Palermo Ballaro Market & Street Food Tour by Eating Europe
In Palermo
From
£55
pp
3h 0 mins · 5.0 (130)
Step into the soul of Palermo on this immersive street food adventure through the historic Albergheria district.
Wander through the lively Ballarò Market with your local guide, where centuries-old traditions meet bold Sicilian flavors and sizzling street food.
Along the way, taste your way through a delicious line-up of Palermo's street food royalty: crispy arancine, crocchè, and soft sfincione pizza.
Visit a hidden monastery-turned-bakery for divine pastries crafted from age-old recipes, sample sun-drenched tomatoes and “cheese on horseback,” and sip espresso from one of Italy’s top independent roasters. With each stop, you'll uncover stories of resilience, rebellion, and the enduring pride of Palermo’s food-loving locals.
Free cancellation
What's included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Sip on espresso from a century-old roastery, and try sinfully good pastries
- Get lost in the best street market, Ballarò and its 1000-year history, trying pizza and beer
- Fall in love with slow-grilled sausage and mangia e bevi from the Palermo street food royalty
- ‘Food & the City’ Insider Tips
What's not included
- Gratuities / Tips for the guide
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Extra drinks
Itinerary
- Since 1947, this renowned Palermo eatery is famous for its traditional fried specialties. Taste panelle (chickpea fritters) and crocchè (mashed potato croquettes), classic local snacks — a true Sicilian street food experience. (20 min)
- The Arch of Cutò is an ancient monument in Palermo, dating back to the 13th century. It is part of the Palazzo Cutò and it's one of the main entrances of Ballarò Market.
- Visit a beloved Palermo bakery, running for 56 years and celebrated even by the NY Times! The chef will prepare two types of sfincione: the Palermitano with tomatoes and caciocavallo cheese, and the Bagherese with tuna, cheese and onions. (35 min)
- Taste two Sicilian street food favorites: sausage with fennel, and mangia e bevi, a slice of pancetta wrapped around a spring onion. Both are slowly grilled to perfection with a delicious smoky flavor! (20 min)
- Arancina is the most famous street food in Palermo. In this old pharmacy, Anna has opened a small bistrò where the food is prepared fresh everyday and arancine are nice and round, as they should be! (30 min)
- One of Palermo’s most striking historic squares, just steps from Quattro Canti. At its center stands the Fontana Pretoria, a 16th-century Renaissance fountain originally made in Florence and later transported to Palermo in 644 individual pieces.
- Enjoy a cannolo espresso at a hidden pastry stop inside a former monastery. Watch as one of Palermo’s best cannoli is filled fresh on the spot with creamy ricotta and finished with pistachio, chocolate chips, and candied fruit. (20 min)
- This square is a unique intersection of history and it's most famous for housing two UNESCO World Heritage churches side-by-side, each representing the city's Arab-Norman heritage.
- We will end our tour with a coffee stop, in this 100 years old roastery. Casa Stagnitta is a reference to locals when it comes to good coffee and pastries. (10 min)
Meeting & end point
Meeting point
Your guide will be waiting for you and wearing our purple Eating Europe bag!
Practical information
- Operated by
- Eating Europe Food Tours Rome
- Max group size
- 12 travellers
- Travellers per booking
- 1–12
- Languages
- en
- Confirmation
- INSTANT
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation available.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Important notes
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This activity requires a minimum of 2 guests. Should this not be met, we will contact you directly to help you get rescheduled or reimbursed.
- Children under 4 years old do not need a ticket and can join the tour for free. However, food is not included. Paid tickets with food included are available for ages 4 and up.
- Please note that the tastings mentioned are a selection of the delicious foods we often feature. Both offerings and tour stops may vary by day or season, but you're sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors!
- Have dietary requirements? Simply email us or add a note at booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate vegetarians, gluten-free guests or other dietary needs where we can. For guest safety, this experience isn’t suitable for those with severe or life-threatening food allergies to ingredients found on the tour, and the company cannot take responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances.
Frequently asked questions
The tour runs for around 3 hours. Times are approximate and may vary depending on group size, traffic, and site conditions on the day.
What's included is set out in the tour description above. As a general guide, transport and guiding are normally covered; meals, personal expenses, and gratuities are typically extra unless the description states otherwise.
We don't hold specific age or fitness guidance for this tour. Read the activity description carefully and, if in any doubt, speak to your cruise line's excursion desk before you book.