Cefalu is a small cozy resort in the west part of the Palermo province. The population is about 15 000 people nowadays. But during the tourist season the population usually doubles. Cefalu is one of the most popular places for holidays on Sicily.
Cefalu, as everything on Sicily, has a rich history. According to ancient Greek myths, the first inhabitants in its vicinity were legendary Titans. After Titans ancient Greeks came, who noticed at once the likeness of a form of the nearest cliff to the man’s head. The “head” in Greek is pronounced like “kefale”. For some thousands of years the name has been changed and now is pronounced as “Cefalu”, which is more habitual for the Italians.
There are two main places of interest in Cefalu. They are Il Duomo Cathedral, which was built in the 12th century by the Norman King Roger II and the mentioned above cliff, which is called La Rocca now. You can go up the Cliff along Via Salita Dei Saraceni. This street is to the right of the central artery of the town called Corso Ruggero. From La Rocca cliff opens a wonderful view of the historical centre of Cefalu. Those who are really interested in the history of this place can visit Archaeological Museum called Mandraliska.
15 km from Cefalu at the height of 800 m in the mountains of Madoni is located one more place of interest called the temple of Gibilmanna. It was built in honor of Virgin Mary in the 6-7 centuries A.D. and is considered to be one of the oldest Christian buildings in Europe.
Cefalu is a good place for a family holiday; it is nice to spend the honeymoon there, to visit it with friends and to come here regularly. There is everything you need for holidays here: great beaches on the rocky coasts, restaurants with wonderful cuisine and the atmosphere of the Renaissance epoch.
The tourists can stay in Cefalu in traditional for Sicily apartments which are very cozy and in standard hotels with modern facilities. Most of the hotels are 3-star ones.
You can hire a car in Palermo to get to Cefalu. The distance is about 75 km and it will take you 45 minutes to get there. If you travel by express train along the high-speed railway Palermo-Messina it will take you a little bit more time.
