If Palermo seemed quiet on a Sunday summer morning, that is because most people had gone to the beach! We reached Cefalù by train, and it is equal parts Byzantine architecture pilgrimage destination and beach town. We ascended La Rocca to the ruins of the Temple of Diana, crenellated walls and luxuriant prickly pear. In the Cefalù Cathedral (1130-1241), there is a very famous mosaic Christ Pantocrator. We enjoyed focaccia and figs for lunch. Note: if the style is Messinese, it most likely contains anchovies.
Sunday, June 19 (pre-Rick Steves Tour)
After arriving by train from Palermo, our first stop in Cefalù was Parco La Rocca, a hike up the hill above the town. We went up to the Temple of Diana (not all the way to the castello at the very top) and the views were spectacular—of the sea, beach, town, and cathedral.
After descending from La Rocca, our next stop was the cathedral, which had a very Norman fortress-like exterior and amazing Byzantine mosaics inside.
We continued through town (lots of visitors, including tourists from other parts of Italy) to the molo and beach, which was very crowded. We even heard the call of the coconut man (Ooooo coco!)—he seemed to be very popular; who wouldn’t want some coconut on a sunny beach day?
We continued our walk, seeing the medieval laundromat (rock basins and flowing water) and stopping at the beach for Kaitlyn to put her feet in. Next, we grabbed lunch (stuffed sun dried tomatoes and focaccia, including one with anchovies) plus some fruit (beautiful cherries and figs) to enjoy al fresco at the train station before heading back to Palermo.
Hays in Sicily 