The historical Vucciria market will probably be the first market you come across while strolling through Palermo. It is located near the busy street via Roma, and the smoke from the grilled delicacies prepared at the market penetrates it.
The market was originally intended for slaughtering animals and selling meat, later it became a place for selling fish, fruits, and vegetables. Today, you can find a wide range of stalls offering Sicilian street food – whether it’s freshly prepared seafood or grilled lamb intestines. These are complemented by small pubs offering beer or cocktails, which you can enjoy at tables placed in front of the restaurants. Stalls with food are, of course, also complemented by sellers of fruits, vegetables, and fish.
“Vuccirìa” allegedly means confusion in the Palermo dialect. And you will experience it at the market even today. Market visitors flow in all directions, and the typical cry of sellers resonates above everything. One proverb is associated with the market and the sale of fish, similar to the Czech “Až naprší a uschne” (When it rains and dries up), “I balati ra Vucciria ‘un s’asciucanu mai” or “When the floor of Vucciria dries up”…
Today, the historical Vucciria market is a must-see tourist stop, and it shows. I prefer the historical Ballarò market or del Capo, which are more off the center of Palermo. However, Vucciria is definitely worth a visit.
Try tasting some of the local specialties, order a Sicilian Messina beer, and watch the hustle and bustle that is inextricably linked to the entire historical market for a while. It will tune you into the true Sicilian atmosphere.
More information can be obtained by clicking on the map link:
