8 Best Places to Shop in Mount Etna and Eastern Sicily, Sicily

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.