The 8 Best Markets in Sicily, Italy

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.

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.

Established by Arabs in the ninth century, Il Capo is sandwiched between two of the most striking architectural landmarks in Palermo: the cathedral and the Teatro Massimo (one of the largest opera theatres in Europe). Rivalling Ballarò in terms of ambience and range of produce, Il Capo has the distinct feel of a North African/Middle Eastern souk as you wander, stall to stall, through this labyrinth of vibrant colours and pungent aromas. Whether you’re after fresh fish, meat, Sicilian breads and cheeses, locally sourced fruit and vegetables or traditional street food, there’s not much you won’t find in Il Capo.

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.

Cross over from the Greek-influenced city of Syracuse to the island of Ortigia to find the Mercato di Ortigia. Under the shade of enormous overlapping umbrellas are myriad rows of colourful stalls selling seasonal fruits and vegetables. Each is so perfectly organised it almost feels more like an art form than grocery shopping. Situated near the sea, this market also sells fish that has most likely been caught only a few hours before, as well as stalls selling freshly baked bread and all manner of local cheeses, from fresh ricotta to aged canestrato and caciocavallo.

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.

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.

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.