Casa Cipressi Italy

For those in search of a secluded getaway combining outstanding mountain scenery with easy access to the beach, look no further than Casa Cipressi. Nestled in the hills of the Madonie National Park and overlooking the dramatic northern Sicilian coastline, Casa Cipressi is a charming villa in a peaceful, spectacular landscape.

This is a special property, in a special location, making it the perfect mix for a wonderful holiday. The villa boasts jaw-dropping sea and mountain views, and walking trails running directly from the garden offer a chance to explore this beautiful landscape up close and personal. After a long walk, the rooftop swimming pool is the perfect place to cool off.

Just beyond the rugged hillside landscape lies historic Cefalù. Perched on the coastline below the villa, this town has plenty to see and do, and is home to a wonderful sandy beach. Explore the narrow streets and piazzas of the idyllic old town, taking in views of the Norman cathedral and picturesque old marina. A climb to the top of the imposing La Rocca fortress offers a wonderful aerial perspective on this charming town.

Just one hour’s drive east of Palermo, sitting serenely between its natural bay and the towering rocky granite mass of La Rocca, is Cefalù.
Cefalu is one of the Mediterranean’s undiscovered jewels, the epitome of picturesque grandeur. Cefalù has a beach, winding and narrow medieval streets, and delightful restaurants overlooking a rocky coast.  Everything is under the ever-present gaze of the Norman-Arab-Byzantine cathedral, one of the greatest churches of southern Europe. Nestled between the Madonie Mountains and the sea, Cefalù’s mountain boasts the ruins of a large fortress and an ancient Sicanian-Greek temple. The view from the summit is inspiring.

Cefalù has a long and lovely beach with clean, golden sand, without doubt one of the best in Sicily. It is very easy to get to, just a short walk from the main road leading through town. It gets very crowded in the summer months, but not quite to the same extent as the beaches near Taormina. Public showers are available on the western side of the beach.

Il Duomo, the cathedral built by the Norman King Roger II circa 1131, is the dominant structure in the town. Its two towers rise up well above the rest of the buildings. The exterior is well preserved, while the interior has been restored several times throughout the centuries. It is more Gothic and Romanesque than Byzantine in character but still has impressive mosaics.
A much more strenuous, yet rewarding, exercise is to climb up to the summit of the promontory above the town. It is steep, and it takes a good half hour, but the views of the coast and the sea from there are impressive. The walk will also take you to the ruins of an old fortress and temple devoted to the goddess Diana from the fifth century BC.

The Mandralisca Museum was founded by a local art collector who bequeathed his art treasures and extensive library to the town. It houses the Portrait of Unknown by Antonello da Messina, an extensive collection of shells, and a variety of objet d’art, among which is a Chinese puzzle in ivory.

The beach and the sea offer excellent opportunities for sunbathing, swimming and other water activities to keep families happy. There are pedal boats for hire at the beach in Ogliastrillo, 4km (2.5 miles) west of Cefalù. Fishing is available everywhere. Walking in the hills to the south of town is another popular activity, and there are several gentle routes that can be enjoyed by kids. 

Directly south of Cefalù is the wonderful Madonie National Park with its charming villages and towns, such as Castelbuono, its delightful scenery, its impressive mountains and some wonderful walking. It is no coincidence then that after Taormina and Palermo, Cefalù is probably the most popular tourist town in Sicily, offering something for everyone.
At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests.  If there is anything you would like to arrange for your stay, please contact the Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can usually help you arrange any of the following:
Cook/catering
Maid service/extra cleaning
Local day-trips or tours
Airport pick-up/drop-off
Babysitting service
Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
This is by no means an exhaustive list, so please just contact Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team to help you arrange any of those little extras that can really make the difference.