Right in Terminal A, Di Strada is the fashion stop
Just past security in Terminal A, Di Strada runs as a straightforward fashion shop for last-minute clothing and accessories before boarding. You’re landside to airside here in under 10 minutes at CTA, so it’s an easy detour if your gate is also in A. Expect standard airport pricing rather than outlet deals; think high-street level, not luxury designer or bargain bin.
The racks lean toward travel-ready staples: tops, trousers, and light jackets that work for a quick change before a meeting in Catania or a connection through another EU hub. Stock skews to European sizing, so if you’re used to US sizes, assume you may need to go one number up. Accessories like belts and scarves usually sit near the entrance, so you can do a two-minute scan on the way to A gates.
Di Strada keeps typical Terminal A shopping hours, roughly matching the main morning and evening departure banks, so you’re fine on days with early flights before 08:00 and late flights after 20:00. Staff flip quickly between Italian and basic English, which helps if you’re trying to sort sizes under time pressure. Payment terminals accept standard cards, including contactless Visa and Mastercard, which is useful if you’re short on euro cash.
Selection depends heavily on the current season, tied to Catania’s summer heat and mild winters, so expect lighter pieces for June–September and slightly warmer items from November to February. If you need something specific, like a long-sleeve shirt that can pass casual business, budget at least 10 minutes to dig through the racks instead of doing a fast walk-by glance.
Practical tip: check your gate on the Terminal A screens first; if you’re leaving from the lower A20s, give yourself an extra 5–7 minutes to walk back from Di Strada to boarding.