Cefalu Beach

Cefalu Beach is the sandy town beach of Cefalu on Lungomare Giardina, about 70 km east of Palermo on the northern coast of Sicily, Italy. The beach curves below the old quarter and the rock of La Rocca, and the setting of medieval rooftops against the cliff makes it one of the most photographed in the province. The sand is soft and the water is shallow near the shore, clear and a pale turquoise on calm days, which makes it well suited to families and children. The bay is relatively sheltered and the beach is long enough to spread out, but it becomes crowded in July and August, when the stretch closest to the old town is the busiest. Paid lidos provide loungers and umbrellas, with showers and restrooms, and there are free sections for visitors who bring their own towels. Cafes, gelaterie and restaurants are within a short walk in the medieval centre, which also holds the Norman cathedral, so a swim is easily combined with sightseeing. The atmosphere is lively and international, with Italian families and foreign visitors sharing the sand, and the town stays busy into the evening. Lifeguard cover is typically provided at organised lidos during the summer season, though hours vary by operator. Access is simple. Trenitalia regional or regional-fast trains run from Palermo Centrale to Cefalu in about 45-60 minutes, costing roughly EUR 5-8 (~$6-9) one way, and the station is a short walk from the old town and the seafront. By car, parking in Cefalu is limited in summer, and many visitors choose the train for that reason. The walk from the station to the sand is flat and takes around ten to fifteen minutes. A day trip from Palermo allows time for a swim, lunch in the old quarter and a climb up La Rocca for views over the town and coast. Quieter conditions are found in June and September, when the water is still warm.