Kefalonia attracts its visitors to return time after time. With it’s mild Mediterranean climate, summers are very hot from March to October and the rainy winters contribute to the rich vegetation and fruit trees.
About Kefalonia
Kefalonia is a very beautiful and well cared for island, with much to offer the holiday maker, whatever your holiday preference. From quiet secluded beaches to busy family resorts, traditional mountain villages to the vibrant towns of Argostoli and Lixouri.
Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian group, expanding over 750 sq. km. It is mountainous, it’s highest peak of Megas Soros stands on Mount Aenos at 1628m, in the south of the island. The central plains are home to the farmlands and olive groves.
Fteri Beach
Vouti Beach
Climate
The climate is mild Mediterranean with very hot summers from March to October, the rainy winters contribute to the rich vegetation and fruit trees.
Explore Kefalonia
Argostoli
Loggerhead turtles (Caretta Caretta)
The capital, Argostoli, is situated in the south-west of the island and has a population of 14,000.
It is the main port and has many interesting features and activities to offer, including Vallianou Square with its many excellent restaurants, boutiques, archaeological museum, cathedral, theatre and sports ground. The port is home to the many fishing boats which return each morning with their catch, usually followed by loggerhead turtles (Caretta Caretta) looking for a free breakfast.
Lixouri
The modern town of Lixouri is the second largest in Kefalonia and is the main town and port of the impressive Paliki peninsula in the west of the island.
The town offers many excellent restaurants, bars, shopping and a museum as well as medical services etc. You can hire a car / scooter / bicycle here too. It can be reached by road via the scenic coastal route from Argostoli, about a 30 minute drive, or you can enjoy a short ferry trip between the two ports. This service runs every 20 minutes or so and is available all day until late.
There is a ferry service to the town of Lixouri every 30 minutes all day long. There are many stunningly beautiful beaches on Kefalonia with golden sands or fine white stones and clear turquoise waters. Some provide for busy family holidays with water sports, sunbeds, beach bars etc. (e.g. Lassi, Skala, Anti Sami, Makris Gialos), while others are wild and undeveloped such as Agios Kinaki. One beautiful beach in particular was featured in the film ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’.
Regular bus services run from Lixouri to the villages in the south, such as Kounopetra and Xi, and there is also a service connecting most of the villages on the peninsula twice daily.
Sami
Melissani Lake
Sami on the east coast is another busy port town with regular ferry services to Patras and Ithaca (the beautiful neighbouring island well worth a visit). Here you will find an ancient settlement the Acropolis of Sami, the spectacular beach of Anti-Sami, with water sports, tavernas and plenty of sunbeds.
Close by is Melissani Lake, where visitors can go down into the cave and take a short boat ride to observe the geological phenomena, at their most spectacular around midday.
Myrtos
Fiskardo
Myrtos is situated on the west coast, heading northwards to Asos. On the north coast is situated the Port of Fiskardo. It is a beautiful town with regular ferry links to Levkada and Ithaca. It has original Venetian architecture which survived the devastating earthquake of 1953.
Assos
Assos Beach
At Assos, a lovely village further south on the west coast, you can visit the 16th century castle strategically situated on the peninsula, offering magnificent views in all directions.
Poros
Greek Winery
On the south coast is Poros, a fairly large port serving mainland Killini, and further along the south east tip of the island is Skala, a popular family holiday resort.
Pessada
Another small ferry port, Pessada, links Kefalonia with Zakynthos twice a day in the summer months. You can make a day trip there to visit Agios Nikolaos and its gorgeous blue caves.
Blue Caves
Xi Beach
Places of Interest
In the south you will find beautiful beaches of red sand at Xi, Kounopetra and Vatsa, where you can enjoy water sports, refreshments, and sun beds. There is also a water park near the village of Kounopetra.
The rugged coastline to the west has many secluded coves to discover, and in the north you can visit the picturesque Petani beach, or the wild St Kiriaki beach, or Vatsa, situated close to the lovely village of Zola. Excellent tavernas here too.
On the west coast you can visit the ancient monastery of Kipoureon, overlooking the sea from its position atop a 90 metre cliff, or experience the tranquility of the nunnery at St Andreas with its wonderful views over the south of the peninsula, and be amazed by the treasures of its nearby museum.
“We loved our stay in Kefalonia. Everything was perfect”
