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Spanning three millennia shrouded in myth and legends and touching a fourth, Kefalonia carries a rich history and marvelous beauty. The green of the mountains blend with the blue of the crystal clear waters and the pastels of the villages creating a fascinating pandemonium of colours that soothes the soul.
Worldwide famous for scenic beaches like Myrtos, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala, picture-perfect villages like Assos, Fiscardo and Sami, dramatic landscapes, caves and indigo bays, white dazzling sand and exciting activities, Kefalonia is an island that offers a buzzing lifestyle and a laid back experience.
The top must-see places in Kefalonia
Argostoli: the capital and biggest town, is built around a hill. Boasting a city-like life and offering various types of entertainment, Argostoli attracts shopping lovers for its shops, nightlife enthusiasts for its clubs, everyone for the coffee shops, bars and restaurants and, of course, nearby beaches. Although the town's original architecture was ruined in the devastating earthquakes back in 1953, there are still sites with the old venetian architecture. Landmarks are the old town Krani with the Cyclopean Walls, the Archaeological Museum, the Korgialeneios Library and folk art museum with a rare collection of books and manuscripts.
Assos: tiny and enchanting, the village is a hidden, artistically beautiful mix of picturesque elements in the small Erissos peninsula. Lush vegetation, tranquil beaches with turquoise clear waters, beautiful sunsets and colorful pastel houses are some of the reasons why Assos is renowned for its beauty.
Myrtos beach: considered as one of the best beaches in the World and the most famous of Kefalonia, Myrtos is a marvelous bay surrounded by tall and green cliffs in the north-west coast of the island. Boasting milky blue waters and fine, white coquina, the beach is well equipped.
Fiskardo: a charming village on the coast with a picturesque harbour surrounded by pastel-coloured houses that travel you back in time. Flanked by a couple of small beaches, Fiskardo is perfect for all island activities offering restaurants and cafes to lounge and many boutique shops.
The Cave Lake of Melissani: this natural wonder and one of the most impressive sights on Kefalonia was forgotten for centuries and re-discovered in 1951. Located in Karavomylos, close to Sami town, the ‘cave of the nymphs,’ as Melissani is called, is a spectacular underground lake with an open ceiling that allows the sunlight to illuminate the lake below, lighting up its stunning blue waters.
Mount Aenos: The tallest peak of the Ionian Islands, Aenos is blanketed by rich green forest and offers spectacular views of the Greek land, sea and sky. Located in the National Park of Aenos, it is ideal for excursions and hiking. If you love exploring nature and being rewarded with epic views, this is the right place. At its foot, lush vineyards give the popular Kefalonian Robola wine variety.
Tholos Tomb: A remarkable discovery and the biggest vaulted tomb to ever be found on the Ionian islands, this archaeological site was once the burial place of ancient royalty and Roman officials.
As you explore the island, you’ll realize Kefalonia’s close connection with food. After all, what better way to get to know a place other than through its local products? Fresh fish and locally sourced meat, cheeses, olives and vegetables will make just about every dish in Kefalonia like bourbourelia (soup of mixed beans), rabbit stew, strapatsada (eggs with tomatoes) and riganada (bread slices with oregano). But the brightest of all stars are the local pies. From kreatopita (a mix of veal and lamb, generously spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, cooked into a rich tomato sauce with marjoram, garlic and chopped carrots, leeks and potatoes), bakaliaropita with salted cod and anginaropita with artichoke hearts to tyropita (cheese pies from feta or a mixture of cheeses) and hortopita (wild greens) the selection of pies is wide.
Not to be missed
Starting with the trademarks, Mandola is a traditional sweet delicacy with a vibrant deep red colour made of almonds, sugar and seaweed. Mandolato is another sweet dainty of almonds, honey, sugar and egg-whites beaten in meringue. Pastokidono is a tasty dessert made of quince, almonds, honey, sugar and egg-whites beaten in meringue. The Kefalonian thyme and spruce honey with their rich flavor and scent are regarded to be amongst the best types of honey in Greece. Robola wine is the local crisp and fruity wine which is produced from grapes grown on the slopes of Mount Aenos.
The ultimate foodie experience is to find a traditional café, a.k.a kafeneio, and ask for the quince-based pastokidono or comfeto to pair your Greek coffee with.
