6 Best Mafia Tours in Palermo

Palermo is the city in Sicily where the Cosa Nostra was born and its surroundings were chosen as locations to film some scenes of The Godfather. If you are a fan of gangster history, here I tell you which are the best mafia tours.
6 Best Mafia Tours in Palermo

More about: 6 Best Mafia Tours in Palermo

Palermo is the capital of Sicily, has some of the most representative architectural works in southern Italy, and is an example of the coexistence of different Norman, Byzantine, and Romanesque styles. However, it is also the city where the Cosa Nostra emerged and where the mafia has operated freely, especially during the first half of the 20th century.

Among the best things to see and do in Palermo to follow in the footsteps of the mafia, you can take a guided tour of the city to discover the origins of gangsterism, visit the Capo Market, where a medieval lodge founded the Cosa Nostra criminal organization, tour Corleone to find the locations of The Godfather, and visit Portella della Ginestra to relive the famous massacre.

1. Tour of the mafia trails in Palermo

Piazza Giuseppe Verdi,|©John LaMotte
Piazza Giuseppe Verdi,|©John LaMotte

A guided walking tour of the city to learn about the mafia is the most comprehensive excursion to learn about the Cosa Nostra in Palermo, the founding city of the criminal organization in Sicily. On these tours, you can visit Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, the epicenter of the capital, the Capo Market, where Italian gangsterism was born, and Piazza della Memoria.

During these tours, you will also learn about the links between politics and the mafia in Sicily and the influence that the Cosa Nostra had on the resistance and separatist movements during World War II and the post-war period. These tours usually also include visits to the picturesque Cathedral and City Hall.

If you are a fan of The Godfather trilogy, you can visit the corners of the Sicilian capital that were used as locations for the films, such as the Teatro Massimo, where the final scene of the third film was shot, and the Monastery of Palermo, where Michael Corleone meets the Pope.

Keep in mind that mafia-themed tours are also a fun alternative to see the main sites of Palermo's historic center on a guided and entertaining tour, especially if you are interested in the mafia.

Details of interest

  • Price of these tours... They have an approximate starting price of $32 per person. Children between the ages of 10 and 17 pay $16.
  • Duration of these tours... Approximately 3 hours.

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2. Tour of Corleone and Portella della Ginestra

Corleone, Sicily|©Francesco Mondello
Corleone, Sicily|©Francesco Mondello

Corleone is not only the surname of the family featured in The Godfather trilogy, but also an ancient Sicilian village with plenty of real-life examples of mafia bosses who were born there. On these half-day excursions , you can walk the streets of Corleone, see some of the film locations, and visit the Mafia Museum, which is notable for its archives on Sicilian gangsterism.

In Corleone, you will also have time to have lunch, enjoy Sicilian cuisine , and taste wines from local wineries in restaurants that are every bit as good as those usually included in the best food tours of Palermo. After lunch, the tour will continue to Portella della Ginestra.

Portella della Ginestra is a small spot located between the villages of San Giuseppe Jato and Piana degli Albanesi and is a place that became famous for the bandit Salvatore Giuliano, a post-war Sicilian gangster and trafficker who led the island's separatist movements for many years and caused the massacre that left 11 people dead during the summer celebrations of May 1, 1947. During the visit, you can visit the memorial that commemorates the victims.

Details of interest

  • Price of these excursions... They have an approximate starting price of 75 euros per person. The final price varies depending on the number of visitors and includes round-trip transportation and the services of an expert local guide.
  • Duration of these tours... Approximately 5 to 6 hours.

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3. Anti-Mafia tour to discover the culture that fights the Cosa Nostra in Palermo

Marina, Palermo|©Anne Onimous
Marina, Palermo|©Anne Onimous

Just as there are many tours that attempt to show the history of the mafia and the Cosa Nostra's relationship with Palermo and the island of Sicily, there are also other anti-mafia tours that seek to promote the culture that fights gangsterism in the Sicilian capital and defend the memory of those who died fighting the mafia bosses.

These tours are among the best in Palermo, as they not only visit the main sites in the city related to the mafia, but also the monuments to those who sacrificed their lives in an attempt to restore a culture of legality in Palermo , such as Judge Giovanni Falcone, who was assassinated by the Cosa Nostra in a bomb attack.

These tours are usually led by a guide who belongs to an anti-mafia organization, so you can get first-hand information about the measures these associations are taking to help eradicate gangsterism in the Sicilian capital. On these tours, you can also stop for lunch in the Piazza della Memoria area, located between the old and new courts of Palermo.

Anti-Mafia tours last approximately 3 hours, making them compatible with a short visit to the city. If that's the case, here's a list of activities you can do to discover Palermo in 3 days.

Useful information

  • Price of these tours... They have an approximate starting price of $31 per person, including the services of an expert local guide.
  • Duration of these tours... Approximately 3 hours.

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4. Tour of the mafia grounds in Bagli de Ciaculli by bike

Girl on a bike|©Andrea Piacquadio
Girl on a bike|©Andrea Piacquadio

If you want to combine a bike ride with a mafia tour in Palermo, then you can opt for these excursions, which consist of a tour from the historic center of the Sicilian capital to Bagli de Ciaculli, a farming village where you can discover Arab-Norman and Islamic buildings and also learn about mafia history, such as the Ciaculli Massacre.

This massacre consisted of a car bomb that exploded in Ciaculli in 1963, killing seven police officers and soldiers in an attack that was ordered by mafia boss Pietro Torretta. This massacre did not go unnoticed by the national government, but was the beginning of the first war against the mafia, making it a central destination in the history of the Cosa Nostra.

This excursion is one of the best activities to do from Palermo, as you can enjoy a bike ride of more than 30 kilometers round trip and also visit one of the most representative sites in the fight against Sicilian gangsterism.

Details of interest

  • Price of these excursions... They have an approximate starting price of $39 per person, including the assistance of an expert local guide.
  • Duration of these excursions... Approximately 4 hours.

Book a mafia tour of Palermo

5. Tour of the Capo Market to learn about the origins of the Cosa Nostra

Stalls (Capo Market)|©Sergio Calleja (Life is a trip)
Stalls (Capo Market)|©Sergio Calleja (Life is a trip)

If you plan to visit Palermo at Christmas, you will see that the Christmas markets are a major feature of the city, especially the one located in the Capo Market, which becomes themed during December. However, these markets are open all year round and some have a very interesting history.

The Capo Market, one of the four most important in the city, hides many of the secrets of the Sicilian mafia, as it is believed that it was in its underground passages, now closed, where the Cosa Nostra originated through the criminal activities of a medieval sect known as the Beati Paoli. Here you can take a guided tour through the narrow streets of the market to discover its myths.

These tours are usually short, lasting approximately 2 hours, making them ideal if you plan to continue exploring the city afterwards, as the Capo Market is located in the city center, very close to Palermo Cathedral, the Town Hall , Piazza della Memoria, and Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, which is the epicenter of most of the city's activities.

Details of interest

  • Price of these tours... They have an approximate starting price of €18 per person, including the services of an expert local guide.
  • Duration of these tours... Approximately 2 hours.

6. Night tour of the mysteries and secrets of Palermo

Corso Vittorio Emanuele at night|©Elio buscemi
Corso Vittorio Emanuele at night|©Elio buscemi

One of the best ways to soak up the atmosphere of the city on a mafia tour is to take a night tour of the places that hide the mysteries and secrets of Palermo. On these excursions , you will visit the Capo Market, considered the founding site of the Cosa Nostra in the Middle Ages, Piazza della Memoria, City Hall, Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, and the Cathedral, which witnessed the links between the Church and mafia bosses.

In addition, these tours also take you to the No Mafia Memorial, one of the best museums in Palermo, dedicated to honoring the victims who died fighting the Cosa Nostra in Sicily. During the tour of the Capo Market, you can also stop to buy food and drinks.

These tours are on foot, last approximately 2 hours, and are also useful for seeing the main sites at night and enjoying the architecture and lighting of the Sicilian capital.

Please note that although these tours are available all year round, if you plan to visit Palermo in winter, I recommend that you bring at least a light coat with you, as the temperature tends to drop substantially at night.

Details of interest

  • Price of these tours... They have an approximate starting price of $24 per person, including the services of an expert local guide.
  • Duration of these tours... Approximately 2 hours.

Book a mafia tour of Palermo

How to book a mafia tour in Palermo?

Woman with laptop at table|©Vlada Karpovich
Woman with laptop at table|©Vlada Karpovich

You can buy excursions in advance online or book tours once you are in the city, although if you plan to visit Palermo in August or during the summer months, the best option is to buy before your visit to ensure your place on the excursions and also to avoid last-minute price increases.

In addition, some tour operators offer discounts for online bookings, and having your tours planned before your visit will allow you to organize an itinerary to explore the city.

What will I see on these types of tours?

Two men in suits on the street|©dannylampa
Two men in suits on the street|©dannylampa

The answer will depend on the tour you choose, but if you are interested in the mafia, you can visit the main sites in Palermo and its surroundings where the Cosa Nostra originated and developed, and also learn about the protagonists of the fight against gangsterism, terrorism, trafficking, and crime in the city.

It's also a good alternative for getting to know the city from a different perspective, although most tours cover the main sites of the Sicilian capital.

Book a mafia tour of Palermo

Tips for a mafia tour in Palermo

Street with balconies in Palermo|©Maurizio
Street with balconies in Palermo|©Maurizio

If you plan to visit Palermo in summer, which is the city's high season, I recommend booking your excursions in advance to avoid crowds, sold-out tours, and last-minute price increases.

Also, if you plan to visit Palermo with children, I advise you to opt for shorter excursions or those that require less physical exertion, to prevent the little ones from getting bored and missing out on the attractions.

Book a mafia tour of Palermo

Why is it advisable to take a mafia tour in Palermo?

Dark corridor|©Alessandro T.
Dark corridor|©Alessandro T.

If you're into the mafia, you can't miss these tours, as Palermo is not only closely linked to the Cosa Nostra and part of its history, but also offers really well-organized tours that tackle the subject.

Mafia tours are also a great way to see important places on the outskirts of Palermo, such as Corleone and Portella della Ginestra, which would be difficult to visit on your own.

Reviews from other travellers

4.9
· 1429 Reviews
  • J
    J. H.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Fantastic tour. Very informative and builds a very clear picture of the mafia in Sicily.
  • N
    N. D.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Guide was very knowledgeable with the history of the mafia and the contemporary situation. I would recommend this highly
  • J
    J. C.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Great tour, very very interesting, we loved it and its a great way to see the city for the first time as well.
  • S
    S.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved it, it gave me goose bumps.
  • O
    O.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    This is a tour for lovers of mobster movies.