Getting Around

Parking is difficult in Palermo, and traffic is horrendous. There are treasures to be found here, but getting around to see them is more than difficult.

By Bus

The modernized bus system, once you learn to work it, is the best means of getting around the attractions on the periphery of Palermo, such as Monreale or Mondello. Most central lines cross Via Maqueda and its parallel street Via Roma, going through the quadrants of the old town. Other buses run east and west along the major dividing street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

In the New Town, Piazza Verdi, with its landmark Teatro Massimo, is a major hub, as is Piazza Politeama.

A ride on a municipal bus costs 1€ ($1.20). For information, call AMAT, Via Borrelli 16 (tel. 091-6902690). Most passengers buy their tickets at tabacchi (tobacco shops) before boarding.

A tourist bus called City Sightseeing begins and ends its circuit at the landmark Teatro Politeama (the Emerico Amari side). It stops at many major monuments, including the Duomo and the Royal Palace. Departures are at 9am daily. Tickets are sold on board; there are no advance reservations. The cost is 20€ ($24) per person. Children under 12 are granted a 50% discount. For information, call tel. 091-589429.

By Taxi

Getting around the inner core of Palermo by bus is very time-consuming and not easy, and driving a car around Palermo is a nightmare. In most cases, taxis are the best way to navigate the city center. Taxi stands are found at the main rail depot, at Piazza Verdi, at Piazza Indipendenza, and at Piazza Ruggero Séttimo, among other locations. The meter drops at 3.50€ ($4.20) and charges 2.25€ ($2.70) for the first kilometer, plus .67€ (80¢) per kilometer thereafter. If you can't find a taxi on the street, call tel. 091-513311 or 091-513374.

If you can afford it, consider renting a taxi for the day to explore Palermo attractions; it will cost 80€ to 90€ ($96-$108). Most drivers speak only a few words of English, but somehow they manage. You can request an English-speaking driver; perhaps one will be available. For further information on taxi sightseeing, call tel. 091-512737.

On Foot

Palermo is a city designed for walking, especially to the museums, monuments, and palaces in the medieval core. But walking is exhausting and not at all practical if you want to take in attractions on the city's periphery. To go outside the center, rely on the network of buses.

By Car

Driving around Palermo can be done, but it is guaranteed to take years off your life. You may want to rent a car for side trips to places such as Monreale, however. Rentals can be arranged at airport desks or at offices within central Palermo. The major firms include Avis, Punta Raisi Airport (tel. 091-591684), and Via Francesco Crispi 115 (tel. 091-586940). There are two leading Italian car-rental firms: Maggiore (tel. 091-591681) is at the airport, with a branch at the Notarbartolo Railway Station (tel. 091-6810801); Sicily By Car (tel. 091-591250) is also at the airport, as well as at Via Stabile Mariano 6A (tel. 091-581045). Rates average from 62€ to 70€ ($74-$84) per day.

Then there's parking. Parking spaces are like gold in central Palermo. One of the most convenient garages is Garage Stazione Centrale (tel. 091-6168297), at the rail station, which charges 15€ ($18) per night (closed Sun). Two other convenient garages -- identified simply by the word GARAGE -- are at Via Stabile 10 (tel. 091-321667), charging 15€ ($18) per night, and at Via Libertà 102 (tel. 091-305512), charging 20€ ($24) per night.

By Organized Tour

The best tours are offered by CST (Compania Siciliana Turismo), 124 Via Emerico Amari. You can visit its office in person to discuss your interests and see what is available on any given day. CST arranges trips to such sights in Palermo as Monte Pellegrino or the Capuchin Catacombs, but they will also set up side trips to the Greek ruins at Segesta or day trips to western coastal towns such as Erice and Trapani. CST can be contacted by fax at 091-582218 or by e-mail at cstmail@tin.it.