The (1̄1̄1̄) CdTe surface is studied by reflection high energy electron diffraction, x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x‐ray photoelectron diffraction (XRD). Several surface reconstructions are described. Shifts in the Cd (3d) binding energy levels allow separation of contribution of surface Cd atoms from that of the bulk. While bulk atoms exhibit XPD effects along the standard crystallographic directions, for surface atoms the diffraction effects occur along distinct directions which correspond to an outwards relaxation of the topmost Te layer. These findings are consistent with a recently proposed model of the CdTe (1̄1̄1̄) surface.