Market, shops and local specialities
Everything you need to know for stocking up
The villa is fully equipped for cooking. Here are the best addresses for groceries, quality local produce and Sicilian specialities to bring home.
Market & groceries
Noto market — Friday mornings
The weekly market is held at the Villa Comunale (Noto's public gardens) every Friday, approximately 8am-1pm. Seasonal fruit and vegetables, herbs, cheeses, fish and local produce. The best place to buy directly from regional producers.
Villa Comunale, Noto. Easy walking access from the historic centre.
Interspar c/o Il Giardino (Noto)
The most complete supermarket in the area. Open daily with good opening hours. Ideal for weekly shopping: all essentials, charcuterie, wines, household items.
8 km from the villa, on the Noto road.
Sessa Superstore (Noto)
Another large supermarket in Noto for everyday shopping. Wide range of Italian and local products.
Specialities to bring home
Pizzuta d'Avola almonds
Avola (15 km) is the world capital of the almond. The Pizzuta d'Avola variety — large, flat, two-lobed — is considered the world's finest almond. Buy directly from producers in Avola or at the Noto market. Available as confectionery, bags, almond paste.
Season: August-September (harvest). Available year-round from producers.
Nero d'Avola — Noto DOC
The emblematic grape variety of the Val di Noto. Best bottles: Zisola (Planeta family, estate 5 km from the villa), Cantina Marilina (natural wines), Feudo Maccari. Visits and tastings available by appointment.
Zisola winery: on the villa road. Marilina winery: Pachino road. Some wineries sell direct.
Campisi conserves — Marzamemi
The Campisi cannery, founded in 1905 at Marzamemi, is a regional institution. Tuna in olive oil, tuna bottarga, anchovy fillets, marinated swordfish. Direct sales on site and online.
Shop at Marzamemi (20 km). Products also available in some Noto delicatessens.
Olive oil, capers and caper leaves
Sicily produces some of Italy's finest olive oils. Pantelleria capers are distributed throughout Sicily. Look for delicatessens (alimentari) in central Noto for a local selection.
Granita and Sicilian pastries
Caffè Sicilia (Noto, since 1892) — award-winning artisan granitas, Sicilian delicacies. Almond paste, cassata, cannoli: buy directly from the pastry shop rather than a supermarket for authentic quality.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Noto. Order in advance for large quantities.