An unexpected gem in Cefalu. It’s a laundry area but really cool. It’s preserved really well and it’s cool too see the water exit back out to the ocean. It can get busy in the afternoon which is the only negative.

Awesome place. It's free. Walk in and take a look at this amazing little oasis. It is a nice break from the heat too. You will only need 5 mins but it's very cool in every sense of the word. You can also go around to the beach on the other side and see through back into the laundry where the water exits to the sea.

The medieval wash house is well preserved and gives you a glimpse into the town’s history. Entrance is free, so it’s definitely worth stopping by while exploring the old town. A quick but interesting cultural experience.

It was almost 95 degrees. We entered down into this ancient wash house and the temperature dropped 10 degrees. It’s incredible how these ancient wash basins were carved out of solid stone. A constant stream of cold water runs through and it’s so unexpected in a busy little town. No charge for this. Go and you will be pleasantly surprised!

Very interesting medieval system that still works today. They managed to make a perfect system for the water to flow around and fill the different “boxes” while having new water each second, spectacular! There is no entrance fee, the place is open to the public.

Magnificent old town on the coastline. Duomo (check opening times) with narrow alleyway streets, great restaurants and shops and wonderful sandy beaches with safe swimming. In New town cars from outside may drive. Old Town only pedestrian traffic for non locals- ZTL area. A must visit

Cefalus oldest launderette. The old washhouse for the town from the medieval period. The entrance os about 100 metres on the left from the beach into the first street into the old town. The water comes from a spring and and then the water gets segmented in square stone sections where people used to wash ther clothes etc in each one. In the summer the water is lovely and cool in after the hot sun. The water legend has it comes form the tears of a mourning nymph The stone plaque at the entrance says" Here flows Cefalino, healthier than any other river, purer than silver, colder than snow.

Well maintained and managed Duomo in the heart of Cefalú. Great views from the various levels. Different ticket prices for different access areas. We were lucky to witness the annual pastoral procession of The Virgin Mary and Christ on the Cross. Well signposted rooms, navigable without a guide. On the Duomo square with great restaurant options.

Visited Il Duomo di Cefalù while in town, and the site was impressive and refreshingly not crowded. Beautiful, well-preserved, and full of rich history, with architecture that really stands out. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is especially known for its striking façade, framed by two prominent bell towers — a highlight for me. Entry was free and access was easy. Overall, you’ll inevitably find yourself in the piazza, so it’s absolutely a must-see. Saluti

The cathedral is at the top of town. It's free to wander around , they do check that you are covered before going in so wear something that covers your shoulders etc. You can pay extra (i think it was 10 euro 2025) to go to the top of the tower and see the tombs but we didn't so can't comment on this. It's got some lovely stained glass windows. it's also a lovely place to just take a minute and sit. Very peaceful.

place — both spiritually and architecturally. Standing at the heart of Cefalù, this stunning Norman cathedral immediately captures your attention with its grand façade and two imposing towers, framed by the scenic backdrop of the rocky La Rocca hill. Inside, the atmosphere is serene and awe-inspiring. The interior features beautiful mosaics dating back to the 12th century, including the famous image of Christ Pantocrator, which is breathtaking in its detail and golden glow. The craftsmanship is extraordinary and offers a glimpse into centuries of history and devotion. The surrounding square adds to the charm, with lovely cafés and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. It’s the perfect spot to sit, admire the cathedral, and soak in the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whether you’re passionate about art and architecture or simply exploring Sicily, this cathedral is a must-visit. It’s not just a monument — it’s an unforgettable experience.

The Cefalù Cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Savior, is an absolute must-see and a key reason why Cefalù holds its spot as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unlike many Italian churches, this cathedral, built between 1131 and 1240, has a dramatic, fortress-like character, with its massive twin towers standing guard against the imposing backdrop of La Rocca (the great rock that looms over the town). The cathedral's distinctive look stems from its unique Arab-Norman architectural style, a striking fusion of Byzantine, Islamic, and Western influences that characterized Sicily under the Norman King Roger II. The sight of the late sun shining on the facade, turning the stone a warm golden color, is truly unforgettable, exactly as you described. Key Architectural Highlights The Towers: The imposing twin towers on the facade frame the entrance dramatically. They are crowned with 15th-century spires that symbolize the dual nature of power: one spire (octagonal) represents temporal, royal power, while the other (square with flame-shaped battlements) symbolizes spiritual, papal authority. The Cloister: Adjacent to the main church is one of the oldest and most beautiful Norman cloisters in Sicily, featuring delicate paired columns and intricately carved capitals. The Interior Mosaics: While the exterior is grand, the interior holds the cathedral's greatest treasure: the breathtaking Byzantine mosaics. The most famous is the majestic Christ Pantocrator, who dominates the apse, portrayed against a shimmering gold background with a hand raised in blessing. These mosaics were crafted by Greek artisans from Constantinople and are considered the earliest and best-preserved of their kind in Sicily. The entire building is a powerful testament to the multi-cultural history of Sicily and remains the spiritual and architectural heart of Cefalù.

Check opening times. It is closed after 13.00. Skip cefalu if you can't see it, otherwise is parking and like any other nice touristy place in Sicily. Waste of time and money for parking. Mosaic itself deserves viewers.

A magnificent ancient Roman Catholic Basilica dating back to 1200s! It is a unique cathedral —one of the few from the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches family — and a must-visit spot when you are in Sicily. Beautiful piece of history.

Truly terrible food. Quite surprising, given we’re in one of the best food regions of the best culinary nation on the planet and that the club med standard is usually fairly good. Awful, poorly sourced ingredients repeated daily with little selection. The cooking was very poor with no attempt to season anything. Lowlights included: 1) this horrendous refined rapeseed oil aerosol spray they use for frying (in Sicilia, which is full of beautiful olive oil, this should be considered a crime!) - see attached; 2) poor quality, often old and dirty vegetables; 3) ultra-cheap highly processed cold cuts; 4) poor quality, industrial bread; 5) old, small inviting farmed sea bass (clearly from the cheapest supplier possible) that represented the same ‘fish selection’ daily; 6) poor quality tasteless meat; and 7) last but not least, daily pasta dishes that looked like they were cooked by an Englishman with zero culinary expertise. Shame on the persons responsible for this culinary catastrophe, and not fair on the kind and hard working front of house staff. We’re off (again) out of the resort tonight for a proper dinner!

(Translated by Google) Impeccable breakfast service, lots of choice, I love it (Original) Service au petit déjeuner impeccable beaucoup de choix j'adore

(Translated by Google) Everything OK. It would be a good idea to also introduce Italian among the written and spoken languages. Parking to improve. (Original) Tutto ok. Sarebbe il caso di introdurre fra le lingue scritte e parlante anche l'italiano. Parcheggio da migliorare.

Small, and worth more than my flying visit to see the famous painting: worth it! & beautifully displayed in a darkened room. What I had time to note in my rush through were informative labels in English as well as Italian and well-displayed items. Wish I’d had more time here!

Great experience in Cefalu, Sicily This has the famous "unknown sailor" painting. This also houses a great collection of Greek and Roman pottery, coins and other amazing art.

This is a quirky little museum with a lot to see. It's the collection of one man(I think) Art, coins, archeology stuff and some more recent acquisitions. All interesting. Its near the cathedral. When you arrive you are not allowed to take a backpack so you have to leave it in a locker, we didn't have ID so had to leave the hotel key card, not a problem but worth knowing in advance.

Family collection which was given to the city in the 1800's. Has an intesting mix of art works, coins, shells and objects of historical interest. My favorite is Antonella di Messina's enigmatic painting of an unknown man - said to be a male version of a Mona Lisa.

Museo Mandralisca in Cefalù, Sicily is a cozy provincial museum that offers a little bit of everything for its visitors. From paintings and sculpture to furniture, shells, and even taxidermy animals, this museum has a diverse collection that is sure to pique the interest of any art enthusiast. While this museum may not have the same level of fame as larger institutions like the Met, Prado, or Louvre, it does have a hidden gem in its collection - a portrait of an unknown man painted by the renowned artist Antonello da Messina. This piece alone makes a visit to Museo Mandralisca worthwhile. Overall, Museo Mandralisca offers a charming and eclectic mix of art and artifacts that provides a unique glimpse into Sicilian culture and history. It may not be the most well-known museum, but it certainly has its own special charm that is worth exploring.

A quaint little museum. There is plenty to see and peruse for a couple of hours. The only downside particularly was the lack of translations to other languages, making some exhibits difficult to understand the significance. Not bad value for money at €8 per person.

A small but hearty museum you should definitely visit. It won’t take too long but you’ll be glad you went there.

brought tears to my eyes, the first bite of rabbit after a long flight and hardly any food all day…all the food hot and delicious. rabbit and spicy gorgonzola tomato sauce pasta were PERFECTION. meatballs were good, but the other dishes were the stars. incredible value. busy spot but well worth the wait

Wonderful little spot for authentic Sicilian meal. The host is really friendly and welcoming. Dishes we tried and loved: The tomato and gorgonzola pasta Pesto Swordfish pasta Meatballs

Where as I will admit the pictures don't look amazing, don't be fooled! This is some of the best food I have ever eaten in all my times visiting scicily, and Italy. The restaurant itself is fantastic, and has a great art deco feel, with some great items to look at while you dine. It is a family run restaurant, and the vibe is fantastic! The pasta dish ( with a gorgonzola sauce), is hands down the tastiest pasta dish I have ever eaten! Complimenti 👏 Great place for great dining, or a special date night - don't miss this place!

Can’t recommend this enough. Best dinner in Cefalu by far. Would have returned if had another dinner. Need a reservation as there are only about 12 tables. Waiter was helpful and friendly. Sicilian appetizer was great. Rigatoni is the best pasta I’ve had anywhere. Rabbit was good also. Fresh tiramisu for dessert. Spectacular experience.

The best meal I have enjoyed on my trip so far. Three courses and a carafe of house wine cost €40. Food was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxed. Really cool vibe. The waiter / host was top class. You definitely need to reserve a day or two in advance - more than worth it!

Fantastic dining experience. The host couldn't be more helpful going above and beyond to explain the menu. Even took time to explain the Sicilian Gins on offer (Piazza Bologini was tasty). The food was incredible some of the best we have ever had. We had the Rigatoni Al Rustico and the Pesto Spaghetti with swordfish every bite was unreal! Reservation required as its always fully booked. 100% a must visit while in Cefalu. 🇮🇹

The best dinner we had in Cefalu. The owner of the place is an amazing guy. He helped us a lot to pick the dishes. We ordered a carpaccio as a starter was really good. My wife had meatballs that was also good but exceptional dish was definitely the rabbit. Attached. This meat was one of the best one that i had in my life! Thank you for everything

I came at this restaurant last night with my husband, we didn’t have a reservation but the lady that greeted us found a table instantly for us and was very lovely. We shared a few dishes. Food was tasty, overpriced but I guess you gotta pay the for the good looking dishes and the Michelin star. Overall a nice quiet place with tasty food.

This restaurant was recommended to us by multiple people, we had the four course tasting menu with wine pairing which was perfect with new flavours and local wines. The staff explained the meals well in English for us, it was a really enjoyable evening. We accidentally booked a nearby restaurant instead, when we realised our mistake they very kindly allowed us to dine with them that evening although they were full which may have impacted their service time.

Cortile Pepe was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in Sicily. We went for my sister-in-law‘s birthday, and we all chose the tasting menu (including the vegetarian option), and everything was delicious! The cocktails were also wonderful and the wine pairings were great selections. The service was PERFECT: friendly, very informative, and unobtrusive. It was truly an unforgettable and magical dining experience.

We visited Cortile Pepe in the historic center of Cefalù, expecting a high-end gastronomic experience in line with its fine dining branding. The courtyard ambiance was lovely, with a calm, pleasant sound level and a comfortable outdoor setting that initially put us at ease. Service staff were friendly and attentive throughout the evening. However, at the end, the manager’s persistent thanks felt overly insistent, almost as if pushing for glowing reviews. Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the expectations implied by the pricing. Some dishes tasted overwhelmingly of salt, others lacked any distinct flavor. Presentation was inconsistent, some courses looked appealing, others came off as uninspired. One bright spot was dessert, which was enjoyable and well executed. But the contrast with the preceding courses only highlighted the shortcomings. Given the premium price level, the balance of what was delivered fell short. We cannot recommend Cortile Pepe based on our experience and feel that skipping it would spare disappointment.

My recent dinner at Cortile Pepe was an enchanting experience that left me eager to return. Nestled in the heart of Cefalù, this restaurant immediately captivated me with its stunning venue. The highlight is undoubtedly the beautiful terrace tucked inside the building – a hidden gem that creates an incredibly intimate and romantic atmosphere. The architectural charm combined with thoughtful lighting made for a truly magical dining setting. The staff’s warmth and professionalism elevated the entire experience. From the moment we arrived, every team member demonstrated genuine hospitality and attention to detail. Their knowledge of the menu and wine pairings was notable, making us feel genuinely welcomed and well-cared for throughout the evening. Speaking of wine, the by-the-glass selection was excellent. What appeared to be the owner personally recommended a perfect pairing that enhanced my meal beautifully. His passion for wine was evident and his suggestions spot-on. The food quality was excellent overall. The tuna starter was absolutely sublime, in my view. So perfectly prepared and tender that it literally melted in my mouth. However, I must mention that while the Calamaro BBQ had wonderful flavor, it was disappointingly chewy and hard in texture. This single issue prevents me from giving the food a perfect rating. Despite this one concern, everything else was simply great. The combination of the stunning venue, exceptional service, excellent wine program, and largely superb cuisine makes Cortile Pepe a must-visit destination in Cefalù. I will definitely be back, if around again.

We enjoyed an epic meal at Cortile Pepe, among the best dining experiences we’ve had, and we’ve eaten at some amazing restaurants around the world. This one was hands down one of our favourites. I couldn’t recommend Cortile Pepe highly enough. The 5 Michelin Awards displayed proudly on the door should be indication enough, however, once inside the experience is nothing short of exceptional. The service strikes that perfect balance between polished and personal — attentive without being intrusive. The setting is intimate yet refined, with a courtyard that feels like a hidden gem tucked beneath the Cefalù stars. But it’s the food that steals the show. Each dish was thoughtful, inventive, and deeply rooted in Sicilian tradition — elevated to something unforgettable. From the amuse-bouche to the final petit four, every plate was a masterclass in balance and flavour. Local ingredients, delicate technique, and bold creativity come together in ways that left us genuinely blown away. It’s not just a meal at Cortile Pepe — it’s an experience. One that lingers long after the last sip of wine.

Spontaneous visit at lunchtime – really great service, and the food was incredibly good too (try the catch of the day). We left with full bellies and very happy. Definitely stop by to escape the hustle and bustle of Cefalù.

Great foods, wines and services. I can’t forget how soft the touch of napkin it was. They really pay attention to details those creating a subtle ambiance for their guests. A truly quiet luxury.

If you find yourself in Cefalù – whether just passing through or staying a while – no true foodie can possibly pass by this restaurant. Admittedly, Cefalù is swamped with tourists and in many places not the most pleasant sight, despite the architectural beauty of the well-preserved medieval town. But this restaurant more than makes up for it. The service was outstanding: discreet yet highly attentive, friendly, calm and professional. The food was simply excellent, perfectly seasoned, and so good that we only gave up our plates after wiping away the very last traces with bread. An experience I can wholeheartedly recommend!

Please treat yourself to this amazing restaurant. Take the tasting menu and you will discover products from the region. Wine selection, impeccable Food and ideas, impeccable too All wrap in a cosy, beautiful place. Plus, you're not a a busy street.

Great restaurant, great service and staff. A more elevated experience, w a focus on small production wines local to Sicily and Italy. Really happy I came during my time in Cefalu, off the recommendation of a friend. Definitely worth a stop for a great meal, and great wine. Make a resy.

Beautiful restaurant with amazing food! Staff were extremely attentive and professional! It was an amazing experience!

Superb restaurant. We ate here on our last night, and we were very pleased with all aspects of the restaurant. The service, the attention to detail, and most importantly the food was fabulous 👌 A must visit !

We felt lucky to have stumbled on this amazing restaurant down a quiet side street. Perfect place for foodies - lots of local and fresh ingredients. The mushroom dishes (in season!) were exceptional. A skilled and dedicated team make this a lovely and delicious dining experience. Highly recommend.

Food was fine, nothing special. Location is beautiful right on water. Go for the view and a drink but not if you are expecting the best seafood.

Had a great meal here despite them forgetting to deliver my main meal. Lucky there was plenty left over from the rest of the families dishes as serving sizes were generous. Anyway, my main was promptly taken off the bill with many apologies from the lovely staff. Super view and atmosphere in this place and we will go back.

The service didn’t feel very warm — perhaps due to cultural differences. Compared with the table next to us, our dining experience felt quite rushed. The waiter repeatedly asked if we wanted water, and after the food was served, no one cleared our plates even long after we had finished. That said, the view was excellent. If you’re here for the Cefalù sunset, this spot is definitely one of the best choices. As for the food, it wasn’t really to our taste: portions were small and the pasta sauce was overly salty.

Incredible location, Incredible food. "The best pizza I've ever had," says il mio amore. Can't argue with that! ...I had Oysters followed by fried squid and shrimp. Equally transcendental. Marvelous fare. Get yourself a table NOW.

Have to say the staff were fantastic and attentive and watching the sunset from their outdoor seating was lovely! Their wines were also great along with the oysters. Food was as good as you’d expect when they’re serving that many tables.

Truly a let down in what should have been a beautiful evening. The food didn’t taste fresh, and the pizzas were also quite sad to look at and eat. I had such high hopes for this restaurant and was let down. We tried the oysters and prawn cocktail The oysters looked like the worst oysters they had to offer, and the prawn cocktail was pre made bag of lettuce, tiny prawns and a massive glob of sauce on top. For the pizzas, it looked like no effort was put in and thrown on the plate. I wanted to rave out this place but just cannot, so for that reason I do NOT recommend

I had a Minestrone, also known as vegetable soup. It's been almost a week since I'm Sicily and I finally found one. Was delicious! We sat on the back terrace with view to the see.

Great view looking out over the sea. Brioche with ice cream inside…. Amazing.

We wanted late afternoon crepes and were so happy they had them. I ordered the fruit one and it was the best I've had in my life! My daughter's also loved their Nutella crepes. The menu was large selection and lots of drinks although we just had mineral waters.

I had the best gelato in my entire life here. I recommend getting pistacchio, yogurt, frutti di bosco and lemon flavours. They are so refreshing. The waiter was so nice, when I asked for a big bottle of cold water he brought us it with glasses full of ice. Great service

Whilst staying in Cefalu I visited here numerous times for drinks/ food and drinks. Service was efficient and friendly. The food I had was very good. Great location.

Beautiful location with nice views of the Cefalù beach. But the drinks were lackluster (Mojito) and fairly expensive for Sicily. We didn't have full dishes, only desserts (waffle, pancakes, tiramisu) but they were not great. Overall good for a beer with a nice view.

Nice location by the old harbour beach, good espresso and ice cream, comes with chips, peanuts and crackers on the house. Nice service, and pretty nice variety of food, drinks and desert. Delicious sandwiches. Among the only options open during lunch time (between 14:00 and 18:00), very nice of them. The only downsides are the filthy toilets, but given its location on the beach, I guess it's pretty difficult to keep up with the messy mass of people.

Atmosfere beautiful. Service professional, friendly and courteous. Big portions and finger licking good quality.additional review. Still was supper. For breakfast unfortunately it is totally different. I never thought I would be served a soggy cannoli. Skin was soggy, ricotta was a little dry.