The largest island of the Ionian Sea in Greece, Kefalonia is a very charming place. Although it has developed over the last years as a family destination, beach places in Kefalonia island never get crowded due to the large size of the island. Mostly famous for the exotic beaches, including Myrtos, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala, the island was chosen for filming the Hollywood movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
Kefalonia Travel Guide
Apart from swimming, Kefalonia Greece also has many places to see, from picturesque villages to Medieval castles and beautiful monasteries. Fiscardo is the most cosmopolitan place with a port that receives many yachts every summer. Other nice villages to visit during your Kefalonia holidays are Argostoli, Sami and Assos.
Captain Corelli’s paradise lost: beautiful beaches, delightful ports, a national park and locals always ready for a laugh.
The island of Kefalonia in Greece is truly a gem that charms all who come to spend their holidays here. Kefalonia is a very big island and for this reason it’s able to satisfy every kind of tourist, from the most active, to those who dream of a relaxing stay. Kefalonia will make special your stay in Greece, fascinating you with its clear sea with wonderful colors, with its hidden coves, its caves, its picturesque villages and its breathtaking views.Here in Kefalonia the sea is really gorgeous, but your vacation can reserve you pleasant surprises such as scenic walks in the countryside, visits to particular geological phenomena and the discovery of a long history.
Where is Kefalonia
Kefalonia is not only the biggest of the Ionian islands but also one of the most beautiful ones! Boasting a breathtaking natural landscape with exotic beaches, picturesque fishing villages and magical underground caves, Kefalonia is one of the best destinations in Greece for nature lovers!
Kefalonia Map
This largest of the Ionian islands, with its sparkling azure waters, dazzling beaches and dark green mountains, has been a popular holiday spot for decades. The inhabitants of Kefalonia have a reputation for being the ‘quickest’ Greeks – always ready with a joke, a laugh, a helping hand. Their laid-back attitude toward life is infectious, and within hours of your arrival, you’ll feel as carefree as they do.
How to get to Kefalonia
Travel to Kefalonia, Greece: Kefalonia is considered to be one of the most majestic destinations in Greece! This island is well-known for its fantastic beaches and for some wonderful locations with unique natural beauty, like Melissani Cave. On this page, you will find out in which ways you can reach and explore this unique place!
How to get to Kefalonia by ferries
Although there are no direct ferries from the port of Piraeus in Athens to Kefalonia, you can easily reach this lovely destination from many locations on the western part of the Greek mainland, from some islands of the Ionian and from Brindisi port in Italy.
All these locations are linked to Kefalonia with one of the following ports: Poros, Fiscardo, Sami and Lixouri.
- Routes to Poros port are carried out from Ithaca, Lefkada, Killini and Zakynthos.
- Routes to Fiscardo are carried out from Ithaca and Lefkada.
- Routes to Sami are carried out from Patra, Ithaca, Paxi and Brindisi.
- Routes to Lixouri are carried out from Killini
How to get to Kefalonia by flights
Kefalonia International Airport “Anna Pollatou” receives domestic flights from Athens, Corfu and Zakynthos all year round. During summer, the airport also receives flights from various locations around Europe. The flight from Athens to Kefalonia lasts 1 hour.
The airport is located about 8 km away from the city center of Argostoli. Apart from using the public means of transport, the best way to reach easily and quickly your destination from the airport is by car or by taxi.
Transportations in Kefalonia
Kefalonia is a wonderful destination with crystal clear waters and scenic views! Concerning your transportation on the island, you have several different options. So, choose the one that suits you best and explore all the hidden secrets of this magnificent place!
Local buses
Public transportation in Kefalonia is much preferred by both locals and visitors, as it is a less expensive mean of transport and at the same time an amusing way to explore the region. Local buses transfer visitors to the most tourist places.The central bus station is located in Argostoli. You can find more information about routes and timetables on www.ktelkefalonias.gr.
Car and motorbike rentals
With a car or motorcycle in Kefalonia, you can explore the island at your own pace and gain access to the most secluded spots! In case you don’t have your own vehicle, it is an excellent idea to rent a car for your sightseeing trips!
Best time to visit Kefalonia
Weather of Kefalonia: July is the hottest month in kefalonia with an average temperature of 26°C (79°F) and the coldest is January at 9°C (48°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 14 in July. The wettest month is December with an average of 115mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is in August when the average sea temperature is 26°C (79°F).
Kefalonia weather consists of a mild Mediterranean climate with rainy winters and dry, hot summers, like the other Ionian Islands. Rain is a characteristic of the Ionian climate and the average annual rainfalls in those islands are three times higher than the one of the Aegean Islands. This is why the Ionian Islands, including Kefalonia, have dense and verdant vegetation, plenty of forests and fertile plains. Winds in Kefalonia never get very strong, even during summer time. Winds in Kefalonia are not very strong, even during summer time.
Things to do in Kefalonia
Kefalonia or Cephalonia is a must-see destination in Greece located in the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea. Although it is the largest of the Ionian Islands, tourism is spread out over the island, so the laid back lifestyle is preserved even in high season. From incredible beaches to visiting picturesque villages, Kefalonia has it all. Here are some things to do in Kefalonia that you’ll definitely want to see.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Kefalonia:
- Discover the Stunning Beaches: Myrtos, Antisamos, Petani, Xi, Skala, Makris Gialos Beach
- Visit Fiskardo village (Explore 1953 earthquake)
- Be in Awe of the Melissani Cave (See photo above)
- See the Sea Turtles in Argostoli
- Explore the Picturesque Villages: Agia Efimia, Assos, Sami
- Catch a Boat to Ithaca or Zante
- Satisfy Your Urge for Adventure: Horseback riding, Diving, Sea Kayaking, Hiking in Mt. Ainos National Park
- Visit the Kefalonian Brewery: For more information: kefalonianbeer.com
- Explore the Castle of Agios Georgios
- Drogarati Cave, explore the natural world.
- Agios Gerasimos Monastery
- De Bosset Bridge and Obelisk
- Argostoli Archaeology Museum
- Katavothres: Geological formation thought to be a sinkhole
- Robola Wine Tasting
Where to eat and drink in Kefalonia
Although there are many places to eat and drink in Kefalonia, the large size of the island, fortunately, prevents the creation of resorts with mass tourism. The majority of places to eat in Kefalonia are found in seaside resorts, such as Skala, Lassi, Lourdas, Fiscardo, Sami, Agia Efimia and others. Many nice restaurants are also found at the port towns of Argostoli and Lixouri. This is where visitors can find local dishes, including the famous Kefalonian meat pie.
Although Kefalonia is not an island famous for its vivid nightlife, there are many nice venues to have a drink at night. The most picturesque places to have a drink are found at the seaside village of Fiscardo, where across the port are nice bars with lounge music. Night venues are also found at the central square of Argostoli, in Lassi and Skala.
Best restaurants in Kefalonia
Kefalonia restaurants are found in all tourist places and beaches around the island. Depending on the location, they vary in style but the majority of Kefalonia restaurants are family places with traditional food. Lassi, Lourdas, Xi, Argostoli, Skala and Agia Efimia are places with many traditional restaurants in Kefalonia. The cosmopolitan port of Fiscardo, on the northern side of the island, focuses more on fish taverns and upscale places to eat.
- Tassia, Fiscardo
- Ampelaki, Argostoli
- Ionio, Lassi
- Lorraines Magic Hill, Lourdas
- Old Times, Skala
- Oskars, Lassi
- Sepia, Argostoli
- The Flamingo, Skala
- Apagio, Fiscardo
- Premier, Argostoli
Nightlife in Kefalonia
Kefalonia is without any shadow of doubt the ideal island for a quiet holiday by the sea, enjoying its golden beaches and crystal clear waters. Nature is the undisputed queen with its multifaceted landscapes from the lush greenery, to the highest mountains and unique wildlife. So it is not known for its nightlife, but there are some bars and clubs for those who want to have fun at night, without great expectations and always having not in mind Mykonos nightlife.
Best bars in Kefalonia
In addition to nightclubs and discos, Kefalonia and in particular its capital Argostoli, is dotted with modern cafes and bars, where entertaining for a drink before going to the disco. We suggest the Stavento Bar, on the beach front of Argostoli, with spectacular sea views, especially at sunset, populated by locals and tourists, which is a place to relax day and night.
The most cosmopolitan destination with a large number of bars lining up its beachfront is Fiscardo. The capital of Kefalonia, Argostoli, is also popular for its nice nightlife, with modern bars staying open until the small hours. Music varies depending on the bar from lounge jazz to popular Greek and foreign songs. The two vibrant resorts in Skala and Lassi are another excellent choice for a drink or a refreshing cocktail.
- Baroque le Bistrot, Argostoli
- Averto, Xi
- Bee’s Knees, Argostoli
- Captain’s, Skala
- Costa Costa, Lassi
- Le Passage, Fiscardo
- Loft, Lixouri
- Zanza, Poros
Villages in Kefalonia
Most villages on Kefalonia were highly affected by a strong earthquake in 1953, which destroyed many houses and public buildings. The only village that came untouched by the earthquake was Fiscardo, on the northern side of the island, which stands out for its colorful walls and the picturesque port.
Kefalonia Beaches
West of Greece in the Ionian Sea lies the beloved island of Kefalonia. This glowing paradise is made up of pristine beaches and crystal-clear aquamarine waters, as well as sandy coves, rugged cliffs, and lush vineyards. To experience the best of Kefalonia’s beaches, which are praised and famed around the world, look no further than the ones below…
Let’s explore the best beaches in Kefalonia:
Best beaches on Kefalonia
You can mark the locations of the beaches on our comprehensive map above.
- Myrtos
- Antisamos
- Makris Gialos
- Platis Gialos
- Petani
- Xi
- Skala
- Ai Helis
- Emplisi
- Foki
Where to stay in Kefalonia
Due to its large size, the island of Kefalonia has many tourist places. The most popular places are Skala, Lourdas and Lassi, all with easy access to wonderful beaches and many tourist facilities. Sami and Fiscardo are also nice towns to stay with traditional Kefalonia hotels, although beaches are found in a short distance from the town centre.
10 Best Hotels in Kefalonia
- Kefalonia Grand Hotel • Argostoli
- Alley Boutique Hotel and Spa • Argostoli
- Thalassa Boutique Hotel • Lassi
- Mediterranee Hotel • Lassi
- Leivatho Hotel • Svoronata
- Fiscardo Studios • Fiscardo
- F Zeen Retreat • Lourdhata
- Odyssey Hotel • Agia Evfymia
- Ionian Emerald Resort • Karavomylos
- Tesoro Blu Hotel & Spa • Skala
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