I will be spending 8 hours in Palermo on a cruise stop in early October. Any suggestions how to spend the day? I have no idea of the proximity of the cruise terminal to any of the tourist sites.

We've been in Palermo twice. Once for several days and last fall on a cruise.
We found the excursion offered on the ship (HAL) to be deficient. My advice is to try to find an independent guide to show you Palermo proper and than take you to Monreale (the highlight of a trip to Palermo... it's not too far out of town). Then perhaps you would have time for a meal in a local restaurant. Ships dock right down town, but unless you know where you're going that's not a big plus.-

You can walk to all of the major sites in Palermo from the cruise terminal. Here are the things to see:

1) Cathedral
2) Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina
3) Piazza Pretoria with fountain
4) Teatro Massimo Opera House
5) Archeological Museum
6) Walk through Vucciria or Capo open air markets

Time permitting, you should visit the Cathedral of Monreale (city bus leaving from Piazza Indipendenza behind the Palazzo dei Normanni). This Cathedral is the most magnificent in all of Southern Italy and Sicily.

We did similar walks when we stayed in Palermo. However, I don't know your age and health.. but to do your own tour you'll need a good map and lots of stamina. Also,the Palazzo Normanii is often closed (was on our last trip). You might mix and match... walk a little then take a tour from the local tourist office (which goes to Monreale ... or did in the past.)

Out of curiosity what cruise line stops at Palermo?

Have either of you taken the bus up to Polizzi Generosa?

1) Cathedral
2) Palazzo dei Normanni and Cappella Palatina
3) Piazza Pretoria with fountain
4) Teatro Massimo Opera House

Exactly.

Sallyandbob,

IMO, you MUST go to Monreale.

If you have any spare time after that (you should), any of the suggestions above are excellent.

It's quite expensive to take a taxi to Monreale, as the cab driver charges you extra because he cannot make any pickups there for the return trip since it is outside Palermo and only local Monreale cabs can collect passengers there. I would recommend taking normal public buses to get around. Just head to the nearest "tabacchi" store by the port, purchase some tickets (you must validate them in the bus and I think each one is valid for 1 hour after validation) and ask which bus to take to Piazza Independenza. From there you can connect to line 389 which will take you right to the cathedral in Monreale.

The Palazzo dei Normanni with the Palatinate Chapel is right on the Piazza Independenza where you'll arrive by bus on your way back from Monreale (there's a yummy bar/lunch place set inside the gardens in the center of Piazza Indipendenza). The cathedral in Palermo has a great facade, but the interior is decidedly underwhelming. Far more interesting are the nearby church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti(beautiful gardens) and the twin churches of La Martorana and San Cataldo just off the amazing Piazza Pretoria, which is probably still scaffolded at this point, unfortunately.

Another possibility is to head out past the opera house to the upscale shopping along Via della Liberta, if you're all "cultured out".

Have a great time!

Andre

There is however a Norman king buried inside the cathedral

Frederick II "Stupor Mundi" is buried in the Palermo Cathedral, as is his wife and either his father or his son (can't remember which) (together with spouse). Stupor Mundi is one of the greatest figures of the Middle Ages in Europe.