A stop that cannot be missed in a tour of Sicily is Cefalù (50 km from Palermo); known worldwide for its cultural richness and landscape.

This coastal town overlooking the sea is also one of the fifteen Sicilians locations part of the Madonie Park and has been for centuries a crossroads of different cultures and populations that have given form to its appearance, making it absolutely unique and special.  

Useful information for your stay in Cefalù

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How to reach Cefalù


Nearest airport

Palermo - Punta Raisi airport, 90045 Pozzillo PA

Connections: by bus or train from Punta Raisi Airport to Palermo Centrale Station (with Prestia e Comandè or Triancria Express) + then connection from Palermo to Cefalù

 

Road connections

From Palermo: with E90 motorway (approx. 1hr 20 min. – 77 km)

From Messina: A20 motorway towards Palermo (approx. 2hrs – 175 km)

From Caltanisetta: with A19 + E932 (approx. 1hr 32 min. – 108 km)

From Catania: with A19 (2hr 13 min. – 188 km)


Where to park? Parking lots with blue stripes are parking areas that require buying the ticket – parking lots with white stripes are only for residents.

 

By bus

SAIS Autotrasporti connects Cefalù to Palermo, Caltanisetta, Bagheria e Castelbuono.

 

By train

Cefalù is connected to Messina, Palermo and other sicilian locations by the railway network. Timetables and fares avalaible on the website of Trenitalia.

 

Historical notes

The first inhabitants to populate this area first settled at the foot of the Rocca di Cefalù and, even if the exact period of first occupation is not known, there are remnants of pre-Hellenic constructions such as a cistern dating from the 9th century BC, found in the Temple of Diana and the megalithic walls surrounding the historical centre, dating back to the 5th century BC.

The name dates back to the 4th century BC, when the Greeks named the city Kefaloidion (from kefalé, head) referring to the fortress. Later, Cefalù first was under Roman domination, from 254 BC, then the Byzantines, in the 6th century, then of the Arabs from the year 858, and finally of the Normans who conquered the city in 1063 by the hand of the Great Count Roger I of Sicily.

Cefalù was finally handed over to Christianity of Roger II who first had the Church of San Giorgio (St. George) built in 1129, then the Basilica-Cathedral in 1131. After the death of Frederick II in 1250, the political history of Cefalù went through a period of unrest by passing under the rule of different feudal lords, until 1451 in which it was finally became part of the Bishopric. The subsequent history of Cefalù is similar to the events that characterised the rest of Sicily, but a particular period involves the year 1752 when, with the establishment of the first foreign consulates, Cefalù became Grand Tour destination and began to welcome a large number of tourists from France and Northern Europe. The city is still today a very popular tourist destination.

 

Art Churches and Monuments

The Dome (Cathedral)

The Basilica-Cathedral or Cathedral of Cefalù was included in 2015 in UNESCO's "Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale". Its construction began in 1131 by the hand of the Great Count Roger II and due to the presence of the Archbishop of the city of Messina. Among the most remarkable decorative elements, you will see the mosaics of Byzantine workmanship, which embellish the apse of the Basilica-Cathedral and the elegant cloister with columns surmounted by figurative capitals, built in the monument.
The Church has a Latin cross plan and consists of three naves, divided by two rows of columns with Romanesque bases.

Opening hours

Dome (Cathedral)
From January to December: 8:00 – 13:00 and 15:30 – 17:00 (open every day)
From April to October: 8:00 – 18:00 (open every day)

Canonical cloister
From January to December: from Monday to Friday, from 10:00 to 13:00 (closed on Sunday and on public holidays. Open Saturday only with reservation)
From April to October: everyday (Sunday and public holidays included)
10:00 – 13:00;
15:00 – 18:00.
(last entrance, 15 minutes before closing)

Prices
€.3.00 single entrance
€.2.00 group entrance – minimum 10 persons – (the same discount is reserved to school teachers even without children and to the elderly over 65 years of age);
€.1.00 students entrance (either as individual or as part of a school class. In the latter case, accompanying teachers do not pay entrance fee).

A guided tour with Cathedral staff can be provided at no extra charge upon booking, by telephone or directly at entrance.

Visit the website - Tel.: (+39) 3388175498

 

 

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Mandralisca museum

You can deepen your discovery of the history and of the natural and cultural wealth of Cefalù at the Mandralisca Museum where you can admire, among the various works, a portrait of unknown attributed to Antonello da Messina.


Entrance hours
From1 November to 28 February: 9:00 – 19:00 (Monday closed)
From 1 March to 31 October: ore 9:00 – 19:00 (everyday) 
During holidays: Easter Sunday (and the Monday after), Christmas and New Year’s Day, the Museum will be open observing the following hours: 9:00 – 12:30 / 15:30 – 19:00.

Prices
Full entrance fee €.6.00
Discount fee €.4.00 (groups min. 10 adults, young people from 11 to 15 yrs. old)
Discount fee €.2.00 (school children and kids from 6 to 10 yrs. old)

Tel.  (+39) 0921 421547 – email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

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Medieval wash-house

The old wash-house, commonly called "U Ciuni" ("the river"), is also another treasure of Cefalù dating back to the middle ages. You can get there from via Vittorio Emanuele and appears before your eyes as a fascinating record of the daily activities of the past and a refreshing retreat during the summer months. It features of lava stone spiral staircases that leads down to the washbasins. The water flows through outlets carved into the walls of the wash-house, filling the basins and spilling out straight into the sea.

 

 

Nature and landscape

With its historic centre of Arab-Norman architecture overlooking the sea and the imposing promontory, Cefalù offers spectacular landscapes. It is also a very popular destination for its crystal clear sea and gorgeous beach resorts.

 

Sea and beaches

The following is a list of some of the most beautiful beaches:
• Lido di Cefalù
• Salinelle (approx. 20 min. from Cefalù’s city centre)
• Capo Plaia (approx. 15 min.)
• Caldura (approx. 5 min.)
• Mazzaforno (approx. 15 min.)

 

 

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Hiking and nature trails

La Rocca

The first and the closest trail to the town is the visit of the Rocca that allows you to discover the promontory of Cefalù and the remains of the Temple of Diana, the crenelated walls and the castle of Cefalù. The route starts directly from the historical centre of the town and climbs to the summit of the cliff. Although the trail is not very long, the height difference is 240 meters and therefore we recommend being properly equipped, wearing hiking boots and bringing water to drink.

Recommended route: from Corso Ruggero, go through Via Saraceni, follow it up until reaching the feet of the Rocca from where the trail begins.

 

 

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Madonie Park

The town of Cefalù is part of the Madonie Park, together with other fifteen Sicilian municipalities. It is a regional nature reserve established in 1989. In addition to the fifteen municipalities, the Madonie mountain range is part of the park. The reserve is of great natural value given that it features more than half of the Sicilian plant and bird species that are typical of this territory and all the mammal species of the island.

Starting from Cefalù, you can take several nature trails within the Park, even without a guide. In addition to the walks, you can go horse riding, go through the routes in quad and mountain climbing, or visit the Gole di Tiberio (Gorges of Tiberius).

You can request maps, tips, and prices relating to the activities and routes to:
Ente del parco delle Madonie (Madonie Park administration offices) - Corso Paolo Agliata, 16 – Tel. (+39) 0921 684011 - Visit the Website 

Tourism information office of the municipality of Cefalù - P.zza Duomo - Tel. +39 0921 421508 - E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno e Turismo (Autonomous body for hospitality and tourism) - C.so Ruggiero, 77 - Tel. +39 0921 421050  - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Visit the Website


Food and wine

The culinary tradition of Cefalù is closely linked to that of Palermo’s cuisine, however, there are some typical dishes exclusively of this area such as pasta al Taiano topped with eggplant and meat sauce and baked in a special clay pot.

It is possible to taste this specialty in the Porta Terra restaurant, in via Umberto. La Galleria is also a highly recommended restaurant (Visit the Website), found in the prestigious location of the Palazzo Mandralisca.

 

 

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