Kefalonia Greek Ionian Island (9/21-25/2025)
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| Beautiful Kefalonia! |
Kefalonia (Cephalonia - pronounced Kef-ah-lon-YA) is an Ionian Greek Island that is a favorite among nature lovers with its stunning beaches, beautiful crystal clear turquoise waters and underground caves, picturesque villages, green forests, and rugged mountains. During off season there is always room to stretch out on the beach or find an empty table at the village taverna. For hikers, Kefalonia has the most dramatic and mountainous landscape of the seven Ionian Greek Islands.
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| Quaint Towns to Explore - Kefalonia |
Largely unspoiled by overdeveloped tourism (although popular sites busy during the high season) life in Kefalonia has a slower and calmer pace where you can experience traditional Greek culture. People make a living raising goats, growing crops, or looking after their olive trees. All over the island there are small family-run Greek tavernas (restaurants) providing good local dishes. With its rich history, welcoming locals, and a nice blend of adventure and relaxation, Kefalonia is a true gem for travelers seeking an authentic Greek island experience. Driving around Kefalonia can be enjoyable if you take your time. Many of the roads are winding going through small villages with hilltops offering amazing views.
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| Makris Gialos Beach - Kefalonia |
There is lot to do in Kefalonia. You can visit Kefalonia’s iconic sights like Myrtos Beach and the underground Melissani Cave, explore charming villages like Fiskardo and Assos, relax on beautiful beaches such as Makris Gialos and Antisamos, hike to breathtaking viewpoints, and learn about the Kefalonia's history at Saint George's Castle. Boat tours are a great way to discover hidden coves and accessible beaches and wine tours offer a taste of local vineyards. They can be booked all over Kefalonia.
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| Fiskardo - Kefalonia |
Kefalonia has the most picturesque villages in the Greek Ionian Islands, rich in natural beauty and steeped in history and culture, that you should plan to visit while exploring Kefalonia. Fiskardo and Assos have beautiful colorful buildings and cobblestone streets that scream Greek islands. Largely unaffected by Kefalonia’s earthquakes that devastated the rest of the island, Fiskardo (see photo) is one of the only places on the island which has retained its original Venetian architecture and they celebrate this by painting every building a different pastel color. Its pedestrianized car-free center keeps it peaceful and serene.
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| Quaint Restaurant in Fiskardo |
Fiskardo is located at the northern tip of Kefalonia with a well-preserved Venetian-style harbor with bougainvillea and honeysuckle draping the terraces and balconies (see photo). The village is centered around its picturesque harbor where fishing boats and yachts are moored. This coupled with tavernas around the water’s edge create a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Travel Tip: Tours to Kafalonia bring a lot of people to Fiskardo making it crowded from Noon to 3PM so you are best to arrive early or later.
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| Assos Village - Kefalonia |
We liked Assos because it is less crowded and more quaint. Located on the northwest coast of Kefalonia, Assos is a small delightful village with colorful houses, quaint stone-paved alleys, vibrant flowers adorning every corner, and a picturesque harbor. A stroll through its narrow streets reveals charming tavernas, cafés, and boutique shops. We enjoyed a wonderful relaxing lunch at the Nefeli-Anait Restaurant overlooking the harbor. A narrow strip of land connects the mainland to a small peninsula, where there is a car park and a beach.
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| Myrtos Beach! |
Kefalonia is blessed with beautiful beaches! The famous Myrtos Beach is rated consistently among the top beaches in Europe. The main road overlooking Myrtos Beach offers an breathtaking view nestled between dramatic limestone cliffs and lush green hills (see photo). The beach is rocky so bring some water shoes if you want to swim. You can drive all the way down to the beach where there is parking. Sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent during peak season and there are restrooms, showers, and a beach bar. Because this is a main attraction on Kefalonia it is is wise to get there during high season before 10AM to beat the crowds.
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| Lake of Melissani Cave |
Kefalonia’s most famous caves are the Lake of Melissani Cave and Drogarati Cave. Melissani Cave is gorgeous (see photo). It is an underwater lake that you access by descending down an underground tunnel. The ancient stalactites and the changing colors of the waters transport you into another word – the ancient world of goddesses and nymphs who were the protectors of nature. A boat with a guide will then take you around the small lake for a tour. There is usually a line but it moves quickly - the tour is less than 30 minutes and not expensive. |
| Pedestrian-only Odos Lithostroto Street |
Argostoli, Kefalonia’s capital city since 1757, is fun to visit especially at night when the main square is lit for a wonderful romantic dinner. The main square (Vallianos Central Square) is filled with locals and tourists enjoying their evening. It’s a great place to people watch and experience Greek culture. The pedestrian-only Odos Lithostroto Street is Argostoli’s main shopping area with lots souvenir boutiques, upscale boutiques, and cafes (see photos). Some good restaurants in Argostoli to try include Premier in the main square and Captains Table on the harbor.
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| Dinning in Argostoli is Wonderful |
Located in Argostoli is one of the island’s most recognizable landmarks, the De Bosset Bridge that connects the capital town to the opposite mainland of Kefalonia. From here you can walk the Boulevard and see the large Caretta Caretta turtles, especially in the morning. This pedestrian bridge is the largest stone bridge ever constructed on a seawater body. Saint Theodore Lighthouse is a nice place to enjoy the sunset with a drink.
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| Paliostafida Beach - Lassi |
We stayed in the resort town of Lassi located just minutes outside of Kafalonia's capital Argostoli. Lassi has a more local feel, easy 5-minute access by boat to the very nice Makris Gialos beach (one of the best on Kefalonia - see photos), plenty of good Greek tavernas to enjoy, and the nice Paliostafida Beach (see photo). Lassi is located within a 30-50 minute drive to some of the other best beaches on Kefalonia. Also, Argostoli is a short 10-minute drive from Lassi where there is a lot to do - site seeing, lunch/dinner, shopping, and good people watching. Some good restaurants in Lassi to try include Nefeli, Butlers, Kalalos, and Tzogias.
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| Great Swimming at Makris Gialos Beach |
Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos are one long beautiful stretch of beach located in Lassi (see photos). This picturesque Kefalonia beach features golden sand with very few stone pebbles and amazing crystal clear turquoise ocean water - perfect for swimming. Sun beds and umbrellas and water sports equipment are available for rent.
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| Makris Gialos Beach |
The best restaurant (Markris Gialos Restaurant) is located on the north end of Kefalonia's Markris Gialos Beach with free parking and the least expensive sun beds and umbrellas to rent. Costa Costa Beach Club dominates the south end of Makris Gialos with much more expensive sun beds and people report the food is not as good. Platis Gialos is a small beach at the very south end with a snack bar. In the middle there is plenty of room to lay down your blanket or pitch an umbrella to enjoy this wonderful beach without paying for sun beds.
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| Map of Kefalonia & Ithaca |
On the east coast of Kefalonia, Agia Efimia is a charming fishing village known for its crystal-clear waters and relaxed atmosphere. You can stroll along the waterfront promenade and dine at local tavernas. Sami is a vibrant coastal town on the eastern side of Kefalonia and serves as a gateway to some of the island’s most spectacular natural wonders including the beautiful Antisomos Beach. The town offers modern amenities and traditional Greek charm with a active harbor, charming cafes, and historical sites like the ancient Roman ruins of Antisamos.
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| Lixouri and Petani Beach - Kefalonia |
Located on the western side of Kefalonia, Lixouri is Kefalonia’s second-largest town offering a taste of authentic Greek life. The town is known for its vibrant main square, Plateia Petritsi, where you can enjoy local dishes and live music at traditional kafeneia (coffeehouses). Petani Beach is beautiful (see photo).
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| Ithaca Harbor |
From Kefalonia, you can take a 45-ferry ride to Ithaca (Ithaki), home of one of the most famous Greek heroes, Odysseus (Ulysses) of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. Ithaca is a much smaller, more authentic and laid back than the other islands, and totally unspoiled. Ithaca’s most beautiful town is Vathi, an old settlement with a pronounced Venetian character (see photo).
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| Map of Greek Ionian Islands |
Kefalonia Travel Tips: Kefalonia sits right between Lefkada and Zakynthos and has regular ferry links to both of those Greek Ionian islands (see map). Your best dining experiences are at local family-run restaurants. It is best to drink bottled water instead of tap water. Small markets are the best places to buy inexpensive bottled water and other items. Get some Euro cash - most drivers want cash and you will need coins for the buses. To be comfortable, pack sundresses, shorts, t-shirts, and lightweight blouses made of breathable materials such as cotton and linen. There is a risk of mosquitos. If so, use mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors. Hikers and mountain bikers will like the scenic trails in the mountains.
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| Meat Pie - Kefalonia |
Kefalonia also has a few local dishes you should try on your visit. Famous for their mandoles, the traditional ones are covered in sugar glaze and dyed red from Kefalonian seaweed. You can find them at any bakery or zakaraplasteio (sweet shop) on the island. Try the meat pie (kreatopita), which is a baked pastry stuffed with mutton, pork and beef (see photo). If you’re looking for something lighter, riganada is similar to bruschetta and is delicious at any meal. Robola wine is the Kefalonian drink. This delicious fruity wine is produced from grapes grown on the slopes of Mount Ainos.Some History of Kefalonia
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| Quaint Assos Town |
Sadly, the 1953 earthquake destroyed nearly all the buildings on Kefalonia. Even the church bell towers were destroyed. Since then Kefalonia has been rebuilt but, although attractive, the beauty of the original buildings was lost. Only a handful of villages like Assos and Fiskardo survived. They are the only ones that still maintain the authentic character of old Kefalonia. Kefalonia has many historical attractions - Mycenaean tombs, Byzantine ruins, and Venetian castles. The permanent population of Kefalonia is about 36,000.About the Ionian Greek Islands
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| Map of Greek Islands |
Located in the Mediterranean sea on the northwest coast of Greece, the best known and most visited Ionian Islands are Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Lefkada. The less famous, but equally beautiful, are Ithaca, Paxos and Kythira. All these islands are blessed with natural beauty, rich history, and interesting culture. Also, they have beaches with golden sand and turquoise waters, lush green vegetation, ancient ruins, and great local cuisine.
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| Our Hotel in Lassi Kefalonia |
Like Kefalonia, each island has their own distinctive charm making visiting a different experience. Another major difference is the Ionian Islands have a strong connection to Italy, both historically and culturally. This is particularly visible in Corfu town which has a very distinct Venetian flair.Best Time to Visit the Greek Ionian Islands
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| We Loved the Warm Clear Turquoise Ocean |
The peak season in the Ionian Islands is in summer (mid June through August) when there is almost permanent sunshine and virtually no rainfall. It is also the most expensive, busiest packed with tourists, and hottest time of the year with temperatures that can reach 100ºF (38ºC). If you’re looking for a party and to be with lots of different people then this would be the time to visit. If you are looking for good weather to do some hiking in the mountains of Lefkada, Kefalonia, or Corfu, spring (April to the end of May) has less risk of storms and the temperature is pleasant for walking and sunbathing. However, until June the average sea temperature is only 65ºF (18ºC) which may seem cold.
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| Beautiful Small Beach - Assos |
Best time to visit Kefalonia: Early Fall (mid September to mid October) offers the best of all worlds. Temperatures are still warm including the ocean for swimming, prices are lower, and the number of tourists is much lower. At the beginning of October you can expect daily highs up to 75-80ºF (24-27ºC) and 10-11 hours of daylight per day, clear skies, cool nights, and importantly the ocean is pleasantly warm for swimming. Be aware that hotels, restaurants, and businesses start closing in October.See our visit to another Ionian Greek Island - Lefkada:
Lefkada Greek Ionian Island
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