For more than 1,000 years, the stalls of Ballaro Market have provided locals with fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. Wander through this street market in the old part of Palermo and look for traditional Sicilian foods.
Ballaro Market is known for its array of seafood. Look for octopus, lobster and swordfish. Don’t be surprised if you spot some of the sea creatures moving, because the locals like them as fresh as possible. Browse stalls filled with fruit and vegetables, which were cultivated in the countryside around Palermo.
Try some of the market’s street food. A popular snack here is panelle, a type of fritter that is believed to be of Arabic origin. The delicious fried snack is made with chickpea flower. Other local favourites include deep fried eggplant and fried rice balls filled with meat and cheese. You will also find a number of stalls selling cooked foods. Eat as you walk or find a space at one of the wooden tables scattered throughout the market.
Ballaro is primarily a food market, but there are many other items for sale. Explore the long rows of rickety tables to find vintage Italian clothes. Here you will see good quality dresses and shirts at very cheap prices. If fashion isn’t your thing, then head to the section of the market dedicated to local arts and crafts. Look at paintings, sculptures and smaller items such as jewellery and wood carvings.
Ballaro Market is open all through the week. Come toward the end of the morning if you want to avoid the biggest crowds. The market is in the heart of Palermo's historic centre, between Ballaro Square and Piazza Carmine and close to the train station. Also nearby is the 12th-century church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, known for its frescos and Byzantine mosaics.
