Day trips from Palermo
Mondello for the sea, Monreale for the mosaics, Cefalù for a whole day — and all three are reached by public transport.
- Mondello
- 806 bus (AMAT)
- Monreale
- 389 bus (AMAT)
- Cefalù
- regional train (Trenitalia)
From Palermo there are three day trips, and all three are worth it. Monreale and Mondello need half a day each, and Cefalù a full day. From the nearest: Mondello is about 25–45 min (depending on traffic) by bus, Monreale about 30–35 min, and Cefalù about 45 min by train.
Mondello — half a day by the sea
Worth it if summer or warm autumn weather is coming. Transport: 806 bus (AMAT), direct from Piazza Politeama, the trip takes about 25–45 min (depending on traffic), and a ticket for both directions is €3.20. The trip needs half a day. The sandy beach in the bay between Monte Gallo and Monte Pellegrino is about a kilometre and a half long, and La Favorita park separates it from the centre.
Monreale — mosaics on the hill
Worth it for the cathedral, which King William II began in 1172, with mosaics over about 6,500 square metres done in Byzantine style. Beside it is a cloister from around 1200, with 216 marble columns. Transport: 389 bus (AMAT), direct from Piazza Indipendenza, the trip takes about 30–35 min, and a ticket for both directions is €2.80. Time: half a day. Monreale is on the UNESCO list since 2015, together with Norman Palermo.
Cefalù — a full day, by train
Worth it for the cathedral that Roger II began in 1131, with the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the apse. It too is on the UNESCO list. Transport: regional train (Trenitalia), direct from Palermo Centrale, the trip takes about 45 min, the return ticket is €14–17, and the price depends on whether you buy in advance or on the day. Time: a full day.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
How do you get from Palermo to Monreale?
By bus 389, direct from Piazza Indipendenza. The trip takes about 30–35 min, and the ticket is €2.80 return.
Can Cefalù be done in one day from Palermo?
It can, by train: regional train (Trenitalia), direct from Palermo Centrale. The trip takes about 45 min, and the outing needs a full day.
How long is the trip to Mondello?
Bus 806 takes about 25–45 min (depending on traffic). The time depends on traffic.
Ready for Palermo?
Where to next
Where to stay in Palermo
→The Kalsa by the palaces, the Albergheria next to the market, the Politeama by the bus to the sea.
Catania · 165 km
→Black Baroque built from lava stone, a fish market behind the cathedral and a volcano at the end of the main street.
How well does Palermo suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
Front row for the next trip
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