Capo Market (Mercato di Capo)
The Basics
Stop by the Mercato del Capo, one of the main outdoor markets in Palermo, to interact with vendors peddling local delicacies alongside others hawking inexpensive clothing and souvenirs in the distinctive Palermitano dialect. There's centuries of history here, as it began as an Arab market before the Norman conquest.
The market is known for its street food stands selling freshly fried fish, fritters, and other Sicilian classics, and joining a street food tour of Palermo is a great way to sample the wares with an expert. Or, take a Palermo walking tour or bike tour to experience the colorful mass of stalls and shoppers at Mercato del Capo with all your senses.
Things to Know Before You Go
Market and street food tours through the Mercato del Capo are on foot, so comfortable shoes and a sun hat are recommended.
With a number of stands selling fried fish, vegetables, and other specialties to go, the market is the perfect place to stop for a snack.
As with any crowded market in Italy, pickpockets can sometimes be a problem.
The colorful stalls and characters in the Mercato del Capo make for fantastic photos.
The space between the stands is often crowded, so the market is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers.
How to Get There
Located where Via Porta Carini and Via Volturno meet in the city’s historic center,
Mercato del Capo is about a 20-minute walk from the main train station in Palermo.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The market is open daily from morning to evening but closed Wednesday and Sunday afternoon. It is especially lively in the morning when locals arrive to do their daily shopping, and in the evening when the food stands prepare traditional street food from Palermo.
Palermo's Historic Markets
Palermo is famous for the raucous outdoor markets in the city center, distinctive for their lively and authentic atmosphere. Aside from the Mercato del Capo, the most historic and popular are the Vucciria Market, with an early-morning fish market in addition to vegetables and other foodstuffs, and the Ballarò Market, with similar offerings.
- Things to do in Sicily
- Things to do in Agrigento
- Things to do in Catania
- Things to do in Taormina
- Things to do in Messina
- Things to do in Syracuse
- Things to do in Mellieha
- Things to do in Valletta
- Things to do in Capri
- Things to do in Sorrento
- Things to do in Positano
- Things to do in Naples
- Things to do in Rome
- Things to do in Amalfi Coast
- Things to do in Lazio
- Four Corners (Quattro Canti)
- Massimo Opera House (Teatro Massimo)
- Opera Dei Pupi (Rod Marionette Theatre)
- Branciforte Palace (Palazzo Branciforte)
- Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo)
- Politeama Garibaldi Theater (Teatro Politeama Garibaldi)
- Vucciria Market (La Vucciria)
- Piazza & Fontana Pretoria
- Zisa Castle (Castello della Zisa)
- Martorana
- Church of the Gesù (Chiesa del Gesù)
- Palatine Chapel (Capella Palatina)
- Ballarò Market (Mercato Ballarò)
- Mirto Palace House Museum (Palazzo Mirto Casa Museo)
- Chiaramonte-Steri Palace (Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri)