Where to look
Beach & Sun Seekers
Beach lovers · Photographers · Dramatic scenery seekers · Swimmers Myrtos is the beach that defines Kefalonia internationally — a jaw-dropping arc of white-grey pebbles at the foot of 300-metre limestone cliffs, with water that ranges from turquoise at the shore to deep cobalt further out. The road that descends to the beach offers one of the most photographed views in Greece. The beach itself is backed by a sheer cliff with no development whatsoever — just the raw, primordial landscape of the northwest Ionian coast. Antisamos on the east coast (famously featured in the film Captain Corelli's Mandolin) is a more sheltered, swimmable alternative with stunning scenery — backed by hills covered in dark green cypress and olive. Lourdas on the south coast is a long sandy beach with calm, warm Ionian water and spectacular views across to Zakynthos. Xi Beach on the southwest tip is famous for its red-clay cliffs and pebbles, and is particularly warm because it faces south.
Families with Children
Families · Young children · Parents wanting safe swimming and activities Skala, in the southeast, is Kefalonia's most developed family resort. The beach is long and sandy with reliably calm, warm water — the south coast is more sheltered than the dramatic west coast and better suited to children of all ages. The town has a Roman villa with excellent mosaics visible just above the beach, good tavernas, and a range of family accommodation including holiday complexes. Lassi, on the Lassi peninsula just west of Argostoli, has several organised sandy beaches (Makris Gialos, Platis Gialos) with sun loungers, watersports and the convenience of the capital nearby. The Katavothres sea mills — a natural phenomenon where seawater disappears underground through sinkholes, travels underground across the island and re-emerges at Melissani cave — is fascinating for older children. The lighthouse at the end of the Lassi peninsula has good sunset views.
Nature & Adventure Lovers
Hikers · Cave explorers · Wildlife watchers · Geological wonders fans Ainos National Park covers the dramatic fir-tree-covered mountain range at the heart of the island. Kefalonia fir (Abies cephalonica) is a species found almost exclusively here, creating dark forests that feel like something from a northern European fairy tale rather than a Greek island. The summit of Mount Ainos (1,628m) is reachable on foot from the Argostoli–Sami road and provides views across all the Ionian Islands on a clear day. The underground world of Kefalonia is extraordinary: Melissani cave lake (the collapsed ceiling underground lake where tourboats float), Drogarati cave (massive chamber with stalactites, sometimes used as a concert hall for its acoustics), and the Katavothres sinkholes where the sea enters the island and re-emerges 15km away. The sea around the island is excellent for scuba diving, with underwater caves and walls near Fiskardo and Sami.
Nightlife & Social Scene
Lively travellers · Bar hoppers · Greek taverna lovers · Social butterflies Kefalonia is not an Ibiza or Mykonos — its nightlife is pleasantly Greek rather than internationally intense. Argostoli has the best evening scene: the waterfront promenade (Lithostroto) fills with Greeks and tourists from 9pm, outdoor bars and cafés line the town square, and the atmosphere is genuinely lively without being overwhelming. The town's tsipouro bars (serving Kefalonian spirit with mezedes) are excellent. Lassi has the most organised bar strip on the island, with beach bars and clubs catering primarily to British tourists. Fiskardo has an atmospheric yacht harbour scene — expensive cocktails on beautiful boat terraces, mixed international crowd. Skala is the quietest of the main resorts in the evening. The island's authentic taverna culture — where dinner is an event that starts at 9pm and lasts three hours — is the real social experience.
Romantic Couples
Couples · Honeymoons · Special occasions · Ionian sunset lovers Fiskardo is the most romantic village in Kefalonia and one of the prettiest in the entire Ionian Islands. It was the only village to survive the catastrophic 1953 earthquake entirely intact, and its Venetian-era architecture — coloured facades, ceramic-tiled roofs, elegant harbour front — looks as it has for 200 years. The small harbour is filled with sailing yachts; the surrounding coves (Emblissi, Foki) are crystal clear and easily reachable by water taxi. The drive along the coast road from Argostoli to Myrtos at sunset, with the clifftops turning gold above the turquoise water, is one of the most beautiful drives in Greece. A villa rental on the hillside above Lourdas, looking south across the water towards Zakynthos, provides the kind of uninterrupted Ionian sunset that makes the island unforgettable.
Authentic Greek Island Life
Culture seekers · Foodies · Wine lovers · Off-the-beaten-path travellers Kefalonia has one of the strongest local identities in the Ionian Islands — its own distinct dialect, a fierce pride in its cultural heritage, and an exceptional food and wine culture. Robola wine, produced from a grape variety grown only on Kefalonia's mountain slopes, is one of Greece's finest white wines — crisp, mineral and completely unlike mainland Greek whites. The cooperative winery near Omala welcomes visitors. The island's cuisine is distinctive: kreatopita (meat pie in filo pastry with local spices), sofrito (veal in wine and garlic sauce, a Venetian legacy), and the famous Kefalonian meat pie baked in a wood-fired oven. The village of Paliki on the western peninsula is the most authentically agricultural part of the island — vineyards, olive groves and traditional farmhouses with almost no tourist presence.
Budget Travellers
Backpackers · Students · Cost-conscious visitors · Island hoppers Argostoli, as the island's capital, has the widest range of budget accommodation and the best access to buses, ferries and facilities. The town's covered market has excellent fresh food at local prices, and the side-street tavernas away from the tourist promenade serve good food cheaply. The nearby Lassi beaches are accessible by a pleasant 20-minute walk. Poros, in the southeast, is the least expensive resort on the island — a small ferry port with basic hotels and studios at genuinely local prices. The ferry from Poros to Kyllini on the Peloponnese is cheap and frequent, making it a useful island-hopping base. Kefalonia as a whole is less expensive than Mykonos or Santorini — mid-budget travel is very achievable, especially in May and September.
🏙️ Argostoli
Island capital. Best transport links, covered market, Katavothres sea mills, Makris Gialos beach nearby. Best all-round base. All types · Budget · Culture
🌊 Fiskardo
Only pre-1953-earthquake village intact. Venetian harbour, sailing yachts, excellent restaurants. Most expensive and most beautiful. Romance · Luxury · Authentic
⚡ Myrtos Beach
Most dramatic beach in the Ionian Islands. Vertical white cliffs, intense turquoise water. Not ideal for swimming but unmissable. Photography · Scenery · Day trip
🏖️ Skala
Family south coast resort. Long sandy beach, calm warm water, Roman villa mosaic nearby. Well organised. Families · Beach · Relaxed
🏖️ Lassi Peninsula
Organised beaches (Makris Gialos, Platis Gialos) just west of Argostoli. Watersports, facilities, sunbeds. Lively evening bar strip. Beach · Nightlife · Families
🏛️ Sami
East coast port. Gateway to Melissani cave and Drogarati cave. Ferry to Ithaca. Quieter resort with good beaches nearby. Nature · Families · Transit
🏡 Lourdas
South coast beach village. Long sandy beach, calm warm water, spectacular views to Zakynthos. Quiet and authentic. Couples · Families · Authentic
Tips for booking
- Myrtos is a viewing beach as much as a swimming beach. The surf and undertow can be strong — always check conditions before entering the water, especially with children. The cliff-top view from the road is best in the morning when the sun is behind you and the water colour is at its most intense.
- Skala is the calmest and most family-organised resort on the island. Unlike Myrtos or the west coast, the south coast beaches have no significant surf. Skala has direct beach access from most accommodation and a pleasant, safe evening atmosphere.
- Visit Melissani between 11am and 2pm for the best cave lighting. The open ceiling lets sunlight flood the cave for only a few hours around midday. Early morning or late afternoon visits produce much less dramatic light. Book your boat tour slot in advance in July and August — queues can be very long.
- Eat at a Greek hour. Restaurants in Kefalonia serve dinner from 7pm but local Greeks eat from 9pm onwards. Booking a table for 9pm rather than 7pm gets you the real taverna atmosphere — the local families arrive, the kitchen is in full swing, and the carafe of local wine is inexhaustible.
- Assos, midway up the northwest coast, is Kefalonia's most beautiful small village. A tiny peninsula village with Venetian fortress ruins above, a small beach, very few tourists and extraordinary colour — the painted houses reflected in the harbour water. Accessible by car from Argostoli in 40 minutes.
- Visit the Robola wine cooperative near Omala. The cooperative represents 300 local grape growers and produces Kefalonia's finest wine at prices significantly lower than Athens or export markets. Free tasting available. Open May to October.
- KTEL buses connect Argostoli to all main resorts. The bus network is not comprehensive but covers Fiskardo, Sami, Skala and Poros. Renting a scooter or small car for 2–3 days gives access to Myrtos, Fiskardo and the mountain roads without the full cost of a week-long hire.
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