The town of Monreale, located in Sicily (and no, not Montreal in Quebec—don’t get confused!), is part of Palermo Province, just 10 km south of the city.
Perched above the capital, Monreale offers a beautiful view of the coast, but that's not all! Its magnificent cathedral draws many visitors each year.
If you’re visiting Sicily, Monreale should be on your list! The main reason? Its stunning cathedral with a blend of Arab, Norman, and Byzantine influences.
We hadn’t heard of it before arriving on the island, but we’re so glad a retired couple told us about it, or we would’ve missed out on an amazing spot!
This cathedral is beautiful from the outside, but once inside, it’s breathtaking. If that’s not reason enough to visit Monreale, I don’t know what is…
We’ve also shared other must-see spots in Sicily in our article: Itinerary for a One-Week Road Trip in Sicily.
For accommodation options, you can find them here:
Built in 1172 by request of the Norman King William II, this cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2015. It’s truly worth the trip. Considered one of the "most important medieval churches in the world," it showcases an incredible mix of styles and unique architectural features.
From the outside, the structure is grand and beautiful, but inside, it’s even more impressive. Nave, columns, marble walls, Byzantine mosaics from floor to ceiling—the diversity and beauty are breathtaking.
The main area—the church interior—is free to visit. However, if you wish, you can add a visit to the cloister, chapel, terraces, and Diocesan Museum for €13 (or €9 for those under 25). We didn’t do this part, but judging by the online photos, it’s certainly worth it!
Santa Maria Nuova Cathedral’s website: duomomonreale.com
Online tickets (cloister, chapel, museum): coopculture.it
Right in front of the cathedral is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II with its lovely fountain and the City Hall.
If you wander behind the cathedral and the City Hall, you’ll be rewarded with a lovely view of Palermo and its surroundings (saving you the ticket to climb the church towers).
This bay is called the "Conca d'Oro," meaning "Golden Shell," due to the golden hues of the fruit (mostly citrus) in the plain. Unfortunately, we had cloudy weather, so the bay looked a bit gray, but hopefully, you'll have better luck!
Here are some extra ideas for outings and activities:
We found a good parking spot right below the cathedral: The Monreale Parking Torres. It’s free at night (from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) and has reasonable rates during the off-season at €0.50 per hour, though in peak season it goes up to €3 per hour, which is quite unfortunate.
Apparently, a bit lower down in the town, you can find free roadside parking or parking here.
GPS Coordinates for Parking:
If you’re looking to rent a car, you can go through DiscoverCars. This platform offers rentals at the best rates and conditions (unlimited mileage, partial or full coverage, and theft protection).
That’s it for Monreale! We hope you’ll make a quick stop in this town to admire its cathedral and scenic overlook.
If you want to book your tickets to Sicily, you can do so through the link below:
You can easily fit this as a half-day (or a few hours) side trip into your itinerary. You don’t need to plan much more time than that, although it’s a beautiful town.
How about we chat?