Many experienced travelers know that in tourist cities, large supermarkets always seem to be hidden away from the main tourist areas. We’ve all also had that moment when we forgot some simple everyday item and suddenly couldn’t find it anywhere. That really annoys me. I even thought about opening a shop for basic tourist needs: small bottles of shampoo, cheap phone chargers, or plug adapters (which, by the way, are surprisingly useful in Palermo).
So, where is everything hidden?
The main supermarkets close to most B&B locations are Lidl and Famila. Near Teatro Massimo you’ll find the premium supermarket Prezzemolo & Vitale. If you’re staying near Piazza Indipendenza, Conad can also be useful. But the first two are the key ones.
Most supermarkets are open until 8:00–9:00 pm, but always check their opening hours during major holidays. At Christmas and Easter they’re most likely closed, and Sunday may also be a day off. It’s always better to double-check on Google. There is one 24-hour Famila on Via della Libertà. However, if you’re planning to buy alcohol there, sales stop at 11:00 pm.
All supermarkets sell everything you’ll normally need: food, drinks, and personal care products. If you only need something simple like shampoo or a hairbrush, check whether there’s a Ferdico nearby. It’s one of the largest chains of home and beauty stores in the city centre. By the way, they usually stay open throughout the day without a lunch break.
If you need a phone charger, headphones, a plug adapter, or similar items, head to the lower part of Via Maqueda, closer to Palermo Centrale railway station. There are plenty of small convenience stores there that often stay open until midnight (although I would count on 10:00–11:00 pm to be safe). You can buy water, shampoo, adapters, breakfast biscuits, eggs, fruit, and other everyday essentials. It’s not a market or a large supermarket, but it solves most basic problems. And while you’re there, you’ll also find some of the best prices for souvenirs in Palermo. But that’s a story for another article.