Cefalu Things To Do

Cefalù is a romantic red roofed Sicilian fishing town packed with fascinating Roman ruins and tiny medieval alleyways. Flanked by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north, and the Madonie Mountains to the south, Cefalù is situated on the northern coast around half way between Messina and Palermo. The location of the legendary film, 'Cinema Paradiso', a holiday to Cefalù is a trip back in time to experience traditional Sicily. There is truly something for everyone here, from family beach breaks to sightseeing and hiking adventures.

 

Relax on the Cefalù beach - one of the best in Sicily. A quiet bay, surrounded with wooded mountains, it offers safe swimming with beautiful views of the incomparable azure waters of Sicily.

 

Al-fresco bars line the rocky terraces where you can enjoy local foods such as fresh fish and squid. As in the rest of Italy, food and wine in Cefalù is second to none, not to mention the annual homemade ice cream festival!

 

Cefalù is a town rich in Roman, Greek and Arab history. Dominating the Cefalù landscape is the Duomo, the two towered Norman-Arab-Byzantine Cathedral.

 

From Cefalù take an exhilarating climb up to La Rocca (The Rock), the dramatic rocky outcrop overlooking the town. From this vantage point there are fantastic views of the surrounding area, and on a clear day you can see the Aeolian Islands. Half way up you will find the remains of a fortress and the Tempio di Diana (Diana's Temple) a megalithic temple dating from the ninth century BC.

 

The Madonie Mountains south of Cefalù offer many activities, including climbing, walking and hiking in spring and autumn. In the winter, bustling resorts (the closest being the Piano Battaglia), offer prime skiing opportunities.

 

It is worth taking a trip out to visit the spectacular volcanic Aeolian Islands, the most popular being Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli.