The unmissable attractions of Cefalù
If you find yourself staying in Cefalù, we recommend that you don’t miss these fantastic attractions!
the beach
We are talking about the Seafront Giuseppe Giardina, the long beach of Cefalù that is located in a curve below the old town. Enjoy this wide strip of fine sand with a pleasant stroll, or stretch out and sunbath in peace and quiet. This beach is ideal if you are looking for a place to stop and admire the sea, perhaps sitting on a bench, but its waters are also great for enjoying a good swim. Part of the beach is free, while another part is set up with lidos.
Mandralisca museum
Near Piazza del Duomo, the Mandralisca Museum contains a wide range of collections covering archaeology, natural history, paintings and decorative arts. Particularly beautiful are the Arab and Greek vases, which include a piece with a decoration depicting a tuna vendor and a number of exquisitely decorated ceramics, as well as artefacts recovered from the excavations at Lipari, Tindari and Cefalù. Collections of decorative art objects include porcelain, bronze, Murano glass, marble and painted wood. In the art gallery, the highlight is the celebrated Portrait of a Man by Antonello da Messina, painted in 1465.
Temple of Diana
High up on the rock above Cefalù, you can see the remains of a megalithic temple of Diana, dating back to at least the 9th century B.C. It is built of interlocking dry stones and is among the earliest known places of worship in Europe. The first temple was built by the Sicans (early natives of Sicily), while the megalithic site was added in Greco-Roman times and is thought to have been intended for the worship of Hercules. It was used as a chapel in the 12th century, so that remains of arched windows and an apse can be seen from that period.
