Mercato Ballaro
Mercato Ballaro
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view










Top ways to experience Mercato Ballaro
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Palazzo Reale
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,528 within 3 miles
Attractions
503 within 6 miles
See what other travelers are saying
- TeosoBrooklyn, New York238 contributionsCome if you want to see a real Sicilian Market, and not DisneylandMany complains that it noisy, crowded, and wet; that's what a market is in many places of the world. While there are things strewn about , it's messy, not dirty. It's clear that locals shop there (who else would buy a shark but a local?), and if the food makes them sick, they won't return. Honestly, if you like to travel, seeing something different is exciting. And if you come from the western world of Styrofoam packaged foods, as I do, then this market is infinitely more interesting than those TimeOut food court popping up everywhere. And if you're thrilled by the TimeOut markets, why go to Palermo?Written September 30, 2022
- Dmitri DValencia, Spain192 contributionsAuthenticBallaro is one of the four major markets of Palermo. It is medieval both in spirit and in the hygiene standards. It is a “must see” place. Come there in the morning and take a stroll through the chaos — there’s no system to this madness - you’ll be navigating from lemons to seafood to cheeses. Beware: it is impossible to resist buying stuff that you don’t need. After half an hour walk my damage amounted to 3 kilos of olives, a huge piece of Corleone goat cheese, a bunch of dried oregano, ten carciofi, and a pack of red Marlboro with health warning in the Ukrainian language. The street food looked totally amazing but I escaped the temptation. What a great unsafe, unhealthy, uncivilized, and unmatched in charm place!Written February 18, 2020
- DjangoDjangoFreiburg im Breisgau, Germany568 contributionsPerfect for the foodies, not for the faint-heartedStroll around and see all the great food stalls, loads of fish, fruits, veggies, and so on. Get your typical sandwich with intestines like the locals as a breakfast. See how the make salt sardines and other fish. If you like everything clean and not too loud then don't go there. But if you#re all up for local delicacies with all the smell, noise and so on, then this is your placeWritten June 9, 2021
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,693 reviews
Excellent
722
Very good
595
Average
201
Poor
85
Terrible
90
OLenany
Brooklyn, NY534 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
The expectation was so high, and in reality it failed big time. Everyone was saying good things about thins market, saying that it’s a Must to visit this market in Palermo, describing it as a food paradise,
I don’t know I didn’t see that paradise. It was a disaster for me. The market is not as big as I imagine it would be. It is super narrow , it’s in between narrow city streets, tons of people , and even scooters manage to go through. Quite dirty . There definitely places where you can try street food, but I was very skeptical because as I said it looked very dirty , unsanitary;((( So the only things I tried was Gambironi and boiled octopus, the octopus was horrible, couldn’t chew it, the shrimps were absolutely amazing though.
You can find quite a wide variety of sea food and fruit and vegetables here. But be aware that vegetable vendors Don’t let you chose your own veggies, they will chose for you, but we had bad experience as well. The vendor was giving us ugly tomatoes, so definitely we didn’t buy them. So I would not recommend it;((
I don’t know I didn’t see that paradise. It was a disaster for me. The market is not as big as I imagine it would be. It is super narrow , it’s in between narrow city streets, tons of people , and even scooters manage to go through. Quite dirty . There definitely places where you can try street food, but I was very skeptical because as I said it looked very dirty , unsanitary;((( So the only things I tried was Gambironi and boiled octopus, the octopus was horrible, couldn’t chew it, the shrimps were absolutely amazing though.
You can find quite a wide variety of sea food and fruit and vegetables here. But be aware that vegetable vendors Don’t let you chose your own veggies, they will chose for you, but we had bad experience as well. The vendor was giving us ugly tomatoes, so definitely we didn’t buy them. So I would not recommend it;((
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sina Haugg
Munich, Germany9 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Cannot recommend this market. It’s bigger than Vucciria but was much less enjoyable. Other than Vucciria there are no nice little bars and restaurants to sit and watch the busy market. The worst thing was the smell though. It’s a horrid mixture of rotten meat and fish, street dirt, waste water and generator/motorbike exhausts. If your stomach isn’t 100% up to that task I‘d recommend to avoid this market like the plague!
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jxx9595
Washington, DC1,285 contributions
Oct 2022
We love local food markets, and this is a nice one, but not our favorite. Probably best to go earlier rather than later. We had lunch here, which can be managed by English speakers, but not without some difficulty. We were accompanied by a guide who helped us order lunch. And bring your camera!
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Israel R
Ra'anana, Israel16,126 contributions
Jun 2019
The Ballaro Market is the dream of every good food lover. An early morning is advisable to arrive immediately after the food stalls open. An incredible abundance of fish and seafood fills the stands and the smell is the fresh smell of salt water and the sea. Plenty of the freshest fruits and vegetables you can find. After completing your shopping, it is best to sit in one of the cafes or dining stalls that just opened for breakfast. Great place that is highly recommended "NOT 2 B MISSED".
Written May 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rubysoul
Cologne, Germany111 contributions
Jul 2021
Nice and lively local market, many fish and seafood stalls, definitely worth a visit. Sure, there‘s bigger or more exotic markets elsewhere, but the ballaro still offers a nice swim in local sounds and tastes. The intestines sandwich is very popular with local men, but can be a challenge to the newbie.
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michele Amico🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Caltanissetta, Italy2,871 contributions
May 2020 • Friends
The wonderful city of Palermo, the Sicily island capital. A lot of attractions and monuments, also the ancient market are suggestive.
Written May 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michele Amico🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Caltanissetta, Italy2,871 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
In Palermo there are three old tipical Market: Ballaro', Capo and Vucciria. A lot of people every day crowd the markets to buy food and other things.
Written August 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TheWorldDigested
Japan319 contributions
Feb 2018
The owner seems friendly at first, singing and joking and happy to give you free samples. But wait until you pay! He charged 10 euros for 1 jar of ricotta di bufala. Ricotta di bufala (buffalo) is in general more expensive than sheep or cow; however, the very best one is still only about 7 or 8 euros at some fancy specialty shop. And his was nowhere near the top... It did not click until I got back to the hotel (and by then I was kicking myself), and even the hotel owner said he was known to cheat the locals, too. It’s the shop in front of a Neapolitan restaurant near Santa Maria Maggiore.
Written February 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cook4ever
Winnipeg, Canada2 contributions
Feb 2016
So I was reading that this market was open later than others, and at about 9:00 i said hey, why don't i go get some night life street food. I started walking there and the neighbourhood started to slowly feel less and less friendly before i arrived in the market, where i instantly realized i should not be at this time of night. I'm a 25 year old guy (so i highly doubt it was cat calling) but large groups of guys where whistling at me yelling and waving for me to come over. It did not feel like, "hey lets help the lost tourist" and more felt like "hey this guys lost lets mess with him" People were gambling in the street and music was blasting. It felt like i was in an incredibly sketchy neighbourhood, as if once the market closes, the local criminals take to the streets. Maybe if i had 4 buddies with me i would have been leas concerned but i got out of there as fast as i could. So if youre thinking its too late for dinner why don't i hit up the street food scene, its also too late for that and i would avoid this market. That being said, there were tons of stalls covered with tarps and I'm sure during the day it is thriving! I am excited to go back in the daylight and try some great street food!
Written February 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StaffsGwr
Uttoxeter, UK36 contributions
Aug 2020
Being a market junkie it takes quite a bit to impress, but this certainly does.Swordfish heads and three foot long courgettes vie for ones attention with the old traditional traders singing their wares for all to hear.The tomatoes we purchased tasted so ripe and nothing like you could ever get from anywhere else.Come along and be tempted with a freshly squoze orange drink to refresh yourself until the next one.Its a must and different from the Vuccuria and Copa.
Written August 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
il martedi nell'ora di pranzo, c'è anche il mercato?
delio s
Palermo, Italy242 contributions
Ma certamente, il mercato chiude, ma solamente in parte nei giorni festivi.
MAUSSANG F
3 contributions
Bonjour. Ce marché est il ouvert tous les jours? merci
elpb521
Paris, France481 contributions
Bonjour,
oui, il est ouvert tous les jours de 8h à 20h, sauf le dimanche où il ferme à 15h.
Il est vraiment conseillé d'y aller le matin, le plus tôt possible.
Bonnes balades.
Leonardo barbagallo
1 contribution
Domenica 1 maggio il mercato,ma soprattutto lo street food lo trovo al completo?
Giovanni
Sicily, Italy620 contributions
Si la parte dello street c'è sempre... Occhio chiedere sempre il prezzo prima.
Tamara R
Sardinia, Italy5 contributions
Buona sera....vorrei sapere se,pur essendo festivo,il mercato è aperto per Pasqua e Pasquetta....Grazie
Alessio G
Italia5,406 contributions
Mah...francamente non lo so...ma penso di sì...non credo che i venditori che popolano il mercato si lasceranno sfuggire queste occasioni...comunque sia - anche se fosse - ci sono talmente tante cose da vedere a Palermo che sarebbe poco male non vedere Ballarò nella sua integrtà, a partire dalla sbalorditiva Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa...ecco, quella sì che è da non perdere.
C'è un parcheggio vicino al mercato di Ballarò
awaranes
Naples, Italy393 contributions
Si mi pare ma noi abbiamo parcheggiato sulle strisce blu.
Watanabe T
Rome, Italy263 contributions
C'è un orario di apertura e chiusura?sono aperti anche la sera?fino a che ora?grazie
Alberto
Lugano, Switzerland439 contributions
Purtroppo non lo so.
Chiedi all'ufficio del turismo locale. Sono gentilissimi e ti risponderanno.
Vale la pena di viverlo!
Alberto
Quel jour peut on faire le marché ?
Nik & Ma Pa
Medellin, Colombia418 contributions
Hola. El mercado esta siempre abierto.
lostragio
Milan, Italy40 contributions
Ciao a tutti: il mercato sarà aperto il 1 maggio? Grazie tante
Maria Cristina P
Bologna, Italy4,538 contributions
Sul sito del mercato il 25 aprile è indicato in rosso con scritto orario variabile. Ancora non aggiorna al primo maggio ma ho dei dubbi sulla presenza del mercato in tutto il suo splendore: è bello se sono presenti tutti i venditori altrimenti perde in fascino e tipicità.
Se puoi scegli un’altro giorno.
Mercato Ballaro (Palermo) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercato Ballaro
- We recommend booking Mercato Ballaro tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 22 Mercato Ballaro tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Mercato Ballaro:
- Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo (From $40.69)
- Street Food Walking Tour in Palermo (From $75.89)
- Walking Tour and street food Tour Palermo (From $43.99)
- Palermo street food tour with Chef Fulvio (From $80.29)
- Historical markets and street food - Historical markets and street food (From $137.48)
- Hotels near Mercato Ballaro:
- (0.02 mi) Palermo Ballaro' Heart Of The hIstorical Centre
- (0.03 mi) Wonderful apartment with terrace in the heart of Palermo's old city centre
- (0.04 mi) Historic center Ballaró house
- (0.07 mi) Palazzo Brunaccini
- (0.16 mi) Il Giardino di Ballaro
- Restaurants near Mercato Ballaro:
- (0.03 mi) Ballaró Street Food
- (0.04 mi) Trattoria del Carmine
- (0.05 mi) Cotto E Bollito
- (0.09 mi) Da Carlo a palazzo Brunaccini
- (0.08 mi) Trattoria Calessino
- Attractions near Mercato Ballaro:
- (0.04 mi) Street Frui Ballaro
- (0.08 mi) Mercati di Palermo: Capo, Vucciria e Ballaro
- (0.09 mi) Torre di San Nicolo all'Albergheria
- (0.09 mi) Terradamare Cooperativa Turistica a Palermo
- (0.15 mi) Chiesa Del Gesu