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Ballaro Market
For more than 1,000 years, the stalls of Ballaro Market have provided locals with fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. Wander through this street market in the old part of Palermo and look for traditional Sicilian foods.
Ballaro Market is known for its array of seafood. Look for octopus, lobster and swordfish. Don’t be surprised if you spot some of the sea creatures moving, because the locals like them as fresh as possible. Browse stalls filled with fruit and vegetables, which were cultivated in the countryside around Palermo.
Try some of the market’s street food. A popular snack here is panelle, a type of fritter that is believed to be of Arabic origin. The delicious fried snack is made with chickpea flower. Other local favorites include deep fried eggplant and fried rice balls filled with meat and cheese. You will also find a number of stalls selling cooked foods. Eat as you walk or find a space at one of the wooden tables scattered throughout the market.
Ballaro is primarily a food market, but there are many other items for sale. Explore the long rows of rickety tables to find vintage Italian clothes. Here you will see good quality dresses and shirts at very cheap prices. If fashion isn’t your thing, then head to the section of the market dedicated to local arts and crafts. Look at paintings, sculptures and smaller items such as jewelry and wood carvings.
Ballaro Market is open all through the week. Come toward the end of the morning if you want to avoid the biggest crowds. The market is in the heart of Palermo's historic center, between Ballaro Square and Piazza Carmine and close to the train station. Also nearby is the 12th-century church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio, known for its frescos and Byzantine mosaics.
Guide to Exploring around Ballaro Market
Best Lodging Options Near Ballaro Market
Per night/room
Dec 3 - Dec 4
Artemisia Palace Hotel
Via Roma 499, Palermo, PALocated in the heart of Palermo, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Via Roma, Palermo Harbour, and Politeama Garibaldi Theater. Teatro Massimo and Quattro Canti are also within 15 minutes. Giachery Station is 16 minutes by foot and Fiera Station is 28 minutes.
Per night/room
Dec 2 - Dec 3
NH Palermo
Foro Italico, Palermo, PALocated in Kalsa, this hotel is steps from Foro Italico, Via Lincoln, and Villa Giulia. Piazza della Kalsa and Church of Santa Teresa alla Kalsa are also within 5 minutes. Palermo Central Station is 12 minutes by foot and Palermo Vespri Station is 26 minutes.
Maridà B&B
Salita Sant'Antonio, 11, Palermo, PALocated in Kalsa, this bed & breakfast is steps from Via Vittorio Emanuele, Via Roma, and Quattro Canti. Palermo Harbour and Teatro Massimo are also within 10 minutes. Palermo Central Station is 12 minutes by foot and Palermo Palazzo Reale-Orleans Station is 17 minutes.
La Serenissima Hotel
Via dei Cassari 24, Palermo, Provincia di PalermoLocated in Kalsa, this hotel is steps from Vucciria Market and Palermo Harbour. Via Roma and Quattro Canti are also within 10 minutes. Palermo Central Station is 13 minutes by foot and Palermo Palazzo Reale-Orleans Station is 20 minutes.
Per night/room
Dec 12 - Dec 13
Cala Loft by Wonderful Italy
Piazza Fonderia, 10, PalermoLocated in Centro Storico, this apartment building is steps from Vucciria Market and Palermo Harbour. Via Roma and Quattro Canti are also within 10 minutes. Palermo Central Station is 16 minutes by foot and Giachery Station is 25 minutes.
Rosalmar
Via Mariano Stabile, 139, Palermo, PalermoLocated in Ruggero Settimo, this bed & breakfast is within a 5-minute walk of Via Roma and Politeama Garibaldi Theater. Teatro Massimo and Palermo Harbour are also within 10 minutes. Giachery Station is 19 minutes by foot and Palermo Central Station is 23 minutes.
Per night/room
Dec 1 - Dec 2
Hotel Plaza Opera
Via Gallo Nicolo' 2, Palermo, PALocated in Ruggero Settimo, this romantic hotel is steps from Hammam, Piazza Ruggero Settimo, and Politeama Garibaldi Theater. Church of Santi Pietro e Paolo and Pupi Enzo Mancuso Theater are also within 10 minutes. Giachery Station is 16 minutes by foot and Palermo Notarbartolo Station is 24 minutes.
Per night/room
Dec 4 - Dec 5
Ambasciatori Hotel
Via Roma 111, Palermo, PALocated in Kalsa, this romantic hotel is steps from Theater Santa Cecilia and Via Roma. Palermo Harbour and Quattro Canti are also within 10 minutes. Palermo Central Station is 6 minutes by foot and Palermo Palazzo Reale-Orleans Station is 15 minutes.
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