Guided tour of Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina

1.5 hours

Palermo, Italy

About this activity

Visit two absolute must-sees in the Sicilian capital with this guided tour of the Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina. With more than 800 years of history, it’s perfect for culture vultures!

Highlights

Explore Palermo's historical gems.
Discover Sicily's royal history today.
Palazzo dei Normanni insights in Palermo.
Palatine Chapel's architectural marvels.
Norman palace tour with local guide.

Full description

Discover the rich tapestry of Sicilian history with our engaging and informative **guided tour of Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina**. Nestled in the heart of Palermo, the **Palazzo dei Normanni** stands as the epitome of Sicily's regal past, once serving as the seat of the King of Sicily. This majestic palace, renowned as the oldest royal residence in Europe, invites you to delve into its fascinating history, beautifully captured through its Norman, Arabic, and Baroque architecture. Led by our expert local guide, this 1.5-hour tour is your gateway to understanding the cultural melting pot that Sicily once was. Inside the breathtaking **Cappella Palatina**, revel in the beauty of intricate Byzantine mosaics and traditional Islamic designs. This chapel is a jewel of medieval art and architecture, showcasing the harmonious blend of Eastern and Western culture. Your journey doesn't end here. Relish a peaceful stroll through the palace gardens!

Included / Excluded

Licensed guide
Palazzo dei Normanni complex entrance ticket
Cappella Palatina entrance ticket

Tips
Optional gratuities

Meeting point

Start Location

Palazzo dei Normanni, Piazza del Parlamento, Palermo, PA, Italy

Important information

Know before you book

Please let us know in advance any special need or impaired mobility of the clients and we will do our best to accomodate them
Children/teens under 18 y.o. must always be accompanied by at least one adult.
Please note: Palazzo dei Normani is a government venue. In case of official events or meetings the tour might be closed.

Know before you go

This tour runs on rain or shine.
On some days visit of the Royal Apartments will also be included.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

48 HRS cancellation policy. Full penalty applies for cancellations in the last 48 hours prior to tour departure. Full penalty applies for no-shows. <p>This tour runs on rain or shine.</p>

Reviews

4.8(6,984 reviews)

Magnhild

Jul 2026

5.0

Den var helt fantastisk!! Sarah og Yo var helt supre og hyggelige.

Adam

Jul 2026

5.0

Fantastic cooking class led by Marcello! We learned how to make authentic arancine, pasta alla Norma, and delicious cannoli from scratch. The whole experience was fun, hands-on, and of course the food tasted amazing. Partway through the class, we took a walk through the local market where Marcello explained how the vendors receive their fresh produce and shared interesting insights into Sicilian food culture. We also got to try some local street food before returning to finish cooking. Compared to similar cooking classes in other countries, this one is on the more expensive side, but for Italy I think it’s reasonably priced and definitely worth it. Overall, I highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Palermo!

Elise

Jul 2026

5.0

Great food, lovely guides