Palermo to Cefalu: 4 Easiest Options for 2025
Venturing from Palermo to Cefalu (Cefalù) is a great way to explore the stunningly beautiful coastline of Sicily.
We made this trip from Palermo to Cefalu on our three-week road trip around Sicily earlier this year.
While Palermo is a large city with plenty of things to do and see, Cefalu is a smaller seaside town with the perfect combination of serenity and adventure.
We have put together a comprehensive guide for traveling from Palermo to Cefalu in Sicily, using our expertise and experiences in exploring this region.
Palermo to Cefalu: Where are they located?
Both Palermo and Cefalu are towns located in the northern coastline region of Sicily, which is Italy’s largest island.
Palermo is situated slightly to the west of Cefalu on the same coast.
Palermo is the largest city in Sicily and has a sprawling metropolitan area. The last census in 2017 showed that Palermo is home to over 670,000 people.
On the other hand, Cefalu is a smaller seaside town. The same census reported about 14,000 people living in Cefalu.
Distance from Palermo to Cefalu
Palermo and Cefalu are 70 kilometers from each other (44 miles).
As both towns are on the coast, much of the journey is along the water while passing by other towns including Termini Imerese, Casteldaccia, and Solfarelli.
Palermo to Cefalu by Bus
There is a bus that runs between Palermo and Cefalu daily. The bus leaves from the bus station in central Palermo, which is about a 10-minute walk from the city center.
The Palermo to Cefalu bus is operated by Sais Trasporti – we recommend purchasing tickets at the bus station as their website can be a bit tricky to navigate.
Make sure to check the schedule before your travel day since it varies. Tickets cost around €5 and the ride takes 1 hour.
Palermo to Cefalu by Train
The direct train from Palermo to Cefalu is the easiest public transportation option. The train leaves from the main train station in central Palermo. 🚉
Trenitalia operates the train and there are 10+ trains a day. Tickets cost €7 one-way.
You can book directly on their site or simply head to the train station to purchase a ticket.
Depending on the train, the journey takes 40 to 60 minutes. The trip length is displayed on the schedule if you’d like to optimize for time.
The Cefalu train station is only a 10-minute walk to the Piazza del Duomo, so you’ll be enjoying an espresso at a local cafe in no time.
Palermo to Cefalu by Car
Driving from Palermo to Cefalu will provide the most flexibility in traveling between the 2 cities. 🚘
The drive takes roughly 1 hour and is primarily on a highway, E90, which is easy to navigate. The hardest part will be getting out of the traffic of Palermo.
Once you reach Cefalu, parking can be a bit tricky. There is a mix of free and paid street parking. We have been lucky and grabbed a free spot by the ocean.
Our recommendation is to first try finding a free parking spot near the ocean. If there are no available spots, you can opt to use the two nearby paid parking lots.
When renting a car, we always rent with AutoEurope in Sicily and get a $0 deductible plan. Between the narrow streets and parking culture, we have never returned a car in Sicily that was completely free of dents or scratches.
The peace of mind that comes from the $0 deductible plan is totally worth it!
Palermo Airport to Cefalù
To travel from Palermo airport to Cefalù, you may need to add an extra step to your existing travel plans.
If you want to travel to Cefalu by bus or train from Palermo’s airport, you first need to go to Palermo’s Centrale bus and train station which is located around 30 minutes drive to the east of the airport and towards Cefalu.
To travel from the airport to the bus/train station, the fastest options will be to get an Uber, taxi, or private transfer.
The budget-friendly option is to take the onsite train (Punta Raisi) from the airport to Palermo Centrale. There are 2 trains an hour and the tickets can be purchased when you take the trip for €6.50.
If you are driving all the way to Cefalu, it is best to rent your car directly at Palermo’s airport. The rental cars are located right next to baggage claim, creating an easy experience!
Day Trip from Palermo to Cefalu
Taking a day trip from Palermo to Cefalu is a great idea to explore the stunning coastline of Sicily.
There are 2 tours we recommend that visit Cefalu as well as other beautiful sites.
The first recommended day tour goes to Cefalù as well as Caccamo. In Caccamo, you will find the castle of Caccamo, one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Sicily.
Additionally, the town is pretty and located at the foot of Mount San Calogero. The guide on this tour is fantastic and the itinerary is perfect for maximizing a day exploring.
Our second recommended day trip visits Cefalu as well as the medieval village of Castelbuono. Castelbuono is located in the Madonie Mountains and is home to the Castle of Ventimiglia.
The castle sites on this tour are epic and the guide does a great job providing helpful context!
Both day trips would be a great day spent exploring Cefalu as well as another quintessential Sicilian town.
Top Things to Do in Cefalù
Castello di Cefalù
The castle in Cefalu sits atop the Rock of Cefalu and overlooks the entire town and Cathedral. 🏰
The castle has been around since the 11th century and is a great place to explore ancient ruins. The Temple of Diana and the Church of St. Anna are the two main attractions.
The ruins are not the most impressive in Sicily, but the view from the top over the city and surrounding area is incredible.
La Rocca
The other name for the Rock of Cefalu is La Rocca. The limestone outcrop goes all the way to 270 meters (885 feet) above sea level.
The climb to the top is a tough 0.7-mile hike from the ticket gate, but the views are worth the over 600 feet of elevation gain. We recommend hiking boots as the terrain is uneven.
There is a €5 fee to enter the natural area. Please bring plenty of water and avoid doing the hike during the hottest parts of the day.
Cefalù Cathedral
The Cathedral of Cefalù, or Duomo di Cefalù, was built in the Norman architectural style in the 12th century.
The Cathedral of Cefalù stands as a testament to the devotion of King Roger II of Sicily, who made a vow to the Holy Saviour to build a grand cathedral if he made it safely through a storm. He made it to the beaches of Cefalu safely and built this fortress-like building.
The Piazza del Duomo is a quaint piazza right outside the cathedral.
You can visit the Cathedral for free during the hours of 8am-1pm and 3pm-6pm.
Piazza Duomo
The are many cafes, shops, and restaurants to enjoy. We recommend trying out one of the Sicilian specialties, like arancini, gelato, or a Sicilian pastry!
We have enjoyed mornings sitting at one of the cafes, listening to the town, and observing the ebb and flow of people through the square.
Spiaggia di Cefalù
The beach of Cefalu is one of the best in Sicily and attracts people from all over the world. 🏖
The beach has clean sand, clear water, and plenty of sun loungers available to rent.
Additionally, there are plenty of beachside restaurants and cafes along the shore to grab a drink at! We enjoy grabbing a refreshing beverage and enjoying the music!
If you’re looking for something more active, there are a ton of water sport activities happening from jet skis to banana boats.
Or relax and take a boat trip away from the crowds along the amazing Sicilian coastline.
Molo di Cefalú
Molo in Italian translates to Wharf. The wharf in Cefalu extends out into the sea and is a great spot to relax and take in a great view of the city.
The sunsets from the wharf are magical!
The wharf is free to visit. You’ll find locals and visitors alike jumping in the water from the wharf.
We absolutely love taking a stroll on the wharf in the late afternoon and watching the boats come in from the ocean.
Tandem Paragliding
Cefalu, due to the coastline and hill, is a wonderful place to paraglide. This tandem paragliding experience will take you over the coast.
If you are one for thrills, this adventure is for you!
You will be in the air for 20-30 minutes while floating near the Sicilian Sea. We can’t recommend this experience enough.
Lavatoio Medievale
The Medieval washhouse is located at sea level and approximately four meters below street level on Vittorio Emanuele Street. It is a really cool area to see how laundry used to be done.
The washhouse is accessible through a wide curved staircase made of ‘lumachella’ limestone.
During the hours of 9am-1pm and 3pm-8pm, you can see the basins and supports once used to wash the clothes by laundresses.
Museo Mandralisca
The Museo Mandralisca in Cefalu houses the famous Antonello da Messina painting, ‘Portrait of an Unknown Man’.
The museum is housed in a 15th-century palace and the collection includes various works by local artists, as well as various archeological artifacts.
The museum is open daily from 9am-7pm. There is an admission fee of €5.
FAQs for Getting from Palermo to Cefalu
Is it worth going to Cefalù?
Cefalu is one of our favorite small coastal towns in Sicily. The beach is beautiful, the food is delicious and there are plenty of interesting attractions to explore.
Walking to the top of La Rocca in the morning is a great way to start a day in Sicily! In the afternoon, you can explore the wharf and heading to the beach to relax. You are likely to encounter many Sicilians doing the same.
If you’re looking for a place to relax and explore Sicilian culture, Cefalu is the place to go
How to get to Cefalù from Palermo by train?
You can take the train from Palermo Centrale to the Cefalu train station in under 1 hour.
The round trip will cost you less than €20 per person.
How much is a taxi from Cefalù to Palermo?
A taxi from Cefalù to Palermo will cost you over €100. We recommend taking the train if you are trying to save money.
If you do go by taxi, have a hotel call you a taxi to avoid those who might try to scam you. Alternatively, book a tour so you have a confirmed ride!
How long is the train journey from Palermo to Cefalù?
The train from Palermo to Cefalù takes 40 minutes to an hour.
The ride is beautiful as you travel along the coastline and through the Sicilian countryside. It is a good ride to relax while traveling between Cefalu and Palermo.
What is the best way to get from Palermo to Cefalu?
There are many ways to get from Palermo to Cefalu.
If you are flying into the airport, renting a car will be the easiest and allow you to make any stops you would like along the Sicily coast. 🚗
If you are traveling from downtown Palermo and don’t have a rental car, taking a train is quite simple and scenic.
You can also take a bus if you prefer, with many operators offering routes from Palermo to Cefalu.
If you are looking for a day trip, we would recommend booking an organized tour with a guide. This way, you can maximize your time in Sicily and visit both Cefalu and other incredible cities.
We hope you have a wonderful visit to Sicily! Enjoy your time in Palermo and Cefalu!
We wish you the best travels, and don’t forget to set your “Out of Office!”
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Sicily Travel Planning Guide
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Sicily?
Yes! Renting a car is a necessity in most of Sicily! If you want to go on day trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you can use public transportation, but we recommend renting a car.
AutoEurope is our go-to choice for zero-deductible car rentals in Sicily. Sicily is infamous for its drivers who sometimes pull off careless parking stunts. It’s a good idea to opt for a zero-deductible car rental given the high chance of your vehicle getting bumped or dented.
📲 Will my phone work in Sicily?
Maybe, but it will be expensive! Depending on your provider, plans can charge you $10 per day while in Europe.
To use your phone in Sicily and save money, we recommend an eSim with Airalo. Airalo simplifies the steps and provides you with all the necessary data for convenient travel. There is not a lot of free WIFI in Sicily, so you’ll need your phone for navigating.
🌐 Do I need a VPN when on the internet in Sicily?
While abroad, we consistently prioritize our online security by using a VPN to appear as if we’re streaming from the US and protect ourselves from cybercrime.
NordVPN serves as an incredibly convenient solution for both mobile phones and laptops, effortlessly ensuring our safety while browsing or streaming.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Sicily accommodations?
Our go-to for Sicilian hotels is Booking.com. They offer the widest range of choices, and their filtering system simplifies the process of discovering the perfect accommodation for your needs.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Sicily flights?
For finding cheap flights to Sicily, we recommend Kayak. Their awesome multi-city flight search and handy price notifications help us save big, allowing us to splurge on other adventures once we arrive.
🚐 Should I book tours in Sicily? Do the guides speak English?
We LOVE taking tours in Sicily. We prefer to book our tours on Viator and GetYourGuide for easy searching, trusted reviews, and transparent pricing. We always filter for the tours that are offered in English.
For free walking tours in English, we always book through GuruWalk.
🚑 Should I buy Sicily travel insurance?
100% YES! Italy, including Sicily, has a publicly funded healthcare system known as the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), which provides universal healthcare coverage to all Italian citizens and legal residents!
Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. We recommend Safety Wing – they provide general travel coverage as well as medical!
💧Can you drink the water in Sicily?
Sometimes! In many areas of Sicily, the water is safe to drink. However, there can be variations in water quality from one location to another. In some rural or remote areas, or in older buildings with outdated plumbing systems, water quality might not be as high. For an extra layer of protection, we recommend always using a LifeStraw Go Series to stay safe and hydrated.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Sicily?
Likely Not! US passport holders don’t need Italian visas for travel less than 3 months. If you plan to stay for more than 3 months, you will be considered a resident and must have an entrance visa which should be obtained at an Italian consulate before coming to Italy. Upon arrival in Italy, you then must obtain a permit of stay at a national post office.
