Palermo Catacombs

[twinsmom310]

Anyone have any suggestions how to get to the catacombs in Palermo?  Thinking about doing a HOHO bus tour, it looked like there was a stop near there, but to far to walk?

 

[euro cruiser]

We went by bus, it's not a long walk even if you only take the first bus and forget about the connection.

 

http://www.palermocatacombs.com/visit/getting-here

[Nimloth]

We prebooked a taxi, which was waiting when we got off the ship. It took us to the catacombs and we walked back to the port from there, which was mostly downhill. I think the taxi was 30 euro. It's well worth a visit.

[Hlitner]

We have gone to the place using the local buses.  A taxi would certainly be a lot easier and somewhat more expensive :).

 

The experience is quite unique and to call this place macabre might be an understatement.  It is certainly something you will not forget :).  We first went there over 25 years ago when it was relatively unknown and there was no guarantee you would be allowed entrance.  There would be a monk just inside the entrance sitting in his chair with a basket.  When you walked in the door he would either nod or not.  If you got a nod, you would drop a contribution (there was no set fee) in his basket and he would motion you to pass (no words were exchanged).  We understand its now more tourist oriented with no entrance issues :).

 

Hank

[euro cruiser]

Hank, it sounds a lot more interesting the way you accessed it, today they have a web site, set hours, and a set fee (a very low one, 3 euro).

[Hlitner]

38 minutes ago, euro cruiser said:

Hank, it sounds a lot more interesting the way you accessed it, today they have a web site, set hours, and a set fee (a very low one, 3 euro).

I guess the Monks realized that they were sitting on a real money maker.  But glad to hear they have kept the cost low.   When we made our first visit (have since been back a 2nd time) we were the only folks in the place during our visit.  At the time it was not a well known tourist attraction, and its location somewhat distant from the port did not make it popular with cruisers.  As I recall, in those days they did not allow large tours which also worked against the place getting visitors.

 

Hank