10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Sicily

The Mercato del Capo or Il Capo Market is one of the oldest markets in the Sicilian capital of Palermo. It runs the length of Via Sant’Agostino, ending at Porta Carin. Stalls selling meat, fish, fruit and vegetables line the narrow thoroughfare, which is busy with both locals and visitors alike. 

Don’t expect to hurry – the crowded space gets clogged up with shoppers. The Mercato del Capo is an excellent spot for people-watching, shopping and enjoying street food in Palermo.

Antica Dolceria Bonajuto sells what Modica is famous for: chocolate. Now into its 6th generation, it’s the oldest remaining chocolate producer in Sicily. Take a look at mementoes in its wooden cabinets to learn a little of its history before heading to the tasting corner for some samples.

Besides chocolate bars, you can buy traditional Sicilian sweet treats such as cannoli, cassatine (Sicilian sponge cake), nucatoli (S-shaped cookies), m’pagnuccata (Italian honey balls), and mpanatigghi (crescent-shaped cookies). You can join one of the regular Fattojo Bonajuto tours to find out how the delightful treats are all made.

Corso Italia is a busy street in the Sicilian city of Catania. It has one of the best selections of upmarket retail stores anywhere on the island. The street begins at Piazza Europa (north of the Porto Rossi marina) and runs west toward Corte d'Appello di Catania.

Big-name chain stores and high-end designer outlets flank both sides of Corso Italia. You can find just about anything, from clothing and accessories to perfumes and electronics. This is the place to shop for brands such as Stefanel, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Max Mara, Boss and Benetton. You’ll also discover local designer names worth checking out, such as Elisabetta Franchi and Chiara B.

The Sicilia Outlet Village is a cool shopping mall on the A19, close to Agira. This sprawling outdoor complex has numerous high-end fashion stores, including Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Armani. Global brands like Pandora, Nike, Vans, Abercrombie & Fitch, Michael Kors, Desigual and Timberland are also available here.  

Facilities and services complementing your shopping experience at the Sicilia Outlet Village include charging points for electric automobiles, ATMs, personal shoppers, and concierge. If you don’t want to cart your purchases home with you, simply take advantage of their shipping services.

Etnapolis is a megamall located in Belpasso, around 14 km northwest of Catania. This complex is spread over 2 floors and features many familiar names in fashion and lifestyle, including H&M, JD Sports, Pull & Bear, Sisley, Benetton, and Zara.

There are several restaurants, cafes and fast-food outlets. A multiplex movie theater encourages you to stay for a movie after stores have closed for the day. With over 6,000 parking spaces, free Wi-Fi, and even a dog walking area, Etnapolis makes shopping a pleasant and convenient experience.

Santo Stefano di Camastra is a town on Sicily’s north coast, midway between Palermo and Messina. It’s well known for its tradition of making ceramics and boasts numerous businesses that make and sell various pottery items.

One of the oldest is La Giara, founded in 1953 by the Patti family. To this day, they make colorful lawn bowling, bottles, vases, and signature Majolica tiles by hand. Shop carefully if you’re looking for an authentic souvenir as some items for sale in the town are mass-produced.

Caltagirone is sometimes dubbed the “City of Sicilian Ceramics” – it won’t take you long to work out why. Numerous stores craft the distinctive local pottery, which layers a limited palette of yellows, greens and blues onto a white background.

One of the best is Ceramiche Artistiche Carco di Irene Cabibbo. There, alongside the many products offered for sale, you’ll find a Majolica nativity scene that forms the centerpiece of a small exhibition of work. While you’re in town, you may be inspired by the town’s pottery museum and its 17th-century Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte, which features 142 steps decorated with unique hand-decorated ceramics.

Erice is a Sicilian town that's known for producing frazzate, or hand-woven rugs and carpets. Each bears a design created out of colorful strips of cloth, off-cuts which otherwise might have been thrown away.

These geometric motifs, comprising rhombuses and zigzags bring to mind the narrow winding streets of Erice, which locals refer to as stratuneddi. The technique, which dates back to the 13th century, is passed down from mother to daughter. Follow the clack-clack sounds of handlooms to see it for yourself.

The Mercatino delle Pulci is a flea market that takes place in Modica on the last Sunday of the month. While it’s not the only bazaar of its kind in Sicily, it has a reputation for offering a greater selection of wares than other markets. 

The Mercatino delle Pulci sells all kinds of secondhand items, such as antique collectables, preloved furniture, old records, jewelry and vintage ceramics from Caltagirone. As with all flea markets, it’s worth going with an open mind instead of a specific shopping list. Get there when the market opens to nab the best of what’s on offer.

Magazzini Anita is a popular fashion store in Palermo. A must-visit for fans of retro clothing, the boutique is full of vintage pieces from the 1920s to the 1980s. Many have never been worn, so you'll be the first to don these unique clothes.

Its owners work hard to find apparels, bags and jewelry that can be passed on to their customers at affordable prices. Such items can form the basis of an outfit that is as unique as it is stylish, making this a real treasure trove for Sicily shoppers and fashionistas looking for something a bit different.