An oasis of tranquillity: the Sant’Ambrogio beach in Cefalù

What better way to spend the warm and endless summer days than to lie on a lovely beach with the warm wind gently caressing your face? Or maybe to observe the movement of the waves with just one thought in mind: the wish to never remove the scent of the sea breeze from your skin. It is known, however, that sometimes the days at the beach can be not quite as relaxing, due to the crowd that often assaults the most beautiful and well-known places. If your idea of a holiday is that of an intimate and private experience, made of quiet moments away from the chaos, then the Sant’Ambrogio beach in Cefalù is the best pick for you.

A long stretch of sand mixed with white pebbles washed by crystal clear waters: all those who are looking for peace and quiet, fall in love with the Sant’Ambrogio beach when they discover it. No noise or fight for the best place on the beach, but only the sound of the waves and the feeling of warmth on the skin, while you are sipping a thirst-quenching drink or devoting yourself to your favourite book.

 

Origins and history of the Sant’Ambrogio beach

The name of the beach is linked to the small seaside village of just 250 inhabitants affiliated to the municipality of Cefalù, founded in 1783 following a strong earthquake. The place was previously occupied by a chapel dedicated to the patron saint and in the 17th century had been the setting for an ancient village of peasants and labourers, who worked the land on behalf of noble families and landowners.
The link with Saint Ambrose, a little unusual for Sicilian toponymy, has led to the hypothesis of a connection with northern Italy, and more precisely with Milan.
Some studies and the data obtained suggest that the first people to settle in what is currently the site of Sant’Ambrogio were from Lombardy, therefore linked to the cult of the patron saint of Milan.

The Sant’Ambrogio beach is a hidden oasis, 6 kilometres from the centre of Cefalù, set in the magical nature of the Madonie Park and gives a feeling of perfect harmony with the landscape: on one side the boundless sea and on the other, the beauty of greenery.
The coastline consists of small white pebbles alternating with sandy stretches: it is a wild and reserved beach, with very few equipped bathing establishments.
The shore is composed of two beaches: one smaller and closer to the village, about 250 meters long and covered from the West by large rocks, and a slightly larger one that extends for about 1.5 km. The long walks on the shoreline will have as background an incomparable scenery that will make you live the poetry of a holiday surrounded by nature. After walking on the shore, you can dive into a crystal-clear sea; the clear waters take on spectacular colours: a real dream for scuba-diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, who enjoy watching different species of fish, algae and underwater plants.

 

How to get to Sant’Ambrogio beach

Sant’Ambrogio beach is not difficult to reach, thanks to its proximity to Cefalù, and because it is well sign-posted. If you are coming by car from Palermo, you have to take the A20 motorway towards Messina, then take the exit for Cefalù and follow the signs for Sant’Ambrogio. If, however, you are using the Palermo-Messina railway line instead, you should arrive at the Cefalù station, from where you can then reach the beach using a shuttle bus.

Described by many as an enchanted terrace on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the beach of Sant’Ambrogio has become a destination for refined tourism, due to its hidden location, and much appreciated by those seeking tranquillity and relaxation. The wide and sunny beaches bathed by a clear and transparent sea and the incomparable picturesque landscape that features a perfect natural balance, make Sant’Ambrogio one of the most loved beaches in Cefalù.