Photo: Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cefalù
A Norman cathedral above a sandy town beach.
A seaside town of narrow lanes squeezed between a sandy beach and a huge rock, with a Norman cathedral glittering with gold mosaics. An hour from Palermo by train, for a beach day or a slower stop.
Places to see
- Cefalù CathedralChurch · A fortress-like Norman cathedral with twin towers under the rock; in the apse, a golden…Free
Museo MandraliscaMuseum · A baron's collection in his old house, best known for Antonello da Messina's sly Portrait…≈ A$11
Osterio MagnoSight · A medieval palace on the main street with fine double Gothic windows in black-and-white…Free
When to go
- Jan15° / 9°Often wetQuiet
- Feb16° / 9°Often wetQuiet
- Mar17° / 10°Some rainQuiet
- Apr20° / 12°Some rainBusy
- May24° / 15°Mostly dryBusy
- Jun28° / 19°Mostly dryVery busy
- Jul31° / 22°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug32° / 23°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The old town. Lanes between the Norman cathedral and the sea, under the great rock.
The beachfront. The long town beach and its promenade.
Flying in
Palermo Falcone-Borsellino (PMO): Train via Palermo to Cefalù, about 1 h 30 min, ≈ A$18.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Cefalù; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$0. Small and walkable, with the beach in town; trains run along the coast to Palermo in about an hour (check).
Tourist tax
Cefalù's tourist tax: usually about €1.50–2 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels; under-12s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
Day trips
Palermo, about 1 h by regional train. Markets, street food and Arab-Norman churches.
