Palermo Tourist Tax 2026: Rates, Exemptions and How to Pay

The Palermo tourist tax (imposta di soggiorno) stops after 4 nights, so a long stay in Sicily’s capital costs little in tax. Hotels charge €3.00 to €5.00 per person per night and every B&B or short let €4.00. Children under 12 pay nothing, and Airbnb collects it for you.

Last updated: October 20, 2026. We also checked the rates on the official City of Palermo sources linked below. Since rates change, we update this page whenever the city does.

Palermo tourist tax 2026 at a glance

• Hotels: €3.00 (1★) to €5.00 (5★) per person per night.
• B&Bs, holiday homes and short lets: €4.00.
• Maximum: 4 consecutive nights, then the rest of the stay is free.
• Exempt: children under 12, plus a few other groups listed below.
• In force since: July 1, 2025 (City Council decision no. 34 of April 30, 2025).

How much is the Palermo tourist tax per night?

Palermo charges hotels by star rating. All non-hotel lodging pays a single flat rate.

We took these figures from the City of Palermo tourist tax portal, so you can check them yourself. The city lists no seasonal rates and no reductions.

How much will you pay in total?

So what does the tax add to a typical stay? We calculated these examples from the official rates:

• A couple, 3 nights in a 4-star hotel: 2 people × 3 nights × €4.50 = €27.00.
• A couple, 7 nights in a B&B: 2 people × 4 nights × €4.00 = €32.00. That is because the city stops charging after night 4.
• A family with two children under 12, 5 nights in a 3-star hotel: only the 2 adults pay, for 4 nights, so 2 × 4 × €4.00 = €32.00.

You can also compare Palermo with other cities in the calculator of our Italy tourist tax guide.

Who is exempt from the Palermo city tax?

According to the city regulation and its 2025 notice, these guests do not pay:

• children under 12;
• residents of Palermo;
• coach drivers, guides, interpreters and tour leaders traveling with groups organized by agencies;
• patients in local health facilities and up to two people assisting each patient;
• school groups, and university students staying in ERSU Sicilia residences;
• volunteers and people housed by public authorities for social, emergency or humanitarian reasons;
• journalists and travel agents on press or study tours approved by the city’s tourism department.

How do you pay the tourist tax in Palermo?

You pay the tax to the hotel or host, who gives you a receipt and passes the money to the city.

However, if you book a short let on Airbnb, Airbnb collects the tax for the host. This follows an agreement with the city in force since April 1, 2018, according to the city’s guide for short-let hosts. Since we found no official statement for other booking platforms, expect to pay the host directly.

Does the Palermo tax apply in Mondello?

Yes. Mondello is a neighborhood of the City of Palermo, so the same rates apply to hotels and rentals there.

On the other hand, towns outside the city, such as Monreale or Cefalù, set their own rules. Check with your property if you stay there.

Will the Palermo tourist tax change in 2027?

The city had not announced any change for 2027 as of October 20, 2026. Its latest notices, from February and May 2026, concern host paperwork, not rates. So check back before you travel, because we update this page when that changes.

Where to stay in Palermo

Affiliate links: if you book through them, Italy2Love earns a commission at no extra cost to you.

If you want to stay close to the markets and the cathedral, compare the old town with the seafront districts. You can compare hotels in Palermo on Expedia, or read our guide to things to do in Sicily.

With a short stay, a hands-on class is an easy way to taste the city. For example, this pizza and gelato cooking class in Palermo fits an afternoon. See also our Palermo street food guide.

Sources and verification

We checked the City of Palermo tourist tax portal, its rate notice for July 1, 2025, the city regulation and its guide for short-let hosts on October 20, 2026. For other cities, see our Italy tourist tax guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the tourist tax in Palermo?

In 2026 the Palermo tourist tax costs €3.00 to €5.00 per person per night in hotels, depending on the stars. B&Bs, holiday homes and short lets pay €4.00. The city charges at most 4 consecutive nights.

Do children pay the Palermo tourist tax?

No. Children under 12 are exempt, according to the city’s 2025 notice.

Does Airbnb collect the Palermo tourist tax?

Yes. According to the city, Airbnb has collected the tax on bookings made through its platform since April 1, 2018. On other platforms, you usually pay the host.

Is Mondello part of Palermo for the tourist tax?

Yes. Mondello is a neighborhood of the City of Palermo, so the same rates apply there.