Visit Sicily Cefalu: everything you need to know

Amongst all the stunning landscapes that the Western region of Sicily has to offer you, Cefalù is without a doubt one of the best. To visit Sicily Cefalu is to confront head-on the great contrasts between water and rock, since the town itself sits at the foot of a rocky promontory which looks over an intensely blue sea which will leave you breathless.

Cefalu Weather – The climate

Cefalù’s temperate climate means that the summer season is dry and hot and the winter is fresh and rainy. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant. Summer is arid and hot, often sweltering but cooled thanks to the sea breeze, whilst during July and August the ‘scirocco’ (winds that blow in from the Sahara desert) is not uncommon. We recommend you visit the town during the summer months, to enjoy the best weather.

The beaches

Cefalù lido: With its crystal clear waters and wide golden-sand beach, Cefalù’s lido is where the town’s nightlife kicks off as the sun goes down. The coastline of one and a half kilometres is easily within reach from the town centre. The vista is exceptional: the views of the rock, the cathedral, the old port.

visit sicily cefalu

 

Caldura beach: This pebble beach, interspersed with rocks and bright blue waters, has a different vibe. This is a great beach for lovers of diving and jumping into the sea.

Salinelle: This is a long stretch of beach with many well-equipped lidos and open areas. A perfect spot for lovers of windsurfing and for those wanting to hang out and have fun with their friends.

Ambrogio: This coastline is less well-known and so less crowded with people. The beach is mainly pebbles with stretches of sand as well. The water is super clear and clean.

If you want to know about our top 5 beaches in Sicily, click here.

What to see

Cefalù cathedral (‘duomo’) and its adjoining cloisters. Of UNESCO heritage, according to legend the cathedral was built in 1131 when Santissimo Salvatore took the vote from Ruggero II as he escaped a storm and landed on the beach of the town. The inside of the cathedral is of the Byzantine style, including more than 600 square metres of Byzantine mosaics;

The Temple of Diana: a megalithic building shrouded with mystery, making it difficult to trace its origins. Experts maintain that it was built during two different epochs. It stands on the rock of Cefalù and is considered a true sun temple, from which you can see the sun align with the entrance door and illuminate the corridors of the temple, drawing its rays down towards the megalithic cistern, the centre of an atavistic water cult

.visit sicily cefalu

The Medieval wash house: with its steps made out of volcanic rock which lead to a smooth paving and a series of tanks that are filled with water flowing from 22 cast iron mouths (including 15 little lions’ heads) arranged along the walls. The water passes a little cave before meeting the sea. In the tanks you can still see the supports that were used to wash the clothes.

What to do

Visiting Cefalù is a unique experience – and even more fun done on-board a quad bike! With this tour of 1 hour you can check out all the beautiful and charming parts of Cefalù and the Madonie National Park (the lush green inland mountains that stretch down to the Tyrrhenian sea). Click on “Visit Cefalù by Quad!”.

If you would rather take part in a slightly longer tour, then from Cefalù we can take you on to Castelbuono where you can taste some of traditional local produce at the noted patisserie Fiasconaro, famous worldwide for its panettoni. A quad excursion very amazing!

Where to sleep

Hotel Costa Verde: this is the perfect hotel while visiting Cefalù, just 5 minutes in the car from the cathedral and the town centre, with a free open-air swimming pool, private beach, restaurant, terrace and air-conditioned rooms furnished in a classic style. You’ll also find a hairdresser and a wellbeing centre there.

Hotel Gli Alberi del Paradiso: 8 minutes on foot from the beach, this hotel is in an antique aristocratic villa surrounded with luxurious gardens and a large swimming pool. The hotel offers its customers a free shuttle-bus to the private beach and to Cefalù’s town centre. For maximum relaxation, the hotel also boasts of a wellbeing area with a sauna and massage rooms. Or if you prefer more physical activities, you’ll also find a fitness centre there, and tennis courts.During the spring and summer the hotel’s restaurant serves its local speciality dishes in the garden.visit sicily cefalu

Hotel Kalura: this hotel offers panoramic views of the Caldura bay and the Cefalù rock, with direct access to a private beach, a pool, tennis courts, a diving school, as well as free high-speed WiFi In the spring and autumn you’ll have the chance to go on trips on foot or by bicycle, and from March until November there are also lessons in yoga, art and photography. The hotel also offers bike rental and sun umbrellas and loungers for free on the beach and swimming platform.

Calanica Resort: 5 minutes on foot from a fully-equipped private beach, Calanica offers independent bungalows, an open-air pool, a solarium terrace, restaurant and free WiFi across its whole site.

In order to really get the best from Cefalù, remember to breathe it in and observe its every detail, from its palaces to its churches, and maybe then you’ll start to understand just how much this town represents a concentration of the history and marvels of Sicily.

 

 

Visit Sicily Cefalu

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