The Cefalu Travel Guide
"One of my favourite beach towns on the north coast of Sicily, beautiful old streets, a deep history, and some of the best beaches I've come across."
About Cefalu
Welcome to my cefalu travel guide. Cefalù is honestly one of my favourite places on the north coast of Sicily. It has some of the best beaches, a deep history, beautiful old streets, and a population of around 13,200 people. When I visited during the summer it was quite busy, not as busy as Taormina, but still very busy. One of the main reasons, I'd say, is the beach. It's also close to Palermo Airport, which makes it very accessible.
Why read my Cefalu travel guide?
So why read my Cefalu travel guide? I've been to Italy many times, including a full tour of Sicily, where I visited all the main historical attractions, ate dinner at a few places I'll mention below, and stayed in accommodation there. We also speak to friends and family. We do have an Italian family who guides us, and we can speak Italian, so I'm able to talk to the locals. I hope you enjoy it.
What Cefalù is known for
In terms of what Cefalù is known for, there's the albicocca di Scillato a local type of apricot grown nearby, which is small and sensitive but has an intense flavour. Make sure to pick some up at the local market. You can also find great jams, and wine is very big in the region, so there are local wineries. Olive oil and cheese are also well worth looking for. If you can't get out of town, head to the Cefalù markets.
Cefalù is also known for its historical attractions. There's Cefalù Castle sitting on top of the town, the cathedral with its two soaring towers, the Osterio Magno one of the most prestigious civil buildings in the area and the Temple of Diana, an ancient temple built around the 4th century. And of course, there are the beaches, which were the main reason I went there.
The main beach, Cefalù beach, is clear, blue, and sandy. I prefer sandy beaches myself. What I really loved was how shallow it was, you could swim if you went further out, but in the shallower areas, you could just walk around, and you'd see a lot of other people doing exactly that. There wasn't a strong current either, so there were a lot of people just relaxing, which was very much my vibe on this holiday. You also have Kalura Beach, though that one is pebbly, and then Lungomare Beach and Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio.
Quick tip: If you're heading to the pebbly beaches like Kalura, bring pebble shoes you really don't want to cut yourself.
Cefalù is also known for its shopping. It's quite a small town, but there are a lot of small local businesses where you can find boutique clothing and lingerie, food, soaps, and a lot more. You can also stay at some incredible places, I'll talk about that a little further down, or you can check out my blog on Cefalù hotels.
Languages spoken in Cefalu
Cefalù is very close to mainland Italy, but they still have a dialect there, which can be hard to understand even if you know Italian. If you don't know Italian, a lot of the vendors do speak English, especially around the beaches and in the centre of town, so don't be too worried about it.
Getting to Cefalù and getting around
How you get to Cefalù really depends where you're coming from. Here's a breakdown of the main options from this cefalu travel guide.
By plane
The closest airport is Palermo Airport. From the UK it's about 3 hours, and from somewhere like Australia it's around 25 hours. From the airport, it's just over an hour to Cefalù by car or taxi. When I went, I was on a road trip around Sicily, so I came from a different direction, but I did drive from Cefalù to Palermo by car and can confirm the route is straightforward.
By train
The train is a very fast way to get around Sicily and to reach Cefalù. The nearest station is called Stazione FS / Cefalù Station, and it's about a 9-minute walk to the beach, which is very convenient. If you fly into Palermo, the train takes just under 2 hours. Last time I checked, trains run from around 9am to about 7pm. If you're coming from Rome, you can also get a train straight through to Cefalù.
By car
This is what I used. It takes about an hour from Palermo Airport. If you're driving from mainland Italy, you'll need to take the ferry to Messina. Messina is on the top east, and Cefalù is just a bit to the left. The ferry itself takes about 30 minutes, and then it's just under 2 hours to drive from the port to Cefalù. I took the scenic coastal route, and the views were absolutely amazing.
Driving note: You have to drive on the right-hand side. Manual cars are the cheapest, but it can be hard to find one, so if you're renting, just be aware that manual is the preferred option in Sicily.
There are a variety of ways to get to and around Cefalu and also depends on where you are coming from.
By taxi
Taxi is a great option, especially if you've just got off a long-haul flight and you just want something convenient. It's probably the most expensive option, but you don't have to worry about waiting for a train or picking up a rental. Last time I checked, a good service is Taxi Services Cefalù from Palermo it costs around €150, which can be more expensive but works out more cost-effective if you're in a group. If you're travelling solo, there are taxi-share options, where you can split the cost with someone else.
Parking in Cefalu
Parking can be a bit daunting it was for me in every town I visited in Sicily. Most of the time you'll need to pay, and you'll need both cash and a card. Cefalù is a beach town, so it gets very busy in summer. You've also got to be careful with resident parking: white lines mean free parking unless a sign specifies it's for residents. I couldn't find any free parking in the centre, but that was just my experience. Blue lines mean ticket parking, and you'll need to find a parking meter or a local tobacconist to buy a ticket.
I actually used an app called EasyPark to sort my ticket you can download it and it's available in most places. What I liked is that instead of paying for a whole day, you can put in however many hours you think you'll need, and if you finish earlier, you can reduce the timer on the app and only pay for what you've used. Very convenient.
I also used the parking garages. There's the Cefalù Historical Parking Centre in the town centre and Cefalù Beach Parking, which is uncovered, so you're not protected from the sun, but it's very convenient. There are also private car parks a little further away that are more cost-effective. And if you can find accommodation that includes a car park free or for a small fee I'd strongly recommend it. Just makes everything a lot easier. You can check out my guide on where to stay in Cefalù for options with parking.
The best things to do in Cefalu
There are so many things to do in Cefalù it's a beach town with a lot of history, so there's something for everyone. Here's what I got up to and what I'd recommend as part of any Cefalu travel guide.
Take a boat tour
If it's a lovely day, getting out on a boat is absolutely fantastic. It's a great way to see the coastline from a different angle.
Hike the Madonie Mountains
If you're into hiking, you can visit the Madonie Mountains and walk up to the second-highest peak in Sicily. The views are incredible up there. I'd recommend booking a half-day hike.
Visit the water park
If you're with a family, there's a water park called Acqua Verde. Last time I checked it was open from June to September and is about a 10 to 15-minute drive from Cefalù centre. Good fun if you want to keep the kids entertained or you just enjoy a water park yourself.
Explore the historical attractions
If you're into history, there's a lot here. There's the Tempio di Diana near the top of the rocky hill overlooking the town it's a bit of a walk so I'd only go if you're up for it. There's the cathedral of Cefalù with those two striking towers, the Museo Mandralisca, and the Castello della Rocca. All worth seeing.
Go shopping in the boutique shops
I love shopping whenever I go to Italy, especially in boutique places. There are lots of small independent shops in Cefalù selling everything from clothing to local food products.
Visit the sanctuary of Gibilmanna
About 20 minutes away there's the Santuario di Maria SS. di Gibilmanna, which is a Christian shrine. You can also take a quad tour to make it more exciting.
Go wine tasting
Wine is a big deal in Sicily and there are some local wineries near Cefalù worth visiting, Corradino Boutique Winery Vino and Val di Suro are a few I came across. I'd call ahead to make sure they're open and doing tastings, as a lot of them don't keep their profiles fully up to date. You can also check out the best restaurants in Cefalù for a good glass of local wine over a meal.
Spend time on the beach
Honestly, this is where I spent most of my time. Cefalù beach is absolutely amazing. Clear, blue, sandy, and shallow enough that you can just walk around and relax without needing to be a strong swimmer. For the pebble beaches, as I mentioned, bring pebble shoes.
Restaurants in Cefalù
Cefalù has a lot of incredible restaurants. I'd recommend are 22 Cucina Isolana, Cortile Pepe, and Triscele Restaurant, which is like a classic Sicilian restaurant set in a cave-like dining room really memorable. There are a lot of great options, so check the timings and call ahead for a reservation, especially in peak season. Also, exploring some of the best restaurants in Palermo if you're doing a wider Sicily trip.
Top 5 Hotels in Cefalu
Where to stay in Cefalù
I go into this more in my dedicated blog on Cefalù hotels, but here's a quick overview from my cefalu travel guide.
Cefalù Sea Palace
The Cefalu Sea Palace. This is a 5-star hotel and there aren't many of those in Cefalù. It's only about 10 metres from the beach, has its own private beach with sun loungers, is a short walk from the town centre, and if you have a car, it has free parking which I think is a real plus.
Le Calette
On the right-hand side of Cefalù, this is another 5-star option with its own water sports and private beach. It's great if you're going as a couple and want a bit of peace and privacy.
Hotel Riva del Sole
The Hotel Riva Del Sole is a 4-star hotel right on the promenade. Most rooms have ocean views, there's free parking for the car, and there are discounts at a partner beach for sun loungers. A great mid-range option.
Hotel La Plumeria
Also 4 stars, Hotel La Plumeria is a couple of minutes' walk from the sea and set in a lovely historic building. If you don't want anything too modern and want that historic feel, this is a great choice. Every room has a balcony and there's parking available too.
Alberi del Paradiso
Alberi Del Paradiso is a 4-star hotel set in an ancient manor about 20 minutes' walk from town. It's something a bit different and unique. Last time I checked, they offer a free shuttle bus to their own private beach, and the higher-level rooms have ocean views. For more options, see my guide to where to stay in Cefalù.
How much should you budget for a trip in Cefalu?
Cefalù was one of the lower-cost places I stayed in during my Sicily trip. I'd probably recommend budgeting around €260 per day per person. To break it down, a lot of hotels have breakfast included in the accommodation, but if not you'll probably get by for around €20 per person. Lunch, depending on how hungry you are or if you've had a big breakfast, is around €30.
Dinner, I'd say about €40 to €50. Activities are a little less around there too, so budget about €30 per day for that. Going out for a couple of extra drinks, another €30 as the drinks are a little cheaper there. And accommodation on average, we saw being about €100. So in total, around €260 per day. Here's a rough breakdown:
| Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (sometimes included in accommodation) | €20 |
| Lunch | €30 |
| Dinner | €50 |
| Tourist Activities | €30 |
| Going out | €30 |
| Accommodation | €100 |
| Total cost per day | €260 |
Best travel card to use on holiday
In terms of travel cards, in my Cefalu travel guide I'd recommend the Wise card. I've been using it for many years, it's one of the best international cards you can get. Even if you need it last minute, you can add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay straight away.
The fees are much cheaper than your bank and they provide the exchange rate of the day without any inflated charges. I've saved a lot of money by not using my normal debit card when abroad. For more tips on keeping costs down, see my guide on how to save money on a trip, and also check my travel essentials for Europe.
I'd also bring some cash a lot of restaurants in Sicily do now take card, but it's always worth having some on you.
How long should you stay in Cefalu?
I stayed for 3 days, and I'd recommend at least 2 to 3 days. It's a small town, so you can see most of the activities and sights, but also properly relax on the beach. I spent most of my mornings on the beach and then visited the cathedral and the rock during the day. If you have a little more time, on your second day you could go to the Santuario di Gibilmanna, and if you have a few extra days, exploring the Madonie Mountains is well worth it.
One thing I will say: Cefalù is a very popular town. Not as busy as some other places, but I'd recommend booking flights and accommodation at least 6 months in advance. For the 5-star hotels, try to book a year ahead. I've noticed prices rise every year, so booking around Christmas is probably a good idea.
If you're planning a wider trip around the north of the island, you can also explore my guides on Palermo and things to do in Palermo, or if you're heading east, have a look at the Messina travel guide.
Cefalu travel guide FAQs
Cefalu travel guide itinerary
For a 3-day stay, I'd suggest spending day one on Cefalù beach it's shallow, calm, and perfect for relaxing. Head to the cathedral in the afternoon and explore the old streets in the evening. On day two, visit the Tempio di Diana and Castello della Rocca in the morning, then browse the boutique shops. If you have energy, head out to the Santuario di Gibilmanna in the afternoon. On day three, do a boat tour in the morning and go wine tasting or visit one of the local wineries nearby. If you want more detail, check out things to do in Cefalù.
What to do in Cefalù for a day
If you've only got one day, make the most of it by starting at Cefalù beach in the morning it's the best beach in the area and very easy to spend a few hours there. Head to the cathedral in the late morning, grab lunch at one of the local restaurants (I'd suggest checking out the best restaurants in Cefalù), then explore the Osterio Magno and the old town streets in the afternoon. Finish the day with dinner at somewhere like Triscelé for a proper Sicilian experience. One full day isn't loads of time, but Cefalù is compact enough that you can get a really good feel for it.
Is Cefalù worth visiting?
Absolutely. It's one of my favourite beach towns on the north coast of Sicily. The beach is beautiful, the history is rich, the food is great, and it's more manageable in size than somewhere like Taormina. It does get busy in summer, but if you plan ahead and book early, it's very much worth the trip.
How do I get from Palermo to Cefalù?
The easiest options are by train (just under 2 hours, very convenient as the station is close to the beach), by car or taxi (about an hour from Palermo Airport), or by taxi share if you want to cut costs. The train is probably the best value if you're travelling light, and the drive is a great option if you're doing a wider road trip around Sicily.
I hope you've enjoyed this cefalu travel guide. If you've been to Cefalù and have any other advice, please leave it in the comments below so my readers can pick up some extra tips and tricks. And if you're planning a wider Sicily trip, have a look at my other guides on the site there's a lot to explore on this island. Find out more about us here or get in touch if you have any questions.