Cefalu Holidays
Typically Sicilian, this former fishing village has cobbled streets, beautiful beaches and bucketloads of charm.
Anyone who has seen the oscar-winning 1989 movie Cinema Paradiso will recognise the quaint backstreets of Cefalu. Despite some tourist development, this delightful medieval town is still like one big film set, its ancient centre, dominated by the massive, twin-towered 12th century cathedral, largely untouched by time. The beaches are excellent and the town still has a working fishing harbour, which means the restaurants have no shortage of supplies to create classic Sicilian dishes like swordfish and squid. The fascinating little museum, whose collection was bequeathed to the town by Baron Enrico Piraino di Mandralisca, is certainly worth a visit, if only to see the famous Portrait of an Unknown Man by the famous 15th century artist Antonella da Messina. Not to mention Baron Mandralisca's collection of 20,000 sea shells! If you're feeling energetic, an upwardly-mobile jaunt to the top of La Rocca, the rocky crag which overlooks the town, will reward you with one of the best views in Sicily, across to the skyline of Palermo. You'll also be able to root around the ruins of the Temple of Diana, built between the 9th and 4th centuries BC. Cefalu residents are not generally known for their party spirit, so nightlife in the town is pretty low key. However, there are a few lively bars, including an English-style pub which play rock 'n' roll music! Attractions outside the town include the beautiful Parco Naturale Regionale delle Madonie, the ruins of ancient Tyndaris, which date back to 1500 BC, and Santo Stefano di Camastra, famous for its ceramics.
Life in Cefalu is centred around the Piazza Duomo, a vibrant palm-fringed square that stands in the shadow of the town's turreted cathedral. The square is the ideal spot in which to get an espresso and watch the world go by. The fishermen's quarter is particularly appealing with its quaint assortment of Medieval houses that overhang the beach front. Cefalu's main stretch of beach is considered to be one of the best on the northern coast of the island.
Mulling over holidays in Cefalu? Then read on. Because there are brilliant summer getaways and last-minute holidays to Cefalu that'll get you counting the days till you're here in this magical destination.
Little changed in centuries, the aura of a traditional fishing port still infuses this medieval town. Centred around the handsome Norman cathedral, which dominates its main cafe-filled piazza, it also has an evocative fishing quarter and restaurant-crammed harbourside where you can still watch squid and fresh fish being landed. And from under the town's gaze right along the coast, four appealing beaches - the main one of soft sand - provide endless excuses to relax in the sunshine.
The more active and inquisitive will want to delve into Icefall's fascinating surroundings. Walkers should scale the jagged rock overlooking the town and rove around nearby Madonie National Park, where craggy mountains reach for the sky. Plus holidays in Cefalu wouldn't be complete without visiting the aeons-old Temple of Diana and magnificent ancient site of Tyndaris.
Finally, holidays in Cefalu are about lazy evenings sipping drinks by the seashore. Pick a favourite from the al-fresco bars and seafood restaurants beside the water - it's a Cefalu ritual that keeps holidaymakers coming back here, time and again.