Glistening under the Mediterranean sun, Sicily offers a range of culinary and artisanal treasures that are easy to take home in a suitcase: pistachios from Bronte, Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì, ceramics from Caltagirone, Donnafugata wines… here’s at a glance what to bring back to extend the trip at home or spoil your loved ones.
11 must-have souvenirs to bring back from Sicily 🇮🇹
- 🥜 Bronte green pistachio DOP – pesto, cream, roasted kernels
- 🍫 Modica IGP chocolate (Dolceria Bonajuto, Sabadì)
- 🍰 Cannoli XXL from Antica Focacceria San Francesco (Palermo)
- 🎂 Citrus panettone signed Fiasconaro (Castelbuono)
- 🍷 Aged Marsala from Cantine Florio
- 🍇 Nero d’Avola & Etna DOC from the estates Donnafugata and Tasca d’Almerita
- 🍋 Amaro Averna herbal liqueur from Caltanissetta
- 🫒 Extra virgin olive oil Olio Cutrera (Ragusa)
- 🎭 Artisanal “Pupi” marionettes from Palermo
- 🏺 Ceramic Moorish heads from Caltagirone
- 🧢 Coppola caps and artistic Le Siciliane t-shirts
Price range & quick addresses
| Souvenir 😊 | Average price 2025 💶 | Where to buy 📍 |
|---|---|---|
| Bronte pistachio | 8 € /100 g | Bacco shop, Via Messina 228, Bronte |
| Modica chocolate | 4–6 € / bar | Dolceria Bonajuto, Corso Umberto I 159, Modica |
| Fiasconaro panettone | 28 € | Via Umberto I 180, Castelbuono |
| Olio Cutrera oil | 14 € / 500 ml | Strada Provinciale 9, Chiaramonte Gulfi |
Need more budget-friendly ideas? The lists from Voyage10 or those of Transports-Williame complete this selection.
Sicilian gastronomic specialties to slip in your suitcase 🍴
Sicilian indulgence isn’t limited to cannoli: the island cultivates a millennia-old heritage of flavors, shaped by the Greeks, Arabs, and then Normans.
The sweet trio: pistachio, chocolate, and iconic pastries
- 🌋 Bronte pistachio: the emerald pesto elevates linguine, while the spreadable cream outshines the famous hazelnut paste.
- 🍫 Cioccolato di Modica Sabadì: grainy texture inherited from the Aztecs, flavors of orange, chili, fleur de sel…
- 🍮 Fratelli Sicilia pastries (Catania): mini cassatas, Regina sesame cookies, refreshing melon gelo.
To taste everything without rushing, head to Ballarò market in Palermo, then stop for a tasting at Antica Focacceria San Francesco (Via Alessandro Paternostro 58).
Exceptional wines, liqueurs, and digestifs
- 🍇 Donnafugata “Floramundi” – elegantly fruity Cerasuolo.
- 🔥 High-altitude wines Tasca d’Almerita – Tenuta Tascante on Etna’s slopes.
- 🥃 Amaro Averna – 33 macerated herbs, perfect on the rocks.
- 🛢️ Cantine Florio – Marsala Superiore 10 years for sauces or aperitifs.
Transport tip: slip your bottles into inflatable sleeves, available for 3 € at most wine shops.
Craftsmanship, fashion and design: bring back a sparkle of Sicilian culture 🎨
Beyond the table, Sicily captivates with its folk art: vibrant colors, baroque symbols, and Moorish legends.
Ceramics, pupi, and carretto: the hands-on heritage
- 🏺 Moorish heads hand-painted – Atelier Iudici, Via Roma 32, Caltagirone.
- 🎭 Pupi by Mimmo Cuticchio – Teatro dei Pupi, Via Bara all’Olivella 95, Palermo.
- 🛞 Decorative mini-carretto – Ceramiche Piscitello, Corso Umberto I 325, Santo Stefano di Camastra.
These pieces travel in the cabin thanks to compact cork packaging; always ask for it.
Local fashion: from the coppola to the dreamlike t-shirts
- 🧢 Coppola in Palermo tweed – 18-25 € at Corsino Cappelleria, Via Maqueda.
- 👕 Le Siciliane t-shirts – surreal graphics (cannolo-curler, cassata-hat) at the concept boutique, Via Nicolò Spedalieri 17, Catania.
To expand your gift ideas, also get inspired by the “What to bring back from” lists about Lisbon or Crete: some packaging tips apply there as well.
Where to buy these souvenirs? Shops and markets not to miss 🛍️
- 🏛️ Dolceria Bonajuto, Modica – Italy’s oldest chocolaterie (since 1880).
- 🧀 Antica Focacceria San Francesco, Palermo – iconic cannoli and arancini.
- 🍷 Enoteca Picone, Via G. Marconi 36, Palermo: Donnafugata, Tasca d’Almerita and Marsala Florio wines.
- 🥜 Bacco, Via Messina 228, Bronte: pistachios, pesto, cream.
- 🫒 Frantoio Cutrera, Ragusa showroom: Olio Cutrera tasting.
To save time, target the “corso” (main streets) of each city: most shops open from 9 am to 8 pm, closing between 1 pm and 4 pm.
| City | Main market | Busy period ⏰ | Top souvenir |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palermo | Mercato Ballarò | 10 am–1 pm | Amaro Averna & street food |
| Catania | Mercato del Pesce | 8 am–12 pm | Fratelli Sicilia pastries |
| Syracuse | Ortigia Market | 9 am–2 pm | Miniature ceramics |
| Trapani | Mercato del Pesce | 5 pm–8 pm | Sea salt & coral |
For other shopping routes, the guides from Visit Sicily and Découvre Italie list artisan events in 2025.
Frequently asked questions about Sicilian souvenirs
How many kilos of food can legally be brought on the plane?
Most airlines tolerate 10 kg of food products in checked baggage; however, check if your oils exceed the alcohol limit (>24%), which is not the case for wines.
Does Modica chocolate melt during the trip?
No, its grainy texture and reduced cocoa butter content allow it to withstand up to 30°C; however, carry it in your hand luggage to avoid hot holds in summer.
Where to find authentic pupi and not industrial copies?
Head to the Teatro dei Pupi by Mimmo Cuticchio or the Vaccaro shop in Palermo, both UNESCO accredited.
What is the ideal season to buy freshly harvested Bronte pistachios?
The harvest takes place in odd-numbered years between August and September; therefore, prefer October-November for maximum freshness.
Can Donnafugata wine be shipped directly from the cellar?
Yes, most estates (Donnafugata, Tasca d’Almerita) offer a secure DHL service to the EU starting at 25 € for 6 bottles, convenient if your suitcase is already full.
Want other destinations? Explore the “What to bring back from” guides on Phuket or Angers to vary the pleasures.
