Cefalù has a lot to offer to the curious traveler. Its lovely medieval streets, superb sandy beaches, rare archaeological  treasures and, importantly, its unique Norman cathedral, make a trip to this town certainly worthwhile. 

In Cefalù, the jewel  of the town is undoubtedly its Cathedral, built by King Roger II in 1131, which has recently been handed World Heritage status by UNESCO, together with various Norman buildings in Palermo and Monreale. Tradition has it that Roger II requested its construction  after escaping a tremendous sea storm. Cefalù’s Norman cathedral features stunning mosaics, probably the earliest of their kinds in Sicily. Fine craftsmen from Constantinople were summoned at  the behest of the Norman King to carry out the work in pure Byzantine style. 

Other sites of  interest include the lavatoio, a medieval washhouse fed by a natural spring, which was used  until recent times, the Osterio Magno, a residence of the Ventimiglia family that may have been  King Roger’s own residence, and the Mandralisca Museum, which houses rare archaeological  finds and works of art from the Middle ages up to the 18th century, including Antonello da  Messina’s exceedingly fine Portrait of an Unknown Man. The museum also hosts a collection of paintings, furnitures from the Renaissance, and a good numismatic collection dating from the Greek period to the 19^th century.

In the afternoon, you may end this fascinating guided itinerary with one of the most characteristic elements of Cefalù, La Rocca, a promontory rising some 270 meters above sea level (a good hour walk uphill). The  views are spectacular, and the archaeological remains are of no little interest. 

Tour duration: ca. 3-3.5h-

Option including the hike to La Rocca : ca 5h with an extra cost of €80 for the guided service-

Contact us to book this private tour of Cefalù, we will let you know about our availability and answer any questions you may have.

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