When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Palermo?
Easter and the summer months are the busiest times to visit Sicily and July’s Festa di Santa Rosalia celebrations see Palermo’s streets transformed by colourful processions, music and fireworks. September to November and early spring from March to June are good off-peak times to fly to Palermo, when you can still enjoy relatively warm temperatures.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Palermo?
It’s best to book your return flights to Palermo as early as possible, especially for departures at popular times of year, such as Easter and the summer holidays. Booking further ahead will give you the best choice of cheap flights, although you may also be able to find a bargain on a last-minute flight, particularly if you are flexible with your dates and don’t mind flying indirect.
Flying to Palermo Airport PMO
Palermo Airport, also known as Falcone-Borsellino Airport, is located 35 kilometres from Palermo city centre, at Punta Raisi on the island of Sicily. It’s one of the busiest airports in southern Italy, connecting Sicily with a wide range of international destinations as well as other Italian cities.
British Airways operates direct flights to Palermo from London Heathrow Airport once per week, or you can find stopping services to Palermo from other UK airports such as Birmingham Airport, Manchester Airport, London City Airport and London Gatwick Airport. Alitalia, Iberia Airlines and Vueling all operate Palermo flights from the UK with one stop in cities such as Milan or Rome. On some other routes you may be required to change airlines during your journey.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
Palermo Airport (PMO) has one terminal building with four levels. Arrivals and departures take place on both the first and second floor and there is an information desk in the arrivals hall. There is also a VIP lounge in the departures area. Palermo Airport offers passengers a selection of amenities and services, including banking facilities, car rentals, free Wi-Fi, a pharmacy, a post office and tourist information office. Various shops sell local sweets and cakes, Sicilian souvenirs and handicrafts and there is also a wide variety of cafes and restaurants throughout the terminal.
Getting to the City from Palermo Airport PMO
You can get to the city centre from PMO by taxi or bus, or with a hired car. The airport’s taxi service is located by the arrivals exit and there are usually taxis waiting as each flight lands. The Alibus shuttle runs between the airport and the city centre every 20 minutes, while there is another shuttle bus that connects to Palermo’s central train station runs every 30 minutes between 6.30am and 12.15am. The journey usually takes between 40 minutes and an hour and you can buy tickets online, at the desk in the arrivals hall, or on board the bus.
Why Visit Palermo?
Palermo is a dramatic city, full of intriguing stories, dazzling architecture and vivid street life. It’s a popular summer destination with British and European travellers, either for a weekend city break, or as part of a longer stay in Sicily. By day, you can wander the city’s historic heart, from the galleried Palazzo dei Normanni with its gilded Palatine Chapel filled with ornate mosaics and delicate religious paintings, to the Quattro Canti crossroads and the ancient La Martorana church at Piazza Bellini.
Don’t miss the chance to experience some of Palermo’s excellent street food, or the bustling, boisterous Capo or Vucciria markets where locals go to shop for fresh produce in the mornings. On Sundays you can hunt for vintage jewellery, ceramics and other retro treasures at the flea market at Piazza Marina. In the evening, relax with a bottle of Sicilian wine, dine al fresco on freshly caught fish and seafood, or catch an opera or ballet at the city’s glorious art nouveau Teatro Massimo.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
British passport holders don’t need a visa to travel to any country in the EU – you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. You just need to make sure that your passport has at least six months validity left, on the day you travel. The local currency is the euro and you may like to exchange some in advance if you plan to take public transport from the airport to your accommodation when you arrive. Bear in mind that you may need to bring appropriate clothing, such as a long-sleeved top and a scarf to cover your head, when visiting religious or sacred sites.
