What People Say About Living in Palermo

If you’ve ever visited Sicily, chances are you spent at least a few days in Palermo. The city draws thousands of visitors each year, not only for its incredible food but also for its rich history, visible on every street corner.

For those considering a move, Palermo offers an appealing mix: big-city energy combined with easy access to beaches and countless points of interest. However, as we’ll explore later, living here does come with its challenges.

So what’s living in Palermo really like? To answer that question, we’ve combined our own data with insights from long-term residents.

Life in Palermo: What People Say

Palermo attracts all kinds of expats – retirees looking for sunshine, young couples seeking adventure, and digital nomads chasing that perfect work-life balance. The city’s got reliable internet and a growing number of coworking spaces, so remote work is definitely doable:

“It’s very different from the rest of Italy in every way. Living here is pretty relaxing, accommodation is cheap, and there’s beautiful nature all around. Job opportunities are limited, so it’s ideal if you’re retired, have a passive income, or work remotely—the internet connection is really good and there are coworking spaces nearby.”

For those with flexible work arrangements or retirees, Palermo offers an attractive lifestyle at a fraction of the cost of northern Italian cities. The weather is consistently mentioned as one of Palermo’s biggest advantages, with mild winters and long summers that extend well into autumn:

“If you’re a bit of a perfectionist, you might struggle with certain things at times… But they compensate with the warm hospitality, incredible quality-to-price ratio for food, the art, and especially the weather. In October it still feels like summer—and honestly, those shoulder months are the best: less crowded, and still hot enough for the beach.”

Transport and Connectivity in Palermo

If you live in the city center, Palermo is absolutely walkable – in fact, the historic core has many pedestrian-only streets, making it easy to navigate daily life without a car. However, if you want to explore Sicily’s coastline and interior, having a car becomes essential, as the island’s infrastructure and connectivity can be challenging for those relying solely on public transportation.

In terms of flights, the city is served by Falcone-Borsellino Airport, which is located just 18 minutes from the city center and has convenient connections throughout Italy and Europe:

“I find it pretty convenient for flights as well. There are many direct flights to both Europe and Italy if you need to catch another international flight and need to make a stop.”

If you don’t want to use a car, there are a few train stations that are sufficiently connected (though they definitely need improvements): you can reach places like Cefalù in just 50 minutes, Agrigento in 2 hours, and Messina in 3 hours.

But the advantage of living here is that the city has pretty much everything in terms of services and things to do – especially the beaches, all super close to the center. From the popular Mondello beach right in the city to charming coastal towns further afield, weekend beach trips are effortless.

Where to Live in Palermo: Housing & Cost of Living

One of the biggest advantages of living in Palermo is affordability. In fact, compared to northern Italian cities or other Mediterranean capitals, both rent and purchase prices remain reasonable:

Data elaborated from Immobiliare.it

If you’re looking for a quieter, more refined atmosphere, the neighborhoods around Politeama, Libertà, and Notarbartolo are really lovely. These are the modern, elegant districts built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries – you’ll find beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, nice shops, excellent restaurants, and generally these are areas where you feel more secure. But keep in mind these are among the pricier neighborhoods in the city.

For those who prefer being where everything’s happening, the historic center (Kalsa, Albergheria, Vucciria, Ballarò) is the obvious choice. This is the ancient heart of Palermo, with its medieval and Arab influences – you’re close to the monuments, the markets, all the cultural life of the city, and it’s generally more affordable than the northern neighborhoods.

“If you’re deciding where to live in Sicily, and you still want to be in a big city, but full of culture and events, Palermo is a great choice. There are often various events all over the city, two beautiful theatres and many clubs (from the classic ones to jazz/blues ones).”

If the sea is a priority, there’s Mondello with its beautiful beach and crystal-clear water. It’s calmer than the center, though prices are a bit higher and keep in mind that without a car you’ll depend on buses to get around.

Challenges of Living in Palermo

According to our data, healthcare in Palermo performs at average levels compared to national standards, though hospital care for orthopedic issues and certain cardiac conditions could be better. If healthcare quality is a major factor in your decision, it’s worth noting that the system functions but doesn’t match the standards of northern Italian cities.

On the other hand, one thing that comes up consistently from residents is the poor street maintenance, especially the garbage situation. Trash collection isn’t reliable across neighborhoods, and it’s pretty noticeable when you’re out and about:

“The biggest downside for me is the garbage. All areas are generally well equipped with essential services… you’ll find everything you need, from pharmacies to post offices and supermarkets. But the trash situation is something you notice.”

Beyond that, as with any big city, expect chaotic traffic. And while Palermo attracts plenty of young people working remotely, it’s not the place to be if you’re looking for a thriving local job market. The language barrier can also be significant – English isn’t widely spoken, which can affect your daily experience if you don’t speak Italian. That said, don’t let this discourage you; there’s a solid expat community here that can help ease the transition.

Finally, there’s the climate to consider. Summer heat can be intense, with temperatures regularly pushing past 30°C, making outdoor activities uncomfortable during peak hours. The upside? The beaches are close by, and most people feel the extended swimming season more than makes up for it.

Palermo by the Numbers: Key Data

• Quality of Life: Good (75/100) – taking into account air quality, amenities, walkability, population, and environmental risks
• Air Quality: Good (86/100)
• Safety: Moderate seismic activity
• Healthcare: V. Cervello (6 min.)
• Internet Speed: Good (average of 256 Mbps)
• Rent: ~€600 – €790 (70 m²)
• Transport: Adequate in center, car recommended for exploring
  • Airport: Falcone-Borsellino Airport, Palermo (18 min.), Birgi, Trapani (48 min.), Catania Fontanarossa, Catania (96 min.)
  • Train Stations: Stazione di Palermo Notarbartolo (6 min.), Stazione di Palermo San Lorenzo (8 min.), Stazione di Palermo Libertà (8 min.)
• Climate: Mediterranean – very hot summers (30°C max), mild winters (8.8°C min)

For more detailed information about Palermo and its services and infrastructure, visit the Magic Towns city profile.

Is Palermo Right for You?

✅ Choose Palermo if:

• You want to live in a big and affordable city, near the sea
• You have remote income or are retired and don’t need local employment
• You love Mediterranean climate and don’t mind intense summer heat
• You want easy access to stunning beaches (Mondello, Cefalù, and more)
• You appreciate a vibrant cultural scene with theaters, clubs, and events

❌ Think twice if:

• You need reliable job opportunities – the local market is very limited
• You require consistently high-quality healthcare services (more info here)
• You don’t speak Italian – English proficiency is low
• You prefer highly efficient public services and infrastructure
• You need a car-free lifestyle beyond the city center
• You’re looking for a perfectly organized city and are bothered by issues like garbage and traffic

Final Thoughts

In short, Palermo works best for people who prioritize lifestyle, culture, and affordability over career opportunities and perfect infrastructure. It’s ideal for retirees, remote workers, students, or anyone with passive income who can appreciate the city‘s extraordinary food, warm climate, and authentic Sicilian character without depending on the local job market.

The city won’t offer the efficiency of northern Italy, but it provides something increasingly rare: an authentic Mediterranean lifestyle at accessible prices, where you can rent an apartment for €600-700, eat incredible street food for a few euros, and live just minutes from several beaches.

Just be prepared for the realities: you’ll need at least basic Italian to integrate properly, traffic and waste management can be frustrating, and the healthcare’s system could improve. But for many residents, the challenges are a small price to pay for the lifestyle Palermo provides.

Want to explore more options?

If Palermo hasn’t fully convinced you and you’d like to explore other options, use our search tools to explore over 1,500 towns and cities in Italy. You can filter by cost of living, transport, healthcare, and other lifestyle factors—making it easy to find the perfect place for you. Discover our article on the 7% tax town benefit, and sign up for our newsletter to get our guide to every town covered by this incentive.