Best things to do in Cefalù

Cefalù's Absolute Essentials

Cefalù's landscape is dominated by the UNESCO-listed Norman Cathedral, famous for its Byzantine mosaics, and the massive Rocca headland. This selection features the medieval Lavatoio washhouse, the megalithic Temple of Diana, and the Mandralisca Museum, which houses Antonello da Messina’s Portrait of an Unknown Man. Beyond the historic center, the list includes the mountain Sanctuary of Gibilmanna and the town's picturesque fishing harbor, alongside essential transport hubs for exploring the northern Sicilian coast.

Cefalù's Absolute Essentials — Map

Entheta / CC-BY-SA-3.0

A

Cefalù Cathedral

The Cathedral of Cefalù is a Roman Catholic basilica in Cefalù, Sicily.

José Luiz / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Cefalu Fortress

The challenging hike will reward you with the stunning ruins of an ancient castle and a wonderful view of the town below.

Radek Max / CC-BY-SA

C

Lavatoio medioevale

A 16th-century washhouse carved into rock over a natural spring. A lava-stone staircase leads to stone basins where water flows through cast-iron lion heads.

DaniDF1995 / CC BY 3.0

D

Cefalù

Railway station on the Palermo-Messina line serving the town and surrounding coastal area.

E

grotte

Natural caves located on the slopes of the Rocca headland.

Berthold Werner / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

area espositiva

Local exhibition space used for art galleries and cultural events.

Gmihail / CC BY-SA 3.0 rs

G

Mandralisca Museum

A charming little museum with a fascinating collection of Arabic and Greek ceramics, as well as a broad exhibiton of paintings, old coins…

l0da_ralta / CC BY 2.0

H

Diana Temple

A megalithic monument dating back to the 9th century BC, later used as a sacred site, featuring dry-stone masonry.

I

Church of St Anna, stores and bread ovens

Archaeological site on the Rocca featuring a medieval church alongside historic stone storage rooms and community bread ovens.

J

Chiesa di Sant'Anna

Ruined medieval chapel situated on the slopes of the Rocca headland.

Bjs / CC BY-SA 2.5

K

Sanctuary Gibilmanna

The Sanctuary of Gibilmanna is a Christian shrine in the province of Palermo, Sicily, southern Italy.

José Luiz / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Porticciolo dei pescatori

Historic fishing harbor and sandy beach framed by traditional stone houses and the 16th-century Porta Pescara gate.

DaniDF1995 / CC BY 3.0

M

Cefalu Railway Station

Transport hub providing rail connections along the northern coast of Sicily.

N

Cefalù Station

Main railway station connecting Cefalù to Palermo and Messina.

Other Lists

Ancient Ruins and Heritage Historic Churches and Shrines