Cefalù
A Norman town tucked beneath a towering rock, with a golden sandy beach beside the medieval old town. The cathedral's mosaics and a hike up La Rocca are the two highlights.
Cefalù lies on the north coast about 70 km east of Palermo. This medieval fishing town nestles at the foot of La Rocca, a 270 m rock outcrop, and it was also a filming location for 'Cinema Paradiso'. The Norman cathedral was begun by King Roger II in 1131. Its apse mosaic of Christ Pantocrator is considered the earliest and finest in Sicily, and the cathedral forms part of the World Heritage Site shared with Palermo and Monreale (entry to the church is free; the cloisters and roof require a ticket). The old town consists of several parallel stone-paved streets. The main street, Corso Ruggero, leads to the 16th-century Lavatoio, a public washhouse fed by a spring flowing from the rock face. At the end of the lanes, the old harbour and seafront promenade offer the classic spot for photographing the reflections of the old town. Right beside the town is a long golden sandy beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing in summer. If you're fit, allow 1 to 1.5 hours to climb La Rocca (entry about €5), passing the ruins of an ancient Temple of Diana and a castle, with views from the summit over the red-roofed old town and the coastline. Trains from Palermo take about an hour, and it is a 10-minute walk from the station into the old town, making Cefalù ideal as a day trip from Palermo or an overnight stop on a tour around the island. Restaurants in the old town are pricier in summer, so consider the smaller eateries on the edge of town.
Opening hours
Open all day; cathedral 08:30–18:00 (until 19:00 in summer); Rocca Hill 08:00 to sunset
Nearby sights
- Soluntum (Solunto)
- Villa Palagonia (Bagheria)
- Admiral's Bridge (Ponte dell'Ammiraglio)
- Orto Botanico di Palermo
- Palazzo Abatellis (Regional Gallery of Sicily)
- Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum
- Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri
- La Vucciria