10 Things to do in Palermo with Kids

Palermo stands out for the richness of its architectural heritage and the importance of its cultural legacy, but that might not be enough to keep the kids bored during their visit to the Sicilian capital. However, the city also has plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained and attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

Some of the best things to see and do in Palermo with kids include visiting the International Puppet Museum, which revives a popular Sicilian tradition and is the largest exhibition of its kind in the world, taking part in a family escape game, touring the magical castle of Erice on the outskirts of the city and enjoying ice cream and cannoli, two pearls of local gastronomy that kids will love.

In Palermo, puppets are part of the popular culture and this museum reflects the links of the pupi, as the articulated puppets are called, usually representing Palatine knights, with the city and the Sicilian regions, as it is a folklore that involves the whole island.

The International Puppet Museum, which is the largest of its kind in the world, is one of the favourite places for children in the city, especially for the colourful displays, the entertaining interactive guided tours and also for the possibility that this museum creates to unify the previous generations with those of the present, teaching children about the forms of entertainment in the era before video games.

This attraction is included among the best museums in Palermo and also has a theatre where puppet shows are organised every day and can be attended by the whole family at no extra cost, as they are included in the ticket price.

Interesting details

• Price... General admission costs approximately 8 euros per person. Children under the age of 3 are free.
• Location... Piazzetta Antonio Pasqualino 5, Palermo.
• Opening hours... Sundays and Mondays from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
• How to get there... By N5 bus and hop-on-hop-off tourist buses in the city.

The Piazza Quattro Canti is one of the most picturesque places in Palermo, not only because it marks the confluence between two of the main arteries of the city, which are the Via Maqueda and the Casaro, which is the oldest street in the Sicilian capital, but also because it is one of the few octagonal squares in the world, which is why it is often included as an attraction in the best tours of Palermo.

In Piazza Quattro Canti, moreover, street shows are often organised, some of which are suitable for children, such as circus and clown shows, puppet theatres and open-air carol concerts, which you can enjoy if you plan to visit Palermo at Christmas time. All these shows are free of charge.

The Quattro Canti also has four concave façades, each with its own fountain, which are a masterpiece of the city's architecture, representing the four seasons of the year and guarded by statues of Spanish kings and patron saints of the city. Here you can take some of the best photos of your trip.

Interesting details

• Price... Admission to the beach shows is free.
• Location... Piazza Quattro Canti, Palermo.
• How to get there... By N2, N5 and N7 buses and the hop on-hop off city tour buses.

The Pietro Doderlein Zoology Museum has one of the most comprehensive natural science displays in Italy. With exhibits on aquatic animals, birds, arachnids, reptiles and a butterfly house, it is one of the best places to visit with children in Palermo, especially during the summer when the museum offers interactive exhibits.

The museum is also located in front of Villa Giulia, which is one of the largest urban parks in Palermo and close to the port of the Sicilian capital, so you can combine your visit to the exhibition with a walk around the city or one of the best mafia tours in Palermo.

Furthermore, the museum is located in the Villa Rotondo building, which stands out for its architectural style typical of Italian modernism, so you can also enjoy the interiors of the site and the views from the top floor of the building.

Interesting details

• Price... Entrance to the museum has an initial cost of approximately 10 euros for adults and 5 euros for children under the age of 12.
• Location... Via Archirafi 16, Palermo.
• How to get there... By N5 buses and the hop on-hop off tourist buses in the city.

Opera dei pupi shows are shows in which the protagonists are articulated puppets, usually representing Norman soldiers in hand-to-hand combat against Moorish armies. This type of traditional theatre has been part of Sicilian folklore since the 19th century and is recognised by Unesco as one of the intangible masterpieces of humanity.

In Palermo there are many theatres where pupari, who are the puppeteers, perform medieval stories with pupi, the traditional Sicilian puppets. These shows are usually aimed at entertaining children, but they are shows that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Some theatres also stage picaresque plays such as The Lazarillo of Tormes and other romantic tales such as Romeo and Juliet.

In Palermo you can find opera dei pupi shows at the International Puppet Museum, at the Teatro dei Pupi and in special plays at the Teatro Massimo, among other places where you can discover these attractions.

In Palermo, one of the best activities you can do as a family is to take part in an escape game, which consists of a locked room and a list of clues to unravel the exit key or to find the key that is somewhere in the room. These activities are often a lot of fun for children.

There are many tourist service providers that offer this kind of activities in the Sicilian capital, such as eXcape Palermo, which offers interactive experiences themed around famous movies, like It, or to make the most of some of the year's celebrations, like Halloween.

Keep in mind that if you plan to visit Palermo during the Summer some attractions sell out quickly due to the large number of visitors, so if that is your case I advise you to book in advance on the official website of the provider.

Erice is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Sicily and one of the ideal places to visit with children, especially because you can tour with them the magical castle of Erice, which is located on the top of the mountain.

This castle is more than 1000 years old and among its attractions is the Torreta Pepoli, which was built only in the 19th century by the count who lived in the building at the time but which became the most representative symbol of the castle.

Erice is one of the best things to do from Palermo and can be visited either as a day trip or on your own, although you should be aware that some of the roads to the medieval town are very long and winding.

Interesting details

• Price... General admission to the castle costs approximately 5 euros per person.
• Location... Erice, Sicily.
• How to get there... By car or private shuttle bus.

Pretoria is one of Palermo's main squares and is located within the old town. This site, which is one of the most representative of the Sicilian capital, is also known as the Square of Shame, as it contains several nude sculptures, but it is also one of the favourite places for children because the Pretoria Fountain is surrounded by statues of animals that attract the attention of the youngest.

In both the lower and upper rings of the circular fountain you will find marble statues representing the rivers of the city, but also gods, monsters and animals, whose heads are very well made and are the main attraction for children. Here you can take some of the funniest pictures and also discover one of the most elegant places in Palermo.

Pretoria is located in the heart of the old town so you can reach it on foot, depending on the neighbourhood of your accommodation, by public transport or on Palermo' s hop on-hop off buses, which usually include a stop in the area of the square.

Interesting details

• Price... Visiting the square is free of charge.
• Location... Piazza Pretoria, Palermo.
• How to get there... By car or private shuttle buses.

Palermo has a long tradition of street markets and there are three very important ones, each located in the main districts of the city. The Mercato del Capo, Vucciria and Ballaró markets are permanent haunts for locals, so if you want a Sicilian experience you can wander around them to buy produce or have lunch. They're also ideal if you're planning on travelling with children, as they'll love the fairground atmosphere.

In the markets you can find colourful stalls with fruit and vegetables, but also antiques, gifts, souvenirs and other products for children. Moreover, if you visit Palermo during Christmas, the markets become themed and you can breathe the atmosphere of the city.

The best market to visit with children is the one in the Capo, as it is a family market of farmers, housewives and butchers, but also a place with activities for children such as fairground games and during Christmas time it is the place of concentration of street performers, who sing Christmas carols.

At the Capo you can also take a tour about the mafia in Palermo, as the market is located above underground constructions that would have been used by a medieval lodge that would have marked the origin of the criminal activities of the Cosa Nostra in Sicily.

One of the best things to do in Palermo is to enjoy Sicilian food and that includes sweet treats such as cannoli and artisan ice cream, which are delicacies in the island's capital that children will love. You can discover the flavours of the city on your own or book one of the best food tours in Palermo

Sicilian gastronomy is present at every turn in Palermo and you don't need to visit any particular place, as you can find artisan bakeries and gelato shops all over the city, especially in the old town, which concentrates most of the tourists. In addition, ice-cream parlours often offer special ice-cream flavours for children.

You can also try other products that are highly regarded by children such as granitas and Sicilian sweets, which become particularly popular during Christmas or festive periods.

If you are planning to visit Palermo in summer you can discover a family beach, with white sands and crystal clear waters that children will love just 10 kilometres from the city centre. Mondello beach is one of the places revered by the locals, the epicentre of Christmas and New Year celebrations and, above all, the perfect place to enjoy the warm weather, although if you plan to visit Palermo in winter you can also enjoy it.

Mondello is a small beach but surrounded by services, very well located and also with many alternatives for fun, such as summer games, restaurants, bars, a wide connection of means of transport and also space for umbrellas and beach chairs, so you can relax and enjoy a lazy afternoon. Also, if the weather is not ideal for swimming, you can take a stroll and discover the surrounding neighbourhood.

Mondello is located just 15 minutes from the city centre, so it is also an ideal alternative if you are planning a short stay in the city, as you can enjoy the beach without having to move around too much. If that is your case, here is a list of things to see and do to discover Palermo in 3 days.

Interesting details

• Price... Entrance to the beach is free.
• Location... Mondello, Palermo.
• How to get there... By bus lines N1, N2 and N5.