Things to do in  Cefalù

The UNESCO-listed Cefalù Cathedral (Duomo, dating from the 12th century and one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Sicily, is a highlight of the historic town of Cefalù. Known for its imposing fortress-like exterior and lavish interior mosaics, the duomo is a must for art and architecture enthusiasts.

More cabinet of curiosities than a museum, this quirky collection of bits and bobs from archaeological artifacts and Renaissance portraits to thousands of seashells from across the globe was amassed by the baron Enrico Pirajno of Mandralisca in the 19th century, and is a hidden delight in Cefalfù’s historic center.

The ruins of a Norman castle and a temple to the Roman goddess Diana crown this rocky peak above Cefalù, a cliff the locals affectionately describe as the shell of a lumaca, a snail. Climb the short trail to the castle to take in spectacular views over the Arab-Norman Cefalù Cathedral and the blue expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Get a glimpse of life in medieval Cefalù at the Lavatoio Medieval—or public wash house—built in the 16th century over the Cefalino River. Used by locals for centuries to wash their clothing and household linens, this wash house has its original stone basins and washing stones used to pound and scrub the clothing plus a row of cast-iron spigots, some in the shape of lion’s heads.

Offering colorful sunset and sea views, the 17th-century Bastione Capo Marchiafava is an intact stretch of Cefaù’s historic sea walls on the far northern tip of the city. The polygonal platform juts out over the water for a sweeping panorama of the gulf from east to west, including the coastal cliffs, lighthouse, and the Aeolian Islands in the distance.

With narrow streets, quaint houses, and relatively quiet beaches facing the main road through town, Sant’Ambrogio is an off-the-beaten-path gem—but it does draw high-season tourists searching for undeveloped beaches and proximity to the Madonie Regional Natural Park. It's a small but worthy stop in northern Sicily.

This important shrine atop a hill outside Cefalù has a long history of religious importance for Christians, including a supposed miracle (confirmed by the Vatican) in 1760. Sicilians pilgrimage here to pray, while travelers visit to see the baroque shrine, highlighted by an intricate altarpiece, and catch unbeatable views of the Tyrrhenian Sea views from the belvedere.

A former royal palace and civic building in the heart of Cefalù, Osterio Magno features a combination of architectural styles, ranging from its earliest Roman era features to Greek, Norman, and Byzantine styles: ultimately though it remains uniformly Sicilian. Its blend of influences reflects the succession of cultures and civilizations that have held dominion over Sicily throughout the centuries.

Lining the scenic Bastione di Capo Marchiafava, the Chiesa dell’Itria (officially the Chiesa di Santa Maria dell'Odigitria e San Giovanni Evangelista) is a modest church laden with history. Visit its unique interior, formed by joining two neighboring 16th-century churches via an internal arch in the mid-20th century, before continuing on to the panoramic overlook just beyond.

A highlight of Cefalù’s UNESCO-listed 12th-century cathedral, the cloister is a dazzling example of Norman architecture and is the oldest cloister of its type in Sicily. Admire its original capitals carved with scenes of the Old and New Testaments lining three sides (the eastern side was destroyed in a 19th-century fire) and its garden, divided into four parts to reference four books of the Bible.