Visit the Greek island of Kefalonia and fall in love with its many facets and landscapes that change at every turn! Your Kefalonia holiday starts here, as you fantasise about your trip. If you have any questions about Kefalonia, please feel free to get in touch!
Holidays in Kefalonia are each as unique as the island’s stunning landscape. There are knockout beaches with rolling vineyards full of robola (the island’s own white grape) and sun-scorched mountains dotted with tufty green plants. It’s this unique landscape that has led some academics to claim the island Homer detailed in The Odyssey is – in geographical and geological terms, at least – much more similar to Kefalonia than Ithaca. So, 3,000 years on, the site of Odysseus’s kingdom remains disputed. This is a battle undertaken not only by Classics scholars but by many territorial Greek grannies you’ll encounter in tavernas across the two islands. We recommend keeping out of the debate. If you do want to get involved, we suggest taking an Ithaca Holiday as well, fully researching the topic.
Kefalonia is the largest Greek island in the Ionian group and is famously known as the location of the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, starring Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz. However, there is so much more to it than its Hollywood stardom. It’s so diverse, with a wondrous array of natural beauty, history, and extremely friendly people.
Visit Kefalonia and fall in love with its many facets and landscapes that change at every turn and go home raving about everything from its stunning beaches, charming villages, rich biodiversity, green forests, medieval castles, and its unique wines. It’s an island that truly stirs all the senses.
Reached by a steep and windy cliff road, Myrtos is not only Kefalonia’s pin-up beach, but it features on many a list of ‘the world’s best beaches’. It is a sensational curve of striking white cliffs that slip down to large, cream pebbles and dazzling blue water that almost seems to have its own light source. A must-visit as you travel Greece.
According to a local legend, a nymph called Melissanthe committed suicide in the lake when the god Pan rejected her love for him. It is a gorgeous grotto with a big hole in the middle which, in the middle of the day, the sun shines through and creates an iridescent, sparkling blue colour in the water. It costs 7 euros to get in and be taken around on a little boat by a rower who will tell you some interesting facts about the history and the geological formations.
The village of Assos in Kefalonia, with its impressive Venetian Castle Ruins high up on the islet hill, is reminiscent of a location you would see in ‘Game of Thrones’. The most beautiful sunset spot can be found atop the castle walls. The quaint little village of Assos is calm and perfect for an afternoon Freddo Cappuccino and a cheeky swim in the pellucid blue bay.
The Greek island of Kefalonia is famous for Robola, a grape variety producing white wine. In the past, the Venetians referred to it as the “Wine of the Stone” because the variety’s vines grew along with black fir trees on the rocky hills of Mount Ainos. If you’re really into your wine, the Greek Wine Experience puts together amazing day trips and even wine cruises on a private speedboat.
Our favourite panoramic views of Kefalonia are up with the mountain goats at Mt Ainos where you can truly appreciate the vast and varied landscape of the island. The west coast is rugged with cliffs and pebbly beaches while the east coast is markedly flatter with sandy beaches.
What we love about Mt Ainos is that it’s here where you can truly appreciate the island’s unique biodiversity – keep your eyes peeled for ecological treats ranging from a one-of-a-kind fir-type tree with white branches and sharp needles which hasn’t been seen anywhere other than Kefalonia, to goats with gold-coloured teeth.
Kefalonia is peaceful Greece at its very best, and you’re constantly finding whole acres which are staggeringly beautiful and untouched. From Karavomilos, there is a 7km stretch of road running alongside the snaking coastline. There is a small beach along here called Psamousa which is like a private swimming pool ringed by rocks. Just gorgeous!
There are no shortage of wonderful restaurants to discover on the Greek island of Kefalonia. El Greco with its atmospheric charm and home cooked, delicious food. Argostoli is the central hub and port town of Kefalonia. The city is situated by the harbour where you can often see the rare Caretta Caretta Turtles coming back from sea at sunset. Delicious and authentic Greek Restaurants are found almost everywhere here. One such ‘little gem’ is El Greco: run by Panagiotis, it serves some of the best traditional fare on the island at affordable prices with great service. What more can you ask for?
If you’re a foodie, Kefalonia is the island for you! Across the island, you will find locally produced food, which just tastes better because of its seasonality, and the attention to detail and care of its production. There are a huge number of fantastic artisan producers producing delicious local products – from honey at ‘Dias Organic Apiary’ through traditional pastries at ‘Voskopoula’ and olive oil from ‘Kefalonia Olive Mill’. One dish you must try is the island’s specialty: Kefalonian Meat Pie, accompanied with tzatziki and Greek salad. You might also like to consider our Sifnos Holidays.
Our favourite thing about Kefalonia is its rugged and untamed nature. There are several outdoor adventure companies which we can recommend to show you the island’s secret spots through hiking and kayaking. One untouched spot we love is Mount Ainos (also known as Black Mountain, because of the dark pine trees that bcover the slopes). A national park since 1962, the mountain is home to more than 400 varieties of plant, an 700-year-old abandoned village and an extended family of 40 wild ponies. So much to explore!
Would you like to find out more about this destination or speak with one of our Epicureans about the best options in Greece? Reach out to one of our experts who can tailor an unforgettable experience that will be the envy of your friends.