6 Top Things You Should Do In Cefalù, Sicily

things to do in cefalu italy
Veronika
Veronika 
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The city of Cefalù lies on the north coast of beautiful Sicily. This medieval town has maintained its original old look and ambiance and nowadays attracts thousands of tourists every year. The city was built by the Greeks and later became one of the most significant centers of Sicily. It’s obvious that Cefalù is one of the most visited and most beautiful places in Sicily and features various of attractions of all kinds. Besides its charming historic center, you can walk along the coast or enjoy the perfect sunny beaches. We created the list of most attractive spots to guide you through this beautiful medieval town.

1. Duomo di Cefalù

Duomo di Cefalù was built in 1130. The legend says that the cathedral was built by the order of King Roger II and his intention was to create a final resting place for the Norman kings. The building represents Roman style with Islamic, Norman, and Byzantine elements. Inside the cathedral, we can find significant Byzantine mosaics, with the figure of Christ as its focal point. The Duomo di Cefalù majestically stands above the medieval town and its one of the most attractive sights of the city.

Duomo di Cefalù

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy

Website: Duomo di Cefalù

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2. La Rocca

View of Cefalù - Cefalù - Italy 2015 (4)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user José Luiz used under CC BY-SA 4.0

This beautiful rocky crag used to be the place of an Arabian citadel, which was later superseded by a Norman castle. From the top of the rocky crag, you can see the stunning view of the coast. To get to the top you have to undergo an exhausting hike, but the first part has stairs. This place is worth the climb for its spectacular views!

La Rocca

Address: La Rocca di Cefalù, Sicily, Italy

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3. Santuario Gibilmanna

Gibilmanna-bjs2007-01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bjs used under CC0

The Santuario Gibilmanna, a religious shrine, is positioned 800 meters (2624.7 feet) above the sea, right next to St. Angelo’s Mountain. The sanctuary was built in the 11th century and then reconstructed in the early 17th century. It is a pilgrimage destination and a place of worship and a few masterpieces are kept in the Gibilmanna, for example, a statue of St. John Baptist and an image of the Virgin Mary of Gibilmanna. The artist of the Virgin Mary is unknown and represents beauty. It only takes a few minutes to get to the Santuario Gibilmanna, which is 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from Cefalù.

Santuario Gibilmanna

Address: Gibilmanna, Cefalù, Sicílie, Italy

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4. Cefalu Coast

The coast of Cefalù features many stunning beaches, that tourists, as well as locals, will surely appreciate, especially in the summer. The town is packed with many seaside resorts that surround the beautiful coast. Visit one of these beaches and find yourself relaxing on the warm gold sand and enjoying a perfect sunny day.

Il Lungomare

Il Lungomare means “The Promenade” and it is a 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) long, gold sand beach, fully equipped with umbrellas and beach chairs. Due to its popularity, this beach can be crowded in the summer months. It’s a perfect place for families since the water is not too deep.

Address: Il Lungomare, Cefalù, Sicily, Italy

Mazzaforno Beach

Mazzaforno Beach is situated around 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from the center of Cefalù. It’s a group of various beaches, surrounded by rocks and accessible from several paths. At the main beach, you can find showers and other amenities. In the hot summer day, you will surely appreciate a cold cocktail, which you can order at one of the beach bars.

Address: Spiaggia di Mazzaforno, Mazzaforno, Sicily, Italy

Settefrati Beach

This beach comes with everything you need for a perfect day. You will find a snack bar, showers, sunbeds, cloakrooms, umbrellas and a local restaurant that serve fresh and delicious Italian cuisine. The beach is lifeguarded, so it’s completely safe for adults and children. The beach features a few chair rentals, for those who want to stay closest to the beach.

Address: Settefrati Beach, Cefalù, Sicily, Italy

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5. Lavatoio Medievale

Lavatoio medievale cefalu
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Matthias Süßen used under CC BY 3.0

Lavatoio Medievale is a fascinating place and one of the monuments you should not miss. The Lavatoio is a historical place where women came to wash their clothes, back in medieval times. Here you can see how the water used to fill up the small pools and where it flowed through a small channel, out to the sea. This remarkable site is readily accessible from the center and it will bring you back in time. While imagining how life was, in ancient times, you can stop by the adjacent restaurant and breathe in the local ambiance.

Lavatoio Medievale

Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy

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6. Enoteca le Petit Tonneau

Wine Alcohol Glass
Source: Pixabay

Tasting local cuisine whenever you travel is a must and Italian cuisine is some of the most famous in the entire world. The Enoteca le Petit Tonneau was opened in 1995, by Don Toto La Lumia, who decided to open a beautiful shop, dedicated to his daughter Maria. The shop is a real heaven for all gourmands and the right place to taste traditional cuisine and the gems of Sicily.

The store features a small wine cellar with a wide range of high-quality Italian wines and also offers specialties of the house. The Petit Tonneau, the piece of heaven, is situated in the historic center of Cefalù, so it’s easily accessible and must, to visit.

Enoteca le Petit Tonneau

Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 49, 90015 Cefalù PA, Italy

Website: Enoteca le Petit Tonneau

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Gem of the Sicilian coast

Cefalù is a beautiful and exciting city with a long history. For its beauty, it deserves your attention, whether you appreciate sunny beaches or exploring historical monuments. With a location just below a cliff and along the beautiful Sicilian coastline, Cefalù is the perfect combination of nature and humanity, representing ancient life in the Middle Ages.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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Veronica, hailing from the enchanting city of Prague in the Czech Republic, is an ardent traveler with an unwavering passion for exploring not only her own beautiful country but also diverse...Read more

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