We have one day to see Palermo. Are we crazy to skip the cathedral at Monreale since our time in and around Palermo is so limited or should we try to squeeze it in? Generally, we are big art fans, but I'm not so keen on the idea of scrambling to get to Monreale just for an hour's worth of touring the Cathedral if our time would be better spent and less hectic in Palermo.

Yes, absolutely, do not miss Monreale. It is very, very impressive and I'll make another visit to Palermo just to see it again.

Frommers Guide is reporting that Palermo's Cappella Palatina (within the Palazzo dei Normanni) is closed after the earthquake of last Sept. You should verify whether this is true, since you might be able to justify skipping Monreale ONLY if you could visit the Cappella Palatina. The Cathedral of Monreale dwarfs everything in Palermo itself, and I mean everything. Take a taxi up the hill if you're pressed for time and don't want to wait for the regular bus from Piazza Indipendenza (rear side of the Palazzo dei Normanni). Monreale's Cathedral is the grandest and most spectacular in all of southern Italy, and its Bizantine gold mosaics (incredibly well preserved) rank along with those in St. Mark's and Santa Sophia as one of the three most significant on earth.

If you only have one day I would just stay in Palermo and enjoy the sites, smells and the people. There is SO much to do there. The Vucciria, Palazzo dei Normanni, puppet theatre, Museo Archeologico, Piazza Cattedrale.... Yes, Monreale was beautiful, but I wouldn't kill half of your 1 day there to see it. You can always return!!!

do not miss Monreale! i don't remember it being much of a trek to Monreale - could not have been more than a half-hour bus ride and if you take a taxi, even less time .

As I recall we took a tour of Palermo which included a stop at Monreale. As others have said... it is unbelievable. I would not pass up the opportunity to visit. If they are still offering such tours it would be a good way to kill two birds with one stone!
(We tried to revisit when we were returning to Palermo by car and got lost....- If we go back, Monreale will be the first stop on our list.

I was just in Palermo, and visited the Cappella.. it's open and beautiful. I'd personally stay in Palermo town for the day, and if you must see mosaics, do the Cappella and not Monreale (so much stuff to see in Palermo!).

I vote with those who say don't miss Monreale. I also had just one day in Palermo, and I saw both the Palatina and the cathedral at Monreale. Both are magnificent, but the cathedral is really breathtaking. Be sure to visit the cloister as well as the cathedral itself.

Good to hear that the Cappella Palatina is open to tourists. Palermo certainly can't afford such a big hit on tourism as its closure would represent.