Cefalù is located on the northern coast of Sicily and is one of the coastal cities on the island. The city offers a great view of the Mediterranean and the Tyrrhenian Sea and has some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is also just about an hour away from Palermo, Sicily’s capital city.
Cefalù’s beaches are free to the public but some of these beaches have lidos (beach clubs) that require an entrance fee. These beautiful beaches have crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Some of the best beaches near Cefalù are Cefalù Beach, Caldura Beach, and Mazzaforno Beach.
In this article, we will talk about some of the best beaches that you can find near Cefalù. So make sure to pack your swimsuit and other beach essentials if you are going to this wonderful city. If you are ready to take a plunge in Cefalù’s wonderful beaches, read on!
Cefalù Beach
Cefalù Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cefalù as it is very accessible and near the town’s historic city center. It is located on the northern coast of Sicily and it has crystal clear waters with fine sand.
As it is near the city center, Cefalù Beach gets very busy, especially during the summer months or in the peak season. There are several bars, restaurants, and other shops near the beach as well as other nearby attractions in the city.
Cefalù Beach has a stunning view of the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea making it a great beach for relaxation and other activities like snorkeling.
If you want to visit Cefalù Beach, it has several areas that are free to the public and it also has lidos (beach club) that are private. You need to pay an entrance fee to access these areas. Lidos usually have equipment included such as loungers, umbrellas, and shower facilities. If you go to the public areas in this town beach, there is equipment for rent if you want to use it.
Caldura Beach
Caldura Beach is about 20 minutes away from the city center of Cefalù and it is free to the public. You can drive yourself to the beach as there is a paid parking area nearby. But, if you want to enjoy a scenic ride, you can also rent a bike from Cefalù.
There are refreshment stands available on the beach as well as equipment for rent such as umbrellas and lounge chairs. There are also several restaurants near the beach if you are craving for traditional Sicilian cuisine and other variety of dishes. Aside from swimming in the clear water, you can also engage in several activities such as snorkeling, canoeing, and paddle-boarding.
Caldura Beach has several small beaches that are divided by rocks and some of these beaches have sandy or pebbled shores. Like Cefalù Beach, Caldura Beach also gets crowded during the summer months. You can definitely go early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowd.
Mazzaforno Beach
Mazzaforno Beach is a small beach about 3 km away from Cefalù’s city center. It is a free beach with lidos and bars in the area. With its sandy and pebbled shores framed by rocks and diverse landscapes, it is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Cefalù.
The water in this beach is crystal clear and has a beautiful seabed and marine fauna making the beach perfect for snorkeling. If you will be staying in nearby residences, you can easily access the beach on foot. But, if you are coming from the city center, you can drive to the beach by taking the SS113 road to Palermo. There may be limited parking spaces so you can ride a taxi if you don’t want to worry about parking.
Capo Playa Beach
This windy beach located 15 km west of Cefalù’s city center has crystal clear waters with golden sand and pebbled coast. Capo Playa Beach is often windy making it perfect for windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, and even sailing.
There are several bars and restaurants near the beach that offer local seafood cuisine if you get hungry. Like other beaches in Cefalù, Capo Playa is a free beach with equipment such as lounge chairs and umbrellas for rent.
To get to Capo Playa from Cefalù by car, you can also take the SS113 road going to Palermo. You will pass by Mazzaforno Beach and from there, it will be about a 10 to 15-minute drive to Capo Playa.
Sant’Ambrogio Beach
Sant’Ambrogio Beach is about 6 km away and is about an 11-minute drive via the SS113 road from the center of Cefalù. It is a lesser-known beach and does not get too crowded, unlike well-known beaches near Cefalù. If you are looking for a more quiet beach, this is a great beach to visit.
Sant’Ambrogio is a public beach without any lidos so you will be able to spend the day at a more relaxing pace. It is not that developed for tourism and there are few pieces of beach equipment for rent so you might have to bring your own.
The shore of Sant’Ambrogio is also lined with pebbles, rocks, and sand and the coastline stretches far offering crystal clear waters and stunning views of the sea. If you find yourself hungry, head on to the village of Sant’Ambrogio and have a delicious meal in some of the eateries in the area.
Pollina Beach
Pollina Beach, also known as Finale di Pollina, is one of Cefalù’s largest beaches and it is about 11 km away from the city center of Cefalù. This sandy beach also has clear waters and it offers a great view of the sea and its surrounding landscapes.
Pollina Beach is also a public beach but you will find several concession stands, restaurants, and bars near the area. You can also rent beach equipment such as lounge chairs, sun beds, and umbrellas. There are also areas along the beach that can be a great quiet holiday resort for families.
If you plan on bringing your car, there is a parking area nearby for your convenience. The beach does get crowded, especially during the summer months so you might want to go early if you want to catch an available parking slot.
Wrap Up
Cefalù is one of Sicily’s most popular tourist destinations and there are a lot of beautiful beaches in this city. Cefalù’s beaches are free but some have lidos, or beach clubs, that require an entrance fee. These beaches have crystal clear waters with sand and pebbles lining their shores. Cefalu beaches also typically have a beach bar and concession stands, especially during the summer.
Some of the best Cefalu beaches are Cefalu Beach, Pollina Beach, and Capo Playa Beach. We have included several other beaches in this article so you can prepare for your beach adventure in Cefalù, Sicily! if you have any other questions, let us know!
