Historic Centre Sightseeing Tour by Tourist Train Palermo

Teatro Massimo and Via Cavour

The first stop on Via Camillo Cavour lies close to the Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe. Opened in 1897 after more than twenty years of works, it rises above a wide staircase guarded by two bronze lions, with a columned portico and a great dome. Its stage and acoustics are famous among musicians around the world.

From here the train sets off into the old town. If you hop off at this stop, you can join a guided visit of the theatre's interior (sold separately) or walk to the nearby Capo market, one of the oldest street markets in the city. Many visitors choose this as their starting point, as it is central and easy to reach from the main shopping streets.

Porta Nuova and the Norman Palace

The second stop is inside Porta Nuova, the monumental gate built in the 16th century at the top of the city's main street, right next to the Norman Palace. The palace, Palazzo dei Normanni, is one of the oldest royal residences in Europe; it began as an Arab fortress and became the seat of the Norman kings of Sicily, and today it hosts the Sicilian Regional Assembly.

Inside the palace is the Palatine Chapel, with gold mosaics and a carved Arab-style wooden ceiling, one of the most beautiful rooms in the Mediterranean. Entry is not included in the train ticket, but this stop lets you hop off, visit the palace and the chapel at your own pace, and rejoin a later train. Together they form part of the Arab-Norman Palermo UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Arab-Norman old town: churches, theatres and markets

Between the stops, the train winds through the historic centre where Arab, Norman, Baroque and Art Nouveau Palermo meet. The audio guide explains the churches, palaces and squares along the route, from red-domed Arab-Norman churches to Baroque facades and the elegant buildings of the 19th century. It is a fine introduction for anyone planning a Palermo city tour on their first day.

Close to the route are the colourful street markets of Ballarò, the Vucciria and the Capo, full of fruit stalls, fish counters and street-food vendors, and the cathedral on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, a short walk from the Porta Nuova stop. The hop-on hop-off ticket gives you time to step off and explore them on foot before catching the next train.

The port of Palermo and practical tips

The third stop is at the port, where ferries and cruise ships dock below the great headland of Monte Pellegrino. It is a convenient stop for cruise passengers with a few hours in the city, and a short walk from the old harbour of La Cala and the seafront promenade.

The ride itself lasts about an hour, and trains leave every 60 minutes from each stop between 10:00 and 16:00. In summer, morning rides are cooler; in spring and autumn any time of day is pleasant. Bring water and a hat, keep your ticket on your phone, and plan which stop you want to explore. The ride is not recommended for pregnant women.