The famous beach of Mondello is a favorite destination for Italian and foreign tourists who, thanks to the mild temperature already present in the late spring months, is stormed starting from the so-called “low season”. It is one of the must-see attractions in Palermo, and is a trendy location, characterized by crystal clear and warm water , full of services and very popular with young people, which make its “nightlife” sparkling during the summer months. Here’s everything you need to know about the beach: how to get there, where to park, what to see and what to do.
- From the highway : exiting at the Mondello / Tommaso Natale junction on the A29 Palermo / Mazara del Vallo (once you exit, follow the signs).
- By car from Palermo : 12.5 km from Palermo. It can be reached via the SS113, the E90, or the internal road of the Parco della Favorita up to Viale Margherita di Savoia (just follow the signs). Journey time 20 minutes.
- By public transport from Palermo : by bus 806. You can take it every 15 minutes from Piazza Sturzo (Get directions) or Piazza Politeama (Get directions). Journey time about 30 minutes. Single ride ticket € 1.40.
- Driving directions: Get directions
Where to park
Near the beach there are some public car parks (on the sides of the streets or in Viale Galatea) but it is often difficult to find a place (especially on weekends). Better to go to one of the many private car parks. The average hourly rate is around € 1.00 / 2.00, the daily ticket starts at € 5.00. Among the private car parks we recommend:
- Parking Mondello: Viale Principe di Scalea – Get directions
- ParkinGalatea Car Wash & Car Rental: Viale Galatea – Get directions
- Parking Oleandri: Via degli Oleandri – Get directions.
Free beach, lidos and bathing establishments
Photo by Berthold Werner. With its 1.5 kilometer long coastline, Mondello offers the possibility of stopping on the free beaches , or to opt for the amenities offered by the beaches in the area , open every day from 9:00 to 19:00 indicatively from May 1st. in September.
The beaches are often crowded, especially on weekends, to make sure you arrive early in the morning, or even better to book a day in advance (around € 20.00 for daily rent of two deck chairs and an umbrella).
It should also be said that most of the lidos offer monthly and weekly passes and / or admissions.
Below we recommend some of the main beaches:
- Lido Valdesi : comfort for young couples, families with adolescent children. It offers bars, umbrellas, showers, sunbeds, sometimes entertainment for children and evening music shows. Facebook page – Get directions
- Lido Sirenetta : a few steps from the 806 bus stop, and recommended for families with children. It offers bar service, entertainment for children and in general all the main services (canoe rental, pedal boats, etc.). Facebook page – Get directions
- Lido Establishment : perhaps more suitable for a more “adult” user, it is located near the Ancient Bathing Establishment of Mondello and has a restaurant and a large parking area. Facebook page – Get directions
Where to sleep in the surroundings: hotels, resorts and b & b
A beach so famous could only be equipped with receptive structures designed for the needs of all kinds of tourists , from families looking for relaxation to the youngest group, who came to Mondello to conduct a holiday full of surprises and long, unforgettable nights on the seafront. Here is the list of recommended accommodations to sleep in mondello.
What to do and see in the surrounding area
- The Liberty of Mondello : The Liberty-style villas along the coast give a “modernist” allure to the village; a real must for beach goers and the Ancient Bathing Establishment, whose history is fascinating and linked to the period of the Second World War, when it was used as a headquarters, first by the Fascists and the German army, then by the allied forces . The Antico Stabilimento Balneare houses an excellent fish restaurant inside and is often a popular destination for ceremonies of various kinds.
- Boat tours : they are the best way to enjoy the Palermitan coast. We recommend this half-day boat trip, which allows you to admire not only Mondello, but also the clear waters of the Addaura cove, the nearby Capo Gallo Reserve and the beautiful Isola delle Femmine.
- Sports and Events : Mondello has hosted the World Festival On The Beach since 1985, a sporting and musical event that, every year, is characterized above all by the Windsurfer Legend Race, a slalom course competition reserved for continental and world champions, the two European Championships – Open Tecno 293 and Open RS: X – and the regional Windsurf Sicily Grand Prix regatta.
- The House of Ghosts : not only life in the open air, but also mystery in Mondello, thanks to the disturbing presence of the “House of Ghosts”, a Pompeian-style villa currently inhabited in which, according to the discordant versions of local stories, the spirits of Nazi soldiers, prisoners of war or the Allies would hover, all killed in the period of the Second World War.
- Visit the Chinese Palace : located inside the well-known Parco della Favorita, at the behest of Ferdinand III of Bourbon in 1799, the palace, in clear oriental style, became the official residence of the sovereign.
The entrance to the Chinese building is free; the building opens its doors to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 to 19; Sundays and holidays from 9 to 13.30. - Mondello by Night : For lovers of nightlife, we could not fail to point out one of the most popular clubs in the area: the Country Disco Pub in Palermo, in Viale dell’Olimpo, 1 / a. What better place to spend an unforgettable night, punctuated by the music of the most famous national and international DJs, such as Prezioso and Marvin, undisputed kings of nineties dance
The club is open every Friday and Saturday evening, from 10.30pm to 3am . By 11.30 pm it is possible to book entry to the Facebook page list.
