Best things to do in Cefalu, Sicily
- Jenny Feleciano
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Tucked away along the stunning northern coastline of Sicily, you’ll find Cefalu, one of the island’s most charming and beautiful seaside towns. Read on for all the best things to do in Cefalu, Sicily!
Sicily stands physically apart from Italy’s other regions, due to being on an island separate from the Italian mainland. While Sicily is definitively Italian, its location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea has influenced its history and culture over the centuries, giving the island region an identity all of its own. Cefalù highlights all the best that Sicily has to offer: Baroque architecture and a unique culture, traditional Sicilian dishes and tantalizing sweets, turquoise waters and dramatic coastal views.
What are the best things to see and do in Cefalù?
1. See the Cefalù Cathedral
Designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site, the Duomo di Cefalù was built by King Ruggero II during the Norman rule of Sicily. Unique because of its Arab-Norman architecture and Byzantine mosaics, Cefalù's magnificent 12th-century Baroque cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Sicily!
You can explore the main section of the cathedral free of charge, or buy a ticket to get an up-close look at the chapels on either side of the sanctuary, tour the rooftops and cloisters, or visit the Diocesan Museum. See the cathedral's official website for more information.
2. Walk along the Lungomare
Lungomare is the Italian word that refers to a road or walkway next to a seafront. Along Cefalù's Lungomare Giuseppe Giardina, you can enjoy sea views or stop at one of the outdoor cafes for a refreshing drink and traditional Sicilian meal. Spend an hour, or an entire day, relaxing at a lido along the Spiaggia di Cefalù. Lidos are beach areas where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and usually have a cafe or bar offering light snacks and drinks.
3. Visit a medieval wash house
Dating back to the 16th century, the Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino is a restored medieval wash house, with stone wash basins fully intact and natural springs that provided flowing water for rinsing clothes.
4. Explore the city center
Wander through Cefalù’s historic center, where you'll discover secret passageways, cobblestone streets and coastal views. Shop, eat, and drink to your heart’s content. Whatever you do, walk slowly and look up and down each side street, alleyway and stairway that you pass. Cefalù is a treasure trove of decorative tiles, painted ceramics, and old-world charm.
Take in the views from the Bastione di Capo Marchiafava, relax at the beach located right at Cefalù’s historic Porto Vecchio, walk along its fortress walls, or let yourself be mesmerized by the turquoise waters and crashing waves at Molo di Cefalù or Largo Eroi del Mare.
5. Have cocktails or dinner by the sea
At the end of the day, stop for drinks or dine at one of the many restaurants along the waterfront for an experience you’ll never forget! In addition to the lungomare, there are restaurants and lounge bars along Via Carlo Ortolani di Bordonaro and Via Vittorio Emanuele. Most restaurants have signs out front to advertise if they have a terrace (terrazza).
6. Take a boat excursion
There are many beautiful places to explore by boat from Cefalù. Escape from the crowds with a relaxing cruise along the coast, where you’ll be treated to views of Cefalù’s historic fortress walls and the towering cliffs of La Rocca di Cefalù. Many excursions make stops for swimming or snorkeling, and offer the chance to sunbathe on the boat deck. If sunbathing and swimming don't appeal to you, consider an evening cruise, where you can take in the stunning Sicilian sunset with a drink in your hand.
7. Enjoy breakfast, drinks or dinner at Piazza del Duomo
Any time of day is a good time to relax at Cefalù’s Piazza del Duomo. The heartbeat of the city, Piazza del Duomo offers a front-row seat to views of the city’s cathedral and majestic “Rock” of Cefalù. Cafes, bars and restaurants line the piazza’s edges, with seating taking up the center. It’s a perfect place to begin, and end, your day in Cefalù. Start with coffee and pastries in the morning, relax with an Aperitivo at mid-day, and end with dinner and/or sweets in the evening.
8. Hike to the top of la Rocca di Cefalù
If you have the time (and stamina), hike up to la Rocca di Cefalù for incredible panoramic views. Wander the ruins of a cliffside castle, explore the archaeological site, and take in the sunset from the Temple of Diana. This hike is not for the faint of heart; the switchback path is two miles long and features an elevation gain of almost 800 feet.
9. Walk the coastal pathway
From the city center, a walk along Via Giudecca towards the lighthouse offers spectacular views of the coastline from an elevated position. There are also several locations where you can take steps down to sea level for a more adventurous path. Watch closely, because you may walk right past them if you don’t know they are there. One of the “entrances” is even through an opening in the rocks. If using Google maps, search for “Punto di vista dalle scale al mare”, and it will give you several locations with access to the pathway.
10. Watch the sun set
Cefalù has the perfect location for some of Sicily’s most spectacular sunsets. You really can’t go wrong from anywhere along the coastline, but some of the best points are along the lungomare or Porto Vecchio, at Molo di Cefalù, Largo Eroi del Mare, from the Bastione di Capo Marchiafava, or of course from the viewpoints at the top of La Rocca!
Where to stay in Cefalù
Where you stay in Cefalù will mostly depend on whether or not you’ll have your own transportation. If you plan to arrive by train or bus, you’ll want to stay in or near the city center so you can easily walk to everything you want to see.
If you have your own vehicle, you can either stay in the city center or in one of the surrounding areas (see below for how to arrive in Cefalù by car). If you don’t want to stay in the city center, another option is to stay at an agriturismo or campground nearby. There are a few great campgrounds that offer small campers with a front deck, small kitchen, a small cafe and pool area, and private beach access! This gives you the option to spend some of your time relaxing away from the crowds, especially if you plan to visit during the summer months.
How to get to Cefalù
Public transportation: You can reach Cefalu by train from Palermo in less than two hours or from Catania in a little less than four. While there are buses available, I strongly urge you to take the train so you can experience the incredible views of the coastline. Just catch the train from either airport and get your camera ready! Once you arrive at the Cefalu train station, it’s a 10 - 15 minute walk to the historic center and beaches.
If traveling from Palermo, sit on the left side of the train. If you’re coming from Catania and want to take the coastal route, make sure you choose a journey that goes through Messina and NOT Caltanissetta. For the best views of the coast on this route, sit on the right side of the train when facing the direction of travel. For more tips on using public transportation in Sicily, check this out.
Driving: Cefalù is easy to get to with your own transportation, no matter which direction you’re headed from. It’s very close to the E-90 Autostrada, or you can take state road SS113 for a more scenic route.
The most important thing to keep in mind when driving to Cefalù is that you need to have a parking plan in advance. Street parking is very difficult to find in Cefalù. If you’re staying overnight in Cefalù, check with your host to see they offer parking, or for suggestions on the best place to park. There are several parking structures and open-air lots around the city, you can do a google maps search for “parcheggio” and find the one closest to where you want to be! We’ve used Cefalù Beach Parking, as well as Parking Historical Center Dafne and had good luck with both.
What are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Sicily now, and don't forget to add Cefalù to your itinerary!
If you enjoyed this, drop me a comment below! Check out some of the other articles on my European Destinations page or read more about my Sicilian adventures below!
