Corso Italia

The Corso Italia street, running from the seaside up towards Mount Etna, is one of the most elegant streets in the city. It is the place to go for upscale brand name shopping — the street is lined with world-famous brand name stores and boutiques and breathes a sophisticated air.

• Address:

  Corso Italia, Catania

Enoteca Regionale di Sicilia

This old town Sicilian wine shop packs a punch with its variety of local wines from small wineries in the region and all over Sicily. Apart from wines, the store stocks a variety of other local products, including many made from olives and pistachio. Wine tasting is possible.

• E-mail:

  enotecaregionale@tiscali.it

• Address:

  Via Vittorio Emanuele II 155, Catania

• Phone:

  +39 095 746 2210

• Opening hours:

  Mon 4pm–8pm, Tue–Sat 10:30am–8pm, Sun closed

Etnapolis

Etnapolis, a major shopping destination in Sicily, offers a unique shopping experience complete with a multiplex cinema, kids entertainment area and dining venues. There is a large affordable supermarket inside, as well as a great selection of local and international brand stores and boutiques.

• Web:

  www.centroetnapolis.it

• E-mail:

  info@centroetnapolis.com

• Address:

  Contrada Valcorrente 23, Belpasso

• Phone:

  +39 095 7867432

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9:30am–9pm

I Dolci Di Nonna Vincenza

The sweet shop I Dolci Di Nonna Vincenza is a great place to go for traditional Italian sweets and pastry (that can be packed up and turned into perfect gifts). Do get a box of cannoli – the "classic" variety or ones with chocolate, pistachio, or orange flavoured cream filling.

• Web:

  www.dolcinonnavincenza.it

• E-mail:

  sanplacido@dolcinonnavincenza.it

• Address:

  Piazza San Placido 7, Catania

• Phone:

  +39 095 7151844

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 8:30am–8pm, Sun 9am–1:30pm

• More info:

  There are three other locations: Via Gabriele D'Annunzio 216/218, Via San Guiseppe la Rena 30 and at Bellini Airport.

I Portali

One of the largest shopping centres in the south of Italy, I Portali is right for those looking to do some major shopping. It is located about an hour's drive outside of Catania but is certainly worth the trip if upscale international clothing, accessories and beauty brand stores are what you're after.

• Web:

  www.iportaliweb.it

• E-mail:

  info@iportali.net

• Address:

  Viale Cristoforo Colombo 6, San Giovanni La Punta

• Phone:

  +39 095 741 5534

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–9pm

La Pescheria

The bustling, smelly market La Pescheria (next to the cathedral), is worth a visit even if you are not buying any fish. It's a cultural experience in its own right – seeing the busy vendors display all sorts of curious marine creatures is quite the uncommon sight.

• Address:

  Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto, Catania

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Sat 8am–2pm, Sun closed