Lungomare of Cefalù (Palermo)

In spite of its small size, the northern coastal town of Cefalù is an increasingly popular tourist destination. The Lungomare, or waterfront, here is one of the great treats of running in Sicily. The total route is 4.5 km one-way. You can start in the center of town and run west for 1.5 km or east for 3 km.

On the west end, the Lungomare Giuseppe Giardina starts off near the Chiesa di Santa Lucia. A walkway of stone pavers follows the coast east, widening at the Maljk Beach. Great views of the rocky coast stretch out from this palmtree shaded path and its gardens. About 1.2 miles in, just after the Piazza di Cristoforo Colombo, the street turns slightly inland. Here, you’ll have a chance to tour through some idyllic Sicilian cobblestone streets and vine-laced villas. You’ll also get a nice tour of some of Cefalù’s top sites, including the Lavatoio Medievale Fiume Cefalino, the Spiaggia di Cefalú beach, and the Bastione di Capo Marchiafava. It’s about 1.5 miles (one way) to this plaza, but it’s possible to continue about a mile longer along Via Giudecca and Via Presidente, out to the Torre Caldura.