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🇬🇷 Greece · IslandGuide Audio Guide
Kefalonia
Myrtos · caves · mountains · Ionian sea
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and arguably the most beautiful. Myrtos beach is one of the most dramatic in Greece; Fiskardo is the best-preserved pre-earthquake village in the Ionians; Melissani cave lake is otherworldly; and the island has a distinctly untouristy pace even in peak summer. Choosing where to base yourself determines the Kefalonia you experience.
73 points of interest
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The Cyclopean walls of Krani are an ancient fortification running approximately 1 kilometre in length and 4 metres in width, constructed from large polygonal and trapezoidal limestone blocks fitted without mortar. Built during the Classical and Hellenistic periods, they defended the city of Krani against its rival city-state Sami. The walls survive on a forested hillside in central Kefalonia and represent one of the best-preserved examples of ancient dry-stone military architecture on the island.
Minies Beach lies approximately 10 kilometres south of Argostoli on the Lassi peninsula, around 4.3 kilometres from Kefalonia Airport. Three small sandy beaches sit in a row along this sheltered section of coast, each offering fine golden sand. The first and largest of the three features a gently shelving seabed that makes it suitable for easy entry into calm, clear water. The location on the Lassi peninsula places it within easy reach of Argostoli, making it a convenient option for those staying in or near the island capital.
Chorgota is a small secluded cove on the northeastern coast of Kefalonia, reached via the Agia Efimia to Fiskardo road. The beach is composed of smooth white pebbles and is lapped by crystal-clear azure water. Natural shade is provided by cypress and olive trees growing close to the shoreline. The cove gained wider recognition as a filming location for the 2001 film Captain Corelli's Mandolin, set on the island during the Second World War. Its position on this quieter northeastern stretch of coastline means it attracts fewer visitors than the better-known beaches.
Gradakia Beach sits in the Lassi area approximately 2 kilometres southwest of Argostoli, adjacent to the popular Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos beaches. The beach is distinguished by its grey-toned sand, a natural blend of fine sand and crushed shell fragments. A very gentle slope leads into shallow, clear water, and the beach faces west across the bay, offering open afternoon and evening light. Its location between two well-known neighbours means it sees comparatively less traffic, while sharing the same calm, protected waters of the Argostoli Gulf.
Megas Lakos Beach occupies the western Paliki peninsula adjacent to the well-known Xi Beach, with views across to the small islet of Vardiani offshore. The sand is a distinctive reddish to deep red colour, produced by iron-rich mineral content in the local geology, a characteristic shared with the nearby Xi Beach. A very gentle slope leads into shallow water, and the beach forms a long open arc facing west toward the Ionian Sea, catching full afternoon sun and offering unobstructed sunset views across the water.