Holidays in Lascari

An introduction to Lascari

In 1693, a group of peasants settled in Lascari. They moved here from Gratteri in the mountains to be closer to the sea and never left. And it’s no wonder. Location-wise, you couldn’t ask for more. On the one hand, you’re surrounded by coastal hills dotted with olive and citrus groves, so there are miles of walks in every direction. And although there’s a really away-from-it-all feel here, Sicily’s sandy shores are just three kilometres north.

Huddled at the foot of a vast hill, the town is typically Sicilian. Think stepped, pin-thin streets, sleepy squares and stone-built houses, often with washing strung from the balconies. You’ll find all the usual rural town offerings – traditional trattorias, cubby-hole cafés and one-off shops. And if you do a double take while you’re wandering, chances are you’ve seen ‘Cinema Paradiso’ – scenes from the 1988 film were shot here.

Other things to seek out include Piazza Aldo Moro which is home to the town hall - a pretty, whitewashed building with a bell tower - and the ruined medieval castle. And if you’re visiting between 7th and 11th August, make sure you catch the annual Lemon Tree Festival, a traditional trade show with local artisans and lots of lemon-based products.

To explore, the Madonie Mountains are nearby, along with the Parco Naturale Regionale delle Madonie which is dotted with monasteries, stone churches and mills. For sands, try Caldura beach near the harbour in Cefalu, which few tourists find. And from here, it’s worth following the SS113 east, to Sant’Ambrogio’s sand and pebble sweep, which is one of the quietest beaches in the area. Mount Etna and the bustling towns of Taormina and Palermo are also in easy day trip distance.

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