Kefalonia

For those who choose the Ionian Sea for their holidays in Greece, Kefalonia Island is a top destination.

Kefalonia became world famous through the blockbuster movie “Captain’s Corelli Mandolin” that exalted the island’s beaches and picturesque scenery. Since then, numerous celebrities from all over the world have spent their holidays in Kefalonia.

Fiscardo is the most popular village of Kefalonia and consequently one of the best places to visit, while Myrtos Beach has been voted as one of the best beaches in the world and it’s definitely among the most photographed ones in Greece.

Getting there

By air

The airport is located 9 kilometers off the island’s capital, Argostoli. There are daily flights between Athens and Kefalonia throughout the year, as well as numerous charter flights between the island and major European cities during the summer months. Additionally, during the summer there are flights between Kefalonia and other cities in Greece. The airport can be easily accessed either by private cars or by bus and taxi.

By car

If you choose to visit Kefalonia with your car, you have three choices. You can drive to Patras (216 km), Kyllini, trip lasts about 3 and a half hours, or Astakos in Aitoloakarnania. Patras, Kyllini and Astakos can be accessed via the Athens-Patras National Highway, if you are travelling from Peloponnese, Athens or east-central Greece. If you are driving from northern Greece you need to take Egnatia Odos towards Igoumenitsa and then drive southwards. 

If you are driving through the Athens-Patras highway and you want to take the ferry from Astakos, you need to pass the bridge of Rio-Antirio and continue through Mesologgi towards Astakos.

Once you reach Patras, Kyllini or Astakos you take the ferry to Kefalonia. The journey’s time depends on the departure point.

By bus (KTEL)

There are daily departures from Athens to Kefalonia, from Kifissos Terminal Station in Athens. The bus will go from Athens to Kefalonia (through Kyllini or Patras) and will reach its final destination, Argostoli, within about 6,5 hours. Kefalonia features the ports of Sami, Poros or Argostoli.

By boat

There are daily boat connections between Kefalonia, Peloponnese and the district of Sterea Ellada. 

Accommodation

Kefalonia belongs to the Ionian Islands and it’s a top destination for vacationers from all over the world. Ideal for family, romantic or luxury holidays, Kefalonia has an excellent infrastructure with top quality hotels, suites, private villas and fine, simple rooms to let. The island’s hotel accommodation options address every need and taste. The majority of hotels are built near the seaside, offer impeccable services and exclusive amenities, guaranteeing unforgettable vacations in Kefalonia Greece.

There are 5 star hotels, with well-appointed suites and breathtaking views to the Ionian Sea, but also smaller and more affordable establishments. In the northern part of the island, visitors will find private Kefalonia villas for rent, ideal for family and luxury holidays. This part is considered as one of the best places to stay in Kefalonia as it boasts the nicest beaches and numerous historical attractions.

The best beaches in Kefalonia

The turquoise waters, the steep cliffs that submerge in the sea and the lash green landscape create an idyllic holiday setting. Kefalonia has an undeniable natural beauty and stunning beaches, just like all the islands of the Ionian Sea. Beaches like Myrtos, Sami, Petani, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala are definitely the most known ones.

Myrtos beach found on the northern part of Kefalonia, is justifiably considered as one of the best beaches in the world. Lourdas is an endless sandy beach southeast of Argostoli, Kefalonia’s capital. Sami beach is on the east part of the island and located close to the dumbfounding lake Melissani, while Petani beach figures among the best beaches in Kefalonia. It is a magnificent shore on the north coast of Paliki peninsula that will enchant you with the extraordinary palette of shades of blue as the water deepens.

One thing is for sure… this Ionian Sea island in Greece guarantees the vacations of a lifetime! 

What to eat

The cuisine of the Ionian Islands is delectable and healthy while strongly influenced mostly by the Venetians. The distinctive flavors and scents, the traditional local products, the imaginative combinations and the genuine love of the locals for their gastronomy lead to the creation of some of the most famous Greek dishes. Kefalonia’s soil is rich due to the heavy rainfalls and this is why the island produces many agricultural products, such as olive oil, olives, wine, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. The local cuisine consists of all the main ingredients of the Mediterranean and Ionian diet, like meat, fish, fruits and vegetables.

If you are in Kefalonia, you should definitely try some local products, like the famous Feta cheese, the ham, the amazing thyme honey, cookies with anise, the delicious Robola wine (Protected Name), the must cookies etc.

Sighseeing

Archaeological museum

This museum houses various findings from the prehistoric, the Hellenistic and the Roman period. The best part of the collection is from the Mycenaean period and consists of coins, swords, sculptures, ceramics and tools.

 Nautical museum

The Nautical and Environmental Museum of Fiscardo is run by a non-profit organization and aims to promote public sensitivity for marine life and environmental protection. The museum is housed in the former primary school of Fiscardo.

Historical and Folk Art Museum

 Location: Argostoli This interesting museum is housed in the ground floor of the Corgialenion Library, in the capital of Kefalonia. It  has been founded in order to preserve the memories of Kefalonia before the ea rthquake of 1953.

Natural-history museum

Established by the Society for the Protection of the Environment of the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca, the Natural History Museum is located in the village of Davgata, north of Argostoli. This museum was founded in order to introduce the natural environment of Kefalonia and Ithaca to the people and to protect it.

The Drogarati Cave in Kefalonia

The Drogarati Cave in Kefalonia was discovered 300 years ago and opened to the public in 1963. It was discovered when a strong earthquake caused a collapse that revealed the cave's entrance.

Drogarati is an impressive cave with remarkable formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Speleologists say that this cave is about 150 million years old and constitutes a rare geological phenomenon.The cave is about 60m deep and has a constant temperature of 18ΊC. The humidity of the cave reaches 90%. Although it has undergone many damages because of earthquakes, stalactites still hang from the roof and form amazing shapes. As water drops fall onto these shapes and solidify, they give them another shape, long but gradually along centuries.

Drogarati Cave consists of two parts. The part accessible to tourists consists of a long corridor that leads to the Royal Balcony, a natural platform of stalactites that beautifully reflect the light. From there, the visitor can see the Chamber of Exaltation, which has great acoustics. This chamber is the biggest hall of the cave; it is sometimes used to host cultural events and has a room for 500 people. To move from one part to the other, you cross colored columns and a small lake.

 Scientists have discovered that Drogarati cave has an extension that is not reachable and believe that, through this extension, it is connected to other sea caves. Drogarati Cave is therefore a natural art masterpiece that has taken its present form after thousands of years, while it continually changes. It is visited by lots of tourists every year and can be found 5 km to the south of Sami village, on the eastern coast of Kefalonia and right on the main road that connects Sami to Argostoli.

Local products

Kefalonia produces a number of products that are internationally recognised for their uniqueness and high quality.

First among these is Robola, a wine produced by a local variety of grapes. The slopes around the Omala area are covered with robola vineyards.

It is a wine with a fine aroma and refined taste and has deservedly won the distinction of top quality “Protected Designation of Origin”. It is one of the sure buys of visitors to Kefalonia.

However, there are vineyards throughout the island and other grape varieties are also grown which, due to favourable weather conditions, form the basis of a large variety of wines with a unique taste.

Honey produced by local beekeepers has a fine aroma of thyme that covers the hills and mountainsides of Kefalonia.

Mantoles, one of the most known and popular local products, are made from sugar, almonds and food colouring. They are sold packed or in bulk from bakeries and cake shops. Other known sweets and beverages made in Kefalonia include quince paste, nougat and orgeat.

Aromatic herbs growing in abundance on the island’s virgin natural landscape such as oregano, sage, thyme and chamomile, are of an excellent quality.