Ionian Islands · Fir forests over Myrtos blue
Kefalonia
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands, a place of knockout beaches, robola vineyards and sun-scorched mountains that change at every turn. We build private Kefalonia itineraries around its wine, its wild nature and its warm village life.
Visit Kefalonia and fall in love with its many facets and landscapes that change at every turn. Holidays here are each as unique as the island itself: knockout beaches, rolling vineyards full of robola, and sun-scorched mountains dotted with tufty green plants.
The disputed kingdom of Odysseus
Kefalonia’s singular landscape has led some academics to claim that the island Homer described in The Odyssey is, in geographical and geological terms at least, much more similar to Kefalonia than to Ithaca. Three thousand years on, the site of Odysseus’s kingdom remains disputed, a battle waged not only by Classics scholars but by many territorial Greek grandmothers in tavernas across the two islands. We recommend staying out of the debate; if you must get involved, visit Ithaca as well and research the question properly.
Explore Kefalonia
Kefalonia is the largest Greek island in the Ionian group, famously the filming location of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. There is far more to it than its Hollywood moment: it is wonderfully diverse, with stunning beaches, charming villages, rich biodiversity, green forests, medieval castles and unique wines. An island that truly stirs all the senses.
Myrtos Beach
Reached by a steep and winding cliff road, Myrtos is not only Kefalonia’s pin-up beach but a fixture on lists of the finest beaches anywhere: a sensational curve of white cliffs slipping down to cream pebbles and dazzling blue water that almost seems to have its own light source.
Melissani Cave
According to local legend, the nymph Melissanthe drowned herself in this lake when the god Pan rejected her love. It is a gorgeous grotto with a great opening in its roof; at midday the sun pours through and turns the water an iridescent, sparkling blue. Visits are made by small boat, with a rower sharing the history and geology.
Assos
The village of Assos, with the ruins of its Venetian castle high on the islet hill above, looks lifted from an epic series. The loveliest sunset spot is up on the castle walls; the quaint village below is perfect for a freddo cappuccino and a swim in the pellucid blue bay.
Pairing Kefalonia
Kefalonia anchors an Ionian route beautifully: Ithaca sits just across the channel, Zakynthos to the south, and for fellow food lovers, Sifnos continues the thread in the Cyclades.
Known first-hand
Our best picks on Kefalonia
- Best Wine Robola
Kefalonia's own white grape, called the Wine of the Stone by the Venetians because its vines grew among black firs on the rocky slopes of Mount Ainos. If you are really into your wine, the Greek Wine Experience runs day trips and even wine cruises by private speedboat.
- Best Viewpoint Mount Ainos
Panoramic views up with the mountain goats, taking in the rugged, cliff-lined west coast and the flatter, sandier east. Keep your eyes peeled for a fir found nowhere else on earth and goats with gold-coloured teeth.
- Best Hidden Spot Psamousa
Along the seven kilometre coast road from Karavomilos hides a small beach like a private swimming pool ringed by rocks. Kefalonia at its peaceful, untouched best.
- Best Dining El Greco
A little gem in Argostoli run by Panagiotis, full of atmospheric charm, serving some of the best home-cooked traditional fare on the island. The harbourfront nearby is where rare caretta caretta turtles return from the sea at sunset.
- Best Local Specialty Kefalonian Meat Pie
The island's signature dish, best with tzatziki and Greek salad. Kefalonia is packed with artisan producers, from honey at Dias Organic Apiary to pastries at Voskopoula and oil from Kefalonia Olive Mill.
- Best Sight Mount Ainos National Park
A national park since 1962, home to more than 400 plant varieties, a 700 year old abandoned village and an extended family of around forty wild ponies. Local outdoor companies reveal its secret corners by hike and kayak.
Kefalonia has its own airport (EFL) with seasonal European flights, plus ferry connections including Kyllini on the Peloponnese and Astakos on the mainland.
Design
Design your experience
Tell us the occasion, the season and who is coming. One of our Epicureans will come back with a first sketch of Kefalonia, and will tell you if another island suits your dates better.