Shopping Tourism in Sicily

The shopping experience in Sicily, discovering handicraft products, is among the most interesting tourist proposals. A land of workshops and traditions handed down from father to son, the region tells its story starting from its manufactures. Among the oldest is the working of obsidian and lava stone, which has been practised since prehistoric times on the Aeolian Islands and the island of Pantelleria, where the primitive volcanic glass is worked into jewellery and small decorative objects. A process that reflects the close relationship between man and nature, just like that of coral, not by chance renamed "Red Gold". Coral is treated for centuries in Trapani (Pepoli Museum) and Sciacca, where tradition harmonises perfectly with contemporary taste.

The famous artistic ceramics of Caltagirone also belong to the finest manufactures. Here, in addition to the traditional workshops, you can visit the Regional Ceramics Museum and discover world-famous shapes and symbols, such as the typical lucky cones. Santo Stefano di Camastra, on the coast connecting Messina and Palermo, also excels for its marvellous ceramics and the Museum of Ceramics in Palazzo Trabia.

Each of the materials, colours and subjects that the local craftsmanship draws on only reaffirms the link between East and West that, on the island, has always generated unique forms: from the unmistakable Sicilian carts to the coffees, the latest fashionable bags decorated in rope and fabric, to the precious Moorheads. An interweaving of knowledge and trades that can also be admired in the characteristic carpets of Erice, where production endures in the alleys of the mediaeval village.

The Sicilian Puppet Opera deserves its own chapter, recognised by UNESCO as an "Intangible Heritage of Humanity" and handed down by the historical families of puppeteers from Palermo, Catania and Syracuse.

Palermo, Catania and Syracuse are also home to the city's historical markets where you can find typical street food: from Ballarò, Vucciria and Il Capo (Palermo), to the unmissable Pescheria, Catania's fish market, and the Ortigia market (Syracuse).

The main Sicilian cities and outlet villages offer a wide choice of single-brand boutiques, perfumeries and ateliers of young designers.

The mainstay of the shopping experience in Sicily is food and wine, from the unmissable arancine/i to cannoli alla ricotta and gourmet experiences. Among the excellences not to be missed are the numerous Sicilian DOC wines to be tasted in the vineyard and in the cellar (including dessert wines: Passito, Zibibbo and Malvasia) and Cerasuolo di Vittoria, the only DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin) produced in the Ragusa area with Nero D'Avola and Frappato vines. Other branded products include Sicilian PDO olive oil, Sicilian PGI blood oranges, the Modica chocolate, Bronte PDO pistachio, Avola almonds, Pachino PGI tomatoes, Nebrodi pork and Nebrodi PDO cheeses, as well as many Slow Food Presidia.

1. Visit the ancient city markets with street food tasting: Ballarò, Vucciria and Il Capo (Palermo), Pescheria (Catania), Ortigia (Siracusa), Strata ‘a foglia (Caltanissetta) where you can enjoy typical street food based on panelle, arancini/e, crocché, pani cà meusa (bread with spleen, topped with lemon or grated ricotta cheese) and stigghiòle (lamb or veal skewers).
2. Buying Sicilian DOC and DOCG wines with tastings in wineries open to the public that offer not only the opportunity to learn about the production of ancient indigenous grape varieties, including liqueur wines (Zibibbo above all, the oldest), but a true sensory experience, from the glass to the right pairing on the table.
3. Shopping, souvenir and craft classes at workshops and laboratories of artistic ceramics, carpets, coffees, leather goods, Sicilian carts, puppets, Moorheads (Caltagirone, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Burgio, Erice, Ragusa, Siracusa, Catania, Sambuca di Sicilia).
4. Purchase of jewellery and small objects made of obsidian (Aeolian Islands and Pantelleria) and coral (Trapani and Sciacca).
5. Fashion experiences at haute couture boutique stores in major cities and large Sicilian outlet villages.

1. dipartimento.turismo@certmail.regione.sicilia.it