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Stay in Agrigento or Cefalu?

I'm visiting Malta and Sicily in April. I will have 10 nights in Sicily, taking an afternoon flight from Malta to Catania, driving to Ragusa for 4 nights, doing day trips to Modica and Scicli, depending on the weather.

After Ragusa, I was thinking of 3 nights in Cefalu. Ultimately I would stay at least a couple of nights in Castellamare del Golfo before flying out of Palermo, which is where I'd return my rental car.

I've been to all of these places before, though it's been several years. I've only passed through Cefalu, not stay there. But I'm wondering if Cefalu even merits a 2-night stay or even a stay at all compared to Agrigento, which I've stayed in twice.

I would hike up to the castle above Cefalu, though that's heavily dependent on the weather, probably not attempt it if it rained or if it was too hot. Other than that, seems like a beautiful lungomare but maybe not so convenient for day trips. For instance, it's still an hour each way to Monreale, whereas Castellamare del Golfo to Monreale is slightly a shorter drive.

The main new thing for Agrigento would be staying at some place which has a view, a distant view of the temples. I may not necessarily visit the Valley of the Temples again but look more at taking pictures of them lit up at night. The park is only open until 18:00 in April so it won't be open when the temples are lit up. I guess the only time to visit them at night would be in the winter months.

So I had thought staying in Cefalu would make sense since I only had a brief day trip visit but maybe not so interesting a place unless you want to lounge on the beach or take day trips to Palermo or Monreale. But I could also do those from Castellamare del Golfo too, though I guess I would have to drive, there aren't train or bus options in little Castellamare del Golfo.

Posted by
6596 posts

I really liked Cefalu. We stayed two nights. There are people on the forum that don't like Cefalu but I never heard a reason. We enjoyed walking around the town, hiking up the mountain and ate at a couple restaurants we really liked. We are not beach people. We were there about the same time of year. There were very few folks swimming. We walked along the coast to the lighthouse and beyond.

I liked Agrigento, too. We stayed at an agritourismo that we enjoyed.

So, I'm likely of no help. . .

EDITED TO ADD: We loved Noto by Ragusa if you haven't been there.

Posted by
2310 posts

Well, we got to Castellamare del Golfo via train/bus from the Palermo airport. It's certainly more time-consuming than driving would be, but it is possible to go places from there on public transport. I've stayed in both Cefalu and Agrigento and I preferred Cefalu. For some reason, I didn't "click" with Agrigento. But if you did, maybe that's your place!

Posted by
130 posts

Yeah there doesn't seem to be many of the famous attractions between Ragusa and Castellamare del Golfo.

Agrigento is heading in that direction (westwards) whereas Cefalu isn't as close to Palermo as I thought it would be.

Jules, I've visited Noto a couple of times and even stayed there once. It is magical at night. Unfortunately it's further east than Ragusa so I have to head westwards.

Posted by
2191 posts

Have you been to Scopello? It’s a peaceful, beautiful little village — a great base for day trips to Segesta and/or Erice, and the Zingaro Nature Reserve. And still relatively close to Palermo airport.