Cefalù: a postcard from the sea

Cefalù wins you over at first glance like a beautiful postcard from other times. The old fishermen's houses on the fine sandy beach, the imposing Cathedral, the small alleys in the center where life still seems to flow as it once was.

The city is in full harmony with the sea that surrounds it and you will immediately realize it upon your arrival, walking along its beautiful promenade from the car park. The beach in May is mainly free so I am sure that you will be tempted by a moment of relaxation by the sea.

If you want to continue the walk, enter the historic village from Via Vittorio Emanuele. Here you will find an iron gate that allows you to access a recently restored medieval wash house.

Continue along the street until you reach Porta Marina (or Porta Pescara). Built in an arch, it is the only door left among those that interrupted the city walls. From here, a few steps away is the pier, where you can appreciate the view of the fishermen's houses, on the beach. There are several benches positioned on the pier and I am sure that you too will take the opportunity to appreciate the landscape and take some shots.

Continuing on your walk, you will encounter other traces of the history of the city, such as the Bastion of Capo Marchiafava from which to observe a romantic sunset.

All the pedestrian streets that lead uphill to the Cathedral are pleasant to walk through to discover moments of everyday life that make you think of other times, such as the greengrocer who delivers his products with the ape car or the shop that sells fishing nets.

The heart of Cefalù is certainly the Piazza Duomo, with the various cafes with tables that invite you to take a break to enjoy the beautiful buildings that surround it and the majestic Cathedral.

Majestic and perhaps almost out of size compared to the city, it is a masterpiece of Norman art, decorated with splendid mosaics among which the Cristo Pantocratore stands out, very reminiscent of that of the Palatine chapel in Palermo and the Cathedral of Monreale. Different types of tickets are available for the visit. We have chosen the complete route (10 € / person) which will give you access to the North Tower, the roofs of the Cathedral, its treasures and the cloister decorated with a particular colonnade.

Among the other main attractions of the city it is certainly worth mentioning La Rocca, which dominates the city from above. We didn't have time to visit it, but it can be reached with a walk starting from Piazza Garibaldi.

Around Cefalù

Not far from Cefalù you can find the small village of Castelbuono. The center can be visited along the main street that starts from the castle and reaches Piazza Margherita.

The Fiasconaro shop overlooks the square, known for its production of panettone and nougat, which in summer have a strange effect, but taste really good. Another peculiarity of this country is the manna, a natural sugary resin with a thousand properties. As it happened to us, you will be able to taste it in some shop during your visit.

Before your trip

• How to reach it? We rented a car in Palermo, from here it takes about 70km with a smooth road, once out of the city center. The main rentals are located at the train station
• Where to park? There is a large parking lot near the seafront, but we preferred to park along via Roma with easy park: more affordable prices and in the evening you don't pay
• Where to stay? We chosen the little B&B Dafni e Naide, located in the historic center of Cefalù. Managed with care by Donatella and her brother Giuseppe, it is an excellent choice to discover this village. Do not miss the breakfast on the terrace with homemade products from their mother. Definitely a choice we recommend

• Where to eat? We tried a few restaurants and we always found ourselves quite well. Here where we have been:
  • Triscele: a little out of the center, but with delicious fish cuisine
  • Right next to the Cathedral we recommend the Passafiume Cantina Bistrot: here good food is accompanied by truly attentive service
  • With very few tables, right on the bastion of Capo Marchiafava, the Bastione & Costanza: very romantic location, with particularly refined dishes, but service to be reviewed

• If, on the other hand, you want to enjoy a delicious arancina by the sea you can try Antica Focaccieria Sapori Siciliani. Many takeaway proposals of Sicilian street food all to try
• For the best cassata of the holiday, we advise you Duomo gelatieri dal 1952. On the square of the Cathedral of Cefalù, it offers Sicilian desserts truly A-plus
• Where to buy souvenirs? We bought some specialties to take home from La Sicilia Tentazioni. They also sell online, so if something conquers you you can then reorder it from home! We bought the almond paste loaves to make the delicious granitas!