Kefalonia

The largest Ionian island, home to Myrtos, hailed as Greece's most beautiful beach, the dreamlike light of Melissani Cave Lake, and Assos and Fiskardo, filming locations for Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Kefalonia is the largest of Greece's Ionian Islands, lying off western Greece with Ithaca and Lefkada to the north and Zakynthos to the south. The island is mountainous, its highest peak Mount Ainos (1,628 m) cloaked in forests of the endemic Kefalonian fir. The great earthquake of 1953 destroyed most of the island's towns and villages; only Fiskardo, at the northern tip, retains its Venetian-era character. The island divides into several areas: the capital Argostoli and its surroundings, with the De Bosset Bridge, the lighthouse, golden-sand beaches and St George's Castle; the east coast around Sami, with Melissani Cave Lake, Drogarati Cave and Antisamos Beach; the northwest, with Myrtos Beach, Assos and Fiskardo; and the Paliki peninsula in the west, with Xi Beach, Petani Beach and Kipoureon Monastery. The climate is Mediterranean: Jun–Sep is hot and dry and the peak beach season; May and October bring comfortable temperatures and fewer visitors, ideal for road trips and hiking; winters are rainy and many tourist facilities close. Getting there: international charter flights land at Kefalonia Airport, flights from Athens take about 1 hour, and ferries run from Kyllini port near Patras. Public buses are limited, so renting a car is strongly recommended; mountain roads are winding and narrow, so drive with care. Allow 4–5 days, and consider a boat day trip from Sami to Ithaca.

Top sights

• Myrtos Beach – White pebble beach and turquoise sea framed by towering limestone cliffs, often ranked among Greece's most beautiful beaches.
• Melissani Cave – An underground lake formed when the cave roof collapsed. Midday sunlight pours through the opening onto the blue water, making your boat se…
• Assos – A colorful fishing village on a narrow isthmus, with a castle-topped peninsula. It is especially photogenic from the road above and ranks a…
• Fiskardo – A Venetian-style harbor town that escaped the 1953 earthquake, lined with yachts and seafood restaurants.
• Drogarati Cave – A large stalactite cave near Sami with a spacious main chamber and excellent acoustics; concerts have been held inside.
• Antisamos Beach – A cove of white pebbles near Sami, ringed by green hillsides, with clear turquoise water; a filming location for Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
• Castle of St. George – A hilltop castle above Peratata, the island's former capital, with well-preserved walls overlooking the southern plain, the coast and Zakyn…
• Mount Ainos National Park – The highest peak in the Ionian Islands and home to the endemic Kefalonian fir forest; you can drive up and hike, with views of neighbouring…
• Argostoli – The island's capital and main base for driving tours; loggerhead turtles are often spotted on the harbour walk at dawn, and the Lithostroto…
• De Bosset Bridge – A stone bridge built in 1813 across the Argostoli lagoon, once one of the world's longest stone bridges over water.
• Katavothres – A geological curiosity where seawater flows underground; it crosses the whole island and re-emerges near Sami about two weeks later.
• Lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi – A round lighthouse with sixteen Doric columns at the tip of the Argostoli peninsula, a classic spot for watching the sunset.
• Xi Beach – A rare orange-red sandy beach at the southern tip of the Paliki Peninsula, backed by white clay cliffs, with shallow, gently sloping water…
• Petani Beach – A white pebble bay on the west coast of the Paliki Peninsula, framed by steep green hills; it sees fewer visitors and offers superb sunsets…
• Makris Gialos & Platis Gialos – Two neighbouring golden-sand beaches on the outskirts of Argostoli, with shallow, clear water and good facilities; the closest beaches to t…
• Monastery of Saint Gerasimos – A monastery dedicated to Saint Gerasimos, patron saint of Kefalonia, with a narrow staircase down to the underground cave where the saint o…
• Robola Cooperative Winery – A cooperative winery in the Omala Valley producing Robola white wine, Kefalonia's signature variety; free tours and tastings, with bottles…
• Kipoureon Monastery – An 18th-century monastery on a high cliff at the western tip of the Paliki Peninsula, facing the open Ionian Sea; one of the island's best…
• Skala – A resort village on the island's southeast coast with a long sand-and-pebble beach, Roman villa mosaics and nesting sites for sea turtles.
• Agia Efimia – A quiet harbour village near Myrtos where you can rent a small boat, which requires no licence, to explore east-coast coves reachable only…
• Emblisi Beach – A secluded pebble cove near Fiskardo, surrounded by rocks and olive trees, with exceptionally clear water that is ideal for snorkelling.
• Lourdas Beach – A gravel beach about 2 km long below the southern slopes of Mount Ainos, backed by green hills; calm water and good facilities make it fami…

Where to eat

• Tassia – A harbourside institution in Fiskardo, opened in 1972, known for lobster pasta and local meat pie.
• Ladokolla Stin Plagia – A family taverna in a hillside village on the Paliki Peninsula, run by twin brothers. Popular for sunset views and meat…
• Palia Plaka – A traditional lunch spot in Argostoli's harbour district, where dishes are displayed on trays so you can look before or…
• Platanos Restaurant – A family-run taverna under a plane tree at the entrance to Assos village. Slow-roasted lamb and rabbit stew are the mos…
• Ladokolla Argostoli – An affordable grill beside Valianou Square, serving food on greaseproof paper, known for pita wraps and souvlaki.

Itineraries

• Ionian Islands Road Trip: Lefkada, Kefalonia & Zakynthos – Fly into Preveza and drive south, taking your car on ferries to hop through Lefkada, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos.