Info
SHOW BOOKINGS
We are delighted to inform you that all events scheduled at both the Teatro Politeama and the Teatro Santa Cecilia are completely free of charge.
However, to ensure the venue is managed effectively and for everyone’s safety, booking is compulsory.
You can book your seat conveniently online by clicking on this link:
Seats are limited, so we advise you to book as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss out on these extraordinary events!
Useful information
GETTING THERE
Here are the main options:
By Plane (The fastest option)
Falcone-Borsellino International Airport (Punta Raisi) is situated about 35 km west of the city and is served by direct flights from major Italian and European cities (operated by both scheduled and low-cost airlines).
Once you’ve landed, you can reach the centre of Palermo by:
• Train (Trinacria Express): Departs directly from the airport and takes you to the Central Station in around 50–60 minutes (cost around €5.90). (www.trenitalia.com)
• Shuttle bus (Prestia and Comandè): There are services every 30 minutes to the city centre (Politeama and Central Station stops) taking around 50 minutes (cost: €6.00 one way, €10.00 return). (www.prestiaecomande.it)
• Taxi or shared taxi: Fixed fares to the city centre or options to share a taxi with other passengers.
By Ferry (Ideal if you’re travelling with a car)
The Port of Palermo is located practically right in the city centre and is one of the Mediterranean’s main ports. It’s the perfect option if you want to take your car, motorbike or campervan with you.
There are regular and frequent services from various Italian cities:
• From Naples: The busiest route (around 9–11 hours’ sailing, usually overnight), operated by GNV and Tirrenia.
• From Genoa and Livorno: Excellent for those travelling from northern or central Italy (the crossing takes around 20 hours), operated by GNV and Grimaldi Lines.
• From Civitavecchia and Salerno: Other convenient options from central and southern Italy (between 10 and 14 hours).
• From Cagliari and Tunis: For connections between the islands or international routes.
By Car (Maximum freedom)
If you decide to drive to Palermo from the mainland, you’ll need to take the A2 motorway (Salerno–Reggio Calabria) as far as Villa San Giovanni, and then board the ferries (Caronte & Tourist) that cross the Strait of Messina (a crossing of around 20–30 minutes).
Once you’ve disembarked in Messina, you have two options for reaching Palermo:
1. A20 motorway (Messina–Palermo): This runs along the beautiful Tyrrhenian coast (around 2½ hours; a toll motorway).
2. A19 motorway (via Catania): Runs further inland, useful if you want to make various stops along the way.
Note on the city centre: Remember that Palermo has a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) in the historic centre. If you’re arriving by car, check the access rules or buy a day pass.
By Train or Bus
• By Train: There are direct trains (such as the Intercity Notte) from Rome or Milan. A fascinating feature: at Villa San Giovanni, the entire train is literally dismantled and loaded onto a ferry to cross the Strait, before being reassembled in Sicily. Journey times are long (around 11–12 hours from Rome). (www.trenitalia.com)
• By Bus: Several long-distance coach operators (such as Flixbus or Itabus) connect major Italian cities and other Sicilian towns with the terminals near Palermo Central Station.
HOW TO GET AROUND PALERMO
Getting around the Historic Centre
The historic centre (the area between Via Maqueda, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the four districts) is best explored on foot. It is almost entirely pedestrianised, flat and full of narrow streets that can only be fully appreciated by walking through them.
If you want to rest your legs without straying too far from the centre, the best option is:
• AMAT Free Shuttle (Free Centro Storico): This is a fleet of eco-friendly buses with orange livery. It runs continuously within the historic centre, stopping at the main monuments, and is 100% free (no ticket required). www.amat.pa.it
Getting around Palermo (Outside the City Centre)
If you need to get to the new part of the city (Via Libertà, Politeama, Notarbartolo) or to attractions a little further afield, you can use public transport.
1. Buses (AMAT)
The bus network covers the whole city, although Palermo’s traffic can sometimes make journeys unpredictable. www.amat.pa.it
• Main routes: Routes 101, 102 and 104 are the most efficient and frequent. They run through the city from north to south, connecting the Central Station with the stadium area, via Via Roma and Via Libertà.
• Tickets: A single ticket costs €1.40 and is valid for 90 minutes. Buy it in advance from tobacconists, newsagents or via the official PalermoMobilita app.
2. The Tram
Palermo has a modern and fast tram network, but at the moment it is mainly useful for residents or for specific cultural destinations, as it does not pass through the heart of the historic centre. www.amat.pa.it
• Line 1 is the most popular with visitors: it runs from the Central Station to the Forum shopping centre, which is convenient if you need to travel to the south-eastern suburbs.
3. The Railway Link (Metro)
It isn’t a proper underground metro system, but an urban railway line operated by Trenitalia. It’s extremely useful for getting around quickly and avoiding traffic:
• It connects the Central Station with key stations such as Palermo Lolli (Politeama area) and Palermo Notarbartolo (residential/northern area), all the way to the airport. It’s punctual and clean. (www.trenitalia.com)
Sharing: Scooters and Bicycles
If you like your independence, Palermo has an excellent free-floating sharing scheme (you can unlock them and leave them wherever you like, provided you stick to the designated parking areas). Companies such as Bird, Lime and Link operate hundreds of electric scooters and bikes.
HOW TO GET TO THE JAPAN WEEK VENUES
1. Politeama Garibaldi Theatre (Piazza Ruggero Settimo)
It is the heart of ‘Palermo Nuova’ and very easy to reach from anywhere.
• On foot: If you’re at the Teatro Massimo, simply walk straight up Via Maqueda (which then becomes Via Ruggero Settimo) for about 10 minutes. From the Central Station, it’s about a 25-minute walk along Via Roma.
By bus: It is one of the city’s main transport hubs. From the Central Station, you can take bus routes 101, 102 or 104 and get off at the Politeama or Piazza Croci stop. The journey takes about 10–15 minutes. www.amat.pa.it
2. Real Teatro Santa Cecilia (Piazza Santa Cecilia)
This splendid historic theatre (now home to The Brass Group Foundation) is situated right in the historic centre, in the heart of the Kalsa district.
• On foot (recommended): It is just a short walk from Via Roma and the famous Piazza Rivoluzione.
o From the Central Station: It’s just a 10-minute walk up Via Roma, turning right at Via Divisi.
o From Quattro Canti: Walk down Via Vittorio Emanuele, turn right onto Via Roma and then left onto Via Cagliari (about 8 minutes).
By bus: Any route that runs along Via Roma (e.g. 101 or 102) will do. Get off at the Roma – Lattarini stop and walk for 3 minutes through the narrow streets. www.amat.pa.it
• Local shuttle bus: You can also use the free ‘Free Centro Storico’ shuttle bus, getting off near Piazza Rivoluzione.
3. ZAC (Zisa Zona Arti Contemporanee) / Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa (Via Paolo Gili, 4)
The ZAC is situated within the Cantieri Culturali, a large former industrial site (the historic Officine Ducrot) that has been converted into a cultural hub. It lies just outside the boundaries of the historic centre, behind the Castello della Zisa.
• By bus (the most convenient option):
• From the Politeama or Via Libertà, take bus number 106 and get off at the Piazza Principe di Camporeale stop, then walk for about 5 minutes. From the Central Station, take bus number 124 and get off at the Via Michele Piazza stop, from where it’s about a 3–5-minute walk to the entrance.
• On foot (a walk of about 20–25 minutes from the city centre):
o Starting from the Teatro Massimo, walk the whole length of Via Volturno (passing the Mercato del Capo), continue straight on along Via Guglielmo il Buono and follow the signs for the Castello della Zisa and the Cantieri Culturali.
• By car/shared transport: If you’re using shared scooters or bikes, there’s a convenient cycle path that runs from Via Dante up towards the Zisa area. If you’re arriving by car, the area is outside the ZTL (restricted traffic zone), but finding a parking space around Via Paolo Gili may require a bit of patience.
• By taxi: This is a very convenient option as the Cantieri are located outside the restricted traffic zone (ZTL) and have ample parking space. A taxi can take you from anywhere in the city centre to Via Paolo Gili (or Via Giuseppe Gili). From the Politeama area or the Teatro Massimo, the journey takes about 10 minutes.
CONTACT DETAILS
Palermo City Council – Tourism Office
Via Sant’Anna, 19 90133 Palermo
Telephone +39 0917408873 – + 39 0917408877
