If your ( Disney ) Cruise docks in Palermo, — I have an excursion you’ll want to check out!
We were so excited for this excursion. We had booked a one-of-a-kind experience: touring Palermo in a CruiserCar, a 9-seater open-air cabriolet that felt like the perfect mix of luxury and adventure.
Unfortunately, just before our tour, management reached out to let us know that the CruiserCar had a mechanical issue and wouldn’t be available. We were pretty disappointed. Instead, they sent a Mercedes van—comfortable, sure, but definitely not the same “wow” factor we were hoping for. That said, we still got to see everything we had planned: Palermo’s top landmarks, local gems, and scenic overlooks were all part of the itinerary. While the transportation change was a letdown, the day itself was still full of culture, history, and amazing views—and we made the most of every moment.
If you’ve never cruised with Disney before, you can read why we love it so much HERE and HERE.
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What Makes This Palermo Tour So Unique?
Rather than being packed onto a tour bus with dozens of other cruise passengers, we opted for a third-party excursion that gave us more space, more access, and way more personality. CruiserCar Palermo offers an exclusive sightseeing experience that goes far beyond the standard list of attractions.
Our tour was led by a local guide (called a Cicerone), who navigated the bustling streets and winding mountain roads while sharing stories of Palermo’s rich culture, history, and hidden gems.
What We Saw on Our Palermo Sightseeing Tour
This 6-hour itinerary was perfectly balanced—enough major landmarks to satisfy the bucket list, but also quiet moments and surprises that made it feel personal:
Porta Nuova – Our journey began at this 16th-century gateway to the city.
Royal Palace & Palatine Chapel – We passed this iconic Arab-Norman-Byzantine structure, taking in its majestic exterior.
Monte Pellegrino & Santa Rosalia Sanctuary – Offering breathtaking views of Palermo from above and a peaceful visit to the city’s spiritual protector.
Optional Add-ons: The Capuchin Catacombs (I would skip this) and the mosaics of Monreale Cathedral.
Quattro Canti & Piazza Pretoria – The heart of Palermo city tour charm, full of fountains and Baroque facades.
Palermo Cathedral – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and architectural blend of Norman, Gothic, and Baroque styles.
Mondello Beach – White sand and turquoise water made for a dreamy Sicilian end to the day.
- Lunch – We ended the tour with a late lunch at Trattoria da Enzo. Not only was the food fabulous, but the views were spectacular! The prices were reasonable and Enzo himself waited on us enhancing the experience. Since we were on the coast, I ordered a Seafood Paccheri and it was probably my favorite pasta dish of the trip!
Why We Chose a Third-Party Tour Over the Cruise Line’s
For our family, flexibility and comfort come first. Booking through CruiserCar offered major advantages:
Small group, personalized pace
Pick-up and drop-off from the cruise port
Local guide with in-depth knowledge and storytelling
More stops, better photo ops, and time to explore
- No waiting for other parties. (the one we did do through Disney, it was a lot of standing around waiting for people taking pictures, going into shops, etc. – which was super frustrating!)
And of course, the one-of-a-kind CruiserCar itself
This unique Palermo tour for cruise passengers gave us the chance to experience Sicily with ease, elegance, and energy. It felt like we were VIP guests on a local adventure—not part of a tour herd.
If you’re looking for the best Palermo sightseeing tour and something far beyond the standard cruise excursion, go check out CruiserCar Palermo.
🚗 Ready to ride like royalty? Book your CruiserCar Tour here »
For my must have packing guides, head HERE. For the Ultimate Cruise Packing Guide, here HERE.
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xx,
Kim
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