Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands, and one of the most dramatically beautiful of all the Greek Isles. It boasts amazing sandy white beaches and dazzlingly clear water, as well as lush mountains and rocky cliff-faces. If you love nature and the outdoors, you’re sure to be enchanted by the beauty of Kefalonia.
The island is also extremely historic, having withstood many invasions and battles over the years. From well-preserved villages to ancient ruins, there are many significant historical sites to discover as well.
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Things to do in Kefalonia – towns and villages
Kefalonia is home to a number of very picturesque greek villages and lovely towns. The capital, Argostoli, was almost completely destroyed in the earthquake of 1953 as was the town of Sami so sadly these towns lack the charm and authenticity of others. Several places however were unaffected and are worth considering when you are trying to work out where to stay on Kefalonia or at least ensure you do at some stage.
Argostoli
Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia, Greece, renowned for its lively atmosphere and rich cultural heritage. The town features a bustling waterfront promenade lined with palm trees, cafes, and restaurants, ideal for enjoying local cuisine and watching the world go by.
Key attractions include the Korgialenio History and Folklore Museum and the nearby De Bosset Bridge, offering scenic walks and views. The central square is a hub of activity, surrounded by shops and markets selling local products. Argostoli also serves as a gateway to exploring the rest of the island’s stunning beaches and historical sites.
The town was almost completely rebuilt after the earthquake in 1953 so is not as charming as some of the smaller towns and villages on the island but it is very centrally located, and also a popular cruise port.
Fiscardo
Fiscardo is a picturesque village located on the northern tip of Kefalonia, Greece. Known for its charming Venetian architecture, the village is characterized by colorful houses lining the waterfront, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. It’s a popular yachting destination, with a harbor that’s often filled with boats.
Fiscardo is surrounded by lush forests and overlooks the crystal-clear Ionian Sea, offering stunning natural beauty. The area is rich in history, with nearby ancient ruins and cobbled streets that invite exploration. Its quaint boutiques, seafood restaurants, and cafes add to its appeal as a tranquil getaway.
Assos
Assos is a very pretty village on Kefalonia, Greece, known for its stunning beauty and tranquillity. Nestled on a peninsula, it features a picturesque harbour surrounded by vibrant neoclassical houses. Dominating the landscape is a 16th-century Venetian fortress atop a hill, offering breathtaking views.
The village square, with its traditional tavernas and cafes, is a focal point for community life. Assos is also popular for its pebbly beaches and crystal-clear waters, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Its charming, pebbled streets and preserved architecture contribute to its serene, timeless appeal.
Agia Effimia
Agia Effimia is a picturesque village located on the east coast of Kefalonia, Greece. This charming spot is known for its beautiful harbor where yachts and local fishing boats moor, creating a lively yet serene atmosphere.
Surrounded by lush greenery and dramatic hills, the village offers stunning sea views and a variety of quaint tavernas, cafes, and shops along the waterfront.
Agia Effimia is also a great base for exploring nearby attractions, including famous Myrtos Beach and the enchanting Melissani Cave. The village’s friendly community and scenic setting make it a beloved destination for many repeat visitors each year.
Sami
Sami is a key port town on the east coast of Kefalonia, Greece, blending rich historical roots with natural beauty.
Known for its role in the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,” Sami is surrounded by lush forests, mountains, and clear waters.
The town offers a well-organized port, vibrant with cafes, traditional tavernas, and shops. Nearby, visitors can explore the famous Melissani Cave and Antisamos Beach, both renowned for their stunning visuals.
Sami’s combination of cultural landmarks, including ancient ruins, and its scenic environment make it a popular destination for both history buffs and nature lovers. We do advise a car if staying here however as the best beaches are not walking distance.
Kefalonia’s best beaches
Kefalonia boasts some of the Greek Islands’ most spectacular and dramatic beaches. Whether you want to relax under an umbrella on a bustling beach or discover a hidden paradise, there’s sure to be the perfect option.
Myrtos beach
It’s no secret that the Greek Islands has many beautiful beaches, but Myrtos Beach is widely considered one of the most beautiful of all.
One look at the Cerulean water and soft white sand, and you’re sure to agree. It is a stunning horseshoe shaped bay at the foot of two mountains.
Located in the south of Kefalonia, it is affected by strong winds at times, however the incredible beauty of this place more than makes up for it. About 30 kilometres from Argostoli, it is easy to reach and popular with visitors – so expect it to be bustling in the high season!
Xi beach
If you are travelling with children or looking for a unique beach on Kefalonia, then check out Xi (or Ksi) beach. This beach is not surrounded by mountains, but as a result it is a lot easier to access than some of the other beaches. In addition, it is more sheltered from the wind, which makes the water calmer.
If you’re not a strong swimmer or you have little ones in tow, you’re sure to appreciate the calm ocean at Xi Beach.
Finally, this is one of the most unique and colourful beaches of Kefalonia – thanks to the high clay content under the sand, it is a striking red-orange colour.
Antisamos beach
Located just a few kilometres away from the town of Samos, Antisamos Beach is another exceptionally beautiful beach on Kefalonia.
It is a semi-circle shape, with dazzlingly white sand flanked by azure water on one side and lush mountains on the other. It’s no wonder that this dramatic landscape has intrigued filmmakers – it was the setting for the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
The water is a kaleidoscope of green, cyan and dark blue, and the beach has been awarded the Blue Flag due to its cleanliness and water quality.
Makris Gialis Beach
If you are looking for a bustling beach or hoping to try out some water activities, then Makris Gialis near Argostoli is ideal.
Like most of Kefalonia’s beaches, it boasts crystal-clear water and soft sand dotted with colourful beach umbrellas. There are also a number of bars, restaurants and cafes nearby, while you can also rent a snorkel, kayaks or stand-up paddle boards.
As it’s one of the most popular beaches in Kefalonia, it’s also a good place to organise other activities and excursions.
Kimilia
The beaches in the north of Kefalonia tend to be a little bit quieter however they are just as beautiful as their southern counterparts. One such beach is Kimilia on the north coast.
Although it lacks the powder-soft sand of some of the island’s beaches (instead, it’s made up of tiny pebbles), the water is incredibly clear and a beautiful shade of light blue. If you want to rest on the “sand” then it’s best to arrive during low tide, because at high tide it’s nearly entirely covered.
The locals don’t let that stop them, however – you’ll find plenty of people sunbaking on the surrounding rocks!
Fteri beach
Fair warning – this beach is not easy to reach, however you will be very well rewarded for your efforts. Were it not for the 1 – 1.5 hour hike required to get to the beach (or boat ride from Zola port), it would probably be one of the island’s most crowded.
However, the difficulty getting there means it is one of the most unspoiled natural beaches on Kefalonia.
One look at the almost impossibly blue ocean and any regrets are sure to melt away – it is just incredibly beautiful. Plus, you’re likely to have it almost all to yourself, which only adds to its unique charm.
more outdoor things to do on Kefalonia
If you love the outdoors and are looking for things to do in Kefalonia, you will be spoiled for choice. The island is particularly famous for its caves and mountains, which are great to explore.
Melissani Cave
One of the most famous things to do on Kefalonia is to explore the island’s caves. Amongst the lush and dense forest, you’ll come to a huge cavern that’s filled with bright blue water. This is Melissani Cave.
Not only is it beautiful, but it’s the site of a fascinating legend. It’s known as “the Cave of the Nymph”, as it’s allegedly where the Nymph Melissani drowned after being rejected by the Greek God, Pan. Of course, we don’t know the truth or otherwise of that legend, but we do know that exploring the cave by boat is one of the most amazing things to do in Kefalonia.
7euro entry including a boat ride.
Open 9am to 7pm daily in summer and Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm in winter.
Drogarati Cave
You might think that if you’ve seen one cave, you’ve seen them all – but this is not the case in Kefalonia. The Drogarati Cave is perhaps equally beautiful to Melissani Cave, but in a totally different way.
Although the save is relatively modest in size, it offers amazing rock formations including hundreds of stalagmites. Despite its size, it offers amazing variety, so it’s a good idea to go with a guide who can tell you more about how it was formed.
If you prefer, you can do a self-guided tour which usually takes less than an hour.
€6 entry, 8am to 8pm in summer
Mount Ainos
The scenery of Kefalonia is particularly spectacular thanks to the mountains and hills that dot the landscape.
Of all of them, Mount Ainos is the largest and the most impressive, standing at over 1,600 metres tall. The mountain itself and the area around it is a protected National Park, offering dozens of amazing walking and hiking trails through the lush landscape.
You can even hike to the peak of the mountain! If you’d prefer not to, or have any mobility concerns, you can also reach the peak by car. Either way, you’ll be rewarded by some utterly spectacular views of the island.
Diving
Kefalonia is one of the biggest diving hotspots in Greece, thanks to its relatively calm waters and undersea treasures.
Whether you learn to dive while staying on Kefalonia or are an experienced diver, you’re sure to enjoy discovering what lies within the island’s oceans.
As Kefalonia has many spectacular caves, it is particularly ideal for cave divers, or you may like to explore the shipwreck of the Ardena.
Historical Locations on Kefalonia
Like many of the Greek Islands, Kefalonia has been the site of many dramatic historic struggles. Over its lifetime it has been under the control of the Romans, Byzantines, Turks, Venetians, British, and Ottomans, and each has left its mark on the island. Discovering this history is a true delight.
The Acropolis of Sami
One of the most impressive archaeological sites on Kefalonia is the Acropolis of Ancient Sami.
Although we are not sure exactly when it was built, we know some of the tombs are more than 2,300 years old and it existed when the Romans arrived in 188 BC. At this time, the town of Sami was an important metropolis, featuring in great works such as Homer’s Iliad.
Unfortunately, it eventually fell to the Romans, and never quite returned to its former glory.
Today, much of the former Acropolis lies in ruin, but it is still amazing to lay eyes on something with such a long history.
Free entry
Argostoli Archeology Museum
Thanks to the long and dramatic history of Kefalonia, the island is a dream for archaeologists who have recovered many amazing artefacts. These date back to the many different groups that have left their mark on Kefalonia, from the Ancient Greeks to the Ottomans.
It can be overwhelming to keep track of all this history, but the Argostoli Archaeology Museum lays it all out and is a great introduction to the island’s history. It truly is incredible to see pottery and other fragments from life 2,000 years ago.
As the museum is located in Argostoli, it is easy to get to.
€3 entry, Tuesday to Sunday 8:30am to 3pm
* note in 2024 the Museum is closed for renovations. Check the website for any updates.
Monastery of Agios Gerasimos
Compared to the Acropolis, the Monastery of Agios Gerasimos is practically brand new – but it’s still a great sight for history lovers looking for things to do in Kefalonia.
The monastery was first built in 1560, in honour of Saint Gerasimos, the patron saint of the island. In fact, Saint Gerasimos has been interred in the monastery since his death in 1579.
He was declared a Saint after his death, when he was exhumed on two occasions but his body showed no signs of decay. To this day he is revered and respected on Kefalonia.
The monastery itself is incredibly generous, with plentiful gold leaf and intricate paintings depicting biblical scenes.
Free entry, 4am to 1pm and 3:30pm to 9pm daily.
Day trips and Kefalonia excursions
If you somehow manage to see and do everything that Kefalonia has to offer or you would simply like to see some of the neighbourings islands it is possible to do a number of day trips.
Ithaca
Ithaca is a picturesque Greek island in the Ionian Sea, celebrated as the legendary home of Odysseus from Homer’s epic, “The Odyssey.”
This enchanting island is characterized by rugged coastlines, lush vegetation, and serene beaches. It has a several charming villages such as Vathy, its capital, a colourful fishing village with a lively port in summer.
Ithaca’s terrain is hilly, offering stunning panoramic views and numerous hiking trails that lead to ancient ruins and secluded coves. Its rich historical heritage and mythological significance make it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Zakynthos
Zakynthos, also known as Zante, is a vibrant Greek island in the Ionian Sea, famed for its stunning beaches and clear turquoise waters.
Highlights include the iconic Shipwreck Beach, accessible only by sea, and the enchanting Blue Caves, which attract snorkelers and divers.
The island also boasts lush greenery, traditional villages, and lively resorts. Zakynthos is a sanctuary for the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtles, which nest on its sandy shores.
Ferries between Kefalonia and Zakynthos are limited and only run between May and October. The Lefkada Palace runs between all the Ionian Islands a couple of times a week and the Ionion Pelagos ferry runs twice a day.
There are also private operators who run daily tours from Poros in the south of Kefalonia.
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