Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Palermo is during spring and autumn, when the temperatures are still pleasantly warm and tourist flows decrease, leading to more affordable accommodation rates. The best months are from April to June, as well as September and October.

Passport & Visa

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Italy, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

• Web:

  https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy_en

Palermo Airport (PMO)

The Falcone Borsellino Airport or simply Palermo Airport (PMO), formerly Punta Raisi Airport, is an international airport located at Cinisi, about 35 kilometres from Palermo. With the bus company Prestia e Comandè, you have a convenient option for reaching Palermo's city centre from the airport. The travel time from the airport to the central rail station in Palermo takes approximately 50 minutes. Among the final stops is Piazza Ruggiero Settimo / Via Emerico Amari, with a travel time of 40 minutes. This stop is strategically situated near the northern harbour and city centre hotels in Palermo. For those seeking access to the Old Town, the nearest bus stop is Via Roma, requiring a 45-minute journey. The bus operates from 5am to 12:15am. Tickets are available for purchase online, onboard the bus, and at the ticket office situated at the airport, adjacent to the Arrivals area and the bus stop. An alternative transportation option is the Trinacaria Express train, connecting Palermo's Central Station directly to Punta Raisi, where the airport is situated. The train journey takes about 1 hour to reach the main railway station, Palermo Centrale. Airport taxi services can be found in the Arrivals Area exit and are synchronised with the arrival flight schedule.

• Web:

  www.aeroportodipalermo.it/en

• Address:

  Aeroporto Falcone Borsellino, Cinisi

• Phone:

  +39 800 541 880

• More info:

  www.prestiaecomande.it/en

Public Transport

Use the AMAT network of buses and trams to get around Palermo. Tickets are valid for 90 minutes and can be bought from tobacco vendors, select newsagents, the AMAT kiosks at Piazza Ruggero Séttimo and at the central station. There are also two free shuttles to get to the historic centre quickly: - 'Free Centro Storico', which connects Piazza del Cavalluccio Marino with Piazza Indipendenza by passing some important places such as la Cala, Quattro Canti, Stazione Centrale, Palazzo Reale, la Cattedrale, and the Teatro Massimo. The orange bus passes every 11 minutes. You can take this free bus every day between 6:35am and 9pm. - 'Free Express' connects the Basile parking lot to Piazza Indipendenza. This bus runs every day between 6:20am and 9:10pm. Upon boarding, remember to validate your ticket using the machines positioned near the vehicle entrances.

Taxi

When taking a taxi in Palermo, make sure it is run by an official taxi company and always check if there's a taximeter before boarding the taxi. Taxi ranks are located at the train station, Piazza Politeama, Teatro Massimo, and Piazza Independenza. Taxi Palermo +39 091 8481 Radio Taxi Trinacria +39 091 6878

Electricity

Italy uses the Type F electrical sockets with two round holes, the same as in many countries in Continental Europe. You will also encounter Type L sockets with three round holes arranged in a line. A “universal“ socket, that accepts Type C, E, F and L plugs, is commonly used in Italy. The standard voltage is 230 volts, but some hotels have special plugs for 110 or 120-volt shavers.