Where to stay in Cefalù: the areas compared
Cefalù is small, but the area you stay in shapes your holiday: in the old town you live on foot without a car, on the seafront the beach is outside your door, east and west you find quieter coves, and towards Lascari wide beaches and green space. Below are the pros and cons of each area, written by people who live in Cefalù and rent houses in two of them.
At a glance
Which area suits you
A quick read before the details. Distances are approximate and measured from the old town.
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| Old town | Seafront | East: Caldura and Sant'Ambrogio | West: Mazzaforno and Settefrati | Salinelle and Capo Playa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Doing everything on foot | Families with small children | Clear water and quiet | Lovers of small coves | Families, groups, space |
| The sea | Sandy beach a few minutes away | Fine sand, gentle slope | Pebbles and rocks | Sand, pebbles and rocks | Wide sandy beach |
| Car and parking | ZTL: leave the car outside | Large public car park | A car helps | A car helps | Train from Lascari or car |
| Evenings | Everything on your doorstep | Seafront stroll | Quiet, drive to the centre | Quiet, drive to the centre | Quiet, train to the centre |
Old town: everything on foot, no car needed
This is for people who want to step outside among the Cathedral, Corso Ruggero and the lanes running down to the sea. The town beach is a few minutes away, restaurants and cafés are on your doorstep, and in the evening the stroll between the main street and the seafront goes on late. The station is about 650 metres away: you can arrive and leave without ever using a car.
The catch is the car. The old town is a limited traffic zone with cameras at the entrances, and without a permit the fine reaches your home months later. If you drive, leave the car in one of the car parks outside the centre, such as the station car park or the one on Lungomare Giardina. Summer evenings in the centre are lively: light sleepers should choose a house with double glazing. Our Casa del Duomo is here, one minute from the Cathedral.
Seafront: the beach on your doorstep
The seafront runs for about a kilometre and a half along the town's fine sandy beach, with the Rocca and the old town behind. The seabed slopes gently, which makes it the easiest area for families with small children: go down to the beach with the umbrella and come back home for lunch.
The old town is still within walking distance, and the municipality runs a large car park on Lungomare Giardina with about 540 spaces, outside the ZTL. In high summer this is Cefalù's busiest beach: go early in the morning or late in the afternoon. For all the beaches in the area, read our guide to Cefalù beaches.
East: Caldura and Sant'Ambrogio, for lovers of rocks
Past the harbour, about two kilometres from the centre, the coast turns to pebbles and rocks: at Caldura the water is clear and deepens quickly, perfect for snorkelling, less so for small children. About six kilometres further east, the village of Sant'Ambrogio has a long beach of pale pebbles, mostly free and quiet even in high season.
You sleep in silence, but you need a car for evenings in town, and the beaches have few facilities: bring your own umbrella and water.
West: Mazzaforno and Settefrati, bays among the rocks
About three kilometres from the centre towards Palermo, Mazzaforno is a small bay of sand and pebbles framed by smooth rocks, with beach clubs and free stretches. Just beyond, Settefrati is a favourite with people looking for peace and with snorkellers.
It is a green residential area, handy if you drive and want the centre a few minutes away without staying in it.
Salinelle and Capo Playa: space, greenery and a wide beach
Further west, towards Lascari, the coast opens into the long beach of Capo Playa and Salinelle: sand, mixed in places with small pebbles, clean water and room even in August, with beach clubs alternating with free stretches. When the wind picks up, windsurfers and kitesurfers arrive.
Many houses here have a garden and parking, and Lascari station gets you to central Cefalù in under ten minutes by train, with no parking to hunt for. This is where our two villas are: Villa dei Mandarini and Villa dei Limoni, on the same estate, with the sea a walk away through the private gate. We compare them on our Cefalù villas with beach access page.
In the hills: Gibilmanna and the Madonie
If you want cool air and silence, look uphill: the Sanctuary of Gibilmanna is about 15 kilometres from the centre, at almost 800 metres, still within Cefalù's municipality. Summer evenings are cooler and the view over the coast is wide.
For the sea and the town, though, you need a car. It suits people who combine sea and mountains: see our day trips from Cefalù for ideas.
Our houses
Where we host: the old town and Salinelle
We rent three houses directly in two of the areas described here: an apartment one minute from the Cathedral and two villas on our family estate at Salinelle, with the sea within walking distance.
- 4 guests
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathroom
Casa del Duomo
Old town · Cefalù
- 9 guests
- 5 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
Villa dei Mandarini
Via delle Salinelle · Cefalù
- 6 guests
- 3 bedrooms
- 1.5 bathrooms
Villa dei Limoni
Via delle Salinelle · Cefalù
Before you choose
Five questions to ask yourself
- Am I travelling with or without a car?
- Do I want the beach or the old town on my doorstep?
- Sand for the kids or rocks for snorkelling?
- Do I need a garden and parking?
- What evenings do I want: buzz or silence?
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Cefalù without a car?
The old town and the seafront, where everything is on foot and the station is close. Salinelle also works without a car: Lascari station is under a kilometre away and the train reaches the centre in less than ten minutes.
Where to stay in Cefalù with children?
On the seafront, for the sandy beach with a gentle slope, or in a house with a garden towards Salinelle, where children have outdoor space and the beach is wide.
Can I drive into the old town?
Only with a permit: the centre is a limited traffic zone with cameras at the entrances. If you stay in the centre, leave the car in the car parks outside the ZTL, such as the station car park or the one on Lungomare Giardina.
Is it better to stay in the centre or outside Cefalù?
In the centre if you want to live the town on foot and in the evening. Outside if you want space, greenery, parking and quiet: to the west, towards Salinelle, the beach is wider and the train takes you to the centre in minutes.
Is the old town noisy in summer?
Summer evenings in the centre are lively until late. If you are a light sleeper, choose a house with double glazing or a quieter area outside the centre.
Book direct
Still not sure which area to choose?
Tell us your dates, how many you are and what kind of holiday you have in mind: we will tell you honestly whether one of our houses is right for you.
Read before you travel
Sea and beachesCefalù Beaches: Where to Swim, from the Old Town to Lascari
Cefalù beaches explained by locals: town beach, Caldura, Mazzaforno, Settefrati, Sant'Ambrogio and Salinelle. Sand or pebbles, getting there and tips.
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Getting hereHow to get to Cefalù: a practical guide from Palermo, Catania and the ferry port
How to get to Cefalù from Palermo and Catania airports by car, train, bus or ferry, plus the ZTL, parking and practical tips from local hosts.
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Experiences and activitiesThe Best Things to Do in Cefalù, from Boat Trips to Sunsets
The best things to do in Cefalù beyond the sights: boat trips, kayaking, sunset at the bastion, the evening stroll, August festivals and rainy-day ideas.
Read the article