Charming Cefalù, Sicily: Things to Do, See & Eat!

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There are so many magical medieval towns dotting Sicily’s coastline, and Cefalù is one of the most iconic. Located smack in the middle of the island’s northern coast and just one hour east of Palermo, Cefalù dates all the way back to the 4th century, when it was founded by the Greeks before falling under Roman, Arab, and then Norman rule.

To this day, you’ll see evidence of Cefalù’s storied history throughout this ancient city, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cefalù Cathedral, which was commissioned by Norman ruler Roger II in 1131. But while the labyrinthian cobblestone streets, picturesque heritage buildings, and historic ruins are all part of the draw, Cefalù has a modern side, too.

During the summer months, tourists flock here to tan on the picturesque beaches and go boating along the jaw-dropping coastline, while the Old Town’s excellent restaurants, bustling piazzas, and ceramic-filled boutiques lure visitors year-round. There are just so many incredible things to do in Cefalù that make it well worth visiting.

Trust me, you will not want to miss out on the magic of this charming town, no matter what time of year you plan on traveling. So if you’re wondering what to do in Cefalù, Sicily, this guide has got you covered with some of my favorite activities, attractions, and, of course, foods!

Things to do in Cefalù – a traveler’s guide

Get lost in the Old Town

Take one step onto the cobblestone streets of Cefalù’s Old Town and I guarantee you’re going to fall head over heels in love. With narrow alleyways flanked by centuries-old buildings, hanging laundry drying in the breeze, and bustling piazzas lined with trattorias, this place is as picture-perfect as it gets.

So much of this historic city’s charm lies within its Old Town, which is why meandering around and getting lost down random passageways is one of the very best things to do in Cefalù. You honestly never know what hidden gems you’ll unearth. And if you’re a photographer, this medieval city is just a dream come true.

Take a walking tour

There’s obviously a lot of history in Cefalù and I highly suggest signing up for a walking tour to get a true understanding of your surroundings.

On this History and Legends Guided Walking Tour, a local will take you to some of the best viewpoints in Cefalù, as well as the Old Town’s most famous attractions. The nice thing about this tour is that it’s only 90 minutes, well enough time to crisscross tiny Cefalù. Whether you only have one day in Cefalù or are staying for a few days, a quick tour is well worth it.

In that time, you’ll see the top sights, learn a bunch about the history of Cefalù and its most notable residents, and enjoy a sweet treat at a local shop. After the tour, you’ll be left with plenty of time to explore on your own.

My tip: Ask your tour guide where to find the best food, drinks, and happy hour deals. They’ll point you in the right direction!

Explore the interiors of Cefalù Cathedral

Of course, the shining star of Cefalù’s Old Town is the Cefalù Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site that was built between 1131 and 1240 by King Roger II.

You’ll find this spectacular Norman Cathedral perched above Piazza Duomo. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth going inside, please trust me when I say it absolutely is. With the unreal Byzantine mosaics – including the incredible Christ Pantocrator (pictured below) – this is easily one of my favorite cathedrals in all of Sicily, and that is saying a lot!

Ticket options

There are a few different ticket options for the Cefalù Cathedral, which you can book at the ticket office or on the website (you’ll find details for each itinerary there).

• Red Itinerary (€13 for adults; 55 minutes): This is the most deluxe option, and it’s what I opted for. The Red Itinerary allows you to climb the towers, take in the views over Cefalù as you walk along the rooftops, get an up-close look at Christ Pantocrator and the mosaics, and visit the spectacular Canons’ Cloister.
• Blue Itinerary (€10 for adults; 30 minutes): If you’re interested in the view, this itinerary gives you access to the towers and the walkways along the roof.
• Green Itinerary (€10 for adults; 30 minutes): This option is perfect for museum and history buffs because you can peruse the artifacts in the museum and visit the cloisters.

My tip: For €3 more, I think it’s absolutely worth doing the Red Itinerary. This way you get to see everything, from the views from the rooftops to the exclusive views of the mosaics and Christ Pantocrator.

Go swimming at Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio or Spiaggia di Cefalù

Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio

If you’re visiting in the summer months, like I did, you simply have to join the masses and go swimming at Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio, Cefalù’s small beachfront where the Old Town meets the sea. Yes, this place gets crowded, and the sand is packed with people and blue-and-white umbrellas. But the water is lovely, the vibe is festive, and marveling at the centuries-old buildings as you float in the water is simply magical.

Spiaggia di Cefalù

Just down the promenade from Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio is Spiaggia di Cefalù. This part of the beach may not be directly backed by Old Town’s building but it’s a much longer stretch of sand, offering much more room than tiny Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio. Plus, the view of Old Town is lovely from here.

My tip: If you’re visiting in summer and you want to lay claim to a small swath of sand on the beaches’ small free sections, you’ll want to get here as early as possible, like really early! The beaches get packed. Honestly, there was no room on the free beach during my visits, so I just set up shop on the pier at Spiaggia del Porto Vecchio and jumped into the clear blue water from there! Alternately, if you plan on making a day of it, you can pay roughly €20 to €25 euros for a lounger and umbrella at one of the lidos.

Take a snorkeling trip

If you’re wondering what to do in Cefalù when the weather is nice, I suggest taking to the sea! Not only is the coastline out-of-this-world beautiful, but the water is crystal-clear and boasts the prettiest shades of blue.

Going to the beach and splashing around with the locals and tourists is a must. But to truly experience this glorious coastline, taking a snorkeling and boat tour is easily one of the coolest things to do in Cefalù.

This 3-hour snorkeling tour with Popeye Excursions Cefalù takes you to three of the area’s best swimming and snorkeling spots, hidden caves, and viewpoints. You’ll also learn more about Cefalù and be treated to homemade Sicilian goodies, Prosecco, and music as you cruise. There’s also the added option of ordering from the cocktail bar, perfect if you prefer to imbibe while you glide across the blue water.

You can book this tour easily via Get Your Guide, with the choice of departing at 10 am, 2 pm, or 5:30 pm (ideal for sunset!).

Order the pistachio gelato from Sapore di Sale

In case you don’t know already, Sicily is quite famous for its pistachios. You’ll find these green little seeds in all sorts of culinary concoctions – from pesto sauces to granitas, cannolis, spreads, and gelato. Pistachio gelato is my favorite flavor EVER. And one of the very best I’ve tasted was at Sapore di Sale Gelateria in Cefalù.

You’ll find this popular gelateria toward the northern end of Corso Ruggero. I do recommend sampling one of the handful of pistachio flavors, from classic Pistachio to the Fuoco dell’Etna (“Etna Fire”) with pistachio and black cherry to the Ciocopistaccio with pistachio, hazelnut, and chocolate.

But if pistachio’s not your thing, you’ll find plenty of unique gelato flavors on the menu. They also do some delicious-looking cannolis, granitas, and brioche con gelato.

Browse or buy some Sicilian ceramics

Cefalù is just a stone’s throw from the town of Santo Stefano di Camastra, which just happens to be one of Sicily’s ceramic hubs. It’s no wonder, then, that you’ll find public works of art, artisan workshops, and boutiques selling pottery all over Cefalù.

If you want to pick up one of Sicily’s famous Moor’s Heads, ceramic pots, or decorative tiles, Cefalù is a prime place to do so. A Lumera, Apocetha, and Ceramiche La Maga are all brimming with ceramic goods, while Donna Pidda makes the coolest ceramic-inspired earrings and jewelry!

Seek out the pottery-lined streets

I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of Cefalù’s ceramic-studded streets and stairways before. So why not hunt them down and see them in person? There are actually quite a few picture-perfect streets in the Old Town where you can see Sicily’s colorful pottery on full display.

My tip: You’ll most likely find them on your own. But if you’re not sure where to go, you’ll find some along Corso Ruggero, between Chiesa di Maria Santissima della Catena and the Cathedral. Vicolo Caracciolo is widely regarded as the most photogenic of them all (Google Maps location).

Try handmade arancini from Sfrigola

Located on Corso Ruggero, Sfrigola is a popular pitstop for handmade arancini. These things are massive and cost €3-4. You can choose from 18 meat and veggie options. Meat eaters can try the Salsiccia with sausage and red wine or the Montagnola with bacon, walnuts, and mozzeralla, while vegetarians can opt for the Spinacina with spinach and mozzeralla and the Ericina with tomato, garlic, and pistachio.

I went for the Norma with eggplant, tomato, and salted ricotta and it was amazing – and filling! You can even watch them handmake your arancini through the window, so you know everything is prepared fresh for you!

Hike up La Rocca

If you want to work off all those arancini, take a hike up to La Rocca. Not only will you get to see historic ruins all along the trail but you’ll get panoramic views over Cefalù and the endless Tyrrhenian Sea.

Sadly, I didn’t have the chance to actually do this hike. I wanted too but because I was there during the height of summer, it was just way too hot. However, I still have serious FOMO about this one.

From what I’ve heard, tackling the 268 rock-cut steps to reach the top can be a bit grueling, especially during midday. But it’s worth it to check out the ruins of Cefalù Castle, the Byzantine-era ramparts, and the Temple of Diana. And don’t forget the view!

Have a pizza and a spritz at Lilies

Set right in Piazza Bagni di Cicerone, Lilies is a wonderful option if you’re looking for a nice but affordable meal in the Old Town. The menu features all manner of pasta, seafood, and meat dishes ranging from €15-20.

The pizzas were surprisingly affordable at €7-14. We opted for the Vegetariana (€9) with mozzarella, fresh tomato, grilled aubergines, artichokes, and mushrooms. It was delicious and so big that we were able to split it. Of course, I couldn’t resist ordering an Aperol Spritz to go with it!

Check out Cefalù’s Medieval Washhouse

Tucked away down an unassuming staircase on Via Vittorio Emanuele, seeking out the Lavatoio Medievale is one of the most unique things to do in Cefalù. Consisting of a series of basins and 15 cast-iron lion-head “faucets,” the 16th-century lavatoio is fed from the Cefalino River.

It’s not only a great place to escape the heat during the hot summer months but it allows visitors to get a glimpse of what life was like for Sicilians in Medieval times.

Get a boozy granita cocktail at Zagara Juice Bar

Also located on Via Vittorio Emanuele, the festive Zagara Juice Bar is always hopping. In summer, there’s always a line outside this humble juice bar and for good reason – it serves some of the best and cheapest take-away smoothies, fresh juice drinks, granita cocktails, and coffee in Cefalù.

If you feel like imbibing, you absolutely have to order one of their signature cocktails (€7), which are all made with homemade granita. Just so you get the idea, the Boom has lemon granita, gin, and cucumber while the Summerol comes with Aperol, peach, and watermelon. The Pina Colada – with pineapple granita, rum, and coconut – is always a hit because it only costs €5!

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That completes my guide to all of the amazing things to do in Cefalù, Sicily. If you have questions about what to do in Cefalù or Sicily, let me know in the comments below!