The markets of Palermo are a true city institution, places where tradition remains alive but at the same time where the city evolves in step with the times.
A legacy of the Arab occupation of the city, the Palermo market looks more like a bazaar because it is not only a place of commerce, but also of relationships, communication and exchange.
Open every day from morning until early afternoon, and some even until late in the evening, the most crowded markets are frequented daily by many people.
Ballarò, Vucciria and Il Capo are the most famous markets in Palermo, but Palermo is divided into neighborhoods and each hosts its own market.
Ballarò, the most famous of Palermo’s historic markets, is the one most loved by the people of Palermo. It is considered the popular market par excellence: this maze of narrow streets is always lively and lively. According to some written testimonies, already in the tenth century there was a market in the area where today we find the Ballarò market. In this ancient market it seems that goods from India were also sold and for this reason it was called Balhara by the Arabs, the name of an Indian prince of the time.
The Vucciria Market is one of the oldest in Palermo but also the one that has been most affected by the passage of time and has been able to reinvent itself. During the day this market often appears empty but then at sunset it is populated with people and becomes a decidedly lively place. Many of its old artisan shops have been converted into pubs and cafes, and the Vucciria has become a popular gathering place for young people from Palermo.
Located in a very popular district, Il Capo is, together with Ballarò, the busiest market in Palermo. The Capo is a real labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys, where you can buy meat, fish, vegetables and fruit sheltered from the scorching sun thanks to the characteristic colorful tents.
Ballarò, Vucciria and Il Capo are certainly the most famous historic markets in Palermo, but not the only ones. Among the historic markets still active in Palermo is that of Borgo Vecchio and the Flea Market.
Another reason to visit the markets of Palermo is that these are the best places to taste Palermo’s street food, considered one of the tastiest in Italy.
Street food is an inexpensive solution to taste local delicacies, but also new dishes imported by immigrant vendors: a trend that actually follows the millenary history of Palermo, a city that has always been open to the influences of different peoples.
