Cheap city break Palermo

When is the best time to go?

April to June and September to October are ideal: 20 to 27 degrees, lively markets and pleasant temperatures for walking the old centre. In July and August the mercury climbs to 32 degrees or more and the city gets sticky; that is when you escape to Mondello beach in the afternoon.

The sea is swimmable from June to October. Off-season Palermo stays mild at around 15 degrees in winter, perfect for a cheap city break without the crowds.

The best areas in Palermo

• Centro Storico The old core around the Quattro Canti and the Pretoria fountain, within walking distance of almost everything. The most central place to sleep.
• Kalsa A former poor harbour quarter, now the hip heart with street art, galleries, wine bars and restored palazzi.
• Vucciria A scruffy market by day, an open-air party with street food and music after 20:00 (Thursday to Saturday).
• Ballaro Around Palermo's largest and oldest market: stalls, fresh fish and the best street food in town.
• Capo An authentic market quarter right next to the cathedral, with narrow lanes and affordable places to eat.

Top 5 things to do in Palermo

• Palermo Cathedral Arab-Norman church on the UNESCO list; the church is free, the roof and royal tombs cost about 7 to 15 euro.
• Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cappella Palatina Europe's oldest royal palace with its dazzling golden mosaic chapel (entry 10 to 15 euro).
• Teatro Massimo Italy's largest opera house; a 30-minute guided tour costs about 12 euro.
• Catacombe dei Cappuccini Unforgettable catacombs with around 8,000 mummified Palermitans (5 euro).
• Mondello beach White sand and turquoise sea with Art Nouveau bathing huts, 30 minutes on bus 806 from the centre; the beach itself is free.

Flights + transport from the Netherlands

There is no cheap direct flight from Eindhoven; the fastest route is direct from Schiphol. Transavia flies direct to Palermo (PMO) about three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) in 2 hours 50, easyJet twice a week. On other days, or for a budget ticket, you fly with a connection, often via Bergamo or Rome.

From Falcone-Borsellino airport, 35 km west, the Prestia e Comande shuttle takes you to the centre in about 50 minutes for 6 euro (10 euro return); the Trinacria Express train costs 5.90 euro to Palermo Centrale station. In the city a single bus or tram ticket is about 1.40 euro, valid for 90 minutes.

What does a city break in Palermo cost?

Hostels from 22 euro, mid-range hotels 55 to 100 euro, apartments around 80 euro per night. Palermo is one of the cheapest cities in Italy to eat: an arancina costs 1.50 euro, a pane con la milza (spleen sandwich) about 3 euro, a plate of pasta with the fresh catch 10 to 14 euro. Insider: skip the restaurant and eat your way through the Ballaro, Capo and Vucciria markets, where locals eat panelle, sfincione and arancine for a few euro. Budget from 330 euro per person for 3 days including a flight.