The largest island of the Ionian Sea, Kefalonia is a very charming place. Although it has developed over the last years as a family destination, beach places in Kefalonia island never get crowded due to the large size of the island.
Mostly famous for the exotic beaches, including Myrtos, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala, the island was chosen for filming the Hollywood movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Apart from swimming, Kefalonia Greece also has many places to see, from picturesque villages to Medieval castles and beautiful monasteries. Fiscardo is the most cosmopolitan place with a port that receives many yachts every summer. Other nice villages to visit during your Kefalonia holidays are Argostoli, Sami and Assos.
Xi Beach
Xi beach is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches of Paliki.
With fine copper-tone sand and crystal clear shallow waters, terminating in clay rocks is a unique landscape in Kefalonia. Additionally, situated nearby, is the famous ‘’Kounopetra’’, a rock in the sea swinging rhythmically with palpitating movements is one of the most paradoxical phenomenon of the island.
Petani - Kefalonia
Petani beach lies on the north coast of Paliki peninsula.
It is considered one of the hidden gems of Kefalonia Island. Approached via a steep winding “adrenaline rush” cliff top road, which allows you to observe the beach in all it’s glory, Petani is a natural horseshoe shaped bay with huge commanding cliffs which tumble down into the sea. The white shingle sand clashes in a frenzy of exploding colour as the changing shades of dark blue cobalt waters rush up onto the shoreline with white frothy breaking waves.
Tavernas are situated just above the beach offering its guests splendid view. Life guard tower and services are provided, and the beach has a ‘’blue flag’’ an award/verification given by the Greek government to the beaches around Greece in-tuned with the strict quality criteria. The beach is also known by the locals as “Xoura’s beach”, named after an old man who first opened a little tavern by the beach.
The Monastery of Kipouria
The Monastery of Kipouria , is built in a landscape of unique beauty, offering the most wonderful sunset. Numerous post-Byzantine icons and valuable heirlooms have been preserved there. The monastery of ‘’Agia Paraskevi Taphion’’ and the ‘’Dracospilia (Dragon’s) Cave’’ are also situated very close to it.
Lixouri city.
On the opposite of Argostoli, the vivid capital of Kefalonia, people meet a different aspect of the island lifestyle and mentality, in Lixouri town.
Lixouri is a little more restful and relaxing than Argostoli, yet equally charming and picturesque. With the majority of the aspects & services found in Argostoli, Lixouri is a great place for its permanent residents as well as its guests. It has a port servicing the regular yearly non-stop ferry itinerary between Argostoli & Lixouri , as well as the private boats and yachts .
Lixouri is accessible from Argostoli city , through sea with the ferry and through land with the distance from Argostoli being 30km.
Myrtos beach
Myrtos could be called as the island’s paradise on earth.
It is the most beautiful beach of all with a limpid deep blue sea, white sand and small white pebbles. Myrtos considered one of the best beaches in the world.
The Assos Village
Assos Village & fortress are a real ornament dominating the whole area from the hilltop of the Assos Peninsula. The fortress was built by the Venetians to protect the inhabitants against raids launched by pirates and by the Turks in 1593. The ruins of the castle are open for visits in the summer period.
Fiscardo
Fiscardo a traditional sea village and port in the northern point of Kefalonia.
A beautiful traditional village resembling a painting, with many yachts anchored in its picturesque port giving it a cosmopolitan style. Fiscardo was left virtually unscathed by the 1953 earthquake and still carries the traditional colour, the grace and the beauty of the island. A stroll around the narrow alleys will make you feel like a time traveller, rolling a century back. The traditional port promenade is brimming with fine restaurants, taverns , cafes and souvenir shops housed in renovated pre-earthquake Venetian style mansions. The port is also a regular connection with other parts of Greece, through the direct & quite frequent ferry itinerary to Lefkada Island.
Melissani cave lake
It is a wonderful underground lake with sublime stalactites, where according to the excavations in 1960’s, worship of God Pan took place in historical times.
The ceiling of the cave collapsed after an earthquake and that gave the cave-lake its additional charm. Especially, when the waters illuminated by the sun’s rays, exquisite colours are reflected on the lake water and the stalagmites, algae & moss, create a unique and unforgettable picture.
Drogarati cave
Drogarati Cave with the stalactites & stalagmites is one of the most impressive caves.
The entrance of the cave, revealed by a strong earthquake occurred more than 300 years ago, presenting this miracle of nature that opened to the public in the 1960’s and has a depth of 60m. An astonishing marvel of more than 150 million years old, crafted gradually by nature. Many concerts have taken place in this grand natural hall over the years, as the cave offers spectacular acoustics.
The Agrilia Monastery
Is situated up on a hill top near Sami, surrounded by wild oil-trees and offering a wonderful view of the Bay of Sami and Ithaca. It is the place where Cosmas the Aetolian taught.
The Aenos mountain
The highest mountain in the Ionian Sea , is the mountain with a distinct dark green fir tree species on its slopes, called by the Venetians «Monte Nero» (black mountain) which had played a very significant role in the context of the island’s development. It is considered a National Park and with the exception of the dark green fir trees and pine trees it also provides shelter to rare and one-of-a-kind species of flora and fauna.
Argostoli city.
The capital of Kefalonia since 1757, stands on the far end of the natural bay surrounded by mountains and verdant forests. The town was rebuilt after the catastrophic earthquake of 1953. It is a picturesque town, built on hills surrounding the lagoon of Koutavos and the natural-formed harbour.
This modern and cosmopolitan town is quite busy especially during the summer season offering a vast variety of interesting features, activities and services. All around town and at its outskirts are situated a range of restaurants , cafes, and bars that cover all tastes and budgets.
Vallianos Square, the town’s central square is a large and pleasant square surrounded by many restaurants, cafes and bars.
The pedestrian Street of ‘’Lithostroto’’ (Cobbled Street) is one the main commercial streets of the capital filled with all kinds of shops and little cafes.
Visitors can admire the beautiful church of Saint Spyridon and the interesting clock tower of Campana Square.
Korgialenios Library, is one of the largest libraries in Greece. It began its operation in 1925, and it has instituted pioneering initiatives for that time, including children’s section, significant events, showings, lectures, & conferences of national and international range.
It has around 53,000 volumes, and is housed in the same building as the History & Folklore Museum of Argostoli.
The Korgialenios folklore museum was founded and opened its doors in 1960’s. It proudly displays innumerable elements from the beginning of the 15th century until 1848, and among its missions is to keep alive the memory of how Kefalonia was before the earthquake of 1953.
De Bosset Bridge that visually separates Argostoli bay and Koutavos lagoon, is the world’s largest & longest stone bridge on a sea water body with length around 700 meters and in existence since 1800’s , built by the then British Governor of the island and engineer Charles Philippe De Bosset.
Also within the city borders, there are two beautiful gardens. Napier’s Garden and the Botanical Garden. Napier Garden is named after one of Governors of Kefalonia –Charles Napier - contains a wide variety of trees in the heart of Argostoli and offers a romantic moment for every visitor.
The Botanical Garden was created from the Focas –Cosmetatos Foundation in order to collect, protect and promote the local endemic Mediterranean flora. It also serves as an open learning environment for its educational programmes.
An old abandoned olive grove, overgrown with wild plants, bushes and trees, provided with footpaths, water for its dried-up stream, and a botanist to map out and identify the vegetation , contains a vast and really interesting variety of plants and flowers.
Katavothres area
Katavothres is one of the rarest natural phenomenons in the world. Large quantities of seawater pass inland through the rocks & sand at this location near Saint Theodori lighthouse in the outskirts of Argostoli and just few minutes’ drive from the suburb Lassi ,covering a distance of around 26km,and re-appearing in the village of Karavomilos near Sami and more specifically in the lake-cave of Melissani.
The Castle and fortress of Saint George
The Venetian castle and citadel of Saint George was built around 800 years ago , it was the island’s first capital from 1500 to 1757, when Argostoli became the capital of the island.
Within a 600-metre perimeter of walls, residents they could spot pirate ships as far as 20 miles away on a clear day. Today, the castle is mostly ruined and only a few of the buildings survive and open for visits especially during the summer season.
The monastery of Saint Andreas in Leivatho area.
Dates back to the Byzantine period, with sublime frescos and an ecclesiastic museum, where, additionally, the saint’s right leg is kept. The monastery was initially dedicated to the Panagia (Virgin Mary) of Milapidia.
The monastery of Saint Gerasimos
Is the place where Saint Gerasimos, the island’s patron saint, spent a great part of his life from around 1550 as a monk in Kefalonia, where he established the monastery which cared for the poor people and became a center for charity.
Saint Gerasimos is believed by natives of Kefalonia to protect them and heal them of illness. After his death, and after the eras of Kefalonias occupation from foreign powers, his corpse is now guarded, protected and exposed to pilgrimage. All the Kefalonians gather there on August 16th and October 20th each year to celebrate the Saint.
The Tombs at Mazaracata
Their discovery implies the existence of a remarkable settlement dating back to the Mycenaean era, while the findings, jewels etc. confirm the evidence of the peak of Mycenaean civilization.
The monastery of Atros
Is the oldest monastery on the island, dedicated to the Virgin Mary’s birth [for this reason also known as ‘’Theotokos Monastery’’] with a remarkable mediaeval tetragonal tower, from where the view is of unique beauty and the climb to the monastery offers some magnificent views of Poros and its harbour, as it stands in Mt Atros in altitude of 760m above sea level. Originally it was built in the Byzantine era in the 8th century and holds both cultural and historical importance.
The Tomb at Tzanata
The excavations carried out here brought to light a sublime large domed tomb with many burials. The main grave contained the remains of a person assigned with a high office. The tomb dating to 1350 B.C. as well as findings of high value, jewels, engraved seal stones etc., bear out the existence of a strong Mycenaean centre.
The Roman villa in Skala
Skala is the southernmost village of Kefalonia and one of the most popular seaside resorts of the island. The excavations carried out there in the 1950’s brought to light ruins of a Roman villa with well-preserved wonderful mosaics and epigrams dating back to 2nd century BC.
