Il Capo Market: The Heart of Palermo

Last Updated: April 25, 2025

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Where is the Capo Market in Palermo?

Located in the old district, called Seralcadio, formed in Muslim times to accommodate slaves, that is pirates and slave traders.
The Mercato del Capo is located in the historic center of Palermo, in Sicily.
Specifically, it extends between the Via Volturno, Via Cappuccinelle, Via Sant’Agostino, Via Ballarò and Via Maqueda.
This area is easily accessible on foot or by public transport and is within easy reach of other tourist attractions in Palermo, such as the Cathedral, the Teatro Massimo and the Palazzo dei Normanni.

Info

The Mercato del Capo in Palermo is one of the oldest and most traditional markets in the city, located in the historic center of Palermo.
The main entrance to the Capo Market is located in Via Porta Carini, a pedestrian street that stretches along the length of the market.
This entrance is characterized by a large stone arch that leads to the heart of the market. Once past the arch, you enter a lively and colourful area, surrounded by stalls and shops offering a wide range of fresh food products and local handicrafts. The entrance is easily recognizable thanks to the presence of some inscriptions and murals that decorate the arch and the surrounding walls.
The market covers an area of about 3,000 square meters and offers visitors a wide range of fresh products and typical of Sicilian cuisine, such as fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, cheeses, bread and cakes.
In addition, the market is also a place where you can discover local handicrafts, with numerous shops selling handmade products such as textiles, ceramics and wooden objects.
Local craftsmen are always available to explain the history and tradition behind each product.
The Capo Market was opened for the first time in 1783 and has since become a reference point for everyday life in the city.
The market is open every day from early morning to late afternoon, except on Sundays.
In addition, the Capo Market is also a meeting place for the local community, where the inhabitants of Palermo go to shop, socialize and discover the latest news of the place.
However, as in any market, it is important to pay attention to your belongings and keep an eye on prices to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The visit to the Capo Market is an authentic experience that allows you to discover the true essence of Palermo. The lively and authentic atmosphere of the market makes you feel part of the local community, and allows you to taste the authentic flavors of Sicilian cuisine. The Capo Market is a place not to be missed if you visit Palermo!

Other popular markets in Palermo

Vucciria.

Located in the Albergheria district, the Vucciria market is a historic market known for selling fresh products such as fruit, vegetables and fish, but also clothing, shoes and local handicrafts.

Ballarò

Located in the Ballarò district, the Ballarò market is one of the oldest markets in Palermo.
Here you can find fresh products such as fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, but also spices, cheeses, bread and cakes. The market is also known for selling local handicrafts such as textiles and ceramics.

Borgo Vecchio

Located near the port of Palermo, the market of Borgo Vecchio is a place where you can find fresh food products such as fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, as well as local handicrafts such as textiles, ceramics and wooden objects.

Where is the Capo Market in Palermo?
Info
Other popular markets in Palermo
history
opening hours
How to get to the Capo Market
What to buy at the Capo Market?
Curiosities and practical tips
Street food not to be missed at the Mercato del Capo in Palermo:
Video

history

The Capo, district north of the Albergheria, is like this characterized by a network of narrow streets and blind alleys.
Also popular, it has a local market, the Mercato del Capo, which stretches along Via Sant’Agostino and ends at Porta Carini, one of the oldest doors in the city.
The central nucleus of the district is the imposing convent of the Church of Sant’Agostino, which in medieval times governed the region.

opening hours

The Capo Market is open from Monday to Saturday from 7:00 to 19:00.
Sunday is closed.
Most shops close during the lunch break, so if you want to visit the market during this time, it is best to do so before 1 pm.

How to get to the Capo Market

Located at the meeting point between Via Porta Carini and Via Volturno in the historic centre of the city,
Mercato del Capo is located about 20 minutes walk from the main train station of Palermo.

These lines have stops at Capo Mercato

Bus: 101,104
Train:A

What to buy at the Capo Market?

As you venture into the heart of the Capo market, you are constantly accompanied by the shrill and often brightly colored voices of various street vendors, who try to attract attention to stimulate the purchase of their products.
This charming invitation is known as “abbanniata” in the dialect of Palermo. In fact, part of the show consists in listening to this characteristic “folk music” typical of the historical markets.
In these ancient markets you can find a variety of items, but especially fruits, vegetables, fish and meat are in the foreground.

Curiosities and practical tips

“Abbanniata” from Palermo
The “abbanniata” of Palermo is the typical scream with which sellers in the historic markets of Palermo, such as the Mercato del Capo, try to attract customers to sell their goods. This vocal call is a folkloric tradition deeply rooted and characteristic of the popular markets of the city.

Street food not to be missed at the Mercato del Capo in Palermo:

1. Arancine

The famous arancine from Palermo (feminine, as locally specified) are a must, especially those filled with ragout, butter or pistachio. Historical counters such as Dainotti l’Apericapo offer authentic versions.

2. Panelle and croquettes

Chickpea fritters (panelle) and potato croquettes (crocchè) are iconic street food, often served together in a sandwich. The market stalls offer them fresh and crispy.

3. Frittola

Speciality for adventurous palates: boiled and browned veal offals, often seasoned with lemon and salt. It is located in the banquet near Piazza Beati Paoli.

4. Autista

Traditional drink based on anise seeds, water and sugar, digestive retention. Available in historical kiosks like the one at the exit of the market.

5. Pesce fritto

Mussels, calamari and anchovies fried in batter, served in “coppi” of paper. Some counters also offer vegetables in batter as aubergines and zucchini.

6. Sarde a beccafico e pasta con i ricci

If you are looking for a more structured experience, Spanò (via Gesù e Maria) offers pasta with sea urchins and bread croutons from Monreale.

Note: These dishes are typical of the taverns adjacent to the market, not street food stalls.

Practical tips:

• Prices: Affordable (e.g. boiled chicken for 1 €, fried dishes for a few euros).
• Hours: Better visit in the morning for freshness of ingredients.
• Warning: Some reviews report variable quality at certain points, but the mentioned benches are considered reliable.

For a complete experience, combine street food with fresh orange juice (€1) or grattatella (ice cream).

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