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Palermo - Things to Do in Palermo in November

Things to Do in Palermo in November

November weather, activities, events & insider tips

November Weather in Palermo

66°F (19°C) High Temp
55°F (13°C) Low Temp
4.6 inches (117 mm) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is November Right for You?

Advantages

  • Fewer tourists than summer months - major sites like the Palatine Chapel and Teatro Massimo are actually enjoyable without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. You'll spend 15-20 minutes less waiting at popular spots compared to peak season.
  • Ideal temperatures for walking the city - 55-66°F (13-19°C) means you can comfortably explore Palermo's street markets and baroque churches for 4-5 hours without overheating. The warmth feels pleasant rather than oppressive, perfect for climbing Monte Pellegrino's 600 m (1,968 ft) trails.
  • November citrus season brings incredible local produce - blood oranges, mandarins, and lemons are at their peak. You'll see them piled high at Ballarò and Vucciria markets, and restaurants feature them heavily in both savory dishes and desserts.
  • Significantly lower accommodation prices - hotels drop rates by 30-40% compared to summer. A decent three-star room that costs €150 in August runs €90-100 in November, and you'll have better negotiating power for longer stays.

Considerations

  • Rain disrupts plans about one-third of the month - those 10 rainy days aren't spread evenly, and when storms hit, they can last several hours rather than quick showers. The 70% humidity means things feel damp even on dry days, and clothes take forever to dry in hotel rooms.
  • Some coastal activities become unreliable - boat trips to Mondello or Cefalù get cancelled in rough weather, and beach clubs start closing for the season. Sea temperatures drop to around 64°F (18°C), which is swimmable but not exactly inviting for long periods.
  • Shorter daylight hours limit your schedule - sunset around 5pm means you'll lose 2-3 hours of sightseeing time compared to summer. This particularly affects photography and outdoor dining, though Palermo's evening culture actually thrives regardless.

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Best Activities in November

Historic Center Walking Tours

November's cooler temperatures make this the ideal time to explore Palermo's dense historic quarter on foot. The 55-66°F (13-19°C) range means you can comfortably walk 8-10 km (5-6 miles) daily through the Quattro Canti, Kalsa district, and Norman Palace without the summer heat exhaustion. The occasional rain actually adds atmosphere to the baroque architecture, and indoor sites like churches provide perfect shelter during downpours. With fewer cruise ship groups, you'll actually hear your guide and have space to appreciate the Byzantine mosaics.

Booking Tip: Self-guided works fine with a good map, but local historians offer 3-4 hour walking tours typically ranging €25-40 per person for small groups. Book 5-7 days ahead for English-language options. See current tour options in the booking section below for November availability.

Street Market Food Experiences

Palermo's three main markets - Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo - are at their most authentic in November when they're serving locals rather than tourists. The citrus harvest means you'll find blood oranges, mandarins, and bizarre-looking but delicious cedro at peak freshness. Cooler weather means the seafood vendors' displays stay fresher longer, and you won't be fighting heat and crowds while sampling panelle, arancine, and sfincione. Morning visits from 9am-12pm offer the best selection before vendors start packing up around 2pm.

Booking Tip: Food-focused market tours typically cost €45-70 and include 6-8 tastings over 2.5-3 hours. The guides know which stalls have the freshest product that morning and can translate dialect that even Italian speakers struggle with. Book through licensed operators - see current options in booking section below.

Monreale Cathedral and Mountain Villages

The 8 km (5 mile) trip up to Monreale is significantly more pleasant in November's mild weather - the cathedral's interior stays comfortably cool rather than stifling, and you can actually spend time studying the 6,000 square meters (64,583 square feet) of golden mosaics without sweating. The surrounding Conca d'Oro valley shows off autumn colors, and continuing to villages like Piana degli Albanesi means crisp mountain air at 700 m (2,297 ft) elevation. Clear November days offer stunning views back to Palermo and the coast.

Booking Tip: Public bus 389 runs frequently for €1.40, but half-day tours including Monreale and mountain villages typically cost €50-75 and handle the winding roads for you. Most include lunch in an Albanian-heritage village. See booking section below for current tour options with November schedules.

Cooking Classes and Wine Tastings

November's rainy days make this the perfect time for indoor culinary experiences, and you'll be working with seasonal ingredients at their peak - fresh ricotta, wild mushrooms, late-harvest tomatoes, and those incredible citrus fruits. Classes typically run 3-4 hours and teach you to make pasta con le sarde, caponata, or cassata siciliana. Wine tastings feature the new vintage releases, and the 70% humidity actually helps you appreciate the wines' aromatics better than dry summer air.

Booking Tip: Expect to pay €70-120 for hands-on cooking classes including lunch or dinner with wine. Smaller groups of 6-8 people offer better instruction than the large tourist operations. Book 10-14 days ahead for English-language sessions. Check booking section below for current availability and pricing.

Cappella Palatina and Norman Palace Complex

The reduced November crowds mean you can actually spend quality time in the Palatine Chapel without being rushed through by tour groups. The indoor setting makes this ideal for rainy days, and the lower humidity helps preserve the 12th-century mosaics you're viewing. Book the first entry slot at 8:15am and you might have the chapel nearly to yourself for 20-30 minutes. The Royal Apartments and Sala dei Venti provide another hour of exploration, and the complex stays comfortably temperate year-round.

Booking Tip: Advance tickets cost €12 and are essential even in November - book 3-5 days ahead online. Audio guides add €5 and are worth it for the historical context. Skip-the-line tours run €35-50 including other Norman sites. See booking section below for combined palace and cathedral tours.

Day Trips to Cefalù or Segesta

November's mild weather makes the 70 km (43 mile) coastal drive to Cefalù particularly scenic, with dramatic clouds over the Tyrrhenian Sea and fewer beach crowds clogging the medieval town. Alternatively, Segesta's hilltop Greek temple at 400 m (1,312 ft) elevation is far more comfortable to explore in 60°F (16°C) temperatures than summer's brutal heat. The ancient theater offers sweeping valley views that are clearest in autumn air. Both trips work as full-day excursions, roughly 8-9 hours including travel time.

Booking Tip: Organized day trips typically run €55-85 including transport and guide, departing around 8:30am. Train to Cefalù costs €6-8 each way and takes 50 minutes if you prefer independent travel. Check weather forecasts - coastal trips get cancelled in heavy rain. See booking section below for current tour schedules.

November Events & Festivals

November 11

Festa di San Martino

November 11th marks San Martino's feast day, when Palermitans traditionally open the new wine vintage and eat biscotti di San Martino - S-shaped cookies covered in sesame seeds and anise. Bakeries across the city display elaborate cookie sculptures, and wine bars offer tastings of novello wines. It's low-key compared to summer festivals, but you'll see locals gathering in neighborhood trattorias for the traditional meal of pasta con le sarde and roasted chestnuts.

Late November

Autumn Olive Oil Harvest

Late November marks the olive harvest in the countryside surrounding Palermo. Several agriturismi and estates offer harvest experiences where you can pick olives, watch the pressing process, and taste the peppery new oil on fresh bread. This isn't a formal festival but rather an agricultural tradition that estates have started opening to visitors. The experience runs 3-4 hours and typically includes a farm lunch.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof jacket with hood - not a flimsy rain poncho but an actual jacket. November storms can last 2-3 hours with wind, and those 10 rainy days tend to cluster. The 70% humidity means you'll want something breathable rather than plastic.
Layers for the 11°F (6°C) temperature swing - mornings start around 55°F (13°C) and afternoons hit 66°F (19°C). A light merino or cotton cardigan works better than a heavy coat you'll be carrying around by noon.
Comfortable waterproof walking shoes with good tread - Palermo's basalt cobblestones get slippery when wet, and you'll be walking 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily. Skip the hiking boots; low-profile waterproof sneakers or leather walking shoes work better for urban exploration.
SPF 50+ sunscreen despite the moderate temperatures - that UV index of 8 is still high enough to burn, especially if you're doing coastal day trips or spending hours at outdoor archaeological sites. The November sun sits lower but still packs punch between 11am-3pm.
Small packable umbrella as backup - locals carry them religiously in November. Get one that fits in a day bag rather than a full-size golf umbrella. You'll use it 3-4 times during a week-long visit.
Quick-dry clothing fabrics - that 70% humidity means cotton takes forever to dry in hotel rooms, and you won't have sunshine to help. Merino wool and synthetic blends dry overnight, which matters when you get caught in rain.
Light scarf for church visits - many of Palermo's churches require covered shoulders, and a scarf serves double duty for cool mornings. November isn't cold enough for heavy scarves, just something lightweight.
Day bag with water-resistant coating - you'll be carrying camera, water, snacks, and layers as you explore. The coating protects electronics during sudden showers. A 20-25 liter (1,220-1,526 cubic inch) bag works for day trips.
Refillable water bottle - tap water is safe in Palermo, and you'll want to stay hydrated even in moderate temperatures. The humidity makes you sweat more than you'd expect at 66°F (19°C).
Basic Italian phrasebook or translation app - English is less common in Palermo than Rome or Florence, and November's lower tourist numbers mean fewer English menus and signs. Locals appreciate even basic attempts at Italian.

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations in the Kalsa or Vucciria districts rather than near the train station - you'll pay €15-25 less per night than the business hotels, and you're already in the historic center. November's lower occupancy means boutique guesthouses negotiate multi-night rates, sometimes dropping 20% for 4+ nights.
The afternoon lull from 1:30pm-4pm is real in November - many smaller churches, shops, and even some restaurants close. Plan indoor museum visits or long lunches during this window rather than fighting closed doors. The upside is that restaurants are less rushed and you'll get better service.
Local buses are incredibly cheap at €1.40 for 90 minutes but confusing - download the AMAT Palermo app before arrival and buy a 3-day pass for €6.50 if you're doing multiple trips. The 101 and 102 circular routes hit most major sites and actually run on schedule about 70% of the time.
Palermitans eat dinner late even in November - restaurants don't fill up until 8:30pm or 9pm. Show up at 7pm and you'll have your pick of tables, but the atmosphere and energy don't kick in until later. This works in your favor since November sunset around 5pm leaves a long evening.
The Mondello beach scene essentially shuts down by mid-November - if you're hoping for beach clubs and seaside restaurants, focus on the city instead. The few places that stay open cater to locals doing winter swimming, and the vibe is completely different from summer's party atmosphere.
Markets have the best prices and selection from 9am-11am - arrive after noon and vendors are packing up or trying to offload what's left. The morning timing also means you'll see locals doing their daily shopping rather than just tourists, which makes for better photos and more authentic interactions.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming November is beach weather - while technically you can swim in 64°F (18°C) water, most beach facilities close by early November and the wind makes it unpleasant. Tourists show up expecting Mediterranean summer and waste a day trip to Mondello finding everything shuttered.
Underpacking for rain - visitors bring one light jacket and get caught in a 3-hour downpour that soaks through everything. November rain isn't tropical showers, it's sustained Mediterranean storms. You need proper rain gear, not summer-trip afterthoughts.
Booking coastal boat trips too far in advance - the weather is too unpredictable in November. Tours to Ustica or around Cape Zafferano get cancelled regularly due to rough seas, and you'll spend time fighting for refunds. Book these only when you see a stable weather window.
Skipping lunch reservations - even in low season, the good neighborhood trattorias fill up with locals, especially on weekends. Tourists walk in at 1pm without reservations and end up at mediocre tourist traps near major sites. Call ahead or ask your hotel to book.
Expecting the same operating hours as summer - museums, churches, and even some restaurants reduce hours in November. That archaeological site you planned to visit might close at 4pm instead of 7pm, killing your afternoon plans. Check current November hours before building your daily itinerary.

Explore Activities in Palermo

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October

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December

Travel guide for December

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Palermo

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