Where to stay in Cefalù?

Where to stay in Cefalù?

Cefalù is one of the most charming cities in Italy. In the province of Palermo, north of Sicily, it offers impressive natural beauty, museums and beaches. Today we are going to get to know the beautiful Cefalù better and know where to sleep in Cefalù. Here at Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patriciayou make the trip of your dreams!!! ALSO: see our “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”

A little about Cefalù

In the province of Palermo, at the foot of a rocky promontory, stands one of the most beautiful and picturesque villages in the Mediterranean: Cefalù. Besieged by countless tourists, Italians and foreigners, especially during the summer season, Cefalù represents a concentration of history and beauty, with a very characteristic historic center, where the magnificent Cathedral of Roger II stands out, a sumptuous monument that stands out from above with its two imposing towers. From here, you can start discovering this magnificent village that offers numerous points of interest from its historic center.

The heart of the village, in fact, is a succession of charming alleys, arranged in paths that climb to the vault of Corso Ruggero and the Duomo, offering buildings, facades and historic arcades.

Understand a little about accommodation in Cefalù

The city is not that big, but it offers (great) accommodation options for all tastes and budgets in all areas. Cefalù is one of the most popular tourist resorts on the north coast of Sicily; you can find a little of everything, from luxury hotels to B&B and, of course, a wide range of apartments for rent.

Usually, hotels further away from the historic center are cheaper, remember that you may need to use either car or public transport to get to the center. If you want to get the most out of the sea, choose a hotel near the sea, but be aware that prices can be a little pricier than the prices of hotels further away.

There are also hotels ‘across the road’ in the La Kalura area. More affordable, most hotels in this area are further away from everything, so it’s not a good option if you have children or want to go to the beach every day. If you have a car, it can be an excellent option, as they offer better prices.

Tip

• You can choose to stay in Palermo, which is an hour from Cefalu. If you have a car, even better, as you can choose a hotel further away from the historic center and the coast.

1) Where to stay in Cefalù? AT THE KALURA HOTEL

With panoramic views of Caldura Bay and the Rocca of Cefalù (rock), Kalura Hotel offers direct access to a private beach. The property offers a swimming pool, tennis court and diving school, as well as free high-speed WiFi. All rooms have a balcony and most have a sea view. In spring and fall, there are walking and cycling tours, while yoga, art and photography classes are available from March to November. There are bicycles for rent, plus free umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach and swimming platform. The property is 2 km from the center of Cefalù. Free parking is provided and you are a 10-minute drive from the A20 highway.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KALURA HOTEL

2) Where to stay in Cefalù? AT ARTEMIS HOTEL

Artemis Hotel is just a few steps from the beach in Cefalù and 300 meters from the Central Train Station and offers modern rooms with LCD TV and free WiFi and wired internet. Artemis is a former convent, built in the 1950s, which features archaeological ruins from the 4th century. The property is close to the historic center of Cefalù.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ARTEMIS HOTEL

3) Where to stay in Cefalù? AT HOTEL LE CALETTE N.5

Hotel Le Calette N°5 is located in Cefalù, in the Sicily Region, a 5-minute drive from the center and the Cathedral Basilica of Cefalù. The resort has an outdoor pool, children’s playground and outdoor terrace, and guests can enjoy a meal at the restaurant. The property offers a free transfer service. This resort has a private beach area and water sports facilities, and bicycle rental is available.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOTEL LE CALETTE N.5

4) Where to stay in Cefalù? OSSUNA BAY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Located in Cefalù, just a few steps from Cefalù Beach, Ossuna Bay Boutique Hotel offers accommodation with a bar, free private parking and a shared lounge. Popular sights near Ossuna Bay Boutique Hotel include Caldura Beach, La Rocca and the Bastione Capo Marchiafava lookout.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OSSUNA BAY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

5) Where to stay in Cefalù? AT CEFALÙ IN BLU INN

Situated in Cefalù, Cefalù in Blu offers accommodation with private balconies. This property is situated just a short distance from attractions such as Bastione Capo Marchiafava, Cefalù Cathedral and Salita Saraceni. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include the beaches of Cefalù, Caldura and La Rocca.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CEFALÙ IN BLU

Let’s get to know a little about the settings in Cefalù?

For you to keep up to date on everything about Cefalù, discover now some of the main must-see attractions in Cefalù.

Cefalù Cathedral

Corso Ruggero is the main road that separates the city in two, highlighting a more popular area, formed by narrow streets, passages and arches, and another, probably once inhabited by the nobility, which is characterized by the presence of wider and more regular streets. Crossing these streets, you reach the Cefalù Cathedral (although its real name is the Cathedral of the Transfiguration), built by Roger II in the 12th century.

In Norman style, it has a beautiful portal with marble decorations and wonderful golden Byzantine mosaics. Upon entering the cathedral, the gaze will be captured not only by the mosaics, but also by Christ Pantocrator. The mosaic representation has a strong symbolic value, the free hand has the index and middle fingers joined to indicate the dual nature of Christ, human and divine, while the other three fingers joined to indicate the Holy Trinity. We recommend that you spend some time in the cathedral during your stay in Cefalù to appreciate all the details and corners it has to show you.

Important Information about the Cathedral

• To access the Cathedral, it is not necessary to buy a ticket. Opening is continuous from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, but tourist visits are allowed from 9:00 am, after the end of the Holy Mass on the weekday, which is celebrated at 8:30 am.
• Next to the Cathedral, and not to be missed, is the medieval lavatory, which can be accessed by a staircase made of lava rock that leads to the mouth of a series of basins where the water that flows from the twenty-two heads of lions is collected. The washbasins house the supports that were previously used for washing clothes.

The Mandralisca Museum

Continuing to walk through these marvels of art and culture in the historic center of Cefalù, we reach the alleys that descend from Corso Ruggero to via Vittorio Emanuele to reach the Mandralisca Museum, which, among so many wonders, houses the splendid ‘Portrait of a Man’, by Antonello da Messina, and the clay crater of ‘Tuna Vendor’. A visit to the interior will give you the opportunity to admire the different sections, such as the historical library, the image gallery that houses icons from the Cretan Byzantine school, 17th century paintings and the famous portrait of the ‘Unknown’ attributed to Antonello da Messina.

The walls of Cefalù

Surrounding the entire historic center of the city, there is a megalithic wall, dating from the 5th century BC, which is still largely preserved today. The walls of Cefalù are made up of megalithic walls built on the cliff to protect the city from attacks coming from the sea. A perfect strategic point for detecting approaching enemies, the walls had four access points, called gates.

Porta Marina and the Temple of Diana

Particularly romantic is the Porta Marina, an arch with a spectacular view of the sea, the last remnant of the original four gates. In addition, a walk along the promontory is mandatory, where the ruins of the watchtower are located and from where you can admire a breathtaking view of the Tyrrhenian Sea; don’t miss the Temple of Diana, located in the Rocca.

In this place you can admire the perfect work of fixing the large stones to form the perimeter of the temple. The building is located in an older place of worship, probably dating back to around the 9th century BC, where a water cistern attests to the presence of a primitive cult to water.

Useful information

• Opening hours are from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, the ticket costs four euros for adults and two euros for children, and includes the Rocca park.

Other Attractions in the City

Among Cefalù’s attractions, do not forget to admire the Municipal Theater, where several scenes of the “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso”, a film by Tornatore, were filmed. Cefalù, however, is not just art, historical events, and evocation of beauties, it is also – and above all – a coastal town with a splendid sea and wonderful beaches; not by chance it is called the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. A transparent sea that represents an irresistible attraction for both tourists and locals who do not want to go to any other sea in the world. From the sea, anglers come in colorful boats with their catches. Cefalù is truly a magical place where the sky, land and sea bring to life a magic of a unique nature. Read also the post: What to do in Cefalù?

The beaches of Cefalù?

In addition to the Lido di Cefalù, very clear despite being close to the city, just a few kilometers away you will find the beaches of Mazzaforno, Salinelle, Caldura, Pollina, Capo Playa and Sant’Ambrogio.

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How to get to Cefalù?

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1) How to get to Cefalù? BY AIRPLANE

Cefalù is 75 km from Palermo airport. Air One, Air Sicilia and Ryan Air operate flights to Palermo. Palermo airport is connected to Palermo central station by frequent trains and buses. From Palermo station, it is possible to take a train to Cefalù.

Also read our posts about Airports in Italy:

• HOW TO GO FROM THE ROME AIRPORT TO THE CENTER OF ROME?
•  HOW TO GO FROM THE MALPENSA AIRPORT TO THE CENTER OF MILANO?
•  HOW TO GO FROM VENICE AIRPORT TO VENICE CENTER

2) How to get to Cefalù? BY TRAIN

With regular departures, trains between Palermo and Cefalù are a great option for those who want to make a round trip. Depending on the type of train, the journey can take between 50 and 60 minutes. Also find out “What is the difference between trains in Italy?”. Would you like to save? So buy your ticket online in advance and save a lot, read the Post “How to buy a train ticket in Italy?“.

3) How to get to Cefalù? BY CAR

It is possible to reach Cefalù via the A29 highway; from Palermo via the A19 (Palermo-Catania) highway and head towards Buonfornello, then take the A20 (towards Messina) to Cefalù.

Traveling by car in Italy

How about if I give you a rental car option? Are you ready for it? If you are renting a car be sure to read our posts in the section Driving in Italy on the blog Your Travel to Italy. In addition to car itinerary tips, we have everything about signage, tolls, roads and many more tips.

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Conclusion

Where to sleep in Cefalù, in Sicily? And why choose Cefalù? Because it really is one of the most picturesque cities in the Mediterranean. A truly suggestive place will leave you speechless and surprise you with its ancient charm of a remote city, rich in culture, nature and attractions.

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