Cefalù is an enchanting town whose cathedral stands so high on a rocky promontory that it has been a navigational landmark for ships for the last 1,000 years.
The extensive sandy beaches, overlooked by craggy cliffs, inspired the Norman conquerors of Sicily to found Cefalù as their capital city 1,000 years ago. Only later did they transfer command to the ancient capital, Palermo.
In Cefalù they left behind not only a magnificent cathedral, but an intriguing medieval town which remains unspoiled to this day. The rare combination of broad beaches and medieval streets has made Cefalù – like Taormina - one of the most popular holiday destinations in Sicily.
Cefalu is nowadays considered the capital of the mountainous Madonie region, one of the largest protected natural areas in the Mediterranean. Cefalù is therefore the perfect destination for a beach holiday and a holiday in the mountains, both at once.
The information on this site comes from our Sicily expert Britta Bohn.
Britta has been dealing with daily life and life in Sicily for over 20 years.
Don't miss any of her tips! Subscribe to our free Newsletter:
Dear friends of Sicily, we invite you to join the Facebook Group "Trip-Tipp Sicily". Find answers to all your questions and discover exclusive tips for your trip to Sicily from those who have already made the journey and those who already know the island from the inside out:
The photo gallery displays higher resolution photos. Click on the film strip below to view them. Some of the images can be reproduced freely, if clearly attributed to the photographer wherever they are displayed (click for details). We also request, if you do reproduce our photos, that you include a link either to the photographer's Facebook page or Google+ profile.