Home to one of Sicily’s best beaches and most impressive cathedrals, the city of Cefalu is an alluring blend of natural beauty and evocative history. This medieval town features enthralling culture, from sun-drenched terraces and cobbled alleyways to old town squares and towering churches.

Things to do

No visit to Cefalu is complete without climbing La Rocca, an imposing rocky summit upon which the ruins of the 11th-century Norman castle lay. Follow the winding stairs of the Salita Saraceni, through three tiers of city walls before reaching the summit for sweeping views over Cefalu.

Cefalu Cathedral boasts a magnificent Norman-Arab facade and well-preserved Byzantine mosaics, known to be the oldest in Sicily. Venture inside to admire the enchanting mix of blues, pinks, purples and gold of the Christ Pantocrator, before soaking up the cathedral’s soaring twin towers over an espresso in Piazza del Duomo.

Love history? Visit the Museo Mandralisca, a small museum showcasing the private collection of the famous archaeologist, Baron Mandralisca. Discover an array of Greek ceramics and Arab coins, before setting your eyes on the Portrait of an Unknown Man, considered one of the most enigmatic portraits from the Italian Renaissance.

Cefalu’s crescent-shaped bay is renowned for its long sandy beach dotted with beach bars and lidos. Those looking for a more secluded cove should head west to Mazzaforno beach, while families will love the calm waters and lifeguards at Settefrati beach.

Getting around

Cefalu’s compact city centre is easily explored on foot. Frequent trains run to Palermo, Messina and Milazzo, with ferry connections to Naples and Rome. During the summer, hydrofoils run to Palermo and the Aeolian Islands.