Palermo · Royal Palace and Cathedral
Royal Palace and Palatine Chapel
The seat of the Sicilian Parliament and the former royal residence of the Norman kings, with the Palatine Chapel, the Royal Apartments and the gardens. The chapel is the part most visitors come for.
- 3 h
- €14.50
- Booking advised
- Royal Palace and Cathedral
Data checked on November 2, 2026
The palace stands on the western edge of the old city and was the centre of power under the Norman kings in the 12th century. The Palatine Chapel, inside the building, has walls and domes covered in Byzantine-style gold mosaics, and a carved wooden ceiling. On Thursdays to Mondays the ticket also covers the Royal Apartments and the gardens. A visit usually starts with the chapel and then continues through the rooms that are open that day.
What to look for
- Gold mosaics in the Palatine Chapel
- Carved wooden ceiling of the chapel
- Royal Apartments (Thursday to Monday)
- Royal Gardens
Opening hours
| Monday | 8:30 am–4:30 pm | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:30 am–4:30 pm | |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am–4:30 pm | |
| Thursday | 8:30 am–4:30 pm | |
| Friday | 8:30 am–4:30 pm | |
| Saturday | 8:30 am–4:30 pm | |
| Sunday | 8:30 am–12:30 pm |
The palace opens at 08:30 every day and lists 16:30 (Monday to Saturday) and 12:30 (Sunday) as the last admission. The Palatine Chapel is closed to visitors every Sunday from 09:30 to 11:00. The palace is closed on 25 December and 1 January, and it may close in whole or in part without notice for institutional or religious reasons.
Source: Fondazione Federico II (Palazzo dei Normanni), checked November 2, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket €14.50. The full ticket is 14.50 euros from Thursday to Monday and on public holidays, and includes the chapel, the Royal Apartments and the gardens. On Tuesday and Wednesday it is 10 euros for the chapel and the gardens. An audio and video guide costs 5 euros.
Tickets are sold online and at the ticket office. Online sales stay open until 20 minutes before the last admission of the day. Restoration work in the chapel can change opening times, so check the Foundation page the day before.
Getting there
Tip
Go as soon as it opens and leave the afternoon for the lanes. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays the Royal Apartments are not included and the ticket is cheaper.