Highlights / General details
Hear the stories behind Palermo’s cast of historical characters, from revered saints to sneaky criminals.
Visit a lively local market and see how shopping day is an adventure in itself.
Step inside the spectacular Immacolata Concezione church.
Hang out at a local tavern and sample traditional Sicilian Zibibbo wine.

Inclusion
Local English-speaking guide; Glass of wine; Entrance ticket to Immacolata Concezione church.

Exclusion
Hotel pick-up and drop-off; Food and additional beverages; Souvenirs and items of a personal nature; Gratuities for your local guide.

Hours of operation
Available Monday - Saturday at 10:00am.

Duration
Approximately 2.5 hours.

Location
Meeting Point: Porta Carini, entrance of Capo Market in Via Volturno.
Ending Point: Piazza Bologni.

Itinerary
Your Palermo tour will officially kick off when you pass through the old city gate of Porta Carini, and it’s there that our story — complete with a cast of characters! — will begin.
We’ll walk through the market, which is a story in itself, filled with all kinds of personalities — think fish mongers shouting out, locals shopping for their weekly supplies, and crowds snacking amid trays of colorful Italian produce. As you mingle with the crowd, you’ll learn the secrets of the market, like how to recognize what’s fresh versus what’s past its prime.
From there, your Palermo walking tour will introduce you to our first character of the morning, the so-called “Pupa ru Capo.” This beautiful women lives in a mosaic on an old bakery wall behind a church, and it’s said that Saint Rita sometimes appears here — ghost or miracle? We’re still not sure, so you can decide!
Our Palermo tour will then take us to Piazza Beati Paoli, where you’ll learn the story of a medieval secret sect that’s been compared to the modern-day Mafia. (Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.)
We’ll then move on to the Cathedral square where one of the city’s most important characters is commemorated. The patron saint of Palermo, Santa Rosalia, is said to have retreated to a cave atop a nearby mountain, ignoring worldly possessions (and the advances of a less-than-ideal suitor), and devoting herself to god until the day she died. Hear her story at this holy spot dedicated to her life.
Of course, a good story goes best with a good drink, so we’re going to stop the walk for a break at an old tavern in Ballarò Street Market. Here you’ll get to taste Zibibbo, a dry, sweet wine that originated in Sicily. You’ll also hear the story of the Duke Cagliostro, an 18th-century Palermitan man who was renowned across Europe for tricking the most influential royal families with his alleged magical powers.
We’ll finish up with a walk through the fairies’ square, where men used to disappear at night and mysteriously re-appear at home a day later. Lastly, we’ll bid ciao at Piazza Bologni, one of the main squares of the city center — from here you can spend the rest of your day exploring Palermo.

Additional Information
Please wear comfortable shoes for walking. We also recommend wearing a hat in summer months (June to August).
Despite its rough tales of the past, Palermo is a safe city, but please take any precautions as you would anywhere else in the world (e.g., don't walk around the alleys wearing flashy jewelry, and keep your wallet in your front pocket).

Participant restrictions
Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.

Policies
Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**