SHOPPING DESTINATION: Fashion Palermo and More
Palermo is a crossroad of people and
cultures, an important strategic transit place and a commercial seaport. The
cradle of ancient civilizations has left indelible traces in the culture and
traditions of the people of Palermo. Nevertheless, the Sicilian Mecca is also a
modern and vibrant city with a variety of attractions on offer and it’s great
for shopping.
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| Antica Pasticceria Siciliana at the Airport |
Start or finish shopping at the
airport where it is possible to find a few interesting places: Antica Pasticceria
Siciliana (try some of the famous local pastries), Optissimo Gruppo Randazzo
(for sunglasses), Free Fly News -Flaccovio Librerie (for tourist guides and
books), and Sicilia Arte (for some cool arty souvenirs).
The most famous shopping streets of
Palermo are Via Ruggero Settimo, Via Roma, and Via Liberta; this last one
considered one of the most elegant and popular streets of the city as well.
There, it's possible to find shops for all tastes and needs: from the chic
boutiques and high fashion stores to the precious jewelry, household items
shops, books, department stores and those for leisure. These major arteries are
intersected by a dense network of alleys and cross streets studded with
graceful craft shops, small shops and themed bookstores that do not belong to
large retail chains.
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| Via Liberta |
Besides the national chain stores like
Benetton, Sisley, Stefanel, Mondadori, Feltrinelli and Oviesse, there are a
variety of international stores such as Sephora, H&M, Zara, Mango, Louis
Vuitton, Hermes, Giglio Multi Stores (with all the major international high
fashion labels including top Italian brands), Maison Chanel at the Torregrossa
Store, La Rinascente department store in via Roma and even a greater variety of
independent shops.
The Excelsior Supercinema Store in Via
Cavour is an extremely smart urban mall with nice flooring, lights, floral
decorations, extreme elegance and attention to details. There are 18 Shops plus
a restaurant with lots to see and buy.
Forum Palermo, the largest shopping
center in the city (more than 100 stores), is situated in Brancaccio (Localita Roccella).
This is an area of 300,000 square meters with an exit toward the highway
connecting Messina to Trapani. The accessibility to public transport system is
provided by the nearby light rail station.
For those antique lovers, a stroll
along Corso Alberto Amedeo with its antique shops cannot be missed. There you
will be able to find the best art and antique furnishings. If you are into
ceramics, though, you might become spoiled for choice among the shops on Via
Nicolò Gallo, Via Daita, and Via Isidoro La Lumia. When it comes into souvenirs,
one last stop is Corso Vittorio Emanuele with more ceramics shops, puppets and
Sicilian carts.
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| Forum Palermo |
Browsing outdoor markets should be a trip
highlight to any city in Europe, especially in Italy. Markets in Europe are a
city's cultural nerve center, where people go to socialize with their neighbors
as well as to pick up their supply of fresh food for the next couple of days.
Each market is unique and provides a good feel for a city as vendors come from
the general vicinity. Palermo has a large number of outdoor markets throughout
the city.
Located in the Albergheria district,
near the Casa Professa, The Ballaro Market has been around since at least the
eleventh century. Mainly a food market, it reflects the large number of Arab
immigrants in the area with beans, lentils and Oriental and Middle Eastern
spices for sale.
La Vucciria is Palermo's largest
market, operating every day except Sunday. The wide range of vendors sells
fresh seafood and a dizzying variety of fresh produce. You'll find the market
in the area of Piazza San Domenico, off Via Roma. Locals will tell you that the
area can be dangerous, so be cautious and try to blend in with the locals.
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| The Ballaro Market |
Portobello Gallerie is a Palermo's
shopping mall located in a village called Carini close to the city. There is a
great deal of inexpensive clothes shops, household items shop and those for
leisure.
For those concerned about whether
their shopping is benefitting the mafia, look out for shops bearing "addio
pizzo" stickers (A circle with a cross in the center) on the doors. Over 500
shops in and around Palermo are currently refusing to pay the mafia
"pizzo" (protection money).
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