Kefalonia

Kefalonia is to the area the fifth-largest island in Greece, only Rhodes, Lesbos, Evia and Crete is larger. If you take the neighbouring islands Lefkada and Zakynthos and put them on top of Kefalonia, it would still be vacant space for other islands. Kefalonia is a beautiful island, in fact one of Greece's most beautiful. Something that more and more people discovering. But it's not so long ago that Kefalonia was an unknown island for many. Everything changed in 1993 when the novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin came out. After that, everyone wanted to go to Kefalonia. And they were met by an island with beautiful scenery, fabulous beaches, nice villages and interesting sights.

GETTING HERE
Kefalonia has an international airport and that makes it easy to go there. From many countries you can by charter. If you are travelling independently it is, of course, easiest to go by air directly to Kefalonia, but you can also fly to Athens, Preveza (near Lefkada) or Zakynthos and continue the journey with domestic aviation (Athens), bus (Athens and Preveza to Lefkada) or ferry (Lefkada and Zakynthos).

Assos.

Myrtos beach.

GETTING AROUND
An extensive bus network connects almost the whole island. The best way to get to know this beautiful island is by your own vehicle. Some road sections are among the most beautiful I've driven. Moped and car rental companies can be found in all tourist areas. Car is preferable since the island is so big.

VILLAGES
Kefalonia has twelve villages with more than 500 residents, in addition there are many small villages. The capital Argostoli is the island's administrative, financial and cultural centre. Argostoli is a large and lively town full of Greek everyday life. Here is everything you can imagine, including lots of tavernas, bars and cafes and shops of all kind. Lassi a few kilometres southwest of Argostoli is the largest and most popular tourist destination on Kefalonia. I would like to add the best tourist destination as well, partly because it is a good base to see the rest of the island, partly for the nearness to Argostoli, partly for its proximity to the airport, partly for the nice beaches of Kalami, Gerdaki, Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos.

Other appealing and superfine villages are Fiskardo (the only village not devastated in the 1953 earthquake) and little cute Assos. Both villages are situated in northern Kefalonia. More villages on Kefalonia are Lixouri, Kourkoumelata, Metaxata, Skala, Poros, Sami and Agia Efimia.

BEACHES
The beaches are among the best in the Ionian islands, nearly all are composed of fine gravel or pebble, but there are beaches with sand as well, as Xi beach at Lixouri peninsula. The best beaches are Platis Gialos, Makris Gialos, Lourda, Antisamos (see photo at the top of the page) and the mother of all beaches: Myrtos beach. Myrtos, (or Mirtos) 13 kilometres south of Assos, is without doubt one of Greece's most beautifully situated beaches. When you stand above the beach and look out over the blue sea and the long white beach it is close to loose one's breath. The beach is long and wide and swallows plenty of people. From a distance, it looks like that the beach is covered with white powder sand, but it's not, there are small white stones.

Makris Gialos in Lassi.

SIGHTS
Strange enough it is almost completely a lack of sights from ancient times, there are for examples no temples. The attractions that are available are mainly of natural kind, like Drogarati cave and Melissani lake. Both are very interesting and should be seen, especially Melissani lake which really is worth seeing. The cave includes two chambers connected by water. The roof of the first chamber collapsed many years ago and created a hole which is now 40x50 metres. The sun shines through the hole and into the water and that is why the water is so distinctive blue. The colour of the water varies throughout the day depending on where the sun is. See picture via the link at the bottom right.

ACCOMODATION
The charter companies offers accommodation in many villages, for example: Argostoli, Fiskardo, Katelios, on the peninsula of Lixouri, Lassi, Skala or Svoronata. Which village that is best is a matter of taste. If you're travelling independently, you can choose to stay in almost any village on the island, but most choose to stay in Argostoli where there are most choices. To find a room on the spot is pretty hopeless. It is best to book ahead.

Fiskardo.

MORE ABOUT KEFALONIA
Geographical location »
Map of Kefalonia »
Ferry timetable »

OTHER LINKS
Ithaka - nearest island »
Weather in Greece »

PICTURESFROMGREECE.COM
Melissani lake »

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