#299 European Rank
Cefalù Beach
Cefalù, Sicily, Italy•Tyrrhenian Sea• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Berthold Werner (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.57/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
27.2°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€64/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Golden Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Calm & Glassy
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces N (0°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces N (0°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
N (0°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 90°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the N-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Cefalù Beach: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Cefalù, Sicily, Italy
Warm Bathwater
Early August
27.2°C
Air ~35°C
Optimal thermal comfort; zero cold shock
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 27.2°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.1°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 14.4°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 14.7°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 16.0°C | 27°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 18.9°C | 30°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 22.9°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 26.1°C | 35°C | Warm Bathwater |
| August | 27.2°C | 35°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 25.5°C | 33°C | Warm Bathwater |
| October | 22.8°C | 30°C | Ideal Swimming |
| November | 19.9°C | 26°C | Refreshing |
| December | 16.9°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Italy Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 31 May – 3 Nov (>21°C) · 156 days
Planning around peak water warmth (27.2°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Cefalù Beach for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Cefalù Beach (Cefalù, Sicily, Italy)
🌊 Water temperature: 27.2°C
⛱️ Beach access: 45% free public sand • Sunbeds: €20–€50
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces N (sheltered from S winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/cefalu-beach-it/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.1 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.7 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Cefalù Beach
A golden crescent right beneath Cefalù's medieval lanes, Norman cathedral and the great crag that towers over the town.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Located directly along the Lungomare Giuseppe Giardina adjacent to Cefalù historic center and railway station (~1 hr from Palermo).
•Protected Status / Environment: Coastal zone of the Madonie Regional Natural Park, recognized adjacent to UNESCO World Heritage Arab-Norman Cefalù Cathedral.
•Notable Feature: Golden crescent sandy beach with calm, gently sloping turquoise waters set against the dramatic backdrop of the historic fishing village and the towering crag of La Rocca.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
High Lido & Umbrella Density
Free Public Sand (45%)Private Concessions (55%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€20low season→€50August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Private beach clubs occupy significant prime sand. Free public sectors exist but fill quickly in peak morning hours.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Italian maritime regulation preserves free walking and emergency water access along the 5-meter shoreline edge (battigia).
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Unnecessary (Soft Natural Sand)
Fine powder or golden sand allows comfortable barefoot wading into shallow depths.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
NoWheelchair Accessible
YesSnorkeling & Watersports
NoNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Cefalù, Sicily. Accessible via regional coastal roads (38.033°N, 14.022°E).
•Shallow and gentle right below the old town.
•A sandy crescent beneath a medieval town and its great Norman cathedral rock.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
INTL · 40m driveConvenient highway or local transit access across Cefalù, Sicily, Italy.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Cefalù Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cefalù Beach
What is the water temperature at Cefalù Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Cefalù Beach averages 27.2°C (81°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Cefalù Beach?
Cefalù Beach is classified as a golden sand shoreline located in Cefalù, Sicily, Italy.
Is Cefalù Beach good for families with kids?
Yes, Cefalù Beach is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Cefalù Beach?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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