Discover the Designer Shopping of Sicilia Outlet Village

It’s a fascinating aspect of the human condition just how much we enjoy the art of shopping, and if there's anyone who's embraced that art with enthusiasm, it's the Italians!

While Sicily is renowned for its beaches, historical attractions and immersive culture, you might not have it pegged as a shopping destination – but I've found a not-so-secret retail outlet that rivals the fashionable streets of Milan, Florence and Rome. Well, perhaps not quite, but if the heart's willing it's not hard to imagine you're there – it's Italy, after all. At Sicilia Outlet Village you get all the panache of the best Italian retail therapy, and it's just a short drive back to the beach.

Sicilia Outlet Village

While many people discover the charms of the chic shopping streets of Taormina and Palermo, Sicilia Outlet Village keeps it real with all the renowned brands at up to 70% off – because, let's face it, we all love a discount no matter how much we're prepared to pay for luxury goods.

Relaxed Village Ambience

What makes Sicilia Outlet Village different to many other outlets is its genuinely relaxed ambience. You really do feel like you're wandering around a small, very stylish, traffic-free village, with wide paved streets, gardens and lovely dining establishments.

Brands

You're in Italy, so 'outlet' doesn't translate to substandard. All the iconic designer brands have a presence over the 140 stores. As a taster, here are a few names you may recognise:

• Ferrari
• Armani
• Calvin Klein
• Gucci
• Versace
• Missoni
• Dolce & Gabbana
• La Perla

You get the picture! You'll also find cool lifestyle brands, including Nike, Geox, Guess, Mango, Superdry, Gant, Timberland, Adidas, Puma and many more.

Time for Lunch

When it's time for lunch, your options for food are just as stylish as your choices for fashion. Whether you just want to grab a quick bite and carry on shopping, or relax over a more leisurely meal, you'll find something to suit. Among the best I've found are:

Agrodolce: for high quality, authentic Sicilian gastronomy and, of course, great wines to accompany.

Bottega delle Cassarelle: for mouthwatering traditional sweets, including the famous Cassatella di Agra, and the best Italian coffee. (Even if you don’t dine here, call in to get some sweets to take home!)

Sicilia's: for a full lunch, wine and gourmet products to take away.

Fudsud: combining the concepts of fast and 'slow' food in one chic, contemporary space. Try the pizza by the slice. Try two. Try three.

Getting There

By road it takes just over an hour from Palermo and about 40 minutes from Catania. If you’re getting a cab from Taormina, you’ll take the A18 then the A19. There are special coaches that run from Palermo about six times a day, which cost €10.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 8pm, Sat - Sun 10am - 9pm

Address: Highway A19, Palermo-Catania motorway. Dittaino-OUTLET exit. Tel +39 0935 95 00 40

Join the VIP Club

If you plan on becoming a regular visitor I recommend joining the outlet's exclusive VIP club. Sign up online or in any of the stores to get notification of upcoming events, news and special offers.

Finding the Best Sicily Resorts

When you're planning a luxury break in Sicily, resorts and hotels are certainly not hard to come by, but unless you know the region it can be hard to make an informed decision. I've been organising holidays around the world for over 30 years and I'm a hands-on expert when it comes to luxurious Sicily resorts. If you're interested in discovering the retail gem of Sicilia Outlet Village, I can help you with accommodation within easy access, whether you're looking to stay in Taormina, Palermo or anywhere else on this wonderful island.