Eating My Way Through The Mercato di Capo in Palermo, Sicily
Discovering the Mercato di Capo in Palermo was like finding the Italy of my dreams. Locals filled the streets doing their shopping for the day. I felt like I had been cheated by what they consider to be produce fit for eating back in America. The fruits and vegetables at the Mercato di Capo were vibrant, fresh, and gleaming. Stalls of olives, wines, bread, cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes all beckoned me closer for a taste. Many of the vendors offered me a taste of the food they were selling. This market has a lot of history and used to be the Arab market before the Normans arrived. I felt like I had indeed stepped back in time and could have stayed at this market all day.
The Capo Market is one of four outdoor markets in Palermo. It was a definite treat for the senses!
The locals were incredibly friendly and for some reason everyone wanted their picture with me. Hmm, imagine that! It was a cold morning and a promise of rain hung in the chilly air, but everyone did their work with great joy and gusto.
It was hard not to keep stopping in the pastry shops on the way for sweets and an espresso. The streets of Palermo are filled with beautiful architecture, and I enjoyed walking around and exploring this historic city. It was full of life, activity and good tastes.
The Mercato di Capo is located on Via Porta Carini and most of the local food products are found in the Via Volturno section of the market.
Hours Mon-Tue: 7:00am-8:00pm; Wed: 7:00am-1:00pm; Thu-Sat: 7:00am-8:00pm; Sun: 7:00am-1:00pm
If you are looking for an affordable place to stay during your visit to Palermo, I recommend A Casa di Amica hostel. They have both private and shared rooms at affordable prices.