Where to Stay in Cefalù? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay

Cefalù is the coastal town an hour east of Palermo, where a Norman cathedral, a tangle of narrow streets and a long sandy beach are squeezed in beneath the rock of La Rocca. If you’re wondering where to stay in Cefalù, it helps to know the town is so compact that you can walk from the cathedral to the beach in five minutes, and the train from Palermo stops just outside the centre.

Planning a last minute trip to Sicily? 🇮🇹
Here are some of my favourite places to stay & things to do:

🛌 Places to Stay:
1. San Domenico Palace (one of the best hotels in Europe, known from the White Lotus show)
2. Blue Bay (hidden gem hotel in Cefalu)
3. Palazzo Artemide (surprisingly affordable hotel in the heart of stunning Syracuse)

🎟️ Top Activities & Tours:
1. You need to take a boat tour and experience the beautiful sea around Sicily
2. Take a volcano tour to Mount Etna for a truly unique experience
3. Go on a day trip to the Valley of the Temples
🚘 If you want to rent a car, I recommend getting an overview on this website.

That said, staying in the narrow streets of the Old Town is very different from staying on the seafront promenade or at a beach hotel further along the coast. Here are my five picks for where to stay in Cefalù, with three hotels in each area, from luxury to budget.

Where to Stay in Cefalù: The Best Areas

• Old Town by the cathedral - best area for first-time visitors
• Lungomare and Via Roma - best area for families and beach holidays
• Caldura and Kalura - best area for couples and swimming off the rocks
• Mazzaforno and the west coast - best area for a resort holiday with a car
• The hills towards Gibilmanna - best area for views, a pool and a smaller budget

Below, I go through the five areas with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The Old Town and Lungomare sit side by side, so you can do everything on foot there, while the other three areas lie a little way out of town and suit you best if you have a car or choose a hotel with a shuttle bus. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, and in July and August they are considerably higher.

1. Old Town by the cathedral - best area for first-time visitors ⛪

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying right in the centre. From Piazza del Duomo it’s a five-minute walk down to the beach.
• 🚆 Transport: You can do everything on foot. The railway station is about a ten-minute walk from the cathedral, and taxis wait at Piazza Garibaldi.
• ✈️ Time from Palermo Airport: About an hour and a half by car, or around two hours by train with a change in Palermo for €13.10 (around £11).
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £105 to £325 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds on Corso Ruggero when the day-trippers arrive around midday.

The Old Town is the old fishing village between the rock and the sea, and everything revolves around the Duomo di Cefalù. The Norman king Roger II began building the cathedral in 1131, and inside you’ll see the golden mosaics with Christ Pantocrator in the apse. The cathedral is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale, and in the evening everyone sits at the cafés on the square in front of it.

The main street, Corso Ruggero, runs from Piazza Garibaldi up past the cathedral, and down towards the sea lies Via Vittorio Emanuele with the old wash house, the Lavatoio Medievale, where you walk down stone steps to the basins. On a side street you’ll find the Museo Mandralisca, home to Antonello da Messina’s famous portrait of an unknown man. If you want the stories behind it all, you can join a walking tour with a local guide and an aperitivo from around €59 (around £50).

See hotels in the Old Town here.

I would stay here if it’s your first trip to Cefalù and you want to step out of the door and be in the middle of it all. From the Old Town you can also walk up the path to La Rocca, where in about half an hour you reach the ruins of the Temple of Diana and the view over the town. If you’re touring the rest of the island afterwards, you can read my guide on where to stay in Sicily.

The downsides are the stairs and the cars. Large parts of the Old Town are a ZTL zone, which you can’t drive into without a permit, so ask your hotel where you can park. Many of the small B&Bs are on the second or third floor with no lift, and in summer the streets stay lively until late at night.

Hotels in the Old Town

Palazzo Villelmi - adults-only B&B with a roof terrace right by the cathedral

Palazzo Villelmi is set in an old palazzo a few steps from Piazza del Duomo and has one of the highest review scores in town. The rooms are elegantly furnished, and from the roof terrace you look out over the rooftops and the cathedral. There’s no lift up to the second floor, and breakfast isn’t included in the price, so check your rate before you book.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful rooms in a fantastic location.”

See photos and book Palazzo Villelmi here.

Hotel La Plumeria - four-star hotel with a lift on Corso Ruggero

Hotel La Plumeria sits halfway along Corso Ruggero, a couple of minutes from both the cathedral and the beach. The hotel has a lift, a 24-hour reception and private parking, which is rare in the Old Town. Several guests mention street noise, and breakfast may cost extra, so check whether it’s included in your rate.

From one review: “Fantastic location, friendly staff and lovely big rooms.”

See photos and book Hotel La Plumeria here.

Scirocco - small B&B with breakfast on the roof terrace by Piazza Garibaldi

Scirocco is on Piazza Garibaldi, where Corso Ruggero begins, and has a score of 9.6. Breakfast is made fresh every morning and served on the roof terrace. On the other hand, there are lots of stairs and no lift, but the price was the lowest of the three.

One guest highlights: “Lovely breakfast on the roof terrace. Good location.”

See photos and book Scirocco here.

2. Lungomare and Via Roma - best area for families and beach holidays 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying just west of the Old Town. From the middle of the promenade, it’s a ten-minute walk to the cathedral.
• 🚆 Transport: The railway station is a few minutes’ walk from Via Roma, and the train to Palermo takes about an hour.
• ✈️ Time from Palermo Airport: About an hour and a half by car, or around two hours by train with a change in Palermo. The station is closest to this particular area.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £90 to £225 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. Don’t leave valuables unattended on the beach while you swim.

Lungomare Giuseppe Giardina is the promenade running along Cefalù’s long sandy beach, starting at the Old Town and stretching westwards. The sand is fine and the water gets deep gradually, so this is where families with children set up for the day. Part of the beach is divided into lidos with sunloungers and parasols you pay for, but there are also stretches where you can lay your towel down for free. In the morning the beach is almost empty, and at sunset half the town strolls along the promenade with an ice cream in hand.

Behind the promenade lies the newer part of town around Via Roma, with supermarkets, pizzerias and apartments. It’s less charming than the Old Town but more practical, and in the evening you can walk along the seafront to the restaurants by the cathedral. Trains to Palermo leave from the station, and you’ll find the timetables at Trenitalia. If you’d rather stay in the city and visit Cefalù as a day trip, I’ve written a guide to where to stay in Palermo.

See hotels on the Lungomare here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family, or if the beach is the most important part of your trip. From the beach you can also take a boat trip along the coast with snorkelling and aperitivo from around 45 euros (around £40).

The downside is the traffic. The promenade is the town’s main road heading west, and rooms facing the road can be noisy. Parking is expensive and hard to find in summer, so choose a hotel with its own parking if you’re coming by car. In the middle of the day in July and August the beach is packed, so get there early if you want a spot close to the water.

Hotels on the Lungomare and Via Roma

Cefalù Sea Palace - five-star hotel with pool and spa on the promenade

Cefalù Sea Palace sits right on the Lungomare, with sea views from many of the rooms, an outdoor pool, a spa and its own beach area. Breakfast is included and gets praise from guests. Some guests, however, feel the hotel doesn’t live up to its five stars and mention wear and tear in the rooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel, large and clean room with a huge terrace!”

See photos and book Cefalù Sea Palace here.

Astro Suite Hotel - four-star hotel with large suites and a garage

Astro Suite Hotel is on the promenade close to the Old Town and has spacious rooms and suites, a lift and its own garage parking. A light breakfast buffet is served. A few guests mention road noise and air conditioning that didn’t work as well as it should.

From one review: “Really nice hotel and suite. Spacious and with everything you need for a short or long stay.”

See photos and book Astro Suite Hotel here.

Baronetto B&B - popular B&B with a lift near the railway station

Baronetto is set in a courtyard off Via Roma, a few minutes’ walk from both the beach and the station, and has a score of 9.2 from more than 800 guests. There’s a lift, breakfast and private parking, though spaces are limited. Guests also mention street noise, and the price was the lowest of the three.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic location with a delicious breakfast!”

See photos and book Baronetto B&B here.

3. Caldura and Kalura - best area for couples and rock swimming 🌊

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Around two kilometres east of the Old Town. It’s a 25 to 30-minute walk past the harbour to the cathedral.
• 🚐 Transport: Several hotels run a shuttle bus into town; otherwise you walk, take a taxi or drive yourself. The hotels have their own parking.
• ✈️ Time from Palermo Airport: Around an hour and a half by car. By train, you go to Cefalù and take a taxi for the last stretch.
• 💰 Price level: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost around £145 to £395 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very quiet and safe. The road into town is dark in several places, so use your phone torch when you walk back in the evening.

Caldura and Kalura make up the headland east of the harbour, where the coastline changes from sand to rocks and small coves. Kalura beach is a small pebble beach with crystal-clear water, and here you can snorkel between the rocks and see fish just below the surface. The beach hotels have their own swimming spots and sunloungers, but there’s also a stretch of the beach where anyone can swim for free. Bring a snorkel and mask, as the water is so clear you can see the seabed several metres down.

The area is made up almost entirely of hotels and villas set in gardens with pines and bougainvillea, and it’s quiet in the evenings. From the terraces you look back across the bay towards the Old Town and La Rocca, and in the evening it’s that view that keeps most people lingering by the pool. On the way into town you pass the harbour of Porto Presidiana, where many of the boat trips along the coast start.

See hotels in Caldura and Kalura here.

I’d stay here if you’re a couple who want a pool, rock swimming and peace and quiet, and who don’t mind taking the shuttle bus or walking half an hour to the restaurants. It’s also the area with the most luxurious beach hotels close to town. If you’re travelling with young children, Hotel Kalura is the most family-friendly choice, with a children’s pool and a playground.

The downsides are the distance and the steps. The walk back from the Old Town after dinner feels long in the heat, and there are often a lot of steps down to the swimming spots by the rocks. The beach is pebbly, so bring water shoes, and expect the area to be quiet outside the season.

Hotels in Caldura and Kalura

Le Calette Bay - four-star hotel with an infinity pool, spa and free shuttle

Le Calette Bay sits on Via Vincenzo Cavallaro with terraces stepping down to the sea, a heated saltwater infinity pool, a spa and its own swimming spot by the rocks. The breakfast buffet with sea views is included, and the hotel runs a free shuttle into town. It was the most expensive hotel in the whole guide, and some guests find the restaurant menu a little limited.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Breakfast with a view of the sea was a lovely start to the day.”

See photos and book Le Calette Bay here.

Hotel Kalura - large four-star hotel right above Kalura beach

Hotel Kalura sits right above Kalura beach and has a pool, a tennis court, a children’s pool, a playground and its own beach area, so it suits families too. The hotel has a score of 8.8 from more than 1,500 guests, and the breakfast buffet is included in the price. Guests mention the distance to town and that you have to leave your car key at reception when you park.

From one review: “The breakfast buffet has everything you could possibly wish for.”

See photos and book Hotel Kalura here.

Blue Bay - apartments with a kitchen, balcony and private beach

Blue Bay sits next to Hotel Kalura and offers large rooms and apartments with a kitchen and balcony, free parking and a private beach down by the rocks. It was the cheapest of the three places. There are a lot of steps both up to the rooms and down to the beach, and breakfast isn’t necessarily included in the price.

One guest highlights: “Loved the room, the private beach and the big balcony.”

See photos and book Blue Bay here.

4. Mazzaforno and the west coast - best area for a resort holiday with a car 🚗

• 📍 Distance to the centre: About five kilometres west of the Old Town. It’s a ten-minute drive into town.
• 🚗 Getting around: You’ll need a car or the hotel’s shuttle bus. Town isn’t within walking distance, and the buses are infrequent.
• ✈️ Time from Palermo Airport: About an hour and a quarter by car along the A20 motorway, and you avoid driving through Cefalù.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £110 to £260 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Very quiet and safe. Don’t leave anything on show in the car at the beaches.

Mazzaforno and the neighbouring bay at Ogliastrillo lie along the coast west of Cefalù, where the mountains run right down to the sea. This is where you’ll find a string of resorts and apartment complexes set in green gardens with pools, and the beaches are a mix of small sandy coves and rocks with clear water. From many of the hotels you can see Cefalù and La Rocca in the distance. The beaches are rarely as busy as the town’s main beach, and several hotels have their own beach area with sunloungers, so you won’t have to fight for a spot.

This is a classic beach holiday, where you spend your days by the pool and on the beach and drive into town in the evening. With a car, it’s also easy to head on towards Palermo and the west coast. Check prices for car hire on Booking.com, and pick up the car at the airport when you land. All the options for getting from the airport are in my guide to transport from the airports in Sicily.

See hotels in Mazzaforno here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family or a couple who want a pool-and-beach holiday and have a car. You get more space and more facilities for your money than in town.

The downside is that you’re dependent on the car or the hotel shuttle, and there isn’t much to do in the evening. Several guests say the beach was further away than described, so check the distance on the map. Also expect to pay for parking when you drive into Cefalù in the evening, and check the dates, as many of the beach hotels close over the winter months.

Hotels in Mazzaforno and on the west coast

Hotel Baia del Capitano - four-star hotel with a pool and its own beach area

Hotel Baia del Capitano is in Mazzaforno and has a large pool, a tennis court, a garden and its own beach area, and the breakfast buffet with local produce is included. The hotel can arrange a shuttle into town for a fee. Some guests felt the information about the distance to the beach and the number of sunloungers was misleading.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The pool was absolutely lovely, and the outdoor areas were impeccable.”

See photos and book Hotel Baia del Capitano here.

Hotiday Cefalù Mazzaforno - four-star hotel with a pool and breakfast buffet

Hotiday Cefalù Mazzaforno lies a little further west, with an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar and its own beach area with sunloungers and parasols. The breakfast buffet is included in the price. Its score is lower than the others in this guide, and a few guests were given a different room from the one they’d expected.

From a review: “Really good breakfast and a nice pool.”

See photos and book Hotiday Cefalù Mazzaforno here.

Aura Maris beach residence - modern apartments with a pool by the water

Aura Maris is in Contrada Ogliastrello, with direct access to the beach, a pool with sea views, a bar and free parking. The apartments are modern and clean, but breakfast isn’t included. The price was the lowest of the three, and you’ll need a car to get around.

One guest highlights: “Beautiful location, surrounded by hills and with a fantastic sea view.”

See photos and book Aura Maris here.

5. The hills towards Gibilmanna - best area for views, a pool and a smaller budget 🌄

• 📍 Distance to the centre: One to two kilometres south of the Old Town. Walking down into town takes 15 to 20 minutes, but the way back is uphill.
• 🚐 Transport: Several of the places have a free shuttle bus to town and the beach. If you have a car, most of them offer free parking.
• ✈️ Time from Palermo Airport: Around an hour and a half by car. By train, you travel to Cefalù and take a taxi up the hill.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £230 per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Quiet and safe. The roads up the hill are narrow and don’t always have a pavement, so watch out for traffic when you walk.

South of town, Via del Giubileo Magno climbs up the hills towards the Santuario di Gibilmanna sanctuary, and the slopes are dotted with villas, B&Bs and hotels with gardens, olive trees and pools. From up here you look down over the rooftops of the Old Town, the cathedral and the La Rocca cliff with the sea behind, and in the evening it’s far cooler and quieter than down in town. If you keep driving up the winding road, you reach Gibilmanna, where the sanctuary sits on the mountainside with views over the whole coast and, on clear days, all the way to Palermo.

The area is also the gateway to the mountains. The road continues up to Gibilmanna and on into the Parco delle Madonie, the nature park with 15 municipalities, mountain towns such as Castelbuono and hiking trails with sea views. This is where you get the most space and views for your money, and where you’ll find some of the cheapest accommodation close to Cefalù. If you want to explore the mountains, check the prices of a hire car.

See hotels in the hills above Cefalù here.

I would stay here if you want a pool and a view without paying beach hotel prices, or if you have a car and want to take trips into the mountains. Choose a place with a shuttle bus if you’re not driving yourself.

The downside is the hill. It’s easy to walk down into town, but the way back is steep, and in summer it’s hard going after a day on the beach. Without a car or shuttle, many people end up taking a taxi home in the evening. Also check that the place has air conditioning, because even though the evenings are cooler, the days get very hot in summer.

Hotels in the hills towards Gibilmanna

Hotel Alberi del Paradiso - four-star hotel with gardens, a spa and a free shuttle

Alberi del Paradiso is on Via dei Mulini above the town, with large gardens, a heated saltwater pool with a view, a spa and its own beach area, which the hotel’s free shuttle bus takes you to. Breakfast with Sicilian specialities is included. Guests mention the steep walk to town and that some rooms are small.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The gardens are breathtaking. The pool is a lovely, relaxing spot.”

See photos and book Hotel Alberi del Paradiso here.

B&B Villa Di Giorgi - B&B with a saltwater pool and a top score

Villa Di Giorgi is on Via del Giubileo Magno just above the town and has a score of 9.7. There’s a saltwater pool with a view, free parking and a free shuttle, and you can have breakfast in your room or outside. Guests mention the steep walk up from town and that the air conditioning could be better.

From one review: “A beautiful place in an incredible location, run with great kindness.”

See photos and book Villa Di Giorgi here.

La Casetta di Laura - small holiday home with a terrace and a view

La Casetta di Laura is a small property on Via del Giubileo Magno with a terrace, a kitchenette and free parking. There’s no breakfast, but you can make your own, and the price was the lowest in the whole guide. Guests mention that the walk back up the hill is tough.

One guest highlights: “Fantastic host! Honestly, we loved everything. A well-equipped, clean flat with an amazing view!”

See photos and book La Casetta di Laura here.

Where not to stay in Cefalù?

I wouldn’t book a cheap place far out along the coast road towards Lascari or Campofelice if you don’t have a car. The address may say Cefalù, but you’ll end up spending a lot of time waiting for buses or paying for taxis. Also be wary of cheap flats high up in the hills without a shuttle bus, because the steep road up quickly becomes an ordeal in summer. If you’re arriving by car, avoid staying in the middle of the Old Town unless you’ve arranged parking with the hotel, as you’re not allowed to drive into the ZTL zone, and the public car parks are expensive and full in high season.

If it’s your first trip to Cefalù, I would stay in the Old Town near the cathedral. If you’re travelling with children and want a sandy beach, choose Lungomare, and if you want a pool and peaceful swimming off the rocks, Caldura and Kalura are the best choice. If you have a car and want a resort holiday, stay in Mazzaforno, and if your budget is smaller, or you want views and mountains, choose the hills towards Gibilmanna.

You’ll usually land at Palermo Airport, which is around an hour and a half away. Many people combine Cefalù with a few days on the east coast, and here you can read where to stay in Taormina and where to stay in Catania if you want to fly home from Catania. If you’re travelling in July or August, book early, as Cefalù is one of the most popular seaside towns in Sicily.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

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