Our first holiday to Sicily was spent in the the island’s East (Taormina and Messina) . We decided that this island is so rich in culture and things to see, that we needed to return! Just like last summer, Sicily impressed us in all it’s decadent opulence, mouth watering but rather heavy cuisine and it’s blend of rich Arab, Spanish, Byzantine, Greek and Norman culture.
First up on our little road trip was Cefalu. A charming historic fishing town offering all ingredients to a quintessential Italian holiday: Gelato coloured houses, medieval alleys, stunning historic places, beautiful beaches and plenty of sunshine! End of June is an ideal time to go: Italian holiday season has not started yet so the town isn’t overrun with tourists! The weather is warm and sunny without being unbearable. The town is relatively small, so if you travel around, you may find that 3 days are more than enough to explore this little gem.
Highlights:
Towering over the town is the Duomo, a Norman cathedral built in 1131. Inside, you’ll find lovingly decorated mosaics crafted by Byzantine artists.
Picturesque Cefalu is a 1.5 car ride away from Palermo.
The long stretch of sandy beach paired with the centro storico just a stone throw away make Cefalu must-see in Sicily!
Byzantine mosaic in Cefalu. The tiny squares, which are crafted in a painstaking process, are a stunning example of Sicily’s Norman-Arab-Byzantine style.
Little square in Cefalu’s historic centre. Perfect for sipping on a caffè macchiato whilst watching the world go by.