Description
The Cefalù and Monreale tour from Palermo is a way to leave the traffic behind and see two of Sicily's best-known places without driving. The van collects you at Piazza Verdi 59 and brings you back there. This is a self-guided outing, with no guide on site, so you explore at your own pace.
The first stop is Monreale, about an hour and a half inside the Norman cathedral on the slopes of Monte Caputo. The official audio guide tells the story of one of southern Italy's most important medieval churches and its artistic details; it is not included but can be bought on site.
The van then follows the northern coast to Cefalù, with about two hours to explore the town, which has Greek and medieval roots:
- the Duomo, from the 12th century
- medieval traces at the Osterio Magno
- views from Porta Terra
- Greek and Arabic ceramics at the Mandralisca Museum
- the 16th-century wash basins of the Lavatoio, down a flight of curving steps
The whole outing takes about six hours. Tickets, food and drinks are not included.