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria & Piazza Bellini – Gorgeous baroque squares with scandalous tales.
- Secret alleys – Vicolo Cagliostro & Vicolo Brugnò: Palermo’s underworld of mystics and rebels.
- Ballarò Market – Dive into Palermo’s boldest market. Learn how to move, what to eat, what to avoid.
- Casa Professa or Cathedral – Entry to one of these stunning churches (depending on time/day).
- Local recommendations – The best eats, aperitivo spots, cultural tips and more.
🌙 EVENING TOUR
(focus on nightlife and neighborhood vibes)
Itinerary:
- Teatro Massimo – Meet here and kick off with the beating heart of Palermo’s cultural scene.
- Olivella Aperitif Area – Discover the perfect spot to enjoy an evening drink like a local.
- Vucciria – From forgotten market to street food mecca: full of stories and contradictions.
- Kalsa (including San Francesco d’Assisi Church, outside) – A district reborn, with nightlife, resistance, legends, and artistic secrets.
- Quattro Canti, Pretoria & Bellini Squares – Baroque, fountains, power and pride.
- Cathedral (exterior view) – Palermo’s eclectic icon, full of symbolism and layers of history.
- Tips & ideas for your evening – Drinks, bites, and local-only spots
PLEASE NOTE: routes may vary based on the inspiration and improvisation of the tour guide.
💬 WHY JOIN OUR TOUR?
✔️ 100% Local guides
✔️ A full mix of food, culture, legends & real talk
✔️ Perfect for solo travelers, curious minds & new friends
✔️ Tips to make the most of your time in Palermo
✔️ No scripts. No filters. Just passion.
ℹ️ GOOD TO KNOW
- Reservation is mandatory.
- Please arrive on time — we can’t wait for latecomers.
- Minimum 6 participants required to run the tour.
(Rarely a problem during high season.) - Tour may run 10–15 minutes longer than scheduled — our guides love what they do!
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring curiosity!
👉 TIPPING POLICY
This is a free-tip walking tour.
You choose the value at the end.
- Tips in Euro only
- Suggested minimum: €10 per person
(FYI: we have about €4 in costs per guest)