Kefalonia is a laid-back Ionian island with gorgeous beaches, mountain villages and lots of pretty harbour towns to explore. Spend your days swimming in turquoise coves, taking boat trips or exploring caves, then settle in for a long lunch at a local taverna. It’s also surprisingly green, with pine forests covering much of the island.
Kefalonia’s main bases each have a different feel, from lively Argostoli and beachy Lassi to postcard-pretty Fiskardo and tiny Assos. Argostoli and Lassi are the easiest all-round choice, with Argostoli’s waterfront, shops and restaurants, and Lassi’s sandy beaches and water sports just down the road. Fiskardo is all about the pretty Venetian harbour, a waterfront filled with yachts, and the nearby coves. Tiny Assos is even quieter, centred on a colourful harbour and the ruins of its Venetian castle; it’s a lovely base for exploring nearby Myrtos Beach. Sami & Agia Efimia are great for exploring the east coast, with Melissani and Drogarati caves, Antisamos Beach and boat trips to hidden coves all close by. Down south, Skala is the classic beach holiday base, with a long sandy beach, water sports and lively tavernas. Wherever you stay, a car is useful for seeing more of the island, as the main sights are spread across Kefalonia.
Ideal for: Beach holidays, families, water sports, nightlife, boat trips
Argostoli and Lassi make a great base for first-time visitors and families looking for a bit of everything. Argostoli has a lively waterfront lined with cafes, restaurants and shops, with a good mix of smart boutique hotels, family-run stays and apartments. Lassi is all about its sandy beaches, clear water and easy-going holiday atmosphere, with plenty of family-friendly resorts and apartment hotels. Spend the day swimming at Makris Gialos or Platis Gialos, then head into Argostoli for an evening stroll along the harbour, where loggerhead turtles are often spotted in the water. It’s also a handy base for boat trips and exploring more of Kefalonia by car.
Did you know? Argostoli is home to the De Bosset Bridge, the longest stone bridge over seawater in the world. Built in 1813, it stretches for around 689 metres across the bay.
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Ideal for: Romantic escapes, yachting, snorkelling, boutique stays
Fiskardo's pretty Venetian harbour is the centre of the action, lined with colourful buildings, seafood tavernas and waterside bars, while the surrounding shore is dotted with secluded coves. Spend the day swimming or sailing, wander the harbour in the evening, or take a boat out to explore the coastline. Hotels here tend to be small and stylish, with boutique properties, villas and upmarket stays rather than big resorts.
Did you know? Fiskardo is one of the few villages in Kefalonia to have survived the 1953 earthquake largely intact, which is why you can still see so many of its colourful Venetian-style buildings today.
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Ideal for: Hiking, village stays, romantic escapes, quiet beaches
Assos is the ideal base for couples, romantics and anyone looking for a peaceful escape. This tiny, picture-postcard village curves around a lovely harbour, with colourful houses, little tavernas and a small pebbly beach. Climb up to the Venetian Castle for panoramic views over the coastline, or head to nearby Myrtos Beach for one of Kefalonia’s most famous swims. Accommodation is mostly small guesthouses, boutique hotels and villas.
Did you know? The Venetian Castle of Assos dates back to the 16th century and was built to protect the area from pirate attacks.
Ideal for: Cave exploring, island hopping, beach days, snorkelling, boat trips
Sami has a lively little harbour, waterfront tavernas and boat trips, while nearby Agia Efimia is quieter and has a string of small beaches and swimming spots. The big draw here is the scenery: explore the underground Melissani Cave, hike around Mount Ainos or spend the day at beautiful Antisamos Beach. Hotels in the area are mostly relaxed family-run properties, apartments and small boutique stays, with a few smart options around Sami.
Did you know? Melissani Cave near Sami was once a place of worship dedicated to the Greek god Pan and the nymph Melissani.
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Ideal for: Beach holidays, families, nightlife, water sports, snorkelling
Skala's long, sandy beach is the star of the show, with clear water, water sports and boat trips, while the village behind it has a good choice of tavernas, bars and shops. You can also explore the ruins of Roman villas nearby or take a boat out along the coast. Hotels here range from family-friendly resorts and apartments to smart boutique stays.
Did you know? Skala’s name comes from the Greek word “skala”, meaning “stairway” or “steps” — a nod to its historic role as a coastal landing place.
