The Best Markets in Sicily, Italy

To really get a feel for the food culture in Sicily, visiting an open-air market is a must. There are regular markets in pretty much every town on the island, while smaller villages tend to only have them once or twice a week. They’re usually only open in the morning, so begin your day with a pre-lunch visit. Here’s a guide to some of the best food markets in Sicily.
Got your eye on a trip to Sicily? You can now visit hassle-free by joining Culture Trip’s specially curated small-group Sicily tour, which includes visits to Palermo, Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands – led by our Local Insider.
Ballarò
Market

Palermo – the capital of Sicily – is home to some of the most famous food markets in Italy. One of the oldest and most renowned on the island is Ballarò, just a stone’s throw from the main train station. Perennially loud and frenetic, the atmosphere is intense as vendors shout and sing the merits of their products to everyone that passes by. You’ll see glistening piles of fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables and a whole host of classic Sicilian street food delicacies such as sfincione (a type of Sicilian deep-pan pizza), panelle (chickpea fritters), arancine (deep-fried stuffed rice balls with a meaty filling) and pane con la milza (pork spleen sandwich). There’s arguably no better place to sample authentic local cuisine.
La Vucciria
Market, Italian
Comprised of two squares in the heart of Palermo – Piazza Caracciolo and Piazza Garraffello – La Vucciria was founded more than 1,000 years ago by North African invaders and inspired Italian artist and politician Renato Guttuso’s most famous painting, Vucciria di Palermo, in 1974. Once a flourishing market selling an extensive variety of food and household products, it’s now much quieter during the daytime compared to several other markets in Palermo. Night, however, is when La Vucciria really bursts into life, bringing an eclectic mix of people together to eat, drink and dance until the early hours of the morning.
Il Capo
Farmers' Market, Street Food
Mercato del Pesce di Trapani
Market, Seafood
The treasures of the surrounding waters are all on display at the Mercato del Pesce di Trapani where the salty smell of the sea hangs in the air. Thick, red slabs of tuna and swordfish are cut to order alongside artfully arranged piles of silvery anchovies and sardines. Heaps of rosy shrimp, white squid, lobsters, eels and octopus – you name it, they’re usually all on offer, fresh from the Mediterranean. The real action happens in the earliest part of the day before the sun has fully risen as this is when the freshest produce is available, but there is plenty to see (and buy) until late morning. The fishermen’s boats are just as picturesque as their catch, so be sure to take a stroll along the pier while you’re there.
Mercato di Ortigia
Market

Fera o' Luni
Market, Italian
In the lively city centre of Catania you’ll find the market Fera ‘o Luni near Piazza Carlo Alberto. The farmland in this part of Sicily is particularly fertile due to the volcanic ash of nearby Mount Etna and the produce you’ll see here is truly seasonal, from piles of citrus fruits in the winter months to tables of plump tomatoes in the height of summer. There are plenty of additional stalls that sell household goods, clothing and handcrafted souvenirs.
La Pescheria di Catania
Market, Seafood

About a 15-minute walk from Fera o’ Luni, you’ll find La Pescheria – often regarded as the number one fish market in Sicily, and one of the best in Italy – in the Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto, right next to Catania Cathedral. Even if you have no intention of buying anything, wandering through this lively market, browsing the vast array of seafood on display, and watching the local fishermen prepare their produce as they yell in local dialects is an enthralling experience. Wearing closed shoes rather than sandals or flip-flops is a sensible idea here. Once you’re done exploring, take your pick from the excellent seafood restaurants in the surrounding streets for a taste of the local catch in a more relaxed setting.
Mercato del Pesce di Sciacca
Market, Seafood
If you want to visit a market where only the locals go, then it’s worth taking a trip to the town of Sciacca on the southwestern coast of Sicily. The fish market there is much smaller than those in Trapani or Catania, and much less hectic. If you get there early enough, you’ll be able to watch the fishermen unload their catch straight from the harbour.
This is an updated version of an article originally written by Gillian McGuire.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.