We visited Cefalù in March during our Sicily road trip and instantly loved it. This small seaside town has a beautiful old center, romantic streets, great restaurants, and a lovely beach right in the heart of town. We loved all the coastal viewpoints and the fantastic ceramic workshops dotted around. In this guide, we share the best things to do in Cefalù, plus our favorite places to eat and where to stay.
Inside was equally impressive: vaulted ceilings, incredible frescoes, and beautiful mosaics that depict Cristo Pantocratore, one of Sicily’s greatest artistic treasures. Entrance to the Duomo is free, but if you want to see the Cristo Pantocratore up close, you’ll need to buy a tour ticket at the door.
2. Visit the Beaches
One of the main reasons we wanted to visit Cefalu was the beaches, each with an incredible backdrop. These were our favorites:
Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio (Cefalù Port)
This beach is the most central, just a stone’s throw from the center, so we came here directly after a morning of sightseeing. It’s lined with beautiful orange-roofed houses and the La Rocca Mountain.
Caldura Beach
Around a 40-minute walk from Cefalu’s historic center is the beautiful, secluded Caldura Beach. This stretch of white sand set against crystal-clear water is so scenic; it’s surrounded by cliffs and greenery, and it’s a popular spot for snorkeling.
3. Explore the Historic Center
Cefalù’s charming old center was one of our favorites on our Sicily road trip. Corso Ruggero is the main street and the most popular spot, but we preferred wandering off down into the small alleyways and piazzas.
At night, the streets light up, creating another beautiful setting to enjoy over a delicious dinner.
Also visit the stunning streets of Palermo in Sicily.
Make sure to visit the pier ‘Molo di Cefalu’, where you can see the iconic fishermen’s houses and the small central beach.
Mandralisca Museum
In the old town, we also visited the Mandralisca Museum, which is home to the famous ‘Portrait of an Unknown Man’ by Antonello da Messina.
The museum is open every day in summer (July/August) between 9 AM – 9 PM (closes at 7 PM the rest of the year). Entrance costs 6 EUR (6.62 USD).
We bought a ceramic sugar bowl in cobalt blue with classic lemons hand-painted on it, and it’s now one of our favorite items in our kitchen. We bought it from Grafidea F.lli Saia srl, which is one of the few artistic ceramics workshops in Cefalù. Everything is handmade, so each piece is unique.
5. Hike Rocca di Cefalu
La Rocca di Cefalù is the stunning, dramatic backdrop to the city that you immediately spot as you approach the historic town. From the top, there are breathtaking views over the entire area. We loved the color of the orange rooftops against the stunning aquamarine sea.
We walked to the top, which took about 2-3 hours, but halfway there, we also found another beautiful panoramic viewpoint (with equally good views over Cefalù). There’s also plenty of tables and trees for shade, so it would be a good spot for a picnic.
Also read: Things to do in Erice, Sicily.
The mountain is open from 8 AM to 8 PM between April and October (last admission at 7 PM). During the rest of the year, it closes at 4 PM. The entrance lies on the western side of the cliff rock (here is the location) and costs 5 EUR (5.62 USD).
In March, it was cool enough to hike during the day, but in the summer, definitely come first thing; otherwise, it’ll be too hot.
Castello di Cefalù, Sicily
At the top of the mountain, there’s also an old castle ruin, which was once a beautiful fortification built to protect the city.
6. Day Trip to Madonie Regional Natural Park
We didn’t get a chance to visit Madonie Regional Natural Park, but we heard it’s one of the best spots for hiking and biking in the area. Inside the park are incredible mountains, forests, and charming villages.
7. Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino
The Lavatoio Medievale, or medieval laundry, is located at the edge of a beautiful creek. We got there by following a wide staircase that led to this remarkable site carved entirely from volcanic rock.
Also visit: Valley of the Temples in Sicily.
This historical remnant is an incredible example of life in ancient Cefalù, offering a glimpse into the town’s rich heritage. We recommend visiting the medieval laundry in the morning to avoid the bigger crowds.
Also read: the best things to do in Taormina, Sicily
8. Day Trip to Punta Sant’Elia
En route to Palermo, we stopped at the stunning viewpoint and beach of Punta Sant’Elia, with its dramatic rocky shores. We bought some baguettes, cheese, and fresh strawberries and had the perfect picnic here.
Best Restaurants & Cafes in Cefalù, Sicily
Everywhere in Cefalù, we found cute osterias and buzzing terraces. Some of our favorite food moments were delicious Caponata, a classic Sicilian appetizer; pasta con le sarde; and sweet cannoli for dessert. These were some of our favorites:
- Mandralisca Sedici
- History Pinsa
- La Brace Cefalù
- Liberty Restaurant Bistrot
- Sicilian Food & Drink
- Passafiume Cantina Bistrot
- Braceria Italiana Fuorimondo
- Le Terme
Where to Stay
If you’re only visiting for a few days and don’t want to walk far, we recommend choosing accommodation in the old town. However, please note that the new town (although not as pretty) is cheaper. From here, it’s about a 20-minute walk along the beach promenade to get to the historic center.
How to Visit Cefalu, Italy
The closest airport to Cefalu in Sicily is Palermo Airport. From Palermo, it takes about 1.5 hours to drive to the ancient center of Cefalu.
We visited from Taormina in our rental car, but realized on arrival that there are many ZTL zones, making it difficult to park anywhere in the city center. Instead, we parked just outside of town along the Lungomare (the promenade), where there’s parking on both sides of the road as well as a larger parking lot. We paid 8 EUR (8.80 USD) for a whole day of parking, and from there it’s just a short walk to the beach and the historic center.
We recommend to rent a car in Sicily through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
You can also get to Cefalu by train from Palermo, which is a beautiful 1-hour ride through the countryside and along the coast.
How Many Days in Cefalu, Sicily?
Although you can visit Cefalu on a day trip, we’d recommend spending at least two nights (one full day) in town to fully soak up the atmosphere. In March, it’s still not quite swimming weather, but in the summer, you might want to stay longer to relax on the beautiful beaches.
How Much Does Cefalu Cost?
Cefalu was definitely one of the most affordable destinations we visited in Sicily, with our biggest expenses being accommodation and car rental. Prices also depend on the season (summer is generally more expensive, with peak prices in September).
Tip: Are you traveling as a European citizen? If you’re under 25 years old, many things to do in Cefalù are half-price!
Best Time to Visit Cefalù, Sicily
We visited Cefalu in March, which was nice because everything was quiet and peaceful. But when we look back, it was maybe a bit too early in the year because only a few restaurants were open, and we didn’t get to experience the lively beach vibe. May would be perfect!
During the summer months (June – August), the weather is very hot, but it’s the best time for the beach. Unlike Eastern Taormina, which can be a bit too crowded during peak season, Cefalù is calmer year-round.
By purchasing through our links, you support us at no additional cost.
Thank you for your support. ♥️
- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Flights to Cefalu via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.