Trains to Palermo

The capital of Sicily is Italy’s fifth largest city. It runs Rome a close second when it comes to noise, pollution, world-class museums and historical sights. Palermo is bold and brash, but enormous fun. It deserves inclusion on any Sicilian itinerary – even if you’re not a fan of The Godfather. Arab and Norman influences make this Italy with a twist. The city’s architecture is as eclectic as its history. Dive into the Old Town and discover crumbling palazzi. Yet beneath the grime and scaffolding, there is a distinctive Palermo style and a Sicilian way of life. Most visitors who make time for Palermo are quickly hooked, returning time and again to the city.

Palermo was very much in the spotlight in 2018, with the city enjoying a year as Italy's designated capital of culture. This gave a chance for Palermo to showcase its status as a leading force in Italian art, architecture, performance and culture.

Palermo Centrale is the city’s main railway station. It lies just south of the centre. It has direct trains from Rome, Naples, Genoa and Milan. All these services are shipped on a ferry over the Strait of Messina from the Italian mainland to Sicily. Palermo is also the hub of a good network of regional and local rail routes to other cities in Sicily. These include direct trains to Agrigento, Trapani and Catania.

Palermo is, of course, above all a maritime city. It offers an excellent choice of ferries with regular departures to Sardinia, North Africa and the Italian mainland ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Salerno.