Free walking tours in Monreale and what to see

Must-sees

Monreale looks out from the slopes of Monte Caputo over the Conca d'Oro plain, about eight kilometres from Palermo. Everything revolves around its cathedral, built in the 12th century by the Norman king William II and part of Arab-Norman Palermo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Outside, the apses stand out, decorated with interlaced arches and two-coloured stone; inside, gold-ground mosaics cover the walls with scenes from the Bible, and the great Christ Pantocrator fills the apse.

Next to the cathedral is the cloister of the former Benedictine monastery, surrounded by paired columns with carved capitals, many inlaid with mosaic. It is worth climbing to the cathedral terraces for a close look at the roof and the view over Palermo and the sea. Afterwards, wander the streets that run down from the cathedral square and look out from the Belvedere viewpoint, with its gardens.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free tours in Monreale. What you will find is a guided visit of the cathedral, useful for reading the mosaics and understanding the Norman history of Sicily, and half-day trips from Palermo that usually combine Monreale with the centre of the capital or with Cefalù. If you go on your own, you can see the cathedral, cloister and terraces without a guide.

How long to spend

Half a day is enough for the cathedral, the cloister, the terraces and a stroll around the centre. The most practical approach is to come in the morning from Palermo by bus or car and go back for lunch or spend the afternoon there. If you like walking, you can add the climb up Monte Caputo, where the remains of a medieval castle look out over the whole plain.

Where to stay

Monreale has guesthouses and small hotels in the historic centre, near the cathedral, and rural places to stay on the surrounding slopes. It is a good option if you want somewhere quieter than Palermo and don't mind relying on the bus or a car to get down to the city. If you want to get around the capital a lot, it is better to stay in Palermo and visit Monreale as a day trip.