Kefalonia Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Kefalonia reveals the largest and most dramatic island in the Ionian Sea, its extraordinary mountains, the finest caves in Greece at Melissani and Drogarati, the remarkable Myrtos Beach, the most photographed beach in the Ionian islands, and the extraordinary Venetian castle town of Assos giving an island of remarkable contrasts and extraordinary natural beauty. This route covers the essential Kefalonia experience: the extraordinary Myrtos Beach and the remarkable Assos village, the finest caves in Greece at Melissani Lake and Drogarati, the extraordinary capital of Argostoli with its remarkable lagoon, and the finest beaches from Antisamos to the hidden coves of the extraordinary Paliki peninsula.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Kefalonia Airport (EFL) or ferry from Killini or Patras
Getting Around
Car essential. Kefalonia is large with mountain roads throughout.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , mountain roads and cave visits
DAY 1
ARGOSTOLI
MORNING
ARGOSTOLI TOWN AND THE LAGOON
Argostoli is the most extraordinary capital in the Ionian islands, rebuilt entirely after the catastrophic 1953 earthquake in a clean neoclassical style around a remarkable lagoon. The extraordinary De Bosset Bridge across the lagoon, the longest stone bridge over the sea in the world, gives the finest views over the turquoise water and the surrounding hills. The remarkable Drapano lagoon attracts loggerhead sea turtles. Free. Drive: Walk to museum
MIDDAY
KORGIALENIOS HISTORY AND FOLKLORE MUSEUM
The Korgialenios Museum is the most extraordinary museum in the Ionian islands, its remarkable collection of pre-earthquake photographs, traditional costumes, historic maps and extraordinary everyday objects giving the finest insight into the lost world of Kefalonia before 1953 available anywhere. The extraordinary photographs of the destroyed towns are the most moving documents of the earthquake in the Ionian islands. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
FANARI LIGHTHOUSE AND THE ARGOSTOLI PENINSULA
The Fanari Lighthouse on the tip of the Argostoli peninsula is the most extraordinary viewpoint in north Kefalonia, its remarkable position at the entrance to the Argostoli lagoon giving the finest views over the entire gulf and the surrounding mountains. The extraordinary sea mills nearby, unique geological formations where the sea flows inland through holes in the rock, are the finest natural curiosity on the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The sea mills at the Argostoli peninsula tip are the most unusual geological phenomenon in Greece, the sea flowing through holes in the rock to drive an ancient mill system. The water disappears underground and reappears in the Melissani Lake cave. The finest natural curiosity in Kefalonia. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on the Argostoli waterfront Greek coffee on the lagoon waterfront. Loggerhead turtles are visible in the water below. | Lunch: Taverna in Argostoli town Outstanding Kefalonitan lunch with local meat pie, fresh fish and excellent Robola white wine. | Dinner: Restaurant on the Argostoli waterfront Outstanding dinner on the finest waterfront in the Ionian islands with views over the lagoon.
DAY 2
MYRTOS, ASSOS AND FISKARDO
MORNING
MYRTOS BEACH
Myrtos is the most extraordinary beach in the Ionian Sea, its remarkable position at the foot of sheer white limestone mountains dropping directly into the most vivid turquoise water in Greece giving the finest beach landscape in the Mediterranean. The extraordinary viewpoint above the beach on the mountain road gives the most photographed view in the Ionian islands. The beach is accessible by a steep road. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
ASSOS VILLAGE AND VENETIAN CASTLE
Assos is the most extraordinary village in Kefalonia, its remarkable position on a narrow isthmus connecting a headland to the main island giving the finest village setting in the Ionian Sea. The extraordinary Venetian castle above the village, built in 1593 on the headland, gives the finest views over the northwest coast and the turquoise bays on either side. Castle entry free. Drive: 1 hr drive north
AFTERNOON
FISKARDO HARBOUR
Fiskardo is the most extraordinary harbour town in Kefalonia, the only town that survived the 1953 earthquake intact and still showing its remarkable Venetian architecture of colourful two-storey houses along the finest natural harbour in the northern Ionian islands. The extraordinary anchorage attracts the finest yachts in the Ionian. The waterfront is the finest promenade in Kefalonia. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Venetian lighthouse ruins on the headland above Fiskardo give the finest views over the northern tip of Kefalonia and across the remarkable strait to Ithaca. Almost entirely unvisited despite being 15 minutes walk from the harbour. The ruins of the 18th-century lighthouse tower are extraordinary. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast before Myrtos Early start for Myrtos Beach. Arrive before 10am for the finest beach experience before the coaches. | Lunch: Taverna in Assos village Outstanding Kefalonitan lunch in the most extraordinary village in the Ionian Sea. | Dinner: Seafood restaurant in Fiskardo Outstanding fresh seafood dinner in the finest harbour in north Kefalonia.
DAY 3
THE CAVES
MORNING
MELISSANI LAKE CAVE
Melissani is the most extraordinary cave in Greece, its remarkable underground lake open to the sky through a collapsed ceiling creating a natural cathedral of extraordinary blue light. The boat trip across the turquoise lake inside the cave, with the sunlight streaming through the opening above and the ancient stalactites reflected in the perfectly clear water, gives the most extraordinary natural experience in the Ionian islands. Entry approx 7 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
DROGARATI CAVE
Drogarati is the most extraordinary stalactite cave in Kefalonia, its remarkable main chamber of extraordinary proportions containing the finest stalactite and stalagmite formations in the Ionian islands. The extraordinary acoustics of the main chamber have been used for concerts. The remarkable connection between the cave system and the Melissani Lake underground river is the finest geological story in Greece. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ANTISAMOS BEACH
Antisamos is the most extraordinary beach on the east coast of Kefalonia, its remarkable position in a sheltered bay of extraordinary turquoise water framed by steep green forested hills giving the finest beach setting on the island outside Myrtos. The beach was used in the filming of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. The extraordinary clarity of the water gives the finest snorkelling on the east coast. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient city of Sami above the modern town is the finest hidden ancient site in Kefalonia, its remarkable Mycenaean and Classical ruins on the hillside above the harbour giving extraordinary views over the Sami Bay and the island of Ithaca. Almost entirely unvisited. Free. 20-minute walk from Sami harbour.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before caves Early start for Melissani. The cave is extraordinary in the morning when the sunlight hits the water at the finest angle. | Lunch: Taverna near Sami Outstanding Kefalonitan lunch near the cave area. Fresh fish from Sami harbour and local Robola wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Argostoli Outstanding farewell dinner in the extraordinary lagoon capital. Local meat pie and Kefalonian wine.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Argostoli, Nights 1 to 2 Best base for the island. Waterfront hotels from 60 to 140 euros. Central for all destinations. Fiskardo, alternative Most atmospheric Venetian harbour. Boutique hotels from 90 to 200 euros. Best for the north. Budget option Guesthouses in Argostoli from 40 euros. The capital is compact and walkable from the lagoon.
Top Tips
1. Myrtos Beach is extraordinary but the descent road is very steep and narrow. Arrive before 10am to find a car park space and beat the heat on the beach.
2. The Melissani cave is most extraordinary between 11am and 1pm when the sunlight enters through the collapsed roof at the finest angle to the water.
3. Assos village is almost entirely car-free. Park at the top of the road into the village and walk down through the extraordinary Venetian gateway.
4. The Fiskardo waterfront fills with superyachts in July and August. The best tavernas are away from the main waterfront strip in the back streets.
5. Kefalonian meat pie (kreatopita) is the finest local dish and unique to the island. Order it at every opportunity , it is extraordinary.
6. Robola wine from the Omala Valley is the finest white wine in the Ionian islands. Buy directly from the cooperative for the best price and quality.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day