The famous place for shopping in Sicily is Balaró Market in Palermo, originally called Mercato di Ballaró. It should be the first thing you experience in Palermo. 

Mercato Ballaro in Palermo Sicily

The market is very popular not only for tourists, but also for locals. The oldest market of Palermo opens in the morning, and usually closes around 6-7 pm; it depends whether it is weekday or weekend.

Local people often visit this market in the heart of Palermo in Sicily

Why to fall in love with Ballaró Market in Palermo?

There are all kind of fresh fruits, vegetables, fishes, sea food, big tuna, and do not be surprised, some of the sea food are still alive – do not be scared as I was at the first time, when I saw this octopus! Brrrr!

This octopus still lives! Who would kill it? Me NOT!

There are also find many tourist magnets of the island, clothes, stuff for home, but the best thing about the market Ballaró is the fresh Sicilian vegetables and fruits.

Market is also full of (un)necessary things for home

The good smell when you pass each stage of the market, it’s incredible. From fresh fishes to oranges, olives, cheeses, spices, strawberries, and you will not want to leave the place.

Strawberries with Prosecco, why not? 🙂

Various selection of fresh sea food

You will be stuck not because of the good smell only, but maybe because of traffic too. Cars, motorbikes, bicycles, pedestrians pass the market from everywhere.

Mercato Ballaró is full of traffic and people, be careful

Mercato Ballaró is full of people

You cannot miss the market, sellers are loud enough, and you will recognize it when you arrive to the place. Sellers try to be louder as neighbors selling the same stuff next to them. You can wake up because of the scream, but believe me; this atmosphere of the market is worth it.

Big tuna is really popular; the fisherman has to slot them quickly

Try Sicilian cheese – ricotta with various flavor

Sellers could be actors, too. They do a nice show while selling their products. I am sure that you or I would lose a voice because of the yelling all day long, but they got used it.

Cat helps selling vegetable

One more tip: Do not buy a first product, when you see it. Go around the market first; you will stare to all kind of products they offer. Then select the best quality and the best price.

Good news is that prices in Ballarò market are really cheap, but you may find different prices & quality.

Go around the market first, you may find better price & quality

In addition, do not miss Ballaró Market also during evening. It changes completely, bar areas is full of people drinking beer, chatting and playing Sicilian cards. The atmosphere is really pleasant, and you would like to come again and again, all day all night… 🙂

Try Sicilian beer Forst

The sign in pub area of Ballaró remembers fight with mafia

HAVE YOU BEEN TO SICILY? DID YOU VISIT MARKET BALLARÓ IN PALERMO? WHAT WAS YOUR IMPRESSION? TELL US YOUR OPINION IN COMMENTS!