Ballarò Market (Mercato Ballarò)

The Basics

Said to be more than 1,000 years old, the market winds through the narrow medieval streets surrounding Piazza Carmine in the Albergheria, one of the five Norman quarters in the center of Palermo. While it is primarily a food market specializing in fresh produce, fish and meat, and local specialties, it is also a great place to buy inexpensive clothing and other goods.

Listen for street vendors speaking a local dialect similar to Arabic—the name Ballarò comes from Bahlara, a town outside Palermo where Arab merchants historically made their home. And, sample some of Sicily's famous street food while you stroll through this colorful market as part of a Palermo walking tour or bike tour.

Things to Know Before You Go

• As with any busy outdoor market in Italy, pickpockets can be a problem in the Ballarò, so be vigilant.

• Be sure to bring your camera, as the colorful stalls (and charismatic vendors) in the Ballarò make for fantastic photos.

• Market tours through the Ballarò Market are on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.

• There is limited space filled with crowds of shoppers between the market stalls, so Ballarò is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers.

How to Get There

The Ballarò Market occupies the streets from Piazza Casa Professa past the Church of San Nicolò toward Corso Tukory, about a 10-minute walk from the main train station in Palermo.

When to Get There

The Ballarò Market is open daily from 7am to 7pm, but it is especially lively on Saturdays and Sundays when the weekly flea market is also open and food stands prepare traditional street food from Palermo.

Palermo's Many Markets

Palermo has a number of landmark outdoor markets in the city center famous for their lively and authentic atmosphere. Aside from the Ballarò, the most famous are the Vucciria Market and the Capo Market.

What is Ballarò Market (Mercato Ballarò) in Palermo?

Ballarò Market (Mercato Ballarò) is an outdoor street market in the Albergheria district of Palermo’s old town. Said to date as far back as the Middle Ages, this is one of the oldest and busiest markets in the city center and is known for the colorful calls of its vendors in the local dialect.

What can you buy at Ballarò Market?

Ballarò is primarily a food market and most stalls sell fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, bread, or local specialties. There are also street food stalls and a handful of merchants who sell housewares, hardwares, and other odds and ends. All stands are open from morning to evening.

Are there any local specialties or traditional foods available at Ballarò Market?

Yes, Ballarò Market is one of the top places in Palermo to sample local street foods. Delicacies include pane e panelle (chickpea-flour fritter sandwich), arancine (deep-fried rice balls), sfinciuni (sicilian pizza), pane con la milza (spleen sandwich), cones of deep-fried fish and seafood, snails, octopus, stigghiola (grilled lamb offal skewers), and more.

Is haggling common at Ballarò Market?

Yes, good-natured haggling is common in all Italian street markets and Ballarò is no exception. The vendors are known for their theatrical abbanniata—a sing-song call in the Palermo dialect to attract customers—while locals answer their sales pitches with lighthearted negotiations until they settle on a mutually agreeable price.

Are there any guided tours or experiences available at Ballarò Market?

Yes, Ballarò Market tours are one of the most popular ways to experience this historic market. Tours can feature the market only, or can incorporate multiple sites through Palermo’s old town. Many Ballarò tours include stops to sample the street food at the market stalls and nearby eateries.

Is Ballarò Market accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, Ballarò Market is accessible, but with some limitations. The market is held along public streets, so there are no steps or other architectural barriers for visitors in wheelchairs. However, the lanes are very narrow and overflow with shoppers during the midday hours, so the crowds can be a challenge for anyone with limited mobility.