Cefalù: a stop you cannot miss in Sicily
It may not be one of the main cities in **Sicily**. It may not even be among the twenty-five with the most inhabitants. Even so, Cefalu is an essential stop on our route throughout this mysterious island, this world apart that was once under Aragonese domination.
This beautiful city with Phoenician roots has everything you need to stay for a few days. In summer, its population – which usually does not reach 15,000 inhabitants during the rest of the year – easily doubles.
Despite this, you can walk through its streets with a certain tranquility. There is noise, but we will hardly have a problem finding a place in a restaurant.
The entire range of services in Cefalù is dimensioned to mid-August If you visit at another time of the year, it will not be difficult to see a large number of establishments closed. Autumn is a great time to do it if we are the kind of people who enjoy taking pictures of beautiful beaches more than bathing in them.
the beautiful life
The beaches of Cefalù are, together with its cathedral, the most representative postcard of the city and even from Sicily itself. The crystalline sea reaches the feet of the old houses whose terraces hang over it
As always in Italy, Many of the beaches are paid. The price is usually between 10 and 20 euros per day for two people, depending on the date. This payment entitles two sun loungers, an umbrella and make use of the bar.
All the lidos – as these paid baths are known – have a similar quality. Between one and the other there is usually public spaces that are often crowded, especially in high season.
The closest beach to the old town is public but also the first to fill up. It is better to go soon. Although the bathing season is usually quite long in Sicily, November is not usually a good month, however **we can enjoy this seascape by taking a long walk along the Lungomare (promenade)** as its inhabitants known as the passeggiata.
The picturesque streets of Cefalù
The Duomo of Cefalù, its cathedral, It is perhaps the most impressive of the city. Its two towers give it an air of strength that can only be explained by its history.
In addition, together with the Capella Palatina in Palermo and the Cathedral of Monreale, it forms part of the set of the most representative works of the Sicilian Arab-Norman style. Its Byzantine mosaics are the oldest on the island.
Behind the labyrinth of cobbled streets of this medieval city rises la Rocca, a gigantic rock on whose slope rests the temple of Diana. The shape of the head (in Latin Cephaloedium) of this rock is what gives the name to the city.
The place is considered a archaeological park so to upload it you have to pay an entrance fee and you can't access it until 9 in the morning. In summer too hot but in the fall a great outing.
The Duomo of Cefalù with its two towers
The accommodation offer in Cefalù is extensive and covers the high summer demand. Most of it consists of B&B, guest houses and apartments. There are not too many hotels and the ones that do exist tend to be too polarized between luxury and too simple establishments.
If you plan to stay more than two nights, without a doubt, the best option is a B&B , whose offer is usually quite careful. Another reason to choose this type of accommodation is the location. The hotels are usually further from the center and in front of the beaches.
Among these B&Bs, we recommend the ** Cefalu Suites **. This apartment has three elegant rooms with everything you need and even more: balcony, chromotherapy in the shower...
Antonio, the host, Apart from offering us a perfect breakfast (pistachio croissant included, please), she tidies the rooms every day and He helps us with all kindness to guide us around the area. The price is usually between €50 in low season and around €110 in summer.
Cefalù and its famous cliff
If we prefer to stay in a hotel, it will depend a lot on our budget. Prices are generally high. A good option is the ** Hotel Artemís ** with neat, clean rooms and a good breakfast. The price in low season is €200 per night.
On a gastronomic level we can be sure that in Cefalu we will not go hungry. The restaurant offer is wide. Quality is something else. Among all of them, it is worth highlighting the ** Tinchitè ,** a beautiful Sicilian restaurant where we can enjoy knuckle or pork with Sicilian provolone among many other delicious dishes.
Do not miss the traditional Sicilian cuisine
For something more informal but also of good quality, we find the ** Bottega Tivitti ,** where, despite the normal pizzas, we can enjoy some excellent burgers.
If what we are looking for is one of the typical terraces on the sea , we will have to go to the via Carlo Ortolani di Bordonaro . There we can choose from an extensive range of restaurants. Some of them decent.
Of those with a terrace, we highlight the Restaurant Via Roma Vecchia. Almost all of them offer a set menu between €19 and €30 with salad, pasta with swordfish and fish (usually also swordfish) .
A passeggiata through Cefalù