The Historic Markets of Palermo

A walk around the historic markets of Palermo is like taking a guided tour into the city’s soul where the wealth of flavours and smells conjure up the past as well as the present. The attraction of the markets of Palermo is the continuing rituals and gestures that have taken place daily for centuries. A Palermo proverb claims that as long as the fish stalls never run dry of fish, the market will continue, a belief that highlights the intense Arab spirit.

The four most important markets are the Vucciria, the Chief, the Borgo Vecchio and the Ballarò, each with their own characteristics. The Vucciria is most famous for its depiction in the famous painting by Guttuso, one of his most celebrated works. Ballarò in the meantime gave its name to a TV programme which is broadcast nationally.
The markets take place in one of the most popular districts of the historic centre close to some famous monuments.

Recently re-acknowledged for their important role in the city’s heritage, the markets are enjoying a recent surge in popularity offering a unique experience beneath the shadow of the multi-coloured canopies that flutter above the stalls.

Preparations for visiting the markets include comfortable clothes accessorised just with your sharpened senses to guide you to the bright and overflowing stalls filled with everything under the sun. The scents of the spices evoke distant places, the smells of the ancient bakeries fill the air, whilst the voices of the shouting and bantering stallholders can be heard all around you as they compete to attract the attention of the passers-by.

You will without doubt lose yourself in the flavours of the olives, the tomatoes in oil and the local Sicilian cakes and pastries. The fresh foods on display are perfect for recreating traditional Sicilian recipes such as raisins, pine nuts, fennel, bay leaves, oregano and capers.

Each market has a tavern frequented not just by the district’s residents but also by the local student population. Here you are likely to encounter local characters well-known around the markets and with a just a couple of Euros it is possible to enjoy an unusual but atmospheric aperitivo. Try the Taverna Azzura in the Piazza della Vucciria, the two inns in Piazza Ballarò or the Tantillo bottega in Borgo Vecchio.