Charming Sights in Cefalù

Training to Cefalù is the day's plan, with an excellent weather forecast for enjoying the cute seaside town. Our AirBnB is only about four blocks from the station and the 30-minute trip is relaxing. It was a glorious day for wandering narrow, cobblestone, pedestrian-only streets. (See previous post for map location.)

Street art being applied on the side of a school.

The town is dominated by a monumental rock rising to a height of 886 feet, already known to the Phoenicians as the promontory of Hercules, on which stands the Temple of Diana. Many people hike to the top for the views. We chose to photograph the mountain from the pier in the photo below.

Cefalù has a long and diverse history of conquering kingdoms and ancient civilizations. Founded by the ancient Greeks and occupied by the Romans and Byzantines, it was later taken over by the Saracens and then the Normans in the Middle Ages before eventually becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.The beach is located conveniently in town.

The shopping streets are pedestrian only (except for the occasional delivery) and lined with cafes and mostly residents having their morning coffee.

The shops are charming.

Narrow streets leading up toward the mountain often have decorative flower pots.

The Cathedral of Cefalù is a Roman Catholic Basilica that was built around the 12th century. The interior is a peaceful mix of Norman, Gothic, and Romanesque. In front is a large plaza with opportunities for socializing at cafes and shops.