33 Best Places to Shop in Sicily, Italy

Bonajuto is the oldest chocolate producer in town, dating from 1880. This busy shop on Modica Bassa's main street lets you sample many varieties of their delightful product before you buy, and also makes renowned cannoli and candied orange peel. 

One of the oldest ceramics factories in Sicily, La Giara sells a bit of everything from souvenirs to more substantial pieces of art. In their impressive showroom, you will find every possible style of Sicilian ceramics, from basic terra-cotta to elaborate hand-painted Baroque designs as well as large pieces of furniture. Still run by the same family that originally founded the factory, the quality and artistry of the pieces are guaranteed by many generations of experience. They also ship worldwide.

For a most unique and uplifting shopping experience, drop into Fabrizio Fazio's workshop and discover his entertaining, self-made journey to become the maestro craftsman of the traditional tamburo drum. Using traditional methods and natural products, including goatskin and wood, Fabrizio (a force of nature) creates variously sized drums for religious festivals, folkloric processions, and popular musicians. His workshop is filled with instruments of various sizes and timbres, which you can buy (he sends them globally). The tools of his trade and—most voluminously, his palpable passion for his craft—come through with every instrument.  

This historic food market is still the daily shopping center for residents of Ortigia and mainland Siracusa. Seafood stalls display the catch of the day, ranging from local clams that you'll find in most restaurants to sea urchins that normally only appear on the more expensive menus. Even in the colder months, the vegetable and fruit stalls are still vibrant and inviting. One thing to look out for is the local Pachino tomato. It has protected status and can be found fresh, dried, or reduced to a gloriously intense thick paste called strattu, dried in the sun, which adds fantastic deep flavors to soups and pasta sauces. Intertwined within the stalls are several local bars where you can rest and take in the hustle and bustle of local Italian food culture. The market is open every day except for Sunday, from 7 am to 1:45 pm.

Beginning behind the Fontana Amenano at the corner of Piazza Duomo and spreading westward between Via Garibaldi and Via Transito, this is one of Italy's most memorable markets. It's a feast for the senses, with ricotta, fresh produce, endless varieties of meats, thousands of just-caught fish (some still wriggling), plus a symphony of vendor shouts to fill the ears. The market is at its best in early morning and finishes up around 1 pm. It's open every day except Sunday.

For a mix of the traditional, rustic Santo Stefano designs with a dash of the fantastical, this ceramics workshop is second to none. Visit the showroom to view a cornucopia of options, from elegant plates and cups to striking and vibrant sculptural pieces. 

Panarea native and stylist Giovanna Mandarano captures the vitality of the island with her women's clothing and accessories line that's known for bold prints, flowing fabrics, and lots and lots of color. Though there are now multiple locations throughout Sicily and in Rome, the original Panarea location, which opened in 2006, remains the heart of the collection. This is your go-to boutique for the effortlessly chic style that the island is known for.

Wind your way through the Albergheria district and this historic market, where the Saracens did their shopping in the 11th century—joined by the Normans in the 12th. The market's name is said to come from nearby Monreale, named Bahlara when Arab traders resided there, and it remains faithful to their original commerce of fruit, vegetables, and grain. These days the stalls are dotted with bars and outdoor restaurants where you can sample the produce, but the market has lost none of its authenticity—just keep a close eye on your belongings in the crowd. And go early: the action dies out by 4 pm most days. Take a wander around the district to view the wonderful "Postcards of Ballarò" project murals (documented in a 2018 Netflix film), including Fulvio di Piazza's Turbo Ballarò, a vibrant whirlpool of fish alluding to the market.

French artist Elise Collet Soravito has made Alicudi her home, and in her studio, she creates chunky, colorful jewelry, pottery, and paintings inspired by the island, from lemon still-lifes to landscapes. Shopping is a very rudimentary experience (there's no storefront per se), but you can arrange a visit to see her work and pick up handcrafted souvenirs of your stay. 

Among Italians, Erice is known for the quality and delicate floral designs of its majolica ceramics, well represented in this ceramics store off Piazza San Domenico, one of the best in town.

This local ceramics factory and producer has been around since 1683 and is still a family business. The showroom is filled with unique hand-painted pieces that reflect the history and artistry of the town. The owner is often at the showroom and has been known to hand-wrap plates, cups, and other souvenirs.

You'll find an enticing array of dresses and coats in this busy little boutique on the main Via Etnea. The bold yet subtle colors and patterns of these original designs are a refreshing change from the bright blues and yellows that are ubiquitous in Sicily. You could even team up your outfit with a pair of shoes, a bag, or a scarf. The ‘t’ is silent in CLOT.

Giovanna Colomba is the creative force behind this store near the hydrofoil port, where typical Sicilian motifs and artifacts are given a vibrant new style. There is no single theme to the choice of objects on sale, which include eye-catching handbags decorated with citrus fruits, flamboyant ceramics, colorful cushions, and T-shirts with floral designs, but all share a very Sicilian exuberance as well as respect for local tradition and quality of manufacture.

The primary passage between Taormina's two imposing gates (Porta Messina and Porta Catania) is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare lined with both locally owned boutiques and massive international chains. During the height of summer, it can be an untenable traffic jam of foot traffic, but in the shoulder seasons, it's a lovely quick stroll for shopping and stops for coffee at area cafés.

Exquisitely handcrafted jewelry is available at this shop on the main Corso, much of it using the coral for which Sciacca is famous. Buy from the examples on display here or work together with the exciting young designer Cristiana Turano Campello to create something to your exact tastes.

Owners Filippo and Jelena welcome shoppers into their well-stocked enoteca as if they are inviting friends into their home. In this little spot just outside the city center, they stock one of the area's best selections of Etna and Sicilian wines as well as boutique amari, Etna-distilled gins, and a whole wall of sparkling wine. Rely on their expertise to navigate the offerings. The couple knows every bottle in the shop and never tries a gratuitous upsell. 

The best wineshop in town has been family run for four generations and stocks a fantastic selection of Sicilian and national wines. Although service can be curt, you can taste a selection of wines by the glass in the front of the store. There are tables in the back, where meats and cheeses are also served.

For a more pop art take on traditional Sicilian ceramics, visit this little boutique and gallery run by artist Magda Masano. You'll find iconic ceramic pine cones (pigne) and teste di Moro (a ubiquitous pair of heads) in vibrant colors such as emerald green, lilac, or turquoise. Additionally, there are kitchen wares like plates, spoon rests, and cheese boards, all made of lava stone.

The charming "Mamma Andrea's Small Sins" sells a plethora of mouthwatering original creations, including jams, preserves, chocolates, and Sicilian treats like the superb marzipan frutta martorana (fruits and vegetables).

Visitors are spoiled for choice by the floor-to-ceiling bottles of this enoteca. It's a good place to stock up on good-quality, local Sicilian wine sourced by the long-standing and enthusiastic patron of the establishment. You can sample a glass or two here, accompanied by a cheese and meat platter.

The classic Capri sandal has been part of the Italian summer uniform since the 1960s, and icons like Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, and Anita Ekberg ensured its enduring legacy. Stop into the Taormina outpost to have a pair custom-made.

Of the numerous ceramics shops in Caltagirone's old center, this one 13 steps up Caltagirone's fabled ceramic staircase is one of the best, selling eye-catching work with a modern aesthetic that is inspired by the town's long artisan tradition.

Italians are passionate about footwear, and the summer island uniform requires a collection of sandals for that perfect dolce far niente look. This third-generation shoe shop specializes in bespoke handcrafted sandals made from all-natural materials like leather and snakeskin. Choose your style (from some 20-plus designs), heel height, material, and color. They'll measure your foot, and within 30 minutes your custom sandals are ready to walk out the door. 

Born from owner Natalie Rossi’s dream in 2014 to start a new life (mollo tutto means to throw it all away), this playful little shop has since grown up a lot. In addition to a line of nautical-themed clothing, some products are made from an innovative fabric created with recycled fishing nets, a project that not only respects the sea but raises awareness of its fragility. These garments are 100% sustainable, which makes a positive impact on the environment.

As the largest shopping mall in Messina province, Parco Corolla offers a nice selection of Italian fashion stores, including children's clothing, accessories, perfume, and jewelry. In addition, a shopping district surrounds the mall with many other diverse stores, including a food hall and a cinema.

Artisan Barbara Calabresi hand dyes yarns and silk with vegetable dyes from the island's flora (chamomile, artichokes, pomegranates); she weaves the thread into fabric, then designs and produces clothing and housewares (tablecloths, bedspreads, and rugs) from the cloth. Shop her charming boutique, or sign up for one of her special courses where you can learn how to dye and weave on a “nomadic” loom. All classes are suitable for beginners. Barbara has also added botanical printing (transferring the pigments of leaves and flowers onto fabric) to her skill set and clothing line. The shop is open only by appointment.

Right across from the cathedral, this fabulously abundant store is the place to stock up on food and food-adjacent items, including pasta, pesto, biscuits, Marsala wine, limoncello, and lemon soaps. Most of the articles on sale are from small local producers, and you can sample some of the edible items on offer by ordering a panino or a salad to eat in or take out.

For all your caftan needs—the effortlessly stylish uniform of summer—the team at Tacchi Dadi e Datteri has you covered. Breezy linen dresses form the heart of their offerings, but you'll also find breathable button-downs, men's seersucker swim trunks, and colorful alpargatas that are Sicily's chic answer to Tom's slip-ons. There are also branches in Filicudi and Stromboli.

First opened in 2019, this Catanesi-owned shop and clothing line embraces body positivity. So much so, they abandoned all traditional sizes and instead offer five unique fits. Constructed with an eye on sustainability, the clothes are made of all natural, vegetal fabrics. And the owners work with local women artisans to highlight their handcrafted accessory wares (like necklaces and purses) within the shop.