Cefalù And Monreale: A Day Trip from Palermo

If you stay in Palermo more than two days, definitely make a day trip to Cefalù and Monreale. The easiest way is to rent a car. Alternatively, you can take the train to Cefalù and the bus to Monreale from Palermo.

Sicily has many things to offer. Among them are nature and culture. A day trip from Sicily's capital city, Palermo, to the sleepy seaside town Cefalù is ideal for relaxing and swimming when the weather is warm. Not only that, the Cefalù Cathedral, built in 1131 in the Norman style, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the cathedral was completed in 1240, its architecture became a fusion of the Norman-Arab-Byzantine style.

If you have a lot of time and feel like doing some exercises, hike to the Ruins Of The Castle and enjoy a panoramic view. My local friend said that it would take about two hours, so we decided not to go. It would be a long and hard way as the castle ruins are located on a 270-meter tall mountain.

After having lunch in Cefalù, head to Monreale to marvel at the Monreale Cathedral, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior mosaics are magnificent and meticulous. The cathedral has one of the most significant cycles of Byzantine mosaics in the country. It is among the finest examples of the Arab-Norman style in Sicily.