Cefalù: Beach Days, Lido Poseidon, and a 16th-Century Washhouse

Since we’re only here for two nights, we decided to save our legs from sightseeing and spend the day at the beach. And why not? The weather was absolutely perfect! 

Molo di Cefalú a stunning small beach

Over looking Molo di Cefalú and towards the main beach

Water front homes, couldn't get better than this in Cefalù 

Lido Poseidon Cefalù: A Day at the Beach

We then walked around to the breakwater, where there were people diving and jumping off the stone wall into the crystal-clear water below, or sprawled out like jellyfish on a hot rock sunbathing. There was a lovely view back towards the town and the old-style homes where the water literally laps at the steps of their back door.

We continued around to what we presumed was the main beach of Cefalù, and purchased a couple of sun chairs and umbrellas for the day. There was a line up already so lucky we were early. We had everything we needed: restaurants and bars right behind us, deck chairs, an umbrella, toilets, change rooms, and showers. We even had the "entertainment" of the local touts, hovering like seagulls. This was bound to keep me amused, especially since I’d finished my book and couldn't find another one in English!

“Lido Poseidon Cefalù” seemed to rule this stretch of the coast, and they do a very good job of it. For 35 euros, the entire beach kit was yours for the full day. We settled in, and within a minute, the first tout was already over.

I started keeping a record of how many times we were approached. After a couple of hours, I actually lost count! I eventually averaged it out to seven touts an hour—that’s one every nine minutes!

There are plenty of scantily clad women over here too along with tanned Italian stallions prancing around in their black budgie smugglers and more "duck-billed" women. I giggled as I watched her take a sip of wine; it was like watching a horse draw water from a puddle.

Getting into the water was easy. We didn’t need beach shoes or anything, as it was sand, unlike the beach at Nice where the stones were a killer. The water was perfect for swimming and so clear, with only the slightest of waves rolling in.

We had lunch up at the bar and had some beautiful mixed seafood, chips, and salad with a glass of wine each. We were thinking, where in Australia could you do this—meters from the water for the price we were paying for such fresh food? There was nowhere we could think of.

Back under the umbrella, tout counting was underway again as they continued their journey up and down the beach annoying beach goers with their cheap trinkets.

Late afternoon had arrived so we made our way back to have a break in the air conditioning before heading out to dinner at a nice little restaurant called “Porta Terra.” 

The restaurant itself is lovely, set just outside the entrance of an old church, with a very pleasant atmosphere created by the surrounding street and nearby eateries. Unfortunately (and not the restaurant’s fault), our choice of meals didn’t quite match the thoughts in our heads. That said, I did enjoy mine.

We called it a night as our legs had done well over 15,000 steps again, and our calf muscles were starting to feel it.

Tomorrow we say good-bye to this small coastal city, a place we warmed to and it's somewhere we could both happily return and spend more time.

Cefalù' and an old 16th Century Washhouse

Before making our way back, we walked down to Cefalù’s old 16th-century washhouse (Lavatoio Medievale). This was where the local wives and mothers would gather to do the family laundry. Back then, the method was "stone washing" or "stream washing"—a practice that still exists in some cultures today.

The water flows through carved stone basins, and honestly, it felt like a pretty relaxing place where the women could gather each evening to do the daily washing and talk about their day. I offered to build Leanne one just like it when we get home!

The day was coming to an end so we made our way back to have a break in the air conditioning before making our way out to dinner. We spotted a nice little restaurant called "Porta Terra" during our walks so thought we'd give it a go for our final night here.

The Restaurant and outdoor dining area was lovely, at the steps of an old church, however the meal Leanne pictured in her mind didn't necessarily match up with what was dished up. Other than that is was a nice place.

A Beautiful Cefalù Sunset From Our Balcony

Cefalù, is a maze of cobblestone streets, boutique shops next to 16th century buildings, sandy beaches where you want to sit under an umbrella all day and food that rivals Germany's best lasagna. The day has gone and the night has fallen as Cefalù puts on one last magnificent sunset for us.

Tomorrow we head to Palermo, which will be a little more ratty than what we have experienced here.