How Much Does Palermo Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Palermo is widely considered one of the most affordable major city destinations in Italy, offering significantly better value than northern hubs like Milan or Venice. Daily budgets range from $100 / €85 for solo travelers on a budget to $577 / €490 for those seeking a high-end luxury experience. Costs are uniquely influenced by the city's famous street food culture, which allows for world-class dining at a fraction of the price of formal restaurants. While historic sites like the Palazzo dei Normanni carry entrance fees of up to $22 / €19, the city's greatest architectural assets are the open-air Baroque squares and bustling markets that cost nothing to explore. Visitors will find that their money goes further here, particularly when navigating the dense, walkable historic center.
Is Palermo expensive to visit?
Palermo is a budget-friendly to moderately priced destination, with daily costs typically ranging from $100–$577 / €85–€490 depending on your choice of accommodation and dining.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Palermo
$100
per person /day
$218
per person /day
$577
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $300 | $653 | $1,730 |
| 5-Day Trip | $500 | $1,089 | $2,884 |
| 7-Day Trip | $700 | $1,524 | $4,037 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to add a 15% buffer to your daily budget to cover the 'coperto' (restaurant cover charge) of $1.77–$2.94 / €1.5–€2.5 per person and the mandatory tourist tax, which can reach $5.89 / €5 per night at luxury hotels. These small daily additions can accumulate quickly over a week-long stay.
How Does It Compare?
See how Palermo stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Palermo
Food & Drink (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal Typical for a casual trattoria or pizzeria. | $18 €15 |
Transport (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Trinacria Express (Airport Train) Runs every ~30 minutes between the central station and the airport. | $7.65 €6.5 |
| Prestia e Comandè Airport Bus A convenient alternative to the train, dropping off at several points in the city center. | $7.06 €6 |
| Local Bus/Tram Single Ticket Tickets must be validated upon boarding. Valid for 90 minutes. | $1.71 €1.45 |
| AMAT 24-Hour Day Pass Unlimited travel on all AMAT buses and trams for 24 hours from validation. | $4.12 €3.5 |
| Taxi Start Fee (Standard) Initial meter drop. Night and holiday surcharges apply. | $3.53 €3 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Ariston Petit Hotel (Budget Tier) Excellent central location for budget travelers. Price is for a double room, approx. $83 / €71 per night. | $71 €60 |
| Hotel Trinacria (Mid-Range Tier) Comfortable mid-range option. Nightly rate approx. $146 / €124 for two adults. | $123 €105 |
| Grand Hotel Et Des Palmes (Luxury Tier) Historic luxury hotel in the city center. Nightly rate approx. $389 / €330. | $329 €280 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Palazzo dei Normanni & Cappella Palatina (Full Ticket) Highest tier includes Royal Apartments, Palatine Chapel, Exhibits, and Gardens. Reduced rate of ~$18 / €16 on mid-week days. | $22 €19 |
| Teatro Massimo Guided Tour Standard adult price for a 30-minute tour of Italy's largest opera house. | $14 €12 |
| Catacombs of the Capuchins Entry Standard adult entry for one of Palermo's most unique historical sites. | $5.89 €5 |
| Streaty Street Food Tour 3-hour walking tour including several traditional street food tastings in local markets. | $53 €45 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Italy eSIM (1GB - 7 Days) Convenient for short trips. 5GB plans are available for ~$12 / €10. | $4.48 €3.81 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Cinema Ticket Standard adult ticket for a new release. | $9.42 €8 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is dominated by vibrant street food markets where snacks cost only a few euros, while a sit-down meal at an inexpensive trattoria typically costs $18 / €15. For those looking to dive deeper into the culinary history, a professional street food tour is available for $53 / €45. High-end experiences, such as Michelin-starred dining at Bye Bye Blues, offer a more expensive but distinct contrast to the city's gritty market stalls.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Ke Palle
$3.53–$5.89 / €3–€5Via Maqueda · Local chain
Try the 'Arancina al Burro' (ham and cheese) for ~$3.53 / €3 for a classic snack.
I Cuochini
$1.77–$7.06 / €1.5–€6Via Ruggero Settimo · Bakery
Hidden inside a courtyard; their 'panelle' and 'timballini' are legendary and cost ~$1.77 / €1.5 each.
Nni Franco U'Vastiddaru
$4.12–$12 / €3.5–€10Kalsa · Street food area
The go-to spot for 'Pani ca Meusa' (spleen sandwich) for ~$4.12 / €3.5.
Passami u' Coppu
$5.89–$14 / €5–€12Via Roma · Street food area
Grab a paper cone ('coppo') of fried seafood for ~$7.06 / €6 to eat while walking.
Antica Focacceria San Francesco
$4.71–$18 / €4–€15Kalsa · Local chain
A historic institution; grab a quick focaccia for ~$4.71 / €4 or sit down for a full meal.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Most of the historic center is best explored on foot, but the AMAT bus and tram network is available with a single ticket costing $1.71 / €1.45 or a 24-hour day pass for $4.12 / €3.5. Transit from the airport is efficient and affordable, with the Trinacria Express train charging $7.65 / €6.5 and the airport bus costing $7.06 / €6.
Accommodation Overview
Value for money is high in Palermo, with central budget options like Ariston Petit Hotel starting at approximately $71 / €60 per night. Mid-range travelers can expect to pay around $123 / €105 at well-located hotels like Hotel Trinacria, while the historic Grand Hotel Et Des Palmes represents the luxury tier at $329 / €280 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Palermo
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the AMAT 24-hour day pass for $4.12 / €3.5 if planning to visit the outskirts or Mondello Beach, as it is cheaper than three single tickets.
- 2 Visit the Palazzo dei Normanni on mid-week days to take advantage of the reduced rate of approximately $18 / €16 instead of the standard $22 / €19.
- 3 Eat like a local at Ke Palle on Via Maqueda, where arancine provide a filling meal for a fraction of restaurant prices.
- 4 Avoid the 'coperto' (cover charge) by ordering coffee or snacks 'al banco' (at the bar) rather than sitting at a table.
- 5 Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it at the public fountains (nasoni) found throughout the historic center.
- 6 Explore the Ballarò and Il Capo markets for lunch, where fresh produce and prepared snacks are significantly cheaper than in the tourist-heavy Quattro Canti area.
- 7 Validate bus tickets immediately upon boarding to avoid steep fines, as inspectors frequently check popular tourist routes.
- 8 Look for 'Panificio' shops to buy freshly baked pizza slices and breads for a cheap, high-quality picnic.
- 9 Take the Prestia e Comandè airport bus for $7.06 / €6 if your accommodation is near the port or Via Roma, as it often saves a taxi fare from the central station.
- 10 Visit smaller historic churches that ask for a small $2.35–$3.53 / €2–€3 donation rather than the high-fee major cathedrals to see stunning Norman mosaics.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
+25-35%
Nov, Jan, Feb
-30-45%
Apr, Oct
Avoid August if you dislike intense heat (35°C+/95°F+) and crowds; spring offers the best balance of € prices and pleasant 20°C (68°F) weather.
Events to Watch
- ● Festino di Santa Rosalia (July 10-15): +40% hotels
- ● Ferragosto (August 15): Beach prices double
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Cattedrale di Palermo: Entry to the main floor of the cathedral is free, though the roof and royal tombs require a fee.
- 2 Quattro Canti: Marvel at the four-sided Baroque square at the intersection of Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele.
- 3 Fontana Pretoria: View the massive 16th-century fountain located just behind the Quattro Canti.
- 4 Mercato di Ballarò: Experience the sights and sounds of Palermo's oldest and most atmospheric street market.
- 5 Foro Italico: Walk along the wide seaside promenade popular with locals for evening strolls.
- 6 Giardino Garibaldi: See the enormous Ficus macrophylla trees with their tangled roots in Piazza Marina.
- 7 Chiesa di San Domenico: Entrance to the main nave of this historic Pantheon of illustrious Sicilians is generally free.
- 8 Piazza Bellini: View the exterior architecture of the Martorana and San Cataldo, two iconic UNESCO-listed Norman churches.
- 9 Mercato della Vucciria: Visit during the day for the market or at night to see the square transform into a lively social hub.
- 10 Villa Giulia: Relax in the city's first public park, located next to the Botanical Garden.
- 11 Il Capo Market: Wander through the winding alleyways of this traditional market near the Teatro Massimo.
- 12 Mondello Beach: While beach clubs charge for loungers, large sections of this white-sand beach remain free to the public.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Michelin Dining at Bye Bye Blues
Creative Sicilian flavors from a Michelin-starred kitchen. Tasting menus are roughly ~$129 / €110.
Private Half-Day Boat Tour to Mondello
Avoid the crowded beach buses and see the coastline from the turquoise water. Costs ~$177 / €150 for 4 hours.
Opera Night at Teatro Massimo
Watching a performance in the third largest opera house in Europe is an unforgettable acoustic experience.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Palermo
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Palermo and what they cost
Cefalù
$17 / €14 by train
Free
$59 / €50
Monreale Cathedral & Cloister
$3.53 / €3 by bus (Line 389)
$15 / €13
$41 / €35
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but cash is mandatory for market street food and small bar purchases.
Not mandatory. Rounding up to the nearest ~$1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 is appreciated for good service. No percentage-based tipping expected.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Unicredit, Intesa Sanpaolo) to avoid high fees. Avoid Euronet machines which charge ~$4.71–$5.89 / €4–€5 per withdrawal.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.71–$18 for 1GB-10GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$24 / €15–€20 including ~50GB data
WiFi: Good in hotels and central cafes, but spotty in the narrow alleys of the historic center.
Buy a local SIM from WINDTRE or TIM in the city center for ~$18 / €15 for better data speeds than eSIMs.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Palermo.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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