Where is The Ivy Courtyard?

In the heart of Castelbuono - one of the most beautiful towns in Sicily. Castelbuono is surrounded by the Madonie National Park - a range of verdant hills and mountains, however we are just 13km from the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. On the edge of the cobbled historical centre, our former monastery residence has easy access by car from the SS286 road.

Can you arrange local experiences for us?

Yes - we can help make your stay in Castelbuono super memorable by organising various local activities for you. These include:

Guided Tour - a walking tour of Castelbuono with a local guide is the ideal way to get the best out of a short stay without missing anything. Tours can be tailored according to your preferences.

Cooking lessons - enjoy the making (and tasting!) of local recipes with an experienced cook. You can choose between a savoury or sweet dish - or why not both?

Manna Experience - learn how our local ‘white gold’, manna, is cultivated, harvested and utilised with a visit to a nearby orchard and expert guide.

Hiking + Country Walks - Want to go solo? We can advise on routes to suit you. Prefer a guide for some more serious / hidden trails? We can hook you up with a local expert guide. Castelbuono is surrounded by stunning trails and heavenly countryside.

Horse Riding - from beginners to Pros, our local stables can show you the best of the Madonie National Park by horseback, from half-day excursions to multi-day expeditions.

Cheese Experience - see first hand how our local speciality cheeses are crafted from the freshest of ingredients. Get to taste cheeses straight from the production line.

Family History Research - Let our local experts show you where your ancestors lived and were laid to rest. @YpsiRoots is a specialist in this part of Sicily for finding your Sicilian roots and connections. The local cemeteries are fascinating and tranquil places to visit, and a bespoke family tree can be built for you.

Airport Transfer Service / Train Station Collection - We can arrange to have you collected from an airport or a train station. We understand that not everyone wants to rent a car. Please enquire for details and rates.

Foraging Experience - One of our local guides can take you up into the woodlands to forage for seasonal treasures such as mushrooms, truffles, fruits and nuts.

Wine-tasting - Castelbuono is blessed with several local vineyards which produce delicious organic wines, usually from indigenous grape varieties. We can arrange a visit to the production and vine fields or just head straight to the wine-tasting part!

Do you have car parking On-site?

Our private courtyard is shared by us and our neighbours, with specific numbers of allocated spaces. We have one space - for us! Sorry. Free parking is easy to find on the streets outside The Ivy Courtyard.

How can we reach Castelbuono?

Most people drive. However, if you are non-driver, or just don’t fancy renting a car, the town can be reached by bus from nearby Cefalù, which in turn can be reached by train from the airports. There are just a few buses per day, so you need to plan your times well.

Many people arrive ON FOOT because Castelbuono in the heart of a network of walking trails, for example the Via Dei Frati.

Cycling is also a popular option - the lack of traffic in these parts and the stunning scenery make two-wheeled adventures a great option.

From Palermo airport you can take at direct train to Cefalù. From there, you can get a bus to Castelbuono or choose one of the other options above. From Catania and Trapani it’s possible by public transport but more complicated…

Taxis - are very expensive in Sicily at the moment. This is something we are working on…

Finally, we can arrange a pick-up / collection for you. Please enquire for specific details on this.

Once you arrive at Castelbuono, doing things on foot or by bicycle are both pleasing and suitable options unless you wish to stray further afield.

Does Castelbuono have any special festivals or events?

Yes!!! Castelbuono has a very full calendar of cultural events and festivals including music, food, religion, sport, business, classic cars.

CastelbuonoLive is a good resource for seeing what’s on in Castelbuono.

Comune Di Castelbuono is another site for local information.

May I bring pets?

We have a young kitten. Send us a picture of your loved-one and we’ll discuss it.

Do you accept children as guests?

At present, we do not have any facilities for babies, children or teenagers. It is a grown-up / adults-only get-away experience.

Can I rent the entire house?

This is something we are working towards. In the future we should be able to accomodate 8 people in four bedrooms. At present, we offer two rooms in our ‘own home’. Guests have their own private bathroom.