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 children bored during their visit to the Sicilian capital. However, the city also has many activities that will amaze children and attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

Among the best things to see and do in Palermo with children are visiting the International Puppet Museum, which revives a popular Sicilian tradition and is the largest exhibition of its kind in the world, participating in a family escape game, touring the magical castle of Erice on the outskirts of the city and enjoying ice cream and cannolis, two pearls of the local gastronomy that children 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 with 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 favorite spaces for children in the city, especially for the colorful 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 the youngest 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 theater where every day puppet shows are organized and which you can attend with your family at no extra cost, as they are included in the ticket price.

Interesting details

• Price... General admission has an initial cost of approximately 8 euros per person. Children under 3 years old are free.
• Location... Piazzetta Antonio Pasqualino 5, Palermo.
• 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 bus line N5 and by hop on-hop off tourist buses of the city.

Piazza Quattro Canti is one of the most picturesque spaces in Palermo, not only because it marks the confluence between two of the main arteries of the city, which are 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, so it is often included as an attraction in the best tours of Palermo.

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

In addition, at Quattro Canti you will also be struck by the four concave facades that each have their own fountain and are a work of art of the city's architecture, as they represent the four seasons of the year and are guarded by statues of Spanish kings and patron saints of the city. There you will be able to take some of the best pictures of your trip.

Details of interest

• Price... Admission to the beach shows is free.
• Location... Piazza Quattro Canti, Palermo.
• How to get there... By N2, N5 and N7 buses and 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 offers one of the ideal displays 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.

The museum is also 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... Admission to the museum has an approximate initial cost of €10 for adults and €5 for children under 12.
• Location... Via Archirafi 16, Palermo.
• How to get there... By N5 buses and 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 theater has been part of Sicilian folklore since the 19th century and is recognized by Unesco as one of the intangible masterpieces of humanity.

In Palermo there are many theaters in which pupari, who are the puppeteers, represent medieval stories with pupi, the traditional Sicilian puppets. These shows are usually aimed at children's entertainment, but they are shows that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Some theaters also stage picaresque plays such as The Lazarillo of Tormes and other romantic narratives 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 participate 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. These activities are usually 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 proposes interactive experiences with the theme of some famous movies, such as It, or to make the most of some celebrations of the year, such as Halloween.

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

Erice is located one hour drive from Palermo, it 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 magic castle of Erice, which is located on top of the mountain.

This castle is over 1000 years old and among its attractions stands out the Torreta Pepoli, which was built only in the nineteenth century by indication of the count who lived in the building at that time but became the most representative symbol of the castle.

Note that Erice is one of the best things to do from Palermo and you can visit it either on a full day trip or on your own, although in this case you should consider that some of the roads to the medieval village are very long and winding.

Interesting details

• Price... General admission to the castle has an initial cost of approximately 5 euros per person.
• Location... Erice, Sicily.
• How to get there... By car or private shuttle buses.

Pretoria is one of the main squares of Palermo 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 favorite spaces for children because the Pretoria Fountain is surrounded by statues of animals that attract the attention of children.

Both in the lower ring and in the upper ring 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 done and are the main attraction for children. There 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 neighborhood of your accommodation, by public transport or by Palermo's hop on-hop off buses, which usually include a stop in the area of the square.

Interesting details

• Price... The visit to 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 with street markets and there are three very important ones, each located in the main districts of the city. The Mercado del Capo, Vucciria and Ballaró markets are places of permanent visit for the locals, so if you want to live a Sicilian experience you can walk around them to buy products or have lunch. They are also ideal if you plan to travel with children, as they will love the fair-like atmosphere.

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

The best market to visit with children is 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 is the place of concentration of street performers, who sing Christmas carols.

At the Capo you can also take a tour on the mafia in Palermo, as the market is located on subway 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 like cannoli and artisanal ice cream, which are delicacies in the island's capital that kids will be fascinated by. You can discover the flavors of the city on your own or book one of the best food tours in Palermo

Sicilian gastronomy is present at every step 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 parlors often include in their offers special ice cream tastes 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 plan to visit Palermo in summer you can discover a family beach, with white sands and crystal clear waters that children will love just 10 kilometers from the city center. Mondello beach is one of the places revered by the locals, the epicenter of Christmas and New Year's 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 transportation and also space for umbrellas and beach chairs, so you can relax and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. In addition, if the weather is not ideal for swimming, you can take a walk and discover the surrounding neighborhood.

Mondello is located just 15 minutes from the city center, 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.

Details of interest

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