Kefalonia Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Kefalonia gives you the complete experience of the largest and most dramatically beautiful island in the Ionian Sea, from the extraordinary Myrtos Beach and the haunting Melissani Lake cave to the remarkable Venetian fortress of Assos, the extraordinary monastery of Agios Gerasimos, the Robola wine villages and the remarkable beaches of the south and east coasts. This route covers the full Kefalonia: the extraordinary Myrtos Beach and Assos village, the Melissani Lake and Drogarati caves, the remarkable Argostoli lagoon and Korgialenios Museum, the extraordinary monastery of Agios Gerasimos and the Robola wine cooperative, the fine beaches of Skala and Lourdas, and the hidden Paliki peninsula.
Best Time To Visit
May to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Kefalonia Airport (EFL) or ferry from Patras or Killini
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Roads are good but mountain routes are narrow.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 150 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , mountain roads, cave visits, beach walking
DAY 1
ARGOSTOLI
MORNING
ARGOSTOLI TOWN AND THE LAGOON
Argostoli is the most extraordinary capital in the Ionian islands, its remarkable neoclassical architecture rebuilt after 1953 around a stunning 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. The Drapano lagoon attracts loggerhead sea turtles. Free. Drive: Walk
MIDDAY
KORGIALENIOS MUSEUM
The Korgialenios Museum is the most extraordinary museum in the Ionian islands, its remarkable collection of pre-earthquake photographs and traditional objects giving the finest insight into the lost world of Kefalonia before 1953. The extraordinary photographs of the destroyed Ionian towns are the most moving documents of the earthquake in Greece. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
FANARI LIGHTHOUSE AND SEA MILLS
The Fanari Lighthouse gives the finest views over the Argostoli 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. The water reappears in the Melissani cave on the other side of the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary sea mills at the Argostoli peninsula tip are the most unusual geological phenomenon in Greece, the sea flowing inland through holes in the rock to drive an ancient mill system. The water disappears underground and reappears in the Melissani Lake cave on the other side of the island. The finest natural curiosity in Kefalonia. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe on the Argostoli waterfront Greek coffee on the extraordinary lagoon waterfront. Loggerhead turtles visible in the water below. | Lunch: Taverna in Argostoli Outstanding Kefalonitan lunch with local meat pie and excellent Robola white wine. | Dinner: Restaurant on the waterfront Outstanding dinner on the finest waterfront in the Ionian islands.
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 into the most vivid turquoise water in Greece giving the finest beach landscape in the Mediterranean. The viewpoint above on the mountain road gives the most photographed view in the Ionian islands. Arrive before 10am. 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 Venetian castle of 1593 above the village 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 only town in Kefalonia that survived the 1953 earthquake intact, its remarkable Venetian architecture of colourful two-storey houses giving the finest historic harbour in the northern Ionian islands. The extraordinary anchorage attracts the finest yachts in the Ionian Sea. The waterfront is the finest promenade in Kefalonia. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary lighthouse ruins on the headland above Fiskardo give the finest views over the northern tip of Kefalonia and across to Ithaca. Almost entirely unvisited despite being 15 minutes walk from the harbour. The 18th-century lighthouse tower ruins are extraordinary. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast before Myrtos drive Early start for Myrtos Beach before the coaches arrive at 10am. | 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 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, with sunlight streaming through the opening and 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 containing the finest stalactite and stalagmite formations in the Ionian islands. The extraordinary acoustics have been used for concerts. The remarkable underground river connecting Drogarati to the Melissani Lake 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, its remarkable sheltered bay of extraordinary turquoise water framed by steep green forested hills giving the finest beach setting on the island outside Myrtos. Used in the filming of Captain Corelli's Mandolin. The clarity of the water gives the finest snorkelling on the east coast. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The ancient city of Sami above the modern town is the finest hidden ancient site in Kefalonia, its remarkable Mycenaean and Classical ruins giving extraordinary views over 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 angle is finest. | Lunch: Taverna near Sami Outstanding Kefalonitan lunch near the cave area. Fresh fish and local Robola wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Argostoli Outstanding dinner in the extraordinary lagoon capital.
DAY 4
INTERIOR AND MOUNT AINOS
MORNING
MONASTERY OF AGIOS GERASIMOS
The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos in the Omala Valley is the most important religious site in Kefalonia, housing the relics of the island's patron saint in an extraordinary 16th-century monastery complex. The remarkable silver casket with the saint's relics and the extraordinary underground cell where he lived for five years give the finest religious heritage experience in the Ionian islands. Entry free. Drive: 15 min drive
MIDDAY
ROBOLA WINE COOPERATIVE AND OMALA VALLEY
The Robola Wine Cooperative in the Omala Valley produces the most extraordinary white wine in the Ionian islands, the remarkable Robola grape grown on the limestone slopes of Mount Ainos giving a wine of extraordinary mineral character unlike any other in Greece. The wine tasting and cellar tour give the finest winery experience in the Ionian islands. Tasting approx 5 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MOUNT AINOS NATIONAL PARK
Mount Ainos National Park contains the most extraordinary forest in the Ionian islands, its remarkable ancient fir trees, the Abies cephalonica species endemic to Kefalonia, covering the highest mountain in the Ionian chain. The extraordinary views from the summit on clear days extend from the Peloponnese to the Albanian mountains. The forest drive is the finest mountain experience on the island. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Byzantine church of Agios Andreas near Peratata contains the finest Byzantine frescoes in Kefalonia, its remarkable 14th-century paintings giving the most important medieval artistic heritage on the island. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Entry approx 3 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before monastery Early start for Agios Gerasimos. The monastery is most atmospheric in the morning before tour groups arrive. | Lunch: Taverna in Omala Valley Outstanding traditional Kefalonitan lunch in the finest valley restaurant in the island interior. | Dinner: Restaurant in Argostoli Outstanding Kefalonitan dinner after the extraordinary interior day. Local meat pie and Robola wine.
DAY 5
SOUTH COAST AND PALIKI
MORNING
SKALA AND THE ROMAN VILLA
Skala is the most extraordinary beach resort on the south coast of Kefalonia, its remarkable long sandy beach and the extraordinary Roman villa ruins above the town giving the finest combination of ancient heritage and beach in the southern Ionian islands. The Roman villa mosaics dating from the 3rd century AD are the finest ancient floor decorations in Kefalonia. Villa entry approx 3 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LOURDAS BEACH
Lourdas is the most extraordinary beach in south Kefalonia, its remarkable long stretch of golden sand and extraordinary turquoise water below the dramatic slopes of Mount Ainos giving the finest natural beach landscape in the southern Ionian islands. The extraordinary views from the beach over the Ionian Sea towards Zakynthos are the finest from any beach on the south coast. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
LIXOURI AND THE PALIKI PENINSULA
Lixouri is the most extraordinary town on the Paliki peninsula, accessible by a short ferry from Argostoli, its remarkable traditional character and the extraordinary Xi Beach nearby, the finest red sand beach in the Ionian islands, giving the finest alternative Kefalonia experience. The remarkable fossil cliffs above Xi Beach are the finest geological spectacle on the island. Ferry approx 2 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Xi Beach on the Paliki peninsula has the finest red sand in the Ionian islands, its remarkable colour caused by volcanic deposits in the limestone cliffs giving the most unusual beach landscape in Kefalonia. The fossil cliffs above contain extraordinary marine fossils. Free. 15 minutes from Lixouri by car.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe before south coast drive Early start for Skala and the Roman villa. The south coast is finest in morning light. | Lunch: Taverna at Lourdas beach Outstanding fresh fish lunch on the finest beach in south Kefalonia with views over the Ionian Sea. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Argostoli Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary lagoon capital. Kefalonitan meat pie and Robola wine.
Where To Stay
Argostoli, Nights 1 to 4 Best overall base. Waterfront hotels from 60 to 140 euros. Central for all parts of the island. Fiskardo, Night 2 Stay in the Venetian harbour after the north coast day. Boutique hotels from 90 to 200 euros. Budget option Guesthouses in Argostoli from 40 euros. The compact capital is the best value base on the island.
Top Tips
1. Myrtos Beach before 10am is extraordinary. The viewpoint above gives the finest photograph in the Ionian Sea. Descend before the coaches arrive.
2. Melissani cave is finest between 11am and 1pm when the sunlight angle creates the most extraordinary blue reflection in the underground lake.
3. The Robola Wine Cooperative offers free tastings. The Robola grape is unique to Kefalonia and produces a mineral white unlike any other in Greece.
4. Mount Ainos fir forest is entirely unique to Kefalonia. The Abies cephalonica tree grows nowhere else in the world. The forest road is extraordinary.
5. Assos Venetian castle is almost entirely unvisited despite being one of the finest in the Ionian islands. Walk up from the village for extraordinary views.
6. The Xi Beach red sand on the Paliki peninsula is the most unusual beach in the Ionian islands. Take the Lixouri ferry for the full Paliki experience.
Total Budget
80 to 150 euros/day