Porta Maqueda

What to See in Palermo in 2 Days: A City-Centre Itinerary

What to see in Palermo in 2 days: an itinerary from the heart of the city

Discover Palermo in 48 hours, starting from our B&B in the historic centre.

If you have only a weekend to visit Palermo, don't worry: you can experience the best of the city in 48 hours, especially if you're staying right in the centre. Our B&B Porta Maqueda, set between the Teatro Massimo and Via Maqueda, is the perfect base from which to explore Palermo on foot.

Here is our recommended 2-day itinerary, brimming with culture, street food and unforgettable corners of the city.

📍 Day 1 – The historic heart of Palermo

Morning – Monuments and historic markets

  • Teatro Massimo – The third-largest opera house in Europe.
  • Quattro Canti – A theatrical baroque crossroads, perfect for photographs.
  • Piazza Pretoria – A Renaissance fountain and a wholly unique atmosphere.
  • Chiesa della Martorana – Breathtaking Byzantine mosaics.

Lunch – Street food

Stop at the Mercato del Capo to try:

  • Arancina (filled with meat or butter)
  • Panelle and crocchè
  • Freshly squeezed blood-orange juice

Afternoon – A cultural stroll

  • Cattedrale di Palermo – Arab-Norman architecture at its finest.
  • Corso Vittorio Emanuele – Local craftsmanship and lively atmosphere.

Evening – Aperitivo and a traditional dinner

Head back to the Porta Maqueda area and savour authentic Sicilian cuisine: pasta with sardines, caponata and a fine glass of wine.

🌊 Day 2 – Between noble palaces and the sea

Morning – Arab-Norman Palermo

  • Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cappella Palatina
  • San Giovanni degli Eremiti – With its distinctive red domes.

Lunch with a view

Continue on towards the Foro Italico for lunch by the sea.

Afternoon – Relax or an extra visit

  • Museo Salinas – For lovers of archaeology.
  • Giardino Botanico – Nature and tranquillity.

Evening – A last dinner in Palermo

Seek out a traditional trattoria in the Ballarò or Kalsa district for an unforgettable dinner.

🛏️ Where to stay in central Palermo?

Porta Maqueda Room & Breakfast is the ideal base for exploring Palermo:

  • Rooms with a private bathroom, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi
  • Breakfast included
  • Views over the Teatro Massimo

📌 Useful tips before you set off

  • Bring comfortable shoes: Palermo is best explored on foot!
  • The climate is mild all year round, but spring and autumn are ideal.
  • Sample the local sweets: cannolo, cassata and granita.

📸 Share your journey!

Tag us on Instagram @portamaqueda.palermo or use the hashtag #PortaMaquedaExperience. We always love to see the happy moments our guests enjoy!

Article by Porta Maqueda Room & Breakfast – Palermo.