Day trip to Cefalù, Sicily 🇮🇹
Cefalù is a great little beach town on the northern coast of Sicily. It’s an easy hour’s drive or train from Palermo, making it simple as an add-on city! On this guide, you’ll get: - the major sights with notes on what’s worth seeing and if they need advanced booking - multiple beach options, both paid and free - an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot - 3 restaurants at varying price points and an enoteca for a beachside bottle of wine!
11 Places • 14 Saves • ago
Free

Italians love Cefalù. If you tell someone you’re headed to Sicily, they’re probably going to mention Cefalù as one of the best little beach towns!

Like much of the island, Cefalù has been ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans, and more, and you see the mix of cultural influences in the architecture, food, and more. The city has its own local pastries and traditions, so you can easily spend a few days relaxing here without getting bored!

We opted for a day trip, which is easily doable from Palermo – less than an hour by train. We went with this option because of how much of Sicily we were trying to see in one trip. But it’s a great destination if you want a few days to relax by the sea if you want more time!

What to See in Cefalù

The Cefalù Cathedral is an absolute must! It's one of my favorite cathedrals in Sicily, and I loved it way more than the Palermo Cathedral.

Like many of the bigger churches in Italy, you pay to enter. But it's so worth it! You get a gorgeous rooftop view of the city and sea - especially good if you don't choose to hike later.

It does require covered shoulders, so pack a scarf.

Cefalù Cathedral
@teaspoonofnose
Gorgeous cathedral! Definitely worth a visit, especially to get the rooftop views.
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Another great option is climbing the rocky outcropping that rises above the city. At the top, there’s the Castle of Cefalù along with the ruins of a temple to Diana and several fortress walls. There’s a small fee to explore around, but the views from the top are incredible.

Rocca di Cefalù
@teaspoonofnose
Best views in the city! Worth the hike if you’re willing.
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Castello di Cefalù
@teaspoonofnose
Best views of the city and sea from up here! It’s a short but steep walk. The castle is mostly ruins but still cool.
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Cefalù Beaches

Cefalù features a massive beach, one of the few sand beaches in Italy! Because of the bay, the water is calm even by Mediterranean standards.

Like most Italian beaches, most of it is organized into beach clubs where you pay to use the space. Chairs and umbrellas are provided, and there’s typically a bar and/or restaurant, so you don’t have to go far for lunch. It’s also yours for the day, so it’s a nice way to really embrace the beach bum mentality!

Lido Apollo
@teaspoonofnose
One of the good beach clubs in Cefalù. It’s a sand beach - a little unusual in Italy!
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In general, the beach clubs more to the east (towards the Cathedral and mountain) are a bit cheaper, but that’s also because the beach itself transitions into pebbles instead of sand. The local kids hang out on the pier at the far end, so the people-watching is pretty good over there.

Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino
@teaspoonofnose
Good landmark near the east side beach access. Also, it’s cool!
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Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio
@teaspoonofnose
This side is the cheaper lido (beach chairs) and a bit of free space. The free space fills up though!
Add to
Details

Walk down the pier for an iconic Cefalù view looking back of the city with the mountain rising above.

Molo di Cefalú
@teaspoonofnose
walk down the pier for great photos of the town and of the rocca & castello!
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Details

Cefalu Restaurants

Here are a few great options for lunch or dinner! Cefalu is well positioned on the island for a sunset meal along the shoreline, giving a day in Cefalu a truly gorgeous finish.

La Trinacria prodotti tipici enoteca wine food
@teaspoonofnose
Great spot for local favorites and good wine!
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Details
Lo Scoglio Ubriaco
@teaspoonofnose
Make sure to eat on the back patio! Good seafood spot in the old town.
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TINCHITE' Taverna & Putia
@teaspoonofnose
Great traditional Sicilian place! High on the list for me. If you go for dinner, reservations are a must.
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Details
Musotto Giulia
@teaspoonofnose
Great spot to get a bottle of wine and water to go to enjoy on the beach!
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Details

Want more travel tips? This is just a taste of what I can offer you! Check my bio for all my Italy guides. You can also reach out so I can make you a custom trip list or a daily itinerary! Grab all the details in my bio.

* * *
CURATED BY
Amateur Italian, travel advisor, and adventurous eater! I’m a travel creative living in small town northern Italy, and I've been planning travel for over 15 years. I've lived on three continents and visited over 40 countries, so I'm passionate about helping travelers experience the best of a location, no matter where! I love both/and travel: I want to see the big sights AND the local hangouts, the big cities AND the small towns. I’d love to help you do it too! If you’re going to Rome for the first time, you don’t need me to tell you to see the Colosseum. But you might want me to tell you if it’s better as a guided tour or on your own, what add-on’s are worth the money, and what are the extra secret things your ticket can get you! My favorite part of travel is eating well: finding the local haunts, tasting a new wine, and trying the local dishes. Amazing food doesn't have to be expensive: sometimes the best of a place is in the street food! But if it is a splurge, I'll make sure it's worth every penny. I'd love to work with you to create the trip of your dreams!
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Day trip to Cefalù, Sicily 🇮🇹
Cefalù is a great little beach town on the northern coast of Sicily. It’s an easy hour’s drive or train from Palermo, making it simple as an add-on city! On this guide, you’ll get: - the major sights with notes on what’s worth seeing and if they need advanced booking - multiple beach options, both paid and free - an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot - 3 restaurants at varying price points and an enoteca for a beachside bottle of wine!
11 Places • 14 Saves • ago
Free

Italians love Cefalù. If you tell someone you’re headed to Sicily, they’re probably going to mention Cefalù as one of the best little beach towns!

Like much of the island, Cefalù has been ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Normans, and more, and you see the mix of cultural influences in the architecture, food, and more. The city has its own local pastries and traditions, so you can easily spend a few days relaxing here without getting bored!

We opted for a day trip, which is easily doable from Palermo – less than an hour by train. We went with this option because of how much of Sicily we were trying to see in one trip. But it’s a great destination if you want a few days to relax by the sea if you want more time!

What to See in Cefalù

The Cefalù Cathedral is an absolute must! It's one of my favorite cathedrals in Sicily, and I loved it way more than the Palermo Cathedral.

Like many of the bigger churches in Italy, you pay to enter. But it's so worth it! You get a gorgeous rooftop view of the city and sea - especially good if you don't choose to hike later.

It does require covered shoulders, so pack a scarf.

Cefalù Cathedral
@teaspoonofnose
Gorgeous cathedral! Definitely worth a visit, especially to get the rooftop views.
Add to
Details

Another great option is climbing the rocky outcropping that rises above the city. At the top, there’s the Castle of Cefalù along with the ruins of a temple to Diana and several fortress walls. There’s a small fee to explore around, but the views from the top are incredible.

Rocca di Cefalù
@teaspoonofnose
Best views in the city! Worth the hike if you’re willing.
Add to
Details
Castello di Cefalù
@teaspoonofnose
Best views of the city and sea from up here! It’s a short but steep walk. The castle is mostly ruins but still cool.
Add to
Details

Cefalù Beaches

Cefalù features a massive beach, one of the few sand beaches in Italy! Because of the bay, the water is calm even by Mediterranean standards.

Like most Italian beaches, most of it is organized into beach clubs where you pay to use the space. Chairs and umbrellas are provided, and there’s typically a bar and/or restaurant, so you don’t have to go far for lunch. It’s also yours for the day, so it’s a nice way to really embrace the beach bum mentality!

Lido Apollo
@teaspoonofnose
One of the good beach clubs in Cefalù. It’s a sand beach - a little unusual in Italy!
Add to
Details

In general, the beach clubs more to the east (towards the Cathedral and mountain) are a bit cheaper, but that’s also because the beach itself transitions into pebbles instead of sand. The local kids hang out on the pier at the far end, so the people-watching is pretty good over there.

Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino
@teaspoonofnose
Good landmark near the east side beach access. Also, it’s cool!
Add to
Details
Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio
@teaspoonofnose
This side is the cheaper lido (beach chairs) and a bit of free space. The free space fills up though!
Add to
Details

Walk down the pier for an iconic Cefalù view looking back of the city with the mountain rising above.

Molo di Cefalú
@teaspoonofnose
walk down the pier for great photos of the town and of the rocca & castello!
Add to
Details

Cefalu Restaurants

Here are a few great options for lunch or dinner! Cefalu is well positioned on the island for a sunset meal along the shoreline, giving a day in Cefalu a truly gorgeous finish.

La Trinacria prodotti tipici enoteca wine food
@teaspoonofnose
Great spot for local favorites and good wine!
Add to
Details
Lo Scoglio Ubriaco
@teaspoonofnose
Make sure to eat on the back patio! Good seafood spot in the old town.
Add to
Details
TINCHITE' Taverna & Putia
@teaspoonofnose
Great traditional Sicilian place! High on the list for me. If you go for dinner, reservations are a must.
Add to
Details
Musotto Giulia
@teaspoonofnose
Great spot to get a bottle of wine and water to go to enjoy on the beach!
Add to
Details

Want more travel tips? This is just a taste of what I can offer you! Check my bio for all my Italy guides. You can also reach out so I can make you a custom trip list or a daily itinerary! Grab all the details in my bio.

* * *
CURATED BY
Amateur Italian, travel advisor, and adventurous eater! I’m a travel creative living in small town northern Italy, and I've been planning travel for over 15 years. I've lived on three continents and visited over 40 countries, so I'm passionate about helping travelers experience the best of a location, no matter where! I love both/and travel: I want to see the big sights AND the local hangouts, the big cities AND the small towns. I’d love to help you do it too! If you’re going to Rome for the first time, you don’t need me to tell you to see the Colosseum. But you might want me to tell you if it’s better as a guided tour or on your own, what add-on’s are worth the money, and what are the extra secret things your ticket can get you! My favorite part of travel is eating well: finding the local haunts, tasting a new wine, and trying the local dishes. Amazing food doesn't have to be expensive: sometimes the best of a place is in the street food! But if it is a splurge, I'll make sure it's worth every penny. I'd love to work with you to create the trip of your dreams!
Send A Tip
Support Emma | Teaspoon of Nose’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Emma | Teaspoon of Nose Privacy Terms