Official Information
Official site: https://www.federicosecondo.org/
Official tickets: Online ticket office (Fondazione Federico II)
Address: Piazza del Parlamento 1, 90134 Palermo, Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
Complex usually open daily, with main monumental areas accessible roughly 08:30–16:30 (last entry) Monday–Saturday, and shorter hours on Sundays and holidays. Some rooms may close for parliamentary sessions or restoration, so always check the latest updates on the official website before your visit.
Palermo’s Palazzo dei Normanni, or Royal Palace, is one of Europe’s oldest royal residences and today houses Sicily’s regional parliament. Its star attraction is the 12th-century Cappella Palatina, renowned for breathtaking golden mosaics that are among the Mediterranean’s most dazzling. The palace embodies a unique fusion of styles: Arab fortifications, Norman towers, and Renaissance courtyards all intertwined over centuries of royal and political rule. A standard visit takes you through security, then along well-marked routes through serene courtyards, the Royal Apartments, and various exhibition halls, each filled with frescoes, coffered ceilings, and royal memorabilia reflecting the tastes of Norman, Spanish, and Bourbon rulers. The undisputed highlight is the Cappella Palatina, with its intricate muqarnas wooden ceiling, kaleidoscopic mosaics, marble inlays, and striking Arabic inscriptions that display the Arab-Norman artistic synthesis. Because the palace is still an active seat of government, certain spaces may occasionally be inaccessible due to parliamentary sessions or ceremonies, so it’s wise to check ahead and reserve tickets in advance when possible. Plan for 1.5–2 hours for a complete visit, and if possible, go early to experience the chapel before peak crowds. After exploring, consider continuing to Palermo’s other Arab-Norman sites nearby, including the cathedral and San Giovanni degli Eremiti.