11 Things to Do in Sant’Ambrogio Sicily [Italy]
11 Things to Do in Sant’Ambrogio Sicily [Italy]
What can you possibly do in a tiny Sicilian town of 250 people?? Well, actually, Sant’Ambrogio Sicily has more than enough to keep you busy! Have a visit with the locals and hear each one of their stories, drink homemade wine in their cellars, sample their fabulous cooking, and enjoy some truly amazing views!
If you want to live like a true local in Sicily, this is the village to visit!
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Sant’Ambrogio, Sicily, Italy
The small village of Sant’Ambrogio, Italy is just a short 3 miles from the larger city of Cefalu on the island of Sicily. It’s population was well over 1,500 back in the 1970’s, but lack of employment caused many of the residents to migrate to America and other parts of Europe.
Although this village is very small, it’s huge on personality. The people of the village, led unofficially by the very charming Carmelina Ricciardello , stick to the old Sicilian values and traditions. You can tell each and every one of the residents love their land, their homes and their adorable village.
You won’t find resorts, or graffiti and garbage in the streets in Sant’Ambrogio, only super friendly people, colorful flowers and freshly painted benches on which to sit and enjoy the beautiful views of the Sea.
Most of the locals do not speak English, so it’s always good to learn a little Italian with Rosetta Stone before traveling to Sicily. The wonderful people of this village will appreciate your efforts.
Things to Do in Sant’Ambrogio, Sicily
Sant’Ambrogio Beach
The beach at Sant’Ambrogio is peaceful, completely free of buildings and pretty much empty! Its water is crystal clear, with a mixture of sand and smooth pebbles. As you look to your left and the city of Cefalu, you see rocky reefs. This is a beautiful spot to just bring a blanket or chair and a good book. But, do be sure to wear water shoes… those pebbles can be a little uncomfortable to walk upon.
Take a Hike
The village of Sant’Ambrogio is rather steep in places, and it’s got a few really nice hikes. One of the more popular hikes is the “Circular Walk” that will take approximately 3 hours to complete. It begins in Sant’Ambrogio at the Conrad Supermarket, up a stony track used by the village mules, and then through cork oak woods and forest. The path provides some amazing views across the Madonie Mountains. If you’d rather, you can ride a donkey on the circular path!
For more information on hiking in and around Sant’Ambrogio, be sure to contact Carmelina… she’s a wealth of information in this area. She can even recommend a hike that includes stops to taste wine, homemade ricotta cheese and olive oils.
Wine Tasting with Mimmo
We were fortunate to enjoy a wine tasting at the home of Zito Domenico, aka Mimmo. This tasting was arranged through Carmelina, and it was another fabulous experience.
Carmelina walked us to Mimmo’s home, where he met us in his open cellar. We were joined by another couple from England and a sweet young lady from France.
Mimmo explained to us how he makes the wine in his cellar vats using a traditional method of wine making that has been passed down to him from generations. Mimmo also told us all about his other job… he’s a chef at a village restaurant, Osteria Bacchus! So, not only were we getting an amazing wine tasting, we were going to enjoy some of Mimmo’s culinary delights.
That evening I drank 2 full bottles of his delicious wine by myself (and had NO hangover), and we feasted on Sicilian specialties such as sardines, octopus salad, tuna, stuffed eggplant, zucchini, fried cauliflower, and other yumminess! Just when we thought we couldn’t eat another bite, Mimmo’s wife came to the cellar with delicious arancini and amazing pastries. All of this, plus all the wine we could drink… including a bottle to take home, for very little money!
Mimmo is such a warm and generous soul, and he loves to tell stories of his life. Do not miss an evening with Mimmo. It’s one you will never forget.
By the way, if you want to learn how to make some of these Sicilian delicacies, Mimmo also offers cooking classes.
Pizza at Al Girasole
On our last night in the Village of Sant’Ambrogio we got a knock on our door by Jim, Maria’s husband. Jim speaks very good English, and asked us if we’d like to join him and Maria for dinner at a local pizzeria. Of course, we said yes.
We followed them in our rental car to a place called Al Girasole. Before we arrived, Michael and I were seriously questioning our decision about joining them… this place was in the middle of nowhere and down a very dark road.
Then we got to the restaurant and a “mob-looking” guy was singing in Italian… and again, we began wondering just why we said yes. We felt as if we were in a Godfather movie, and someone was going to come in and start shooting up the place! I’ll admit we were a little nervous… I mean, we WERE in Sicily!
Well, I’ve got to tell you, this was yet another amazing evening in Sant’Ambrogio! The food and the company were both outstanding. This is some of the best pizza we’ve ever had, and we really had a blast with our new Sicilian friends.
Perfect Base for Visiting Nearby Cefalu
The Village of Sant’Ambrogio is the perfect base for visiting the city of Cefalu. Cefalu is a city in the Metropolitan City of Palermo. Although Cefalu is pretty small, with just under 14,000 people, it’s a huge tourist destination in Sicily.
There is a lot more to see in Cefalu than there is in Sant’Ambrogio. The churches, restaurants, beach and palaces are typically Italian, and completely worth at least a day’s visit.
A few places you don’t want to miss in Cefalu are The Duomo, beaches and just taking strolls through the historic streets. Make sure you pop into La Chat Noir for awesome really fabulous light-as-a-feather homemade pasta!
Learn the History of Olive Oil
When I go to the grocery store I am always amazed at all of the different types of olive oil on the shelves. Giovanna, the granddaughter of the owners of an oil press in Sant’Ambrogio, can explain the differences to you on a short tour.
She will give you tastes of several oils so you can determine for yourself the different flavors and varieties of the olives.
Day Trips from Sant’Ambrogio, Sicily
Castelbuono
Just a 30 minute drive inland from Sant’Ambrogio is the Village of Castelbuono. This is a town in the City of Palermo that is known for its 14th century castle.
In Castelbuono you can visit the Arab-Norman style castle. It is 3 floors, one of which includes the Palace Chapel built in 1683. The Chapel holds a holy relic of the skull of St. Anne inside of an urn which acts as a pedestal for St. Anne’s sculpted bust. Also worth a visit at the Castle is the underground dungeons and tunnel leading to the Church of San Francesco.
We had a great time in this Village just strolling through the outdoor market where we picked up some beautiful fruits, a few little souvenirs and watched the local “garbage men” picking trash up off the streets on their donkeys!
Geraci Siculo
Another 35 minutes inland and up the mountains is the Village of Geraci Siculo. We had come here for one reason… to look up Michael’s ancestors. So, our first stop was to the Town Hall where we found the birth records of Michael’s father.
Once we got through the history of Michael’s father’s family, we took a walk through the narrow cobbled, very hilly streets of this adorable town. What you won’t believe is that we actually met someone who was related to Michael in this charming village. We met Josephine Alessi on the street, and she told us how her husband is a relative of Michael’s dad. How cool is that?!
This village was really quaint, and the people were very friendly. Maybe a little too friendly… mom was followed through town by an adorable elderly gentleman who just would not let her leave! So cute!
A word of warning… do NOT try to drive a car into Geraci Siculo. We made this mistake and it was a nightmare. The roads are just way too narrow and it’s impossible to turn around. Park outside the village and walk!
Petralia Sottana
Our next stop that day was in the Village of Petralia Sottana. This is where Michael’s mother’s family lived, so again we were on a mission here. That mission turned into another fantastic experience.
Petralia Sottana is just about another 20-25 minutes inland from Geraci Siculo. It is another tiny, but extremely charming village in the Metropolitan City of Palermo. It’s a gorgeous hilly town near the Madonie Mountains.
Again, our first stop was the Town Hall where we looked up Michael’s mom’s birth records. And, again, believe it or not, we found possible relatives, Giacomo and Massimo! They actually invited us into their home for an aperitif and a snack. I’m telling you, there are not friendlier people anywhere than in Sicily!
After an aperitif at Giacomo’s home, we took a little walk through the hilly, narrow streets with views of the gorgeous Madonie Mountains all around. We made a stop at the Chiesa di Santa Maria Alla Fontana where locals were filling their water jugs with the fresh water from the fountain at the church.
Remember my word of warning for Geraci Siculo?? Same here! Do NOT try to drive a car into the village. Park outside the village and walk!
Palermo
Take a one hour drive up the coast to the 2,700 year old city of Palermo. This will be a little different… no more small villages! The city of Palermo has about 1 million people and is known for its ancient ruins, culture, beautiful architecture, food, and, well… the Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Mafia!
There is a lot to see in Palermo, but if you’re just here for the day, start with these highlights:
Palermo Cathedral
The Palermo Cathedral is the church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palermo. History of this important Cathedral is quite intriguing. It was built in 1184 by the Normans as a re-converted Christian church, but it was built on the site of a Muslim Mosque that had been previously built over a Christian basilica…madonna mia!
Capuchin Abbey & Catacombs
The Capuchin Catacombs are a little chilling, but it’s an interesting stop in Palermo. These burial catacombs are at the Capuchin Monastery in Palermo.
There is said to be almost 8,000 corpses lining the walls, sitting on benches and in coffins throughout the Catacombs… each one dressed in their best clothing. The bodies have been perfectly preserved by the monks with a vinegar solution and then stuffed with hay.
Palermo Street Markets
The street markets of Palermo are astounding! I’ve never seen so many colorful vegetables and fruits, and even the little fish carts don’t smell at all! If you’re looking for fresh food, head to these ancient markets!
There are four markets in Palermo, but the one we visited was Ballaro. This is the oldest market in Palermo. It is colorful, noisy and very busy, and you can find pretty much anything you’re looking for at a bargain… veggies, meat, fruit, fish, and even a phony Rolex.
One word of caution if you’re visiting any of these markets… watch your surroundings, and your wallet! Leave your jewelry, purse and camera behind, and bring only enough cash for the day.
Top Tours for These Villages
See all Viator tours for the Cefalu area and for Metropolitan Palermo.
Annual Festivals and Events
Plan a trip around one of this area’s amazing Italian festivals and events.
Best Time to Visit
The best times to visit Cefalu are in the months of April through May or September through October. This is when temperatures are mild and crowds are not quite as thick, but restaurants and shops are open. If you want to avoid crowds, don’t visit in July or August… plus it’s damn hot!
Where to Stay
Rent a Villa for a Real Sicilian Experience
I just have to share with you our experience in this awesome village. When we made our reservations for this area, we were originally looking to stay in Cefalu, which is much larger and busier.
Then we found a website, Sicilian Experience, run by Carmelina Ricciardello. Carmelina is working to keep Siciliy’s traditions and cultures alive with tourism. We reached out to her and she set us up on the second floor of a home overlooking the beautiful sea. The home was owned by Franco and his sister, Maria, and her husband Jim.
Unmatched Hospitality
We arrived in Sant’Ambrogio after a long morning of driving from Taormina to be met at our villa by sweet Maria. By the time we arrived, we were pretty hungry and looking for somewhere to eat. Unfortunately, at 2:00 in the afternoon the entire village was completely shut down… not one restaurant or grocery store was open.
Maria speaks no English at all! So, I told Maria in my not so good Italian that we were very hungry and asked if she could recommend a place to get something to eat. I wasn’t sure she understood, because she then walked into the kitchen of our villa, set the table with a tablecloth, dishes and silverware… and then she left!? We didn’t know what was up!
Well, after about 10 minutes here comes Maria back up the stairs with a huge bowl of macaroni, sliced ham, grapes from their vineyard, local cheese, huge fresh figs and cold beer. She says “Prego” with a big smile and leaves! Talk about hospitality!! Never have we EVER had such an experience in all of our travels. This, in itself, is a reason to return to Sant’Ambrogio time and time again.
One more thing about Maria and Jim… I can’t say enough about these beautiful people. On the morning that we left, Maria gave us a lovely handmade linen that I still have, and she gave us the biggest Sicilian hugs. It was like saying goodbye to family, and we still miss them to this day.
Find the best deal on your perfect Sicilian villa at VRBO.
Language and Currency
You’ll find a lot of Italians can speak a little bit of English. However, they love it when you at least attempt to speak their beautiful language. Learn Italian with Rosetta Stone before visiting.
The currency in Italy is the Euro. Check exchange rates here. Although the country is still mostly a cash based economy, most merchants do accept credit cards. However, leave your American Express at home, as most only accept Visa and MasterCard.
How to Get Here and Around
The closest airport to Sant’Ambrogio is the Palermo Airport (PMO). It’s just about a little over an hour’s drive from the airport to Sant’Ambrogio. Check out Expedia and CheapOair for finding the cheapest flights.
DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT, and make sure your passport is up to date! Most countries will not permit you to enter unless your passport has more than six months remaining before it expires.
Do you need a Visa or Vaccinations?
With ivisa.com, you can check to see what documents you will need to enter Italy, and you can apply right there for expedited travel documents, including visas and health declaration forms.
Once you’ve arrived, pick up the car you’ve rented from either Rentalcars.com or AutoEurope. This is really the only way to get from town to town in Sicily without a hassle. See my tips and tricks for renting a car.
As for getting around the town of Sant’Ambrogio, it’s very small so lace up your walking shoes and enjoy!
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