When your ship docks in the port of Palermo you’ll be ready to start your day onshore. You will find your professional English speaking driver just off the gangway of your ship.

Once you have been greeted by your Rome in Limo driver you will head to the town of Monreale just a few miles away from the port. About 1 hour of traveling will take you there.

Monreale is a picturesque historical hill-town with great views of the valley in which Palermo is and out to sea. The focal point of Monreale is the Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century when the Normans ruled this part of Sicily. William III, the Norman ruler of the time wanted it to be the royal burial place, but as it turned out he was the only member buried there. 

The Cathedral features a combination of Norman, Byzantine and Islamic art and architecture, which characterizes many important buildings on the island, built in its most glorious era. The upper part of the cathedral is completely covered in gleaming gold mosaics depicting scenes from the life of Christ, Noah’s Ark and many Saints.

Make sure you don’t miss the cloisters of the Benedictine monastery next door, lined with over 200 columns finely inlaid or depicted by the master craftsman of the 12 century. A small fee will get you inside.

The Cathedral is open in the morning and afternoon, with a 2-hour break at lunchtime, but you shouldn’t visit during Mass hours unless you wish to attend, of course. Mass is scheduled at 8 am and 5:3 pm Monday to Saturday and at 10:30 am, 12 pm and 6 pm on Sundays and religious holidays.

After your visit to Monreale it will be time to head back to Palermo to visit the city before going back to your ship. A site worth seeing in the city is the Royal Norman Palace, built in the highest point of the ancient city center. The palace underwent various renovations under the various rulers of Sicily and today presents the so-called Arab-Norman-Byzantine architecture.

The Palace is opened from 8:15 am to 5:45 pm Monday to Saturday, open until 1 pm on Sundays. For a small fee, about euros 12 each, you can visit the palace and the royal apartments. Unfortunately, part of the palace being the seat of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, the royal apartments are not accessible Tuesday to Thursday, due to parliamentary sessions.

Reservation is not necessary since the queue is not long, but if you’d like to reserve entrance you need to contact the Federazione Federico Secondo by email of phone. Click here for more details.

Not to be missed is the Cathedral of Palermo, erected in 1185 over a Byzantine Basilica. It is characterized by a difference of styles brought on by the many renovations it underwent through the centuries. It is open every day from 7 am to 7 pm but please remember visiting it is best outside of Mass hours.

Please keep in mind that all religious monuments have a dress code that needs to be respected or you might be denied access. Shoulders and knees must be covered, which means tank tops and shorts are not allowed.

Once you have visited Palermo your Rome in Limo driver will take you back to your ship.

Rome in Limo offers two solutions for your tours onshore from the major ports in Italy, including the port of Palermo. You can choose our Private Tour, where the driver and vehicle are there for your family only or our Tour Sharing tour, where you get to share the driver and vehicle with other ship passengers who share your same interest.

For Private Tours click here.

For Shared Tours tours click here.