Palazzo Conte Federico is one of Palermo’s oldest buildings, still home to the Federico family, who personally lead every tour through their own house.
This guide was updated in July 2026. You should book in advance through Viator to secure your spot on this small-group tour.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Piazza Conte Federico 2, 90134 Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Hours | Guided tours daily at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm; closed Wednesdays |
| Ticket price | €15 per person |
| Nearest transit | About 10 minutes’ walk from Palermo Centrale station |
| Typical visit duration | 45 minutes to an hour |
Why book Palazzo Conte Federico tickets?
- 🏛️ A 12th-century Arab-Norman tower, the oldest part of one of Palermo’s most prestigious buildings.
- 🎟️ Guided personally by the Federico family, descendants of Emperor Frederick II’s son.
- 🌿 Frescoes by Vito D’Anna and Gaspare Serenario, alongside 15th-century painted wooden ceilings.
- 📜 A grand piano that Wagner played in 1882, still standing in the Ballroom Gallery.
- 💰 A living family home, not a museum: rooms are still used by the family today.
Opening hours for Palazzo Conte Federico
Guided tours run every day at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm, except Wednesdays, when the palace is closed. The family has also confirmed the palace will be closed on 14 and 15 August 2026. Because tours are small and led personally by the family, it’s worth booking ahead rather than assuming a slot will be available on arrival.
Ticket prices for Palazzo Conte Federico
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Per person | €15 |
Prices have risen from the roughly €10 that older reviews still mention. Group sizes are small, typically five to eight people, so it’s worth booking in advance during busy periods. Book through Viator if you’d rather have your spot confirmed ahead of time.
How to get to Palazzo Conte Federico
On foot: the palace is in Palermo’s historic Ballarò district, a few steps from the Cathedral and the Ballarò market, and about a 10-minute walk from Palermo Centrale station.
By public transport: Palermo’s city buses serve the surrounding historic centre, though the narrow streets around Piazza Conte Federico are best reached on foot from the Cathedral area.
Parking
Palazzo Conte Federico sits within Palermo’s pedestrian-friendly historic centre, where street parking is limited. Walking from the Cathedral area or a nearby car park is the practical option.
How long to spend at Palazzo Conte Federico
The official tour lasts around 45 minutes, though many visitors report tours closer to an hour, depending on how many questions come up along the way.
Accessibility at Palazzo Conte Federico
Palazzo Conte Federico isn’t wheelchair accessible, and the tour isn’t recommended for visitors with serious back or heart conditions, given the stairs involved in reaching the tower and upper floors.
What to see at Palazzo Conte Federico
The Torre di Scrigno, a 12th-century Arab-Norman tower, is the oldest part of the palace, once built into the city’s defensive walls alongside the ancient Busuemi Gate. Two mullioned windows here, one Norman and one Aragonese, still bear the authentic coats of arms of Palermo, the Swabians, and the Aragonese.
The courtyard and grand staircase, carved in stone by Baroque architect Venanzio Marvuglia, lead up to the noble floor’s series of halls.
The noble floor, with its 15th-century painted wooden ceilings and 18th-century frescoes by Vito D’Anna and Gaspare Serenario, is furnished with original antiques, weapons, and ceramics collected across generations.
The Ballroom Gallery holds a grand piano that Richard Wagner played in 1882 while staying in Palermo.
The Federico family traces its line back to Federico d’Antiochia, a son of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, and personal touches throughout the tour include the trophies of a father who won the legendary Targa Florio race thirteen times, and stories from a mother who was once an Austrian opera soprano and swimming champion.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead for small-group slots | Tours are personally led by the family in groups of five to eight, so spaces are limited. |
| Check for the August closure | The palace is closed on 14 and 15 August 2026, alongside its usual Wednesday closure. |
| Allow flexible timing | The tour is officially 45 minutes but often runs closer to an hour. |
| Wear comfortable shoes | Stairs lead up to the tower and noble floor, and the palace isn’t wheelchair accessible. |
| Ask about the racing car | A vintage car often parked near the entrance ties into the family’s Targa Florio history. |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does a ticket cost? | €15 per person, up from the €10 some older reviews still mention. Booking in advance secures your spot ahead of time. |
| Is it open every day? | No, it’s closed on Wednesdays, and the family has confirmed it will also close on 14 and 15 August 2026. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | No, the tower and upper floors involve stairs, and the tour isn’t suitable for serious mobility or health conditions. |
| Who leads the tour? | A member of the Federico family, who still live in the palace today. |
| How long does the tour last? | Officially about 45 minutes, though many visitors report closer to an hour. |
Things to do nearby
The Ballarò Market, one of Palermo’s oldest street markets, is right around the corner from the palace.
Palermo Cathedral, with its striking Arab-Norman architecture, is a short walk away.
Chiesa del Gesù (Casa Professa), one of the city’s most lavishly decorated Baroque churches, sits nearby in the same historic quarter.
Palazzo dei Normanni and the Palatine Chapel, Palermo’s royal palace and its golden-mosaic chapel, are within easy walking distance.
Villa Palagonia, in nearby Bagheria, is another aristocratic villa known for its eccentric sculptures, about 20 to 30 minutes’ drive away.
What to visit tomorrow
Palazzo Biscari, in Catania, is a grand Sicilian Baroque palace with its own long-standing noble family connection and elaborately decorated halls. It’s about two to two and a half hours’ drive from Palermo, making it a realistic day trip for anyone keen to compare two of Sicily’s great aristocratic residences.
More Italy travel
Other Italy travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Palermo Botanic Gardens.
- Guide to using the Funivia dell’Etna cable car on Mt Etna’s southern flank.
- Plan your visit to the Ancient Theatre of Taormina in Sicily.
- What you should know before visiting the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.
- Visitor guide to Trullo Sovrano in Alberobello, Puglia.
