Palermo Old Town Bike Tour

• Day tours by bike
• Italy
• Palermo

Palermo's perfect piazzas and palazzos

Take a bike tour through picture-perfect Old Town Palermo and discover enthralling architecture at every turn, with the added benefit of bike rental!

Pushing off from Piazza Pretoria, discover the city’s landmark fountain boasting sixteen statues around its edge. Truly an icon of Palermo, this exquisite fountain, glistening in cool white stone, sets the tone for the rest of your day tour. Pedaling on to Piazza Bellini, discover diverse architectural styles which unite to create a uniquely beautiful cityscape brimming with history.

Cycling on to Casa Professa, you’ll be lost for words at the sheer magnificence of this Baroque Roman Catholic Church. Take a peek inside at one of the most extensively decorated interiors in Italy. Next, bike on to Ballarò and soak up the sights and smells of this vibrant, authentic Sicilian marketplace. Cycle past stalls towered with fresh produce and get a flavor of life as a local in Palermo.

Riding to the Royal Palace, remark at a unique royal residence for the Kings of Sicily, comprising Arab, Norman and Byzantine architectural styles in what is a must-see sight. Porta Nuova is just nearby, Palermo’s magisterial city gates. Glide on through and carry on to the cathedral built in 1184 by the Normans. Admire the emerald green palm trees in dramatic contrast to the rich ochre brick of this dazzling amalgamation of Gothic, Medieval, Arab and Neoclassical styles.

Your bicycle tour continues on to Quattro Canti, the square seen by many as the center of Palermo’s historic quarters. The ‘Four Corners of Palermo’ is the nickname given to this point which, back in the 18th Century, formed the intersection of Albergheria, Capo, Kalso, and Vucciria – Palermo’s four ancient districts. Marvel at the nearby Massimo Theater, one of the Europe’s largest opera houses famed for its crystal-clear acoustics.

Pedaling into Piazza San Domenico and Vucciria, admire the sensational Church of Saint Domenico with its exquisite towers. La Cala is close by, allowing you to admire the reflections of serene boats on the water. Once the main fishing port of Palermo, this horseshoe-shaped marina is now mostly home to yachts and sailboats bobbing silently in the sunlight.

Feeling hungry? You’ll make a stop for some awesome street food before pushing off again for Piazza Marina, boasting the gorgeous Garibaldi Garden. Here, draw inspiration from the towering fig trees, ornate fountains, and splendid statues before your bike tour winds down in Palazzo Valguarnera, the palace of princes.

A guided bike tour of exceptional beauty, incredible diversity, and wonderful history.

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Highlights

Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, Casa Professa, Ballarò, Royal Palace, Porta Nuova, Quattro Canti, Massimo Theater, Piazza San Domenico, La Cala, Piazza Marina, Garibaldi Garden, Palazzo Valguarner

What’s included

• Bike and helmet rental
• English, Italian, and French-speaking guide

Meeting place & directions

Social Bike Palermo

Discesa dei Giudici, 13, 90133 Palermo PA, Italy