Getting There: Cefalú, Sicily
Cefalú, Sicily is easily accessible by train or car. During our Sicily trip, we stayed in Palermo but took the train out to Cefalú for the day. It takes about an hour and you can buy tickets in advance or at the station. From Cefalú station, you can walk to the downtown area. If you’re not comfortable taking the train, you could book a 1/2 day tour with a guide that includes transportation for ~60 euros per person.
About Cefalú, Sicily
Cefalú (pronounced Shef-a-loo) is a small village along Sicily’s Northern coast. The village is situated between the sea and a large cliff called La Rocca. Famous for its beautiful sand beaches, picturesque streets and crystal clear water – you don’t want to miss this stop while visiting Sicily.
Piazza Duomo
This is a great place to start your day as you orient yourself to the city center as it’s impossible to miss the two towers of Duomo di Cefalú – the town’s Cathedral. The Duomo was commissioned by Norman King Roger II in 1311. It’s a great example of Norman-Arab architecture in Sicily. We recommend grabbing coffee in the piazza and admiring the views.
Old Harbor
From Piazza Duomo, make your way to Old Harbor. This offers the best views of Cefalú city but is best to explore in the morning before it gets too hot as there isn’t much shade! You may see locals sunbathing or jumping into the water from here, but there are also benches to sit along and soak in the sea air.
Lavatoio
If you have time, we recommend a stop at Lavatoio. It was built on top of a river and used as a medieval wash house. The river is said to flow with the tears of a nymph who cried for a dead lover. It’s the perfect spot to cool off in shade and admire what life used to be like in Cefalú. Surprisingly, this wash house was used up until the 20th century. It was restored in 1991.
Food Tour
One of the best activities we did in Cefalú was a food tour. My biggest recommendation for this is to come hungry. We made the mistake of having a lunch before and were not able to keep up with all the delicious items being shared! We booked this food tour through Airbnb Experiences and had a great time with our guide Ambra, who is local to Cefalú. She introduced us to some different Sicilian food and told us myths about the town.
Cefalú Beach
After you’ve toured the city, trying delicious goodies – it’s probably time to relax at the beach! Cefalú Beach is sandy and sunny, and the water is crystal clear – perfect for a dip. If you’re not a big beach person, there are a few bars & cafes along the sea where you could relax for a bit.
Granita in Piazza Garibaldi
After you’ve finished at the beach, you may be looking for something to cool you off so be sure to grab a granita in Piazza Garibaldi. Granita is a traditional Sicilian dessert (and sometimes breakfast) that is semi-frozen and consists of water, sugar & fruit. We highly recommend trying the combo of raspberry & lemon – it’s perfect on a hot summer day!
Cefalú, Sicily is not a place you go to sight-see or visit museums – it’s a place you go to slow down, eat delicious food and get lost in the picturesque streets. This beachside town is the perfect stop when visiting Sicily.
