1. Boattrip at Marina Yachting
At Marina Yachting, close to Cefalù centre you can rent a boat to sail in the bay of Cefalù. From the centre it is a 20 minute walk, but you can also park your car there if you don’t want to walk that far. Marina Yachting is very professional and the people who work there are really kind. They escort you to the boat and help you with explaining how to drive the boat. You can rent a boat via the website or call to the company.
At Marina Yachting you can rent a boat with a sailor or a boat you need to drive by yourself. For some boats you don’t need a license. I would definitely recommend, if you’re confident enough, to drive the boat by yourself. You have all the privacy and you can go wherever you want. Before going on the boat you get a map with the areas you can visit, you can drive along the coast of Cefalu. The water is really blue and the view is amazing.
TIP! If you’re staying at an Airbnb ask the owner of the place, if they can make the reservation. When you arrive all that’s left to do is sign the contract, saving you waiting time.
We rented the boat for a total of 3 hours, and paid 90 euros for the rental including the fuel. You can bring your own drinks and snacks on board. Most of the boats come with a sundeck where you can tan on, as well as an adjustable cover. This was you can find shade under the cover, if the sun becomes too strong.
2. Rocca di Cefalù
Rocca di Cefalù is a large rock located in the centre of Cefalu. If you make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breath taking view of the city. However, to enjoy this view, you need to climb all the way to the top, which takes almost 45 minutes. There are no facilities for food or drinks along the way, so be sure to bring something to drink and eat with you.
TIP! Do this hike early in the morning, so the sun isn’t too strong, as reaching the top can be quite an effort.
The cost to enter the climb is 5 euros per person, and you can make the payment using cash or card at the machine. Remember to put on sport shoes or sneakers, because with flip flops you will be refused at the start of the climb.
3. Visit Palermo
The capital of Sicily, Palermo, is located close to Cefalù, just an one-hour drive away. Initially, I was very excited to visit Palermo, because I had heard great things about it. Unfortunately the traffic in Palermo ruined this for me. We already knew driving in Sicily could be hectic, but this was next level. The road consisted three or four lanes, but people were driving there like it consisted five or six lanes. The traffic was also extremely heavy. The citizens are used to this, but for us this was a complete nightmare. My boyfriend is a good and confident driver and isn’t easily scared when driving, but even he thought this was horrible. So, if you plan to drive to Palermo, keep all of this in mind.
Parking in Palermo can be quite challenging. Most of the parking spaces are often occupied, making it difficult to find a free spot. Also, the centre has a restricted vehicle zone, so you’ll need to park your car at the edge of the city centre.
TIP! Try to stay calm when driving in Palermo or consider taking the train from the train station in Cefalù to Palermo’s train station. This direct ride takes about 45-60 minutes and cost 6.80 euros, offering a much more relaxing and stress-free alternative.