Is La Martorana worth it?
Worth itUnderrated · +19Two Norman churches on Piazza Bellini: Martorana's gold mosaics and San Cataldo's red domes
Worth it. 4.7 across 5,600+ reviews for the Martorana; San Cataldo (4.4) divides opinion.
Hype57How famous and hyped it is
Reality76Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.7 ★ Google · 5,625 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to La Martorana? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 on a budget vote
Byzantine mosaics for about €2, versus about €19 at the Cappella Palatina.
Why Reality is 76
Lives up to its fame4/54.7 across 5,600+ reviews for the Martorana; San Cataldo (4.4) divides opinion.
Value for money5/5A couple of euros for mosaics of Cappella Palatina quality.
Can’t get it elsewhere4/5Only the Palatina and Monreale match these mosaics, and both cost more and take longer.
Easy to do3/5Right by Quattro Canti with no queue, but the Martorana may be open only weekday mornings and not to tourists on Sundays.
What people loved
12th-century Byzantine gold mosaics comparable in style to the Cappella Palatina, for a fraction of the priceTiny entry fee and two minutes from Quattro CantiSan Cataldo's red domes next door make one of Palermo's best photo spotsEasy to miss from the street, so it's rarely as crowded as the big sightsWhat wore them down
Small: a 15-minute visitSan Cataldo's bare interior underwhelms many, and a curtain at the ticket desk hides it until you've paidOpening hours are inconsistent between sources; Sunday hours may be very shortBaroque additions mix with the Norman mosaics, so it's less pure than the PalatinaParking & getting there
Don’t driveDon't drive: Piazza Bellini is two minutes from Quattro Canti in the heart of the camera-enforced ZTL. Park outside the zone (e.g. by Palermo Centrale station) and walk about 10–12 minutes up Via Maqueda.
- A.PAGANO PARCHEGGIOgarage · about 4 min walk · ★ 4.7 (193)Price not publishedMap
- Garage San Matteogarage · about 3 min walk · ★ 3.8 (59)Price not publishedMap
- Parking / Parcheggio Stazione Centrale Giulio Cesarelot · about 10 min walk · ★ 4.7 (190)Price not publishedMap
- Palermo's ZTL Centrale covers the whole historic centre (Kalsa, Albergheria, Capo/Monte di Pietà, La Loggia) inside Via Cavour, Foro Italico, Via Lincoln, Corso Tukory and Piazza Indipendenza; those boundary roads are free to drive. autovia.it
- ZTL in force Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00 all year; extra night hours on weekends (summer 1 May–31 Oct: Fri to midnight, Sat 00:00–06:00 & 20:00–24:00, Sun 00:00–06:00). Check ztl.comune.palermo.it before travel. autovia.it
- Camera gates fine cars without a pass €81–164; rental companies forward your details. A non-resident day pass costs €5 (petrol Euro 3+/diesel Euro 4+), €2.50 hybrid/LPG, free for registered EVs, via the PalerMobilità app, AMAT or ZTL-sign tobacconists, and must be activated for your plate. autovia.it
- City ordinance O.D. 1080 of 17 June 2026 confirms the ZTL Centrale and pedestrian areas and restricts loading access hours inside them. comune.palermo.it
Without a car: Walk 2 min from Quattro Canti; 10–15 min from Palermo Centrale station.
Driving rules in Palermo
Don't drive in Palermo's old town: it is a camera ZTL on weekdays and weekend nights, and the centre is compact and walkable. A car is worth it for day trips to Segesta, Riserva dello Zingaro, Capo Gallo and Monreale. If you do take one into the centre, buy and activate the €5 daily pass first.
- ZTL Centrale (historic centre). Covers the whole old town inside Via Cavour, Foro Italico, Via Lincoln, Corso Tukory and Piazza Indipendenza (Kalsa, Albergheria, Capo, La Loggia); the boundary roads themselves are free to drive. Active all year Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00. Summer (1 May–31 Oct): also Fri 20:00–24:00, Sat 00:00–06:00 and 20:00–24:00, Sun 00:00–06:00. Winter (1 Nov–30 Apr): Fri 23:00–24:00, Sat 00:00–06:00 and 23:00–24:00, Sun 00:00–06:00. Usually suspended over Christmas. sicurauto.it
- Daily ZTL pass. Non-residents can buy a daily pass: €5 petrol/diesel, €2.50 hybrid/methane/LPG, free for electric cars and disabled-badge vehicles. It is not available for Euro 0–2 petrol or Euro 0–3 diesel cars. Buy it on the Comune's online platform, at AMAT offices or ACI, or via Telepass from 4 May 2026. Activate it for your plate before entering, by SMS or the PalerMobilità app. sicurauto.it
- Fines. Camera gates (ANPR) fine cars without a valid pass €81–164. Rental companies forward your details. Garages inside the zone may still require ZTL access, so check with the operator. autovia.it
- Mondello evening ZTL. Trial ZTL in piazza Mondello and nearby streets 20:00–24:00 (to 01:00 before holidays), 8 May–30 Sep 2026. Parts of Viale Regina Elena are pedestrianised (ordinance no. 15 of 6/5/2026). sicurauto.it
- City ordinance. Ordinance O.D. 1080 of 17 June 2026 confirms the ZTL Centrale and pedestrian areas and restricts loading access hours. comune.palermo.it
Know before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: Pay at the door; no booking.
EntryMartorana €2 (€1 with the Circuito del Sacro church pass); San Cataldo €2.50 (€1.50 with the pass); San Cataldo cash onlySource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
HoursMartorana Mon–Sat 10:00–13:00, Sunday Mass only (11:00) per the city tourist office (Google lists longer hours; check on the day). San Cataldo daily 9:00–13:30 and 14:00–17:00Source · Checked Oct 17, 2026
San CataldoBuilt 1154 in Arab-Norman style with three red domes; bare stone interior with mosaic floorSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
UNESCOBoth churches are part of the Arab-Norman Palermo World Heritage siteSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Time needed20–30 minutes for both churchesSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Getting thereAbout 120 m (2 min walk) from Quattro Canti, on Piazza Bellini next to Fontana PretoriaSource · Checked Oct 17, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
In their words
“A little historic treasure that can be easily missed when walking along the street. Worth the few minutes needed to see”
“Beautiful church but also very small. Not sure it’s worth the 2.50€ entrance fee.”
“Compared to the Santa Maria church right next to this one it is really underwhelming.”
“The architecture is amazing and imo it is also beautiful in its own way without any ornamentation.”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
How much does La Martorana cost?
€2; San Cataldo next door is €2.50. With the Circuito del Sacro pass they drop to €1 and €1.50.
Is San Cataldo worth visiting inside?
Opinions split: the interior is bare stone. Architecture fans like it; others say admire the domes from outside.
Are La Martorana and San Cataldo the same place?
No, they are two separate Norman churches side by side on Piazza Bellini, with separate tickets.
What are La Martorana's opening hours?
The city tourist office lists Monday–Saturday 10:00–13:00, with Sunday reserved for Mass; Google shows longer hours, so go in the morning to be safe.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- Comune di Palermo Ufficio Turismo – opening hours of main sights (updated 12 Nov 2025)
- 10cose – Palermo sights with prices and hours (modified Aug 2026)
- Travel Cost Calculator – Arab-Norman Palermo UNESCO site
- Google Maps – Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio
- Google Maps – San Cataldo