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Monreale and Palermo
Palermo Shore Excursion - Highlights of Monreale and Palermo
 



This 4 Hour Private Shore Excursion Includes:
  • Pick up from your Hotel or the Port in Palermo
  • Private Licensed English Speaking Guide
  • Round Trip Transportation in Private Vehicle
  • Included Interior Visits- Cathedral of Monreale
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Tour Number:
IPALE-01

Contact us for larger groups



Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $456 Per Person (Private Tour)
3 People - $360 Per Person (Private Tour)
4 People - $270 Per Person (Private Tour)
5 People - $216 Per Person (Private Tour)
6 People - $216 Per Person (Private Tour)
7 People - $184 Per Person (Private Tour)
8 People - $183 Per Person (Private Tour)



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TOUR DESCRIPTION
 
Palermo Shore Excursion - This private shore tour is an excellent option for those who only have a half day available in Palermo. You visit the impressive Norman Cathedral of Monreale and then enjoy a tour to see the highlights of Palermo.

After meeting your licensed guide you immediately depart for Monreale which sits on a hill over looking the sea. In Monreale's beautiful old town you find the world famous Norman Cathedral, which is a major attraction in Sicily. Construction of this magnificent masterpiece of Norman art kicked off under William II in 1174 and was finished a few years later. It is said that the Norman building was commissioned to undermined the power of the Archdiocese of Palermo.

On the outside, you can admire the beautiful doors, the elegant 16th century portico by Gagini and the richly decorated apse, covered in intertwined arches and polychrome lava and limestone inlays. On the inside, you will see its amazing set of mosaics on a golden background. The mosaics, climaxing in the large Christ Pantokrator image, were created between the 12th and 13th century and represent stories from the Old and New Testament. It is the largest complete cycle of the Byzantine tradition. The 11th century Benedictine cloister is also amazing. Inside you will marvel at the oriental fountain, surrounded by a four-sided colonnade.

After visiting Monreale you drive to Palermo where you enjoy a walking tour of the old town. Palermo reflects the diverse history of the region in that the city contains many masterpieces from different periods, including Romanesque, Gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture as well as examples of modern art. Perfect examples are the Norman Palace which is home to the Sicilian parliament and the Palatine Chapel from 1132, which is covered with glittering mosaics.

The city also hosts a rich vegetation of palm trees, prickly pears, bananas, lemon trees and so on. The abundance of exotic species was also noticed by the world famous German writer Goethe who in April 1787 visited the newly opened botanical gardens, describing them as "the most beautiful place on earth". A favorite for many visitors is the Vucciria, which is a maze of small streets where vendors sell fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.

At the end of your excursion you will return to the port.

Mobility: Folding wheelchair OK, some sites may be inaccessible (advance notice required)
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Sicily -Palermo tours and Sicily -Palermo Shore Excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Sicily -Palermo tour using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Drive to Monreale- 30 Minutes
  • Visit Monreale Cathedral - 1.5 Hours
  • Drive to Palermo - 30 Minutes
  • Palermo tour - 1.5 Hours

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 7 Write a review »

  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Palermo (Sicily) January 26, 2024
Reviewer: Clyde Y from Edmonds, WA - December 2014  
We had a great time on our cruise and your tours. Every tour guide was on time and clean comfortable buses. We are amazed at the knowledge of some of the guides particularly the ones in Rome and Barcelona, smart knowledgeable guides. If I need a tour on any cruise I will be calling you again.

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  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Palermo (Sicily) July 11, 2023
Reviewer: Lisa C from Fountain Hills AZ  
Thank you very much for contacting us. Our tours were wonderful from start to finish. In Sicily, we had Angela and she was superb. In Athens, our guide was ill and we had a replacement named Georgia. She was one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met. She was definitely better with the older people in our group. We ranged from 7-77 so it was a hard group to talk to. Everything was timely, and we would definitely use your company again. Thanks.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Palermo (Sicily) June 1, 2023
Reviewer: Brian D from Middleboro MA  
Just a quick note of thanks. We had Gertrude as a tour guide on Sicily. She was very knowledgeable, and very accommodating, with all of us. We will recommend your company to anyone and everyone wanting to see the Sicily.

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  4 of 4 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Palermo (Sicily) June 1, 2023
Reviewer: Gisela C from Miami FL  
Just got back from our trip and wanted to write you a few quick words to explain our experience with the tours you coordinated Excellent The guides (and drivers) were on time, accommodating and knowledgeable. In Malta, Josefine was superb. She knew her culture and spoke clearly and with great English. We really enjoyed the Blue Grotto. In Sicily, our guide had so much information about her culture and was multilingual making it easy for our elderly who only spoke Spanish. In Rome, Danilo was fun, honest and flexible to our requests he was available at all times and kept us on time to return back to the ship. Loved it! In Genoa, Fluvio and in Marseille, Natalie were also available to answer our questions and directing us to places of interest. I know the rest of the group share my thoughts and you might here from some of them as well. After many emails of planning with you and Steve, I would like to thank you both for making our trip a success. I would recommend Private Shore Trips to anyone traveling in the near future.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location: Palermo (Sicily) June 22, 2022
Reviewer: John Z from Barrington, IL  
The tour was great. Your driver was very pleasant and knowledgeable and we enjoyed his tour. See you next time.

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