Where Palermo shops, snacks and lunches: the markets worth your morning.
Food markets, farmers markets and covered halls: where Palermo shops, snacks and lunches.
Mercato di Ballaro in Palermo's Albergheria quarter has run since the 10th-century Arab era, extending from Piazza Ballaro along Via Albergheria to Corso Tukory, the city's largest food market.
Go for: Street food, Stigghiola, Fruit and vegetables
Tip: Best on Saturday morning when all stalls open. The stigghiolari fire braziers from dusk for night-market street food.
Mercato della Vucciria on Piazza Caracciolo in Palermo is the city's oldest market (1,000-plus years), quiet by day, raucous at night when sfincione, polpo and stigghiola counters fire up.
Go for: Sfincione, Polpo bollito, Nightlife street food
Tip: Best at night for the street food and bar scene. Morning fish market starts 05:00; sfincione vendors at the Piazza San Domenico end.
Mercato del Capo runs along Via Sant'Agostino, Via Carini and Via Beati Paoli in Palermo's Seralcadio quarter; the city's prime fish and cheese market, dating to the Arab era.
Go for: Fish, Cheese, Fruit and vegetables
Tip: Best on Saturday morning. The fish stalls peak 08:00 to 11:00; Le Angeliche bistro hides in the market at Vicolo Abbadia.
Mercato di Borgo Vecchio between Castelnuovo and the new harbour in Palermo is the city's newest historic market; the night-market grills fire from 20:00 to 04:00 for after-hours street food.
Go for: Night market street food, Fish, Grilled meat
Tip: Day market is quieter; night market is the show. Cash only at the night braziers; peak hour 23:00 to 02:00.
The Sant'Erasmo fish market in Palermo runs from the southern harbour from dawn Tuesday to Sunday, the city's main wholesale fish market where restaurants source the daily catch.
Go for: Fish, Tuna, Octopus
Tip: Arrive 06:00 to 09:00 for the live trade. Polpo, gambero rosso and tuna are the headline catches; bring cash.
Piazza Sant'Anna in Palermo's Kalsa hosts a smaller daily market with a Sunday antiques rotation; fruit, vegetables and a handful of pastry counters serve the residential quarter.
Go for: Antiques, Fruit and vegetables, Sicilian sweets
Tip: Quieter than Ballaro or Capo. Good for morning espresso and sfogliatella shopping; closes by 13:30.