Day trip from Palermo
Monreale
The golden cathedral above Palermo
On the hill overlooking the Conca d'Oro, Monreale guards one of the world's Norman masterpieces: a cathedral covered in over 6,000 m² of golden Byzantine mosaics, UNESCO-listed together with Palermo's Arab-Norman itinerary.
What to see
The cathedral mosaics
The Christ Pantocrator in the apse and Bible stories on a gold background: among the largest Byzantine cycles in existence.
The Benedictine cloister
228 twin columns, each with a differently carved capital: a masterpiece worth the trip on its own.
The cathedral terraces
Climb onto the roof among towers and majolica tiles, with views over the Conca d'Oro down to the sea.
The belvedere and the old town
Alleys, ceramic workshops and the view over Palermo from above.
How to get there
Bus 389
From Piazza Indipendenza (Palazzo dei Normanni), about 30 minutes to the centre of Monreale.
Car or taxi
About 20-25 minutes from the centre; paid parking near the cathedral.
How much time to allow
Half a day: cathedral, cloister and terraces at a relaxed pace. Perfect combined with the Palazzo dei Normanni, where the bus leaves.
A tip from your hosts
“Arrive at opening time to see the mosaics in the best light, before the groups. The combined ticket for cathedral, cloister and terraces is the best value.”
— Luciano, Valerio e Alfio
