![\"Casa](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/wishsicily-villas-in-sicily-2.jpg\")
<\/a>How high are the Madonie?<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe impressive range comprises some of the tallest peaks on the island, with the highest peak at Pizzo Carbonara standing at 1979m and six of the mountains at over 1500m. At the ski resort of Piano Battaglia, at just over 1500m, it\u2019s hard to believe that you\u2019re still only 10 miles from the coast!<\/p>\n![\"Madonie](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/madonie-sicily-1.jpg\")
<\/a>Madonie mountains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHideaway villages<\/strong><\/h2>\nSo why visit the Madonie mountains? If a holiday for you means chilling by the pool and sea swimming, it\u2019s hard to beat a relaxing stay at a luxury villa like Arte Mare Blue<\/a>. However, if you love exploring medieval villages with maze-like cobbled alleyways, winding lanes and pretty churches, a day trip to the Madonie ticks every box.<\/p>\n![\"Villa](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/sicily-vacation-villa-for-rent.jpg\")
<\/a>Villa Arte Mare Blue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGangi boasts the title of \u2018il borgo pi\u00f9 bello d\u2019Italia\u2019 (Italy\u2019s prettiest village), as well as sweeping views of the valley from the Belvedere del Duomo piazza. And from the town\u2019s medieval Castello dei Ventimiglia, you\u2019ll get views as far afield as Mount Etna on a clear day.<\/p>\n
Other must-see villages include Polizzi Generosa, Petralia Soprana, Petralia Sottana, Castellana Sicula and Isnello, variously boasting captivating medieval centres, historic Arabo-Norman churches, piazzas and dazzling views across the surrounding hillside.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/gangi-1.jpg\")
<\/a>The village of Gangi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCastles, towers and churches <\/strong><\/h2>\nMany of the villages are characterised by imposing castles and towers. The best known is undoubtedly the 14th<\/sup> century castle of Castelbuono, with its impressive staircases, ancient clock tower and square towers at each corner. Today the castle houses the town\u2019s Civic Museum.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/castelbuono.jpg\")
<\/a>The village of Castelbuono<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou\u2019ll find historic towers in Gangi and Petralia Soprana. Gangi\u2019s imposing Norman Ventimiglia Tower, a former watchtower, dates back to 1337 and, attached to the fa\u00e7ade of the Chiesa di San Nicol\u00f2, now serves as a bell tower. In Petralia Soprana, the two bell towers on the Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo, divided by a magnificent 18-column porch which leads into the church, date back to the 15th<\/sup> and 18th<\/sup> century and are extraordinarily beautiful.<\/p>\nYou\u2019ll find an extraordinary number of churches to visit in Gangi, and Petralia Soprana where the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto is crammed with paintings and provides some spectacular views. In neighbouring Petralia Sottana, the most charming of the many churches is perhaps Santa Maria della Fontana.<\/p>\n
Gastronomic traditions in the Madonie<\/strong><\/h2>\nCulinary traditions in the Madonie are firmly rooted in the territory and deeply protective of the land. Indigenous plants include the Badda bean and the \u2018pipiddu\u2019 pepper, both endangered varieties that are still being grown locally. Olive oil, mushrooms, hazelnuts and fresh ricotta and pecorino made with ancient methods, shape the culinary landscape, alongside salami and sausages.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll even find some rivalry between the villages for the best local speciality of \u2018sfoglio madonita\u2019, cake made with thin pastry filled with \u2018tuma\u2019 (unsalted local cheese), candied pumpkins, sugar and pieces of chocolate. And in Castelbuono, iconic Fiasconaro produces some of the best panettone and Easter \u2018colombe\u2019 you\u2019ll ever taste.<\/p>\n![\"Panettone](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/PanettonePistacchioFiasconaro2.jpg\")
<\/a>Panettone Fiasconaro (ph. pistacchissimo.it)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNature<\/strong><\/h2>\nOf course, the nature reserve is a wonderful place for anyone who likes to get out in the great outdoors. Hillsides are covered in evergreen holm and cork oaks, beech, oak and holly trees. At Piano Pomo, a cluster of giant holly trees, each the size of a birch tree, is a remarkable sight.<\/p>\n
During the spring months, hillsides are sprinkled with wild flowers, including over 60 species of orchids, red poppies, mimosa and red and white peonies.<\/p>\n
Activities<\/strong><\/h2>\nNot surprisingly, horse riding, hiking and cycling are amongst the most popular activities. Choose from a selection of guided walks<\/a> or, if you\u2019re looking for some more adrenaline busting activities, there\u2019s the option of quad biking, mountain biking or a selection of adventure experiences<\/a> and jeep trails. If you\u2019re holidaying with the kids, they\u2019ll love the Parco Avventura Madonie, a woodland adventure park complete with rope ladders, tree climbing and open air experiences in Petralia Sottana.<\/p>\n![\"Cefal\u00f9\"](\"https:\/\/www.wishsicily.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/cefalu-sicily-5.jpg\")
<\/a>Cefal\u00f9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/a>Hideaway villages<\/strong><\/h2>\nSo why visit the Madonie mountains? If a holiday for you means chilling by the pool and sea swimming, it\u2019s hard to beat a relaxing stay at a luxury villa like Arte Mare Blue<\/a>. However, if you love exploring medieval villages with maze-like cobbled alleyways, winding lanes and pretty churches, a day trip to the Madonie ticks every box.<\/p>\n<\/a>Villa Arte Mare Blue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nGangi boasts the title of \u2018il borgo pi\u00f9 bello d\u2019Italia\u2019 (Italy\u2019s prettiest village), as well as sweeping views of the valley from the Belvedere del Duomo piazza. And from the town\u2019s medieval Castello dei Ventimiglia, you\u2019ll get views as far afield as Mount Etna on a clear day.<\/p>\n
Other must-see villages include Polizzi Generosa, Petralia Soprana, Petralia Sottana, Castellana Sicula and Isnello, variously boasting captivating medieval centres, historic Arabo-Norman churches, piazzas and dazzling views across the surrounding hillside.<\/p>\n<\/a>The village of Gangi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCastles, towers and churches <\/strong><\/h2>\nMany of the villages are characterised by imposing castles and towers. The best known is undoubtedly the 14th<\/sup> century castle of Castelbuono, with its impressive staircases, ancient clock tower and square towers at each corner. Today the castle houses the town\u2019s Civic Museum.<\/p>\n<\/a>The village of Castelbuono<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nYou\u2019ll find historic towers in Gangi and Petralia Soprana. Gangi\u2019s imposing Norman Ventimiglia Tower, a former watchtower, dates back to 1337 and, attached to the fa\u00e7ade of the Chiesa di San Nicol\u00f2, now serves as a bell tower. In Petralia Soprana, the two bell towers on the Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo, divided by a magnificent 18-column porch which leads into the church, date back to the 15th<\/sup> and 18th<\/sup> century and are extraordinarily beautiful.<\/p>\nYou\u2019ll find an extraordinary number of churches to visit in Gangi, and Petralia Soprana where the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto is crammed with paintings and provides some spectacular views. In neighbouring Petralia Sottana, the most charming of the many churches is perhaps Santa Maria della Fontana.<\/p>\n
Gastronomic traditions in the Madonie<\/strong><\/h2>\nCulinary traditions in the Madonie are firmly rooted in the territory and deeply protective of the land. Indigenous plants include the Badda bean and the \u2018pipiddu\u2019 pepper, both endangered varieties that are still being grown locally. Olive oil, mushrooms, hazelnuts and fresh ricotta and pecorino made with ancient methods, shape the culinary landscape, alongside salami and sausages.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll even find some rivalry between the villages for the best local speciality of \u2018sfoglio madonita\u2019, cake made with thin pastry filled with \u2018tuma\u2019 (unsalted local cheese), candied pumpkins, sugar and pieces of chocolate. And in Castelbuono, iconic Fiasconaro produces some of the best panettone and Easter \u2018colombe\u2019 you\u2019ll ever taste.<\/p>\n<\/a>Panettone Fiasconaro (ph. pistacchissimo.it)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNature<\/strong><\/h2>\nOf course, the nature reserve is a wonderful place for anyone who likes to get out in the great outdoors. Hillsides are covered in evergreen holm and cork oaks, beech, oak and holly trees. At Piano Pomo, a cluster of giant holly trees, each the size of a birch tree, is a remarkable sight.<\/p>\n
During the spring months, hillsides are sprinkled with wild flowers, including over 60 species of orchids, red poppies, mimosa and red and white peonies.<\/p>\n
Activities<\/strong><\/h2>\nNot surprisingly, horse riding, hiking and cycling are amongst the most popular activities. Choose from a selection of guided walks<\/a> or, if you\u2019re looking for some more adrenaline busting activities, there\u2019s the option of quad biking, mountain biking or a selection of adventure experiences<\/a> and jeep trails. If you\u2019re holidaying with the kids, they\u2019ll love the Parco Avventura Madonie, a woodland adventure park complete with rope ladders, tree climbing and open air experiences in Petralia Sottana.<\/p>\n<\/a>Cefal\u00f9<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/a>Gangi boasts the title of \u2018il borgo pi\u00f9 bello d\u2019Italia\u2019 (Italy\u2019s prettiest village), as well as sweeping views of the valley from the Belvedere del Duomo piazza. And from the town\u2019s medieval Castello dei Ventimiglia, you\u2019ll get views as far afield as Mount Etna on a clear day.<\/p>\n
Other must-see villages include Polizzi Generosa, Petralia Soprana, Petralia Sottana, Castellana Sicula and Isnello, variously boasting captivating medieval centres, historic Arabo-Norman churches, piazzas and dazzling views across the surrounding hillside.<\/p>\n Many of the villages are characterised by imposing castles and towers. The best known is undoubtedly the 14th<\/sup> century castle of Castelbuono, with its impressive staircases, ancient clock tower and square towers at each corner. Today the castle houses the town\u2019s Civic Museum.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find historic towers in Gangi and Petralia Soprana. Gangi\u2019s imposing Norman Ventimiglia Tower, a former watchtower, dates back to 1337 and, attached to the fa\u00e7ade of the Chiesa di San Nicol\u00f2, now serves as a bell tower. In Petralia Soprana, the two bell towers on the Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo, divided by a magnificent 18-column porch which leads into the church, date back to the 15th<\/sup> and 18th<\/sup> century and are extraordinarily beautiful.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find an extraordinary number of churches to visit in Gangi, and Petralia Soprana where the Church of Santa Maria di Loreto is crammed with paintings and provides some spectacular views. In neighbouring Petralia Sottana, the most charming of the many churches is perhaps Santa Maria della Fontana.<\/p>\n Culinary traditions in the Madonie are firmly rooted in the territory and deeply protective of the land. Indigenous plants include the Badda bean and the \u2018pipiddu\u2019 pepper, both endangered varieties that are still being grown locally. Olive oil, mushrooms, hazelnuts and fresh ricotta and pecorino made with ancient methods, shape the culinary landscape, alongside salami and sausages.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll even find some rivalry between the villages for the best local speciality of \u2018sfoglio madonita\u2019, cake made with thin pastry filled with \u2018tuma\u2019 (unsalted local cheese), candied pumpkins, sugar and pieces of chocolate. And in Castelbuono, iconic Fiasconaro produces some of the best panettone and Easter \u2018colombe\u2019 you\u2019ll ever taste.<\/p>\n Of course, the nature reserve is a wonderful place for anyone who likes to get out in the great outdoors. Hillsides are covered in evergreen holm and cork oaks, beech, oak and holly trees. At Piano Pomo, a cluster of giant holly trees, each the size of a birch tree, is a remarkable sight.<\/p>\n During the spring months, hillsides are sprinkled with wild flowers, including over 60 species of orchids, red poppies, mimosa and red and white peonies.<\/p>\n Not surprisingly, horse riding, hiking and cycling are amongst the most popular activities. Choose from a selection of guided walks<\/a> or, if you\u2019re looking for some more adrenaline busting activities, there\u2019s the option of quad biking, mountain biking or a selection of adventure experiences<\/a> and jeep trails. If you\u2019re holidaying with the kids, they\u2019ll love the Parco Avventura Madonie, a woodland adventure park complete with rope ladders, tree climbing and open air experiences in Petralia Sottana.<\/p>\n<\/a>Castles, towers and churches <\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Gastronomic traditions in the Madonie<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>Nature<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Activities<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a>