Things to do in Cefalù
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Al Porticciolo
If the indoor dining room looks empty, it’s because everyone’s piled out on the ample waterfront terrace, one of the prettiest in town. The pizzas are excellent, and fixed-price menus start at €18.
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Cathedral
Cefalù’s cathedral is the final jewel in the Arab-Norman crown alongside the Cappella Palatina and Monreale. Inside, a towering figure of Christ Pantocrator is the focal point of the elaborate 12th-century Byzantine mosaics. Framed by the steep cliff, the twin pyramid towers of the cathedral stand out above the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, which swarms with camera-snapping tourists among the pavement cafes and restaurants.
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La Galleria
A new restaurant, café, gallery and bookshop, La Galleria is a lovely space with a big, elegant garden and excellent cuisine. Try its antipasto of marinated fish, and for starters go for the risotto with asparagus or the fresh tagliatelle with prawns, cherry tomatoes and crushed pistachio. The mains, which usually consist of grilled fresh fish, are palate-bendingly good. We recommend a glass of sweet Marsala for an ending with style.
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Sotto Zero Cafè
A very cool waterfront bar, spread out along the steps leading to the beach. Its Buddha Bar–inspired decor is dreamy: seating on low cushions, with the candlelit stairs covered in soft carpets and the sound of the sea lapping below. It’s a great place for aperitivi, cocktails and chatting till late.
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Club Malibú ZZ
Cefalù's hottest club and the place where Palermitans often flock in the summer, Malibú is full of youngsters keen on big nights out. With lots of decent DJs and plenty of cocktail swigging, the party really gets heaving in August. The best place to go if you're after a good night's dancing.
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Salita Saraceno
An enormous staircase, the Salita Saraceno, winds up through three tiers of city walls in a 30-minute climb to the summit of La Rocca. From here you have wonderful views of the town below. The steps are to the right of the Banco di Sicilia on Piazza Garibaldi. From here the way is clearly signposted.
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La Botte
Although it doesn't have a sexy beachfront location, this eatery just off Corso Ruggero continues to send out good food. It has excellent antipasti and pasta dishes, and its house special, casarecce alla botte (short pasta with a meat sauce), is good if you fancy a change from fish.
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Museo Mandralisca
Off Piazza del Duomo is the private Museo Mandralisca. The museum has an interesting collection that includes Greek ceramics and Arab pottery, the highlight being the Portrait of an Unknown Man, a Renaissance masterpiece painting by Antonello da Messina.
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Osteria Magno
The Osteria Magno is an imposing 14th-century mansion that has been heavily renovated over the centuries and today is only open for temporary art exhibitions. If you want to get a look inside at other times, ask for the keys at the tourist office.
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Lo Scoglio Ubriaco
Dine in a five-star setting without shifting your credit card into overdrive at this elegant restaurant with its seaview terrace. Pizzas are served at night, while the whole gamut of pasta, meat and fish choices is available at midday.
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Il Covo del Pirata
A cheap spot for a quick lunch. Il Covo serves sandwiches, a limited number of pasta dishes and filling salads. Ask for a seat on the tiny terrace overlooking the port. At night it turns into a club.
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L'Antica Corte
Housed in a lovely old cortile (courtyard), this is one of the better restaurants in town but it can get very busy. Go for a plate of traditional Sicilian pasta or a simple pizza.
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La Vecchia Marina
Overlooking the cute little fishermen's beach, this is the best fish restaurant in town. It serves an array of freshly caught beauties, which you can enjoy with a delightful view.
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Torrefazione
Torrefazione is a very good place which stocks olive oil, freshly ground coffee, preserves, wine, liqueurs and a good range of locally made biscuits and nougat.
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Il Castello
Apart from a few loose rocks there is nothing left of the Il Castello, a Norman castle that once crowned the rock's peak, or the Arab citadel.
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Turismez Viaggi
From Cefalù port, Turismez Viaggi runs personalised tours and excursions along the coast; the full-day tour includes lunch on the boat.
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Lavatoio
On Via Vittorio Emanuele is the lavatoio, a 16th-century wash house which was built over a spring that was well known in antiquity.
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Le Petit Tonneau II
Just down from the Museo Mandralisca is this French-owned bistro (the name means 'Little Tuna') that's fun for a late-night drink.
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Teatro Arte Cuticchio
Cefalù's opera dei pupi (puppet theatre) is run by the Cuticchios of Palermo. There is also a small puppet museum.
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Gatta Gaetano
Gatta Gaetano is a tiny cubbyhole of a shop full of strong-smelling Madonie cheese and some extraordinary gourmet pastas.
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Tempio di Diana
The 4th-century Tempio di Diana provides a romantic getaway for young lovers.
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Be Bop
An English-style pub with live rock and pop music on summer weekends.
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Ostaria del Duomo
Right on Piazza del Duomo, with outdoor tables facing the cathedral, Ostaria del Duomo seems as if it would be the most overpriced restaurant of them all. But this tavern serves up beautifully prepared food at very reasonable prices, and there's live piano music for that extraromantic touch. Simple, tasty, fresh ingredients and an excellent wine list.
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