The stretch of coast that goes from Capo Zafferano to Cefalù coincides with the Gulf of Termini Imerese: about 50 kilometres of varied and beautiful seashore with sandy or rocky beaches, idyllic landscapes and a sapphire blue sea. Just outside the marvellous vibrant city of Palermo, with its multi-cultural character, it stunning monuments and its thrilling history, the promontory of Capo Zafferano is really enchanting.
The tiny hamlet of Santa Flavia, with its picturesque houses clinging to the flanks of a hill overhanging the sea and its sandy beach, is the most fascinating destination of the area, together with Mongerbino and its extraordinary rocky cliffs and bays: the atmosphere is peaceful and the environment is just lovely and rich in beautiful places to discover, from the ancient Greek colony of Solunto to the scenic seafaring village of Porticello.
On the opposite edge of the Gulf lies the splendid hamlet of Cefalù, one of the most famous destinations in Sicily indeed: its historical centre, with its fascinating Medieval imprinting, boasts a wide number of remarkable monuments, palaces and landmarks, such as the ancient lavatory and the Pirajno palace. The most wonderful monument, however, is undoubtedly the Cathedral, with its refined structure and amazing mixture of Arabic and Norman artistic and architectural features. The jaw-dropping mosaic decoration was made by the finest Byzantine masters from Constantinople and is definitely a must-see.
Together with the beautiful sandy beach set right in front of the entrance to the historical centre of the town, plenty of other charming (and often less crowded) beaches can be found along the seashore near Cefalù: we highly recommend a day in Mazzaforno, as well as Kalura and Sant’Ambrogio beaches – fine white sand, a peaceful environment and a clean and transparent sea.
If you enjoy hiking, don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Rocca di Cefalù, that dominates the Cathedral and the whole town with its peculiar shape that is nowadays a symbol of the city: the panorama from here is really fascinating as the rock overlooks the town and the deep blue Tyrrhenian Sea all around.