Mercato Ballaro
Mercato Ballaro
4
About
Said to be over 1,000 years old, the city’s largest market is a vibrant hive of activity and one of the best places to immerse yourself in Palermo’s local culture. It’s a popular pit stop during Sicily street food tours, where travelers throng the food stalls to sample delicious snacks like fried chickpea patties, potato croquettes, and the local style of pizza.
Rub shoulders with the locals and pick up produce like green olives and salami. Visit in the early morning when the crowds are thinner, and having a guide helping with navigation and communication will enhance your experience here.
– Tripadvisor
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Palazzo Reale
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Restaurants
1,592 within 3 miles
Attractions
515 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- JohnFS_travelFontainebleau, France129 contributionsBallaro market, Palermo, SicilyIt was a decent market but very manic. Possibly more enjoyable if you eat meat and fish, as there were many street food stalls/tables intermixed through the market, which added to its charm. The fruit and veg did look very good/fresh, olives and chili (dried flakes) were excellent and inexpensive. There is a bunch of the usual clothes, toys and tat but in general as stated, a decent market. Very busy, especially with the moped/scooters and bicycles weaving amongst us pedestrians. That's no big deal-actually part of the charm but adds to the manic pace. Recommended? Yeah, 50-50.Visited April 2023Traveled with familyWritten April 15, 2023
- Angelina PChicago, Illinois9 contributionsFun Market definitely worth a visit.Fun, lively market offering so much food! It’s definitely a fish lovers delight! And even if you don’t like fish, they have pasta, pizza, Arancini and typical Sicilian dishes. It’s just fun to walk through the market and look at everything it offers and experience the sights and sounds. Just beware of what you’re purchasing to take home because some of the food items such as cheese, etc has been laying out a while and may not be very fresh.Visited May 2023Traveled with familyWritten May 31, 2023
- SaleDamcSale, United Kingdom448 contributionsFun experienceLoud, noisy and busy but that it part of the attraction. Plenty of stalls selling fresh fish, fruit and vegetables with enthusiastic vendors crying out, across the market, inviting you to sample their produce. There were many locals shopping there, which is a sign of how good it is and I have to say that walking through, some of the smells coming from the stalls was very enticing, and although I did not stop to eat, there were plenty of people who seemed to be enjoying their food, very much.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten October 29, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,784 reviews
Excellent
756
Very good
622
Average
206
Poor
94
Terrible
106
Teoso
Brooklyn, NY270 contributions
Apr 2022
Many 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?
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
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dmitri D
Valencia, Spain193 contributions
Feb 2020
Ballaro 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
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnFS_travel
Fontainebleau, France129 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
It was a decent market but very manic. Possibly more enjoyable if you eat meat and fish, as there were many street food stalls/tables intermixed through the market, which added to its charm. The fruit and veg did look very good/fresh, olives and chili (dried flakes) were excellent and inexpensive. There is a bunch of the usual clothes, toys and tat but in general as stated, a decent market. Very busy, especially with the moped/scooters and bicycles weaving amongst us pedestrians. That's no big deal-actually part of the charm but adds to the manic pace. Recommended? Yeah, 50-50.
Written April 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OLenany
Brooklyn, NY578 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DjangoDjango
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany572 contributions
Jun 2021
Stroll 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 place
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 place
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaleDamc
Sale, UK448 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Loud, noisy and busy but that it part of the attraction. Plenty of stalls selling fresh fish, fruit and vegetables with enthusiastic vendors crying out, across the market, inviting you to sample their produce. There were many locals shopping there, which is a sign of how good it is and I have to say that walking through, some of the smells coming from the stalls was very enticing, and although I did not stop to eat, there were plenty of people who seemed to be enjoying their food, very much.
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Antonija
Zagreb, Croatia1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
We went to visit the market on a Thursday afternoon. Strong urine smell. Piles of garbage everywhere. Pickpockets. Careless scooter drivers. Different prices for the tourists. And those famous must-try street food everyone talks about? Dirty and unsanitary, I rather stayed hungry. I honestly don't know how someone can recommend this place. I just couldn't wait to go far from there.
Written August 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jxx9595
Washington, DC1,460 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stefaniabadan
Pernumia, Italy69 contributions
Ciao, mi consigliate un parcheggiodove lasciare l'auto?
Luigia L
Lecce, Italy3 contributions
Il mercato Ballarò sarà aperto il 02 giugno anche se è festivo?
claudio d
Viterbo, Italy34,405 contributions
Buongiorno; a quanto ne so il mercato è aperto tutti i giorni, domeniche comprese, per cui mi verrebbe da dire che anche il 2 giugno dovrebbe essere aperto. Certo non posso averne la sicurezza perchè non abito a Palermo. Nella zona del mercato ci sono anche esercizi commerciali: il mio consiglio è di provare a chiamare uno di questi che senz'altro le potranno dare la risposta corretta (usando google maps o simile può individuare qualcuno di questi esercizi, e quindi recuperare il numero telefonico sempre su internet.). Saluti.
il martedi nell'ora di pranzo, c'è anche il mercato?
poli_el8
London, UK334 contributions
Il mercato c’è ogni giorno praticamente e chiude nel pomeriggio se non ricordo male
MAUSSANG F
3 contributions
Bonjour. Ce marché est il ouvert tous les jours? merci
elpb521
Paris, France498 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, Italy622 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, Italy410 contributions
Si mi pare ma noi abbiamo parcheggiato sulle strisce blu.
Watanabe T
Rome, Italy265 contributions
C'è un orario di apertura e chiusura?sono aperti anche la sera?fino a che ora?grazie
Alberto
Lugano, Switzerland458 contributions
Purtroppo non lo so.
Chiedi all'ufficio del turismo locale. Sono gentilissimi e ti risponderanno.
Vale la pena di viverlo!
Alberto
Kathia D
1 contribution
Quel jour peut on faire le marché ?
Nik & Ma Pa
Medellin, Colombia418 contributions
Hola. El mercado esta siempre abierto.
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Claim your listingMercato Ballaro - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercato Ballaro
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Mercato Ballaro:
- Markets and Monuments: Walking Tour in the Center of Palermo (From $41.05)
- Walking Tour and street food Tour Palermo (From $47.71)
- Palermo Food Tour: Discover Hidden Culinary Gems with a Local (From $97.64)
- GRAND TASTE PALERMO - Artisan Food & History Walking Tour (From $53.26)
- Sicily Private Tour from Palermo: Monreale, Etna, Taormina, Agrigento (3 days) (From $1,067.19)
- 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
- (0.07 mi) Palazzo Brunaccini
- (0.16 mi) Il Giardino di Ballaro
- (0.05 mi) B&B Colori Bahlara
- Restaurants near Mercato Ballaro:
- (0.03 mi) Ballaró Street Food
- (0.04 mi) Trattoria del Carmine
- (0.05 mi) Cotto E Bollito
- (0.08 mi) Trattoria Calessino
- (0.09 mi) Ristorante Brunaccini
- Attractions near Mercato Ballaro:
- (0.09 mi) Terradamare Cooperativa Turistica a Palermo
- (0.04 mi) Street Frui Ballaro
- (0.09 mi) Torre di San Nicolo all'Albergheria
- (0.08 mi) Mercati di Palermo: Capo, Vucciria e Ballaro
- (0.15 mi) Palermo Wonders
Mercato Ballaro Information
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Very Good Reviews | 621 |
Mercato Ballaro Photos | 1,803 |