Shopping

Shops are usually open in the morning from 9am to 12:30 pm, and from 4pm to 7:30pm. Some places may be closed on Wednesdays, so call before you go or ask your hotel concierge.

Palermo
Palermo craftwork offers a lot of choices to satisfy the yearning to own some local souvenirs: traditional craft techniques passed on through the generations still allow you to buy some high quality craftsmen’s products. Unique, original items are the total express of Palermo’s culture and tradition. One of the most typical objects of all is the famous pupi, puppets which UNESCO has declared to be “masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.” The pupi are the characteristic Sicilian marionettes that the pupari, the master puppet show experts, use to put on shows of the medieval knights actions.

Agrigento
Via Atenea is the main commercial street in Agrigento and the “living room” of the city. The street is extensive, winding between ancient buildings and churches of varying styles. Do as the Agrigenti do, and take the traditional passeggiata (walk) to do some shopping.

The artisans of Agrigento sell their original creations, such as their ancient tradition of objects and sculptures made out of cork, or terracotta, carpets, wrought iron, wicker and traditional musical instruments. Real connoisseurs can observe the construction of the ciaramedde, unique Sicilian bagpipes requiring a complex manufacturing process, which is remembered and practiced by only a few remaining artisans in the area.

Syracuse (Siracusa)
One of the most popular craft products in Syracuse is papyrus paper. The area around the Ciane River is the only one in Italy where this rare, valuable plant grows. Paper is still made from papyrus today, following ancient methods that were invented many centuries ago by the Egyptians. The paper can be bought plain, or painted, with subjects that are mostly of Greek or Egyptian inspiration. It is possible to follow the processing of papyrus paper in some shops, starting from the stalks of the plant and finishing with the paper. Other typical objects that can be found in Syracuse’s shops are gold or other less precious metal copies of ancient Syracuse coins that were used in the era when the city was compared to Athens and Carthage for its size and power. The local pottery, sold in the characteristic laboratories-workshops so frequent in this part of Sicily is also worth looking at.

Taormina
Corso Umberto is the street in Taormina that will meet all your needs for shopping no matter how crazy, expensive or extravagant the need may be. You’ll find the most sophisticated designs in jewelry, fashion, pottery (Sicilian ceramic is fantastic) and furniture. There are many antique shops (Forin offers Sicilian antiques and prints) and souvenir bazaars and gift shops (Ch‘ien with exotic goods from Chin and India). There are also small markets with great regional goods, wines (like almond wine, Taormina's typical beverage) and great selections of cheese, sweetmeat, bread and local pastries.