Day trip from Palermo
Cefalù
The seaside village between beach and Rocca
About an hour by train from Palermo, Cefalù is a medieval village facing a long sandy beach, overlooked by the Rocca and its Norman cathedral with the mosaic Christ Pantocrator. One of Sicily's most loved day trips.
What to see
The Norman cathedral
A stone fortress with twin towers and, inside, the 1148 mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, among the most beautiful in the world.
La Rocca
The climb (about 30-40 minutes) rewards you with the Temple of Diana, megalithic walls and a panorama over the whole gulf.
The medieval wash-house
A stone staircase where river water still flows through the basins once used by washerwomen.
The seafront and the old harbour
The free beach in front of the village and the pier lined with seafood restaurants: sunset here is a classic.
How to get there
Regional train
From Palermo Centrale (500 m from Residence Guascone), frequent services, about 50-60 minutes. Cefalù station is a 10-minute walk from the village.
Car
A20 motorway, about 1 hour. In summer, parking near the centre is scarce and paid.
How much time to allow
A full day: village and cathedral in the morning, a fish lunch, beach or Rocca in the afternoon, sunset from the pier.
A tip from your hosts
“Come back on a late-afternoon train: dinner in Palermo, no parking stress. If you climb the Rocca, bring comfortable shoes and water.”
— Luciano, Valerio e Alfio
