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.
Tip from Content Creator
I loved this small coastal city near Palermo. You can easily get there by train, which takes around an hour. Cefalu is exactly like what you think of when you think of Sicily. Colorful flowers, the sea, amazing food, and cute little Italian buildings. You can see the city in a couple of hours since it’s quite a small town, but you can also stay here longer to soak in the quaint vibe. I would advise spending some time walking around aimlessly in Cefalu. Every single street could be a postcard!
It's also a great place to eat and go for a swim. The water here is incredible and there’s a long stretch of beach to enjoy!
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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
2. La Rocca
This beautiful rocky crag used to be the place of an Arabian citadel, which was later superseded by a Norman castle.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
3. Santuario Gibilmanna
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
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
5. Lavatoio Medievale
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
6. Enoteca le Petit Tonneau
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
7. Bastione di Capo Marchiafava
Contributed by Content Creator, Troy & Libby
Source: Troy & Libby
Visit this old fortification in Cefalu for beautiful views and a hidden swimming spot! Here, you will find a lovely stone path leading towards the sea. It’s the perfect spot for a serene summer swim, hidden by the side of the fortification. It’s also next to a great photo spot!
To get to this path, take a left instead of going up the steps to the bastion.
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.
Tip from Content Creator
Apart from these attractions, here are some other things to do whilst visiting this beautiful city :
- Have a snack in the Duomo in Piazza del Duomo
- Explore all the beautiful side streets
- Explore the historic centre with authentic houses, shops and beautiful restaurants
- Visit the beaches, some of the best ones in Sicily!
History
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