Cefalù is a city and comune situated in the Italian Metropolitan City of Palermo on the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily. Located approximately 70 kilometers east of Palermo and 185 kilometers west of Messina, it serves as a significant seaside town on the north coast of the island. The settlement functions as a popular beach resort and fishing village, acting as a gateway to the Madonie mountains and a starting point for travel to the Aeolian Islands.

Founded by the Siculians, the Greeks named the indigenous settlement Kephaloídion in the fourth century BC due to its position on a lofty headland. The town was later known as Cephaloedium under Latinisation and played roles in Carthaginian and Roman history before being conquered by the Aghlabids in 858. The Normans captured it in 1063, and Roger II relocated the settlement to its current location in 1131, ordering the construction of the Norman-style cathedral that defines the town's architectural heritage.

The town is dominated by its Cathedral, begun in 1131, which features Sicilian Romanesque architecture, pointed arches, and fine Byzantine mosaics from 1148. Other notable structures include the Mandralisca Museum, housing Antonello da Messina's Portrait of a Man, and extensive remains of a Norman castle on the promontory. The area also contains ancient polygonal masonry ruins, the Seminary, and various churches such as Santa Maria dell'Odigitria and San Sebastiano.

Cefalù attracts millions of tourists annually from Sicily, Italy, and Europe, recognized as one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia. Its cultural appeal includes the UNESCO World Heritage Site status of its cathedral within the Arab-Norman Palermo complex. Visitors are drawn to the historic center, the Mandralisca Museum, and the opportunity to climb La Rocca for views of the Tempio di Diana ruins and the bay.

The population was 13,881 as of 2023. The local economy relies heavily on tourism, supported by frequent train connections from Palermo, Milazzo, and Messina, as well as bus services and summer hydrofoils. The town offers extensive beach facilities, with sections available for rent, and provides access to private car transfers and rentals for exploring the surrounding region.