Positano
Come here for leather sandals handmade by craftsman Giovanni in his small workroom at the back of the shop. Choose a colour and any decorative flourishes…
Must-see shopping in Southern Italy
Terracotta Ceramiche di Caltagirone
Syracuse
This is where the cognoscenti (including Dolce & Gabbana) head for beautiful ceramics from Caltagirone, a central Sicilian town famed for its ceramic…
Modica
Modica's much-loved flea market is one of the best in the region. Held on the last Sunday of the month, its rows of stalls peddle everything from vintage…
Syracuse
The flamboyant jewellery of Messina-born Massimo Izzo is not for wallflowers. Bursting with life and whimsy, his creations are bold and idiosyncratic,…
Naples
Beautiful, lightweight and precisely fitting suits from the granddaddy of Neapolitan tailoring. Former clients include Neapolitan film director Vittorio…
Naples
Head to this corner workshop for a beautiful range of finely carved cameos, including pieces made on-site. Small pendants start from around €50. Other…
Naples
The softly spoken Signora Matuozzo was once the apprentice of Mariano Rubinacci. Now the signora and her daughters are famed for their bespoke shirts,…
Ischia
Despite the headmistressy name, this boutique is the exclusive stockist of Italian label Brunello Cucinelli. The look is Polo Ralph Lauren with a sexy…
Bottega dei Sapori e dei Saperi della Legalità
Palermo
For edible souvenirs with a dollop of social consciousness, consider buying some wine, olive oil, pasta, couscous or marmalade – all grown on lands…
Naples
Pick up anything from Italian DVDs and music CDs to novels and coffee-table tomes at this buzzing three-level book-and-music megastore, complete with cafe…
Amalfi
Unabashedly tourist-geared, Il Ninfeo has a vast showroom displaying an excellent selection of ceramics, ranging from giant urns to fridge magnets. If…
Sorrento
There are numerous shops selling leather sandals in the centro storico, but head to the far end of Via Fuoro and you’ll find this tiny, old-fashioned…
Procida
This slick little bottle shop stocks the best of Campanian vino and a smattering of other Italian drops. The friendly owner will advise you (in Italian)…
Matera
This craft shop stands out among the tawdrier outlets selling tufa lamps and tiles. Its speciality is the cuccù, a brightly painted ceramic whistle in the…
Catania
Every morning except Sunday, Piazza Carlo Alberto (just off Via Etnea) is flooded by the chaos of La Fiera. Not dissimilar to a Middle Eastern kasbah, the…
Mount Etna
On the eastern slopes of Mt Etna, the small town of Zafferana Etnea has a long tradition of apiculture, producing up to 35% of Italy's honey. For a taste,…
Laboratorio di Ceramiche Artistiche
Salina
Multicoloured floor tiles, many of them one-of-a-kind historic pieces from the Naples area, are displayed for sale on the generous gravel courtyard…
Positano
Browse a sumptuous display of locally produced ceramics with the potential to cause you stress at check-in time; a better bet is to go for the shipping…
Cetara
Duck into this artistically presented local shop on the port-side to acquire some of the typical fish products that have made Cetara famous, namely jars…
Matera
Local designer Tommaso Schiuma is the creative imagination behind the unique furniture and accessories in this stylish little shop. From larger pieces…
Lipari
You simply can’t leave the Aeolian Islands without a small pot of capers and a bottle of sweet Malvasia wine. You can get both, along with meats, cheeses…
Palermo
If you're hankering for a handmade Sicilian coppola, this bolthole sells modern, unisex takes on the traditional island flat cap. Most models come in a…
Taormina
Local artist Marco Monforte runs this shop specialising in colourful Sicilian tiles featuring hand-painted scenes. Made-to-order ceramics are available,…
Naples
Tramontano has a solid rep for its exquisitely crafted, handmade Neapolitan leather goods. Fawn over elegant women's handbags, clutches and totes, as well…
Cosenza
Peruse this interesting store in Cosenza's old town for superb woollen clothing, textiles and homewares from the Lanificio Leo workshop in the southern…
Naples
One of several city branches of this nationwide bookstore chain. You'll find a modest selection of English-language books and no shortage of Naples…
Taormina
Made in Sicily and not sold anywhere off the island, the colourful earrings, bracelets and pendants of the Isola Bella jewellery line are reason enough to…
Taormina
Apothecary-like La Torinese stocks mouthwatering local edibles such as olive oil, capers, marmalade, honey, cheese, cured meats, old-fashioned sweets and…
Naples
Overlooking the spectacular Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo is this erudite little bookshop, popular with writers and intellectuals. There's a small foreign…
Taormina
This eclectic shop is a fun place to browse for striking Italian jewellery, as well as ceramics, paintings, local fragrances and curiosities that might…
Matera
Massimo Casiello, an artisan woodturner, sells his beautiful creations including bowls, lamps, fountain pens, clocks and jewellery. All sorts of other…
Matera
With walls and deli cabinets bursting with preserves, pasta, cheeses, sweetmeats and smallgoods, this is the place to stock up on Matera's prodotti tipici…
Palermo
This hole-in-the-wall gallery showcases the work of talented local artist Loredana Lo Verde, whose main studio is a short walk away.
Bay of Naples
One of the best shops at the Mercato di Pugliano. Ask politely to check out the rare stock upstairs, often borrowed by international designers for study…
Calabria
You can visit the studio and shop of Domenico Caruso to see how San Giovanni in Fiore's famous Armenian-style hand-loomed carpets and tapestry are woven…
Le Maioliche di Riccardo Varsallona
Central Sicily
This reliably creative and innovative local ceramicist produces some interesting designs as well as the more traditional testa di Moro (Moor's head).
Ischia
A fabulous modern chocolatier, combining ranks of sweet chocolate treats with sumptuous artisanal ice cream. The prettily wrapped boxes make good gifts.
Matera
Alongside a great selection of wines from the Matera area (and further afield in Italy) you'll find top-notch oils, conserves and confectionery.
Matera
Dacia Capriotti sells her own handmade, delightful pottery from this small shopfront on the border between Matera's new town and Sasso Barisano.
Ischia
A beautiful old-school bookshop in Ischia Ponte with armchairs, plies of multilingual tomes and some fine local prints on sale too.
