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Sightseeing in Kefalonia

The museums. With Argostoli as your base, begin your tour from the Archaeological Museum. It suffered terrible damage from the earthquake and was restored in 1960. Today it houses important finds from the prehistoric era and primarily from the Minoan period, when the island began to flourish. At Argostoli, you can also visit the Corgialeneion Historical and Folk Art Museum, which collects, classifies and documents the historical and folklore material of Kefalonia from the Venetian period until 1953.

The monasteries. The monastery dedicated to Agios Gerasimos, the island’s patron saint, is the best-known monastery on Kefalonia located in the village of Omala, at the summit of a fertile valley with vineyards. Thousands of pilgrims gather at the tabernacle of the saint and in the cave where he himself built his cell. Cool down beneath the refreshing shade of the ancient plane trees in the forecourt.

Near the coasts of Lixouri, built upon a rock at a height of 90 metres above sea level, stands Kipouria Monastery enjoying a spectacular view. Built in the 17th century, it took its name from the many gardens (kipos) that the monks maintained in order to secure their livelihoods. The monastery houses the icon of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Atros Monastery, the oldest monastery on Kefalonia, is located on a height, a few kilometres from Poros. Built in the 8th century, it has fortress architecture and is today relatively well-preserved, despite damage from the great earthquake. Finally, at Peratata you can visit the 13th-century Monastery of Agios Andreas, which also suffered damage during the earthquake.

The caves. The most typical postcard images of Kefalonia are from the cave of Melissani. This geological phenomenon, discovered in 1951, is a covered lake located 20 metres below the earth’s surface. Today, during the spring to autumn months, visitors can take brief but magical boat rides in the lake. It is worth going to admire the ancient stalactites and the iridescent flashes of sun light on the surface of the lake waters. In very early Antiquity the cave was a cult site of the god Pan and the Nymphs. The cave of Drogarati is not as unique as that of Melissani, but it is equally close to Sami. Located at a depth of 90 metres, it is adorned with 100 million year-old stalactites and stalagmites and is one of the most important caves in Greece.

The villages. If you want to avoid the tourist bustle, especially in the summer months, then the southern part of the island, Poros and Skala, will not be of much interest to you. In the southwest, however, there is an arc of picturesque villages, such as Kourkoumelata, Karavados, Svoronata, Metaxata and Kaligata, which are perfect for those seeking something a little quieter.

The landscape changes the further north you go, starting at Assos. This is a verdant bay, on the summit of which stands a Venetian fortress, within an idyllic landscape of pretty houses, gardens filled with blossoms and the hill drowning in pine trees. Fiscardo, less than 20 km further north, is cosmopolitan and noble. A fishing village and base for ships sailing in the Ionian, it has crystal-clear waters and Ithaca just a breath away from its shores. As you descend from the north to Argostoli, Agia Effimia bay – also with its eye on Ithaca – is worth a stop. Of course, a holiday on Kefalonia can only start from its two main “urban” attractions: Argostoli and Lixouri. In the pedestrianised part of the capital, you can look around the shops and have a stroll along the seafront. A visit to the Kosmetatos residence, one of the few mansions of Kefalonia to still survive, as well as to the bridge of Devossetos, built by the British in the 19th century, is a must.

Opposite Argostoli, is Lixouri, built along the coast of the peninsula of Paliki. With a large, open seafront and with some surviving mansions of the old nobles, it serves as the point of departure for the beautiful beaches located on the side of the Adriatic Sea.

The beaches of Kefalonia

Myrtos, with its deep blue waters and white pebbles, is the part of Kefalonia that you just must visit as soon as you step foot on the island; all that’s left to be done is to choose a day when there is no wind. The same goes for Petanous, on the southwest part of the island: a stunning landscape of rocks and blue waters where you must also take precautions in case a northwest wind blows. Just a short distance from Petanous, the beach landscape changes completely character, with the clay beach of Xi, its fragile red rocks (due to clay) and shallow waters.

If Myrtos has any competition, then it’s Fteri. In the northwest of the island, this is a virgin landscape with green waters, the boundaries of which are determined by precipitous rocks. Fteri can be reached only via a footpath, after a walk of around 40 minutes, or by boat.

Platia Ammos is one of the star beaches in the west of Kefalonia. To get to it, however, you must go down some 400 and more steps, until you reach this wonderful beach that does not offer organised amenities.

There are several great beaches in the area around Fiscardo. Foki lies in a bay lush with cypress trees, while pebbly Emplysi has a sandy seabed. Alaties is a small bay with green waters, while the little sheltered harbour of Dafnoudi is reached after a walk of around 600 metres along a verdant route. The most impressive beach on the east side of the island, next to the port of Sami, is Antisamos. With blue waters and vegetation that stretches all the way to the sand, this beach became internationally renowned when the film “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” was filmed here. In the eastern part of Kefalonia, Poros may be busy but this does not detract from its beauty. Nearby is Koroni, an open bay with a sandy beach and green waters. The arc of Lassi begins in the south of the island, with its large, popular beaches with amenities and beach bars: Makrys Gialos, Platys Gialos, Ammes, Minies and Ai-Helis.

Things to do in Kefalonia

It is rare that an island that offers so many ways to practice water sports is also ideal for mountain activities. As soon as you lay eyes on fir-clad Mt Ainos – designated a national park since 1962 – you will understand why climbing on this mountain is a must. The fact that it is covered with the endemic species Abies cephallonica (Greek fir) and black pine, and that it is a refuge for wild miniature horses, is the main reason. Hikers (there are marked trails) can walk alongside the 400 species of plants that adorn Ainos, in addition to the proud fir trees. Strawberry trees, hollies and the Viola cephalonica, which is also endemic to Kefalonia, compose a landscape hosting over 100 species of birds.

With such a palette of beaches, Kefalonia is an ideal destination for brief excursions by boat to discover exquisitely beautiful remote beaches that cannot be reached by car. The large beaches with organised amenities – primarily in the south, such as Platys Gialos and Antisamos – have equipment for water sports. The diving centres will help you explore the reefs, ravines, caves and underwater walls, both in Kefalonia and the nearby islands.

Sea Excursions from Kefalonia

Thanks to its stunning beaches, Cephalonia offers the visitor endless choices. If you have more time available, however, then you must plan some day trips by cruise boat to Ithaca and Zakynthos or along the eastern coast of the island.

Eating and Entertainment in Kefalonia

Original recipes that make the most of greens and meat have pride of place in the cuisine of Kefalonia, as do delicious pies. The meat pie (kreatopita) with three types of meat is famous, as are the cod pie (bakaliaropita) with salted cod and the artichoke pie (anginaropita). There is a large range of hortopites (with greens), especially in the summer. Greens (horta) are a favourite among the Kefalonians, who usually enrich and serve them in various combinations (for example, chards, thistles, spinach, leeks and spring onions all in one plate).

Meat is the basic ingredient of the local main dishes. When dining in the island’s tavernas, meat lovers should look on the menu for rooster with garlic and cloves and lemon rabbit or hare with red sauce cooked in a pot. Don’t be too scared to try the strong garlic dip for a starter.

The classic sweet of Kefalonia is mandola, delicious bites of roasted and caramelised almonds. If you are offered moustopita (pie made with must and almonds) or pastokydono (almond and quince tart) for dessert then definitely take up the offer. Such treats are rarely made.

On your departure from Kefalonia, you must make sure to buy some mandoles as well as a bottle or two of robola, the refreshing local wine.

Even though Kefalonia’s great feature is its natural beauty, this doesn’t mean that the island overlooks the need for entertainment. As might be expected, if you want to stay out late then most of the bars and clubs are to be found in the capital of Argostoli (where there is also an outdoor summer cinema for film buffs), as well as at Lixouri, Skala and Sami.

It goes without saying that whenever you encounter a local orchestra - in a taverna or restaurant or even in the street - performing mantolinata, the songs of the island, you should stay and listen to them to get a flavour of the island’s rich musical tradition.

Transport from the airport to Argostoli

Kefalonia International Airport “Anna Pollatou” is located 7 kilometres from Argostoli, the island’s capital. The airport can be reached by bus from Argostoli or by taxi. Taxi fares to the airport are fixed. Don’t be late!

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