Palermo Marathon (Maratona Internazionale di Palermo): Dates, Tickets & Venue (Palermo)

Mid-November, on Sicilian stone

Palermo is a strange city to race through. Its centre is built on a grid of Baroque streets, Arab-Norman domes and baroque church fronts, and the marathon puts runners right in that grid. By mid-November the cruise crowds have thinned and the city belongs mostly to Palermitani again.

The event pairs a full marathon with a half marathon. That gives you two ways in: the full distance if you want the whole thing, the half if you want a fast morning and a long lunch afterwards.

Dates, distances and how entry works

The announced date is Sunday, November 15, 2026. Both races, the marathon and the half marathon, are part of the same event weekend.

Confirm timing, the bib pickup location and tickets on the official site. Race-day schedules and course details can change from year to year, so treat that page as your reference rather than any third-party listing.

International runners should look at the medical paperwork first. Italian road races typically ask for proof of fitness for competitive sport, either an Italian-format medical certificate or a membership route such as a Runcard. The official registration page explains which documents this race accepts. Sorting this out early saves a stressful expo visit.

The venue: the city itself

There is no stadium here; the venue is the street network of Palermo. The summary from the organisers describes the course as running through the city’s historic streets. These are the landmarks that frame the old centre:

• Quattro Canti, the baroque crossroads where Via Maqueda meets Via Vittorio Emanuele
• Teatro Massimo, Italy’s largest opera house, at the top of Via Maqueda
• Palermo Cathedral, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, a mix of Norman, Gothic and later styles
• Foro Italico, the open seafront park along the bay
• Via della Libertà, the wide 19th-century boulevard heading north to the newer city

Check the official course map for the exact route and the start and finish point. Don’t assume the race passes any one of these.

Underfoot, expect a mix of asphalt and the stone paving typical of old Palermo. Stone gets slippery when it’s wet, so a shoe with decent grip makes sense if rain shows up on race morning.

Getting to Palermo for race weekend

Most visitors fly into Falcone-Borsellino Airport (Punta Raisi), about 35 km west of the city on the coast. From there, you have three ways into town:

• Trinacria Express train to Palermo Centrale, with stops at Notarbartolo along the way
• Airport coaches to the city centre and the Centrale area
• Taxis, from the rank outside arrivals

If you are already in Sicily, regional trains and intercity coaches reach Palermo Centrale, at the southern end of Via Roma. From there it is a short walk into the old quarters.

Where you stay matters on race morning. A room within walking distance of the start means you skip the hunt for transport while roads are closed. Book early, because a big race weekend fills central hotels fast.

Arancina, panelle and the post-race refuel

Palermo has some of the best street food in Italy, and a race here ends at the friggitoria counter. Things to look for once you have your medal:

• Arancina: the fried rice ball, called feminine arancina in Palermo (not arancino, as in eastern Sicily). The classic fillings are al burro (ham and mozzarella) and alla carne (meat ragù).
• Panelle and crocchè: chickpea fritters and potato croquettes, often tucked into a soft sesame roll
• Sfincione: thick, spongy Palermo pizza topped with tomato, onion and breadcrumbs
• Pane con la milza: the city’s famous spleen sandwich, for the brave
• Cannoli: ricotta-filled shells, best filled to order

For the full scene, walk the old markets. Ballarò sits near Palermo Centrale; Capo spreads out behind the Teatro Massimo; Vucciria is close to Piazza San Domenico. Sunday trading can be quieter at some stalls, so the day after the race is often a better market day.

Cheering, coffee and race-day manners

Palermo does a lot of its living outdoors, and race day is no exception. Here is how to fit in.

At the kerb. Spectators shout “Forza!” or “Dai, dai!” to push runners on. Put your first name on your bib or shirt if you want strangers to shout it.

At the bar. Italian coffee etiquette works the same on race morning. In many bars you pay at the cassa first, then hand your receipt (scontrino) to the barista and drink your espresso standing at the counter. Sitting at a table can cost more, and the menu board shows it.

Paying. Cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants. Small market stalls and street-food carts are more cash-oriented, so keep some coins for arancine. Tipping isn’t expected in Italy; rounding up or leaving small change for good service is plenty.

Road closures. On race morning, streets on the route are closed to traffic for hours. If you are spectating or not running, plan your movements on foot and check the official traffic notice before you set out.

Stretching the trip beyond race day

Your legs will thank you for a recovery day with little walking. Palermo makes that easy.

• Palazzo dei Normanni and the Cappella Palatina: gold Byzantine mosaics, part of the UNESCO-listed Arab-Norman Palermo site
• Monreale Cathedral: on the hill above the city, with one of the largest mosaic cycles in the Christian world
• Mondello: Palermo’s beach suburb below Monte Pellegrino, good for a slow seafront lunch
• Cefalù: about an hour east by regional train, with a Norman cathedral and an old harbour

November is low season for these sights, which usually means shorter waits than in summer. Check opening hours on each site’s official page before you go, since they change by season.