Local Guides World

Top Catholic churchs in Palermo, Italy

Top Rated Catholic churchs in Palermo

Top Reviewed Catholic churchs in Palermo

Reviews

Kevin Sheu
at 2024 Mar 27
Kevin Sheu
at 2024 Mar 27
A stunning cathedral offering access to its rooftop for breathtaking views of Palermo. There is a fee to access the roof, and reaching it involves climbing spiral steps through narrow passages, making it unsuitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Thomas
at 2024 Mar 24
Thomas
at 2024 Mar 24
Absolut beeindruckend diese Architektonische Bauweise anzuschauen.
Auch der Garten davor ist sehr schön und bei uns relativ leer.
Außerdem stehen überall Figuren aus Stein, welche sehr detailgetreue angefertigt wurden.
Der Vorplatz ist sehr gepflegt und frei von jeglichem Müll.
Marion Späth
at 2024 Mar 23
Marion Späth
at 2024 Mar 23
Den Eintritt von 15 Euro finde ich sehr hoch. schwerbehinderte kommen kostenfrei hinein. Super. Die Kathedrale lohnt zum Anschauen und am Besten fand ich den Aufstieg auf das Dach. Ganz toll.
manucasene
at 2024 Mar 21
manucasene
at 2024 Mar 21
Cathedral is super nice. Experience to go on the roof is extremely satisfying. Thanks to Italian Church that you can enter for free in the cathedral.
Legends l
at 2024 Mar 18
Legends l
at 2024 Mar 18
Imposing building from the outside. Women must have their shoulders covered in order to enter.
I did not go in as I was eager to leave Palermo.
Personally there aren’t many attractions and if you drive here, it is a nightmare to find parking.
R
at 2024 Mar 17
R
at 2024 Mar 17
Not the most impressive cathedral in Sicily, but certainly a cool one to visit and experience for yourself with plenty to offer in terms of art, history, culture and views.

Access to the Cathedral itself is free.

You can pay 7 euro for the ticket that gives you access to the terraces and the crypts. Other ticket options available.

Make sure to arrive an hour before they close if you’re looking to see the view from above at sunset.

Payments accepted with cash or card.

Steep stairs make it nearly impossible for wheelchair access to the top. Watch your head if you’re a tall person!
Roberta M
at 2024 Mar 02
Roberta M
at 2024 Mar 02
It is one of my favourite churches, even if extremely simple. Many years ago, any church in Palermo was free, and now you have to pay to visit any of them. Furthermore, locals pay as much as tourists. Discounts should be a must. So, 5 stars for the place and zero for customer service and the organisation in charge. You must support local people bringing family and friends from abroad to show around or even for them to visit part of their local patrimony. This should still be a church and follow its spirit.
Built in Norman style from 1184, the Cathedral of Palermo is an absolute must for every Palermo visitor! This building impresses its visitors not only with its imposing construction, but also with its rich decoration inside.
For German visitors, the special fact is that, among other things, the grave of Emperor Friedrich II is located inside.
Another highlight is a visit to the roof with a panoramic view of the square in front and the historic western city center of Palermo.
What a stunning building, so ornamental, so unique!

Inside, the church is rather plain but still beautiful.

We thought the best part was climbing up to the roof, the views were amazing. The stairs are very steep and narrow, make sure you're wearing comfortable shoes.
Punto di riferimento dall infanzia.. Comunione.. Cresima e tanti ricordi
Beautiful. Ancient. You feel past centuries from every stone. The entrance fee 2.50 eur, but if you have visited the opposite church Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio and you show the ticket, you get 1 eur discount. Definitely worth visit.
A beautiful cathedral, powerful and exquisite. San Domenico is a work of art, every icon, sculpture, painting and architecture is stunning and worthy of attention and respect.

It’s just sad that neither the entire Catholic Church, nor the entire Sicilian mafia, nor the city authorities have enough money to restore this cathedral.

It's sad to see how it is slowly being destroyed while no one cares about it.
The three dome church. Fascinating for its Arab influence. When you look at it from the outside with it's domes and from the inside with its geometric patterns you could believe someone if they told you it was a mosque and not a church. Very simple without the mosaics of the fancier churches but very beautiful in its simplicity.
I am visiting it for the second time and for the second time I am impressed by the Palatine Chapel. One of the most impressive churches I have ever seen. We visited it at the end of December, there were not many tourists and we were able to enjoy the beauty of the mosaics and ceilings. The building is a mixture of Byzantine, Norman and Fatimid architectural styles, showing the tricultural state of Sicily in the 12th century. It took eight years to build, with the mosaics only partially completed by 1143. The sanctuary, dedicated to Saint Peter, resembles a domed basilica. It has three apses, as was common in Byzantine architecture, with six pointed arches (three on each side of the central nave) resting on recycled classical columns. The vaulted ceiling of the nave and the rectilinear shape of the chapel are impressive. The mosaics are fascinating with their brilliance and uniqueness. Unique!
We paid to do all four things and an extra 5 euros each for an audio tour, which I highly recommend. It took about 4 hours to see everything. A must do.
La chapelle est très belle, plus petite que j'imaginais, mais tellement à regarder!
Il est quasiment obligé de prendre un audio guide ( aucune explication dans la chapelle ou le pallazio) mais les commentaires sont longs, très descriptifs et au final on décroche... nous n avons pas été convaincus alors qu habituellement on apprecie les audio guides.
Globalement, c est biensur un incontournable mais le prix des billets est élevé ( 20€/ personne)
This 17th/18th Century cathedral is an exquisite example of Sicilian Baroque construction. The inside has various chapels such as the Chapel of St. Joseph that is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The entire cathedral with its paintings and alter is remarkable. Tombs of Sicilians who have made important contributions to society rest here such as Giovanni Falcone.
K.S. HO
at 2023 Dec 05
K.S. HO
at 2023 Dec 05
It's under major maintenance outside and a small one inside, and you can see the ladder in the photo, but it's one of the main walkable destinations you can visit in Palermo.
Cattedrale di Palermo, a masterpiece of Norman architecture, graces Palermo's skyline with its majestic presence. Built in the 12th century, the cathedral boasts a unique blend of architectural styles, showcasing influences from various periods. Its intricate details, including Arab-Norman mosaics and Gothic elements, create a visual feast. The cathedral offers insightful guided tours that unravel its historical and artistic significance, providing a deeper understanding of Sicily's cultural evolution. A visit to Cattedrale di Palermo is not just a glimpse into the past but a profound exploration of the island's rich heritage and architectural splendor.
Museum and royal garden is nice, but META Experience - temporary exhibition at Palazzo Reale is surprisingly awful and not worth visiting...
I can highly recommend going to the dome! It looks like the best viewpoint in the city with 360*
Take the 812 bus next to the Politeama Theatre for an amazing ride up Monte Pellegrino to visit the sanctuary. Be careful on the way back; it takes a different route!
Nice on the outside, a single room almost empty on the inside, not worth the 2,5€ (Martorana is much much better, this one is a complete dissapointment).
Very beautiful architecture with a lot of history. If you are in Palermo you you need to check it.
Parrocchia ben curata e gestita da un meraviglioso parroco. Mi sono confessato con lui aprendomi il mio cuore
Spectacular golden mosaics in the Chapel. The apartments are ONLY open Friday-Sunday. Avoid at all costs the special multi-media exhibit which took us an hour in line for a 5 minute "experience. " An hour of our lives we will never get back.
Magical, especially the setting with the views to the front! There is disabled access if you go in a car. The barrier can be lifted in the carpark below if you ask and then you can drive up. There are metal slopes up to the sanctuary and shrine. You just have to be careful inside as the cave floor is uneven
Nice but maybe not worth the hassle of ascending the mountain. Not really hikeable, but saw many intrepid bicyclists.
Well worth a look if you are in Palermo The inside of the chapel is magnificent . Take a seat and view the mosaics and architecture.
Quite stunning
Joseph Vella
at 2023 Oct 04
Joseph Vella
at 2023 Oct 04
The place is a must visit when in Palermo. The excursion to the roof top which costs €7 per person was worth it in terms of the panoramic experience, and expensive when considering that the amount only gives access to the view for 10 minutes (no time limit....but how much time can one spend on a platform shaped roof of 20 mtrs length by 1 mtr width?). The price should be revised down in my opinion.
Extrêmement cher, vraiment.
La chapelle est magnifique, mais c'est hors de prix pour les salaires "moyens".
Il y'a des réunions du conseil régional, ce qui clôt régulièrement des endroits normalement accessibles. Nous n'avons donc pu voir que le jardin botanique et la chapelle.. pour 40€ environ avec l'audio guide....

N'y vous rendez pas devant le musée sans avoir acheté vos billets, ils n'en vendent pas. Le guichet est à l'extérieur du musée. Sinon acheter vos places sur internet vous éviterez l'éventuelle attente.
Parroco e segretaria sono stati scortesi e non accoglienti.
Esempio di chiesa e non di Chiesa.
Tristissimo.
I visited it a couple of days ago and it was a bit of a mixed bag.
Firstly, the Palatine Chapel was an absolute gem. Mosaics are so marvellous and beautiful that I could have spent hours admiring the details.
On the flip side, the Royal Palace was a bit underwhelming and there wasn’t much to see.
The complex ticket for 20€ also included some strange artwork exhibition and the Royal garden which is nice but very small.
And another one fly in ointment - I had to pay for the toilet! Ok, 50 cents is not a big cost, but paying for the loo in the museum where I have already spent 20€ for the visit was a real nonsense for me.
In summary, I’d recommend to visit only the Palatine Chapel - it’s small but breathtaking.
Profonda Spiritualità e percezione di Santità di Gesù 🙏🙏🙏🙏😓😓😓💙💙💙💙
Elitsa Donkova
at 2023 Sep 07
Elitsa Donkova
at 2023 Sep 07
Palermo Cathedral is an incredibly lavish building. Every single detail is perfectly executed. Although I have been to the Vatican, I have not seen a more amazing and magnificent cathedral. Maintained and with a unique view both outside and inside. As long as he asks, for 7€ a person goes up to the roof, from where he has the opportunity to look at Palermo from above, as well as being closer to the tops - the towers of the impressive creation! Preserved in time. If I have to describe it in a few words - magnificence and opulence!
Lyds su
at 2023 Sep 07
Lyds su
at 2023 Sep 07
Impressive cathedral inside and out! With a ticket you can also access the rooftop level of the cathedral overlooking the main square as well as allowing you to visit the crypt, treasure room and the museum next door. Definitely worth a visit!
Entry is free. The interior is not incredibly beautiful and unique, but I'd suggest getting the roof ticket, it is worth the €7,(2023). The exterior architecture is amazing.
Impressively beautiful church located along Via Maqueda .
Easy access except for a short flight of stairs
Recommended
Felix
at 2023 Sep 03
Felix
at 2023 Sep 03
Pretty expensive visit to the roof for 7 euro, but it's a nice view from up there. Don't be confused by the higher lines. Look further down, and you will find the price for only the roof. It's a rather easy walk with steps, not too many so doable for pretty much everybody.
Royal palace and chapel near the cathedral. Stunning chapel inside to visit, an art gallery, small museum and gardens. The palace apartments (higher price ticket) were closed when we visited which made the visit a bit shorter. There's a Cafe in the gardens which is nice but compact. €30 for two adults, child free, but found it a little short for the price. Surprised that there's a charge of ¢50 to use the toilet. We held on. Ok but a little underwhelming.
The Church of Saint Domenico, located in Palermo, Italy, is a historically significant religious building. It showcases a blend of architectural styles, including Gothic and Baroque, and houses important artworks. This church is not only a place of worship but also a cultural treasure that provides insights into the city's artistic and religious heritage.
Chiesa meravigliosa parraco cordiale e gestite ottimamente, statue di Gesù e Maria bellissime
Very small church, but probably the most beautiful I saw in my life. You'll be able to get here with palace tickets, and, probably, it's the only worth visiting place in the whole palace. Ceiling is beautiful and so unusual, mosaics are marvelous and, obviously, a lot and a lot of gold around. Real masterpiece.
J_Gogo
at 2023 Aug 19
J_Gogo
at 2023 Aug 19
This cathedral is truly a feast for the eyes. The ornaments, the aisles, the tombs... Everything in this place makes you feel the sacredness of the place.I really recommend seeing this cathedral, also because from above it allows you to see the roofs of Palermo and truly appreciate every part of it.
What an impressive church that sits atop and built into the mountain, this was built in 1625 and still standing today.
So beautiful and serene once u walk inside, the ceiling or lack there of is pure rock and u can see thru to the sky.
They have a shop attached to buy religious/trinket souvenirs. They also have a donation box to help keep it up and running.
The bells had the most beautiful sounds.
Down below are cafes, and people selling souvenirs.
We couldn't believe it, but the amount of eucalyptus trees growing up there, gave off a lovely smell.
The Church is closed in the afternoon during summertime. It is a national shame that a church hosting the tomb of Falcone is open only for few hours in the morning. This monument shall be open 24hrs a day!! Vergogna!!!
Such an experience, this wonderfull place on a mountain next to Palermo, can it get more beautifull than this?
A little further you have a POV on Palermo from the mountaintop belvedere di Monte Pellegrino!!
Entrance is electrical but you cannot pay with credit card
Great chapel, the rooms are ok, once you’ve seen one old mansion they all look the same.

But the fact the ticket is as much as MoMA and you still have to pay (coins, no contactless) to go to the loo is shocking. I’ve already paid a premium to look at the awful art of Omar Hassan and not be allowed to sit in the Palatine Chapel. They also sell every type of trash in the shop but no water while it’s 48C outside, you also can’t refill water bottles; it’s as if they want you to get heat stroke.

You feel like you’re walking around a money making scheme instead of a space to enjoy history. Makes you wonder who the organised criminals are in Sicily, the mafia or the local government.
C J
at 2023 Jul 24
C J
at 2023 Jul 24
Pretty cool place to see. I liked that it has a rooftop accessible and also down to the crypt. It was hot outside was relatively cool inside the cathedral, even with all the people. Line wasn't too long at high season.

The crypts were cool to see with a few tombs and other artifacts. I found it to be a good stop.
Eine sehr schöne Kirche, welche direkt neben dem Eingang zur Kapuzinergruft liegt. Diese ist einen Besuch wert.
Twisty winding steep drive - but so beautiful to see this small church built into a cave in the mountainside! Aluminum sheets collect the water dripping from the cave ceiling and funnel it into a stone trough. The statue of the saint glows a celestial blue. Totally worth the trip - amazing views of Palermo and the harbor on the way down.
Für Gläubige ist ein sehr beschwerlicher Aufstieg auf den Monte Pellegrino zu Fuß zu bewältigen, bevor diese beeindruckende Kirche besucht werden kann. Ich konnte sie im Rahmen eines AIDA Busausfluges oben auf dem Berg besichtigen.
Best viewpoint in Palermo, I was told, and I can see why! We didn't go inside the church, we were just there to climb to the top of the Cupola. The journey up there was a hair-raising experience. There's a delightful exterior room with grand furniture about half way up which is a nice peaceful place to relax, in the shade, away from the crowds below.
Ho partecipato alla prima comunione della figlia di un amico.
Ragazzina davvero dolce e in gamba e, dunque, non posso che dare il massimo dei voti!
Zongle
at 2023 May 23
Zongle
at 2023 May 23
Constructed in the 12th century during the Norman rule of Sicily, the church is known for its distinctive red domes and Arab-Norman architectural style. The church has a simple yet elegant design, with three red domes representing the Holy Trinity. The church reflects cultural influences of Norman and Arab civilizations in Sicily during that period of time.
Beautiful baroque church, great view of the city of Palermo from the tower.
Chapel and was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the architecture and decor. The intricate details and grandeur of the palace and chapel are truly breathtaking, and I highly recommend a visit to anyone in the area.

However, I was disappointed to find out that the toilet facilities were not free. While I understand that maintenance and upkeep costs money, it would have been nice to have been informed of this beforehand, or for there to be a more affordable option available.

Despite this minor inconvenience, the Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel are a must-see for anyone interested in history, art, or architecture. The stunning beauty of the site is truly worth the visit.
Die Kirche an sich ist sehenswert, da sie in eine natürliche Höhle hineingebaut ist.

Lohnenswert wird der Besuch (freier Eintritt) für religiös nicht Bewegte vor allem durch den Weg zu ihr. Denn von den den Berg hinaufführenden Serpentinen, ergibt sich immer wieder ein atemberaubender Ausblick auf die Stadt.
Very beautiful church from outside side but nothing really unique from the inside, even though the ticket costs only 1,5€
Wunderschöne Kirche, sie hat mich berührt. Sehr sehenswert!
Posto stupendo ho conosciuto Frate Melchiorre una persona dolce, amichevole
L'ho vista nascere mattone su mattone e vi ho ricevuto la prima comunione e la cresima il 23 giugno 1958. Era la prima cerimonia ufficiata in parrocchia da monsignor Aglialoro, responsabile della stessa.
At Christmas there were beautiful lights and decorations!
Una parrocchia dove il catechismo é piacevole e la messa é costantemente una festa
Breathtaking mosaics,paintings and marble sculptures.The visit was very good organized.After seeing Church of St.Catald,the staff directs you what is next to be seen in Norman Palace...don't miss the coffee break in Royal Garden
Standing at Giovanni Falcone's tomb is an overwhelming experience. A must for any lawyer or those who understand what an incredible man he was.
Beautiful church turned venue. There is also access to the dome with great view over the central Palermo. Worth €5 ticket
Chiesetta sei frati cappuccini antistante le catacombe di Palermo, di cui sono custodi
Its Dominican Church in Palermo and one of the important church in town.
Its have impressive classical facade and also have a lot of history.
There was a church just round the corner - Chiese del SS Salvatore - that looked interesting. We paid our €2.50 and walked in to a 3D baroque extravaganza. It was nicer than the normal catholic baroque as the colours were a lot more muted, mostly whites and greys, so the designs really stood out. We also went round the corner for the cupola tour but I did that solo as Deb hates spiral staircases. I was fine climbing the stairs until I reached the spiral part - a wrought iron floating staircase that you could see right through just before it collapsed and you plumetted to your death. It was a real effort of will to climb but I am so glad I did as you could see the roof of the dome and all the timber supports for the tower as well as views over the city. Well worth an extra €2.50.
1071-The first building of the church with the Basilian monastery of cloistered nuns was founded by Robert Guiscard in Norman times. Today nothing remains of the ancient monastery, almost completely bombed in 1943, the remains were incorporated in a modern building which now houses a school.

Fresco in the dome with The apotheosis of St. Basilio, frescoes in the enterance hall depicting The preaching of St.Basilio(right wall), Healing of the sick child(left wall), frescoes of the four virtues Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance and Justice in the vault of the vestibule built around 1763 by Vito D’Anna.
This church is beautiful inside but the real beauty and surprise lies if you walk down the side of the church and pay the 2.50 euros to take a walk to the summit of the dome. Stunning views of Palermo for what is a very small price. Be aware though you do need to go up a free standing set of metal see through spiral staircases so not for the people with vertigo. But once you get to the top there are stunning 360 degree views of Palermo so make the effort if you can.
Magnifique vue sur les coupoles de l'église Saint-Jean des Ermites. Sublimes fresques au plafond. À visiter sans hésitation !
Now the church is an auditorium, and although having fallen into disgrace and decline after Italy was united (as several other places across southern Italy), it still keep a strong pure beauty.
Don't miss it.
Also, the guides are so knowledgeable, kind and passionate that will make you love the place even beyond its objective brilliance.
la messa delle 9:00 am assoluta immersione nella preghiera ; con assoluto silenzio, chi disturba viene guardato non bene; per chi desidera essere avvolto dall'amore di dio , e' un motivo in più' per pregare seriamente, e con devozione; dimenticavo , sarebbe positivo utilizzo dell'organo , per effettuare la messa cantata; invece sta li senza utilizzo, mi auguro qualcuno capace, lo utilizzi per migliorare insieme , in un luogo di preghiera. luogo assolutamente sereno , il vice parroco nuovo , un po' monotono, con la presenza di padre nino che adesso si trova a bagheria , si era trovata un'armonia , di elevata attenzione, considerato che quest'ultimo utilizzava concetti chiari , per lui, e li evidenziava con risultati che coinvolgevano. mi auguro che no sia un già' visto, considerato che padre nino andava alla grande