A Greek vacation is always wonderful—magical landscapes, and delicious food. If you’re in the mood to visit a less touristy destination, come and discover Kefalonia with me—a stunning and especially surprising island.

The island of Kefalonia belongs to the Ionian Islands group in northwestern Greece.

It covers an area of about 780 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 40,000—not a small number by Greek island standards. Kefalonia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.

Kefalonia is a green, mountainous island with hiking trails and peaks over 1600 meters. It is home to the famous underground lake Melissani—one of the rarest and most beautiful in the world, attracting tourists from all over.

Along the northwestern coastline, you might spot seals, dolphins, and even whales if you’re lucky. The island is breathtaking, with gorgeous beaches, turquoise waters, and lush green mountains.

As with its neighboring Ionian islands, Kefalonia has a noticeable Italian touch—remnants of Venetian rule and geographic proximity to Italy. This is evident in the architecture, colors, and cuisine.

Greece has always been a top summer destination for many travelers. Its beaches and islands are perfect for relaxation, or simply gazing at the blue sea.

Islands like Paros and Crete are known as the best summer hangouts, rich in culture and arts, while islands like Mykonos are famous for all-night parties.

But despite the well-known islands, a small and lesser-known island may just be the best place to spend your summer.

You may not have heard of Kefalonia before, but it is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece and arguably the most diverse.

It’s rocky, mountainous, and especially known for its excellent wine. Kefalonia’s secret beaches have become a magnet for tourists, often overshadowing destinations like Mykonos and Santorini.

What stands out most about this island is its diversity. Being the largest of the Ionian islands, it has plenty of space and offers many things for travelers to explore.

Because it is less touristy, Kefalonia retains its relaxed European vibe—something more travelers are seeking now than ever.

How to Get to Kefalonia

You can get to Kefalonia by domestic flight via Athens or Ioannina, or through nearby islands like Lefkada or Zakynthos. 

Another popular option is to arrive by ferry. You can rent a car in Athens, Ioannina, or one of the nearby islands and take the car with you on the ferry to Kefalonia. 

Ferry times between the islands range from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the origin.

There are several ferry routes to Kefalonia. From the mainland, two departure points in the Peloponnese are Patras (to the port city of Sami, about 3 hours) and Kyllini (to either Sami or Poros, about 1.5 hours each). Ferries also run from Zakynthos and Lefkada.

Ferry prices are generally low and depend on the number of passengers. You can check ferry prices and schedules online.

When to Visit Kefalonia

Kefalonia is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on your preferences. The peak season is June to August when the weather is warm and sunny, but this also means crowded beaches and higher prices. 

If you prefer to avoid the crowds, the shoulder seasons (April–June and September–October) are excellent times to visit. The weather is still warm, the beaches less crowded, and the prices more reasonable. 

This is also a great time to enjoy nature, with blooming wildflowers and ideal hiking conditions.

Getting Around Kefalonia

Renting a car in Kefalonia is a must. It’s a large, mountainous island, and public transportation is limited and unreliable. Book your car in advance, especially during the high season when demand exceeds supply.

It’s very difficult to explore the island without a car. Public transport in Greece is generally limited, and relying on it will cost you time and money. I recommend comparing rental companies through Rentalcars.com.

While the island is relatively large, you won’t find highways or freeways. Driving in Kefalonia is calm and adjusted to the local pace—especially within villages.

A great advantage is that you can park almost anywhere for free, which is a blessing.

Things to Do in Kefalonia

Assos and Fiskardo

Assos and Fiskardo are the most beautiful villages on the island.

Fiskardo, located at the northeastern tip of the island, is a charming fishing village that has become one of the most sought-after tourist spots.

It features a small beach and several others nearby, a boat dock, a promenade along colorful houses and picturesque alleys, with cafés, tavernas, and a lovely atmosphere in summer. 

Like most Greek coastal towns, it’s sleepy outside the hot season but already livens up by mid-April. 

In high season (July–August), it’s vibrant and packed. Don’t miss Fiskardo—it’s about an hour’s scenic drive from the capital, Argostoli.

Assos, located in the northwest, is a breathtaking spot. When seen from above, it reveals a peninsula connected to a tiny islet, topped with the ruins of an ancient fortress. 

Colorful houses line the shore of a turquoise bay. Much like Myrtos Beach (20 minutes south), no photo does this place justice—it’s truly beautiful and a must-visit during your trip.

Argostoli

The capital of Kefalonia, just 20 minutes from the airport, has a marina with a pleasant promenade and a wide pedestrian street full of local shops. You’ll also find many restaurants and tavernas—but don’t count on a shopping spree. 

Look out for the island’s unique almond snack—sugar-coated almonds dyed red or yellow, roasted and sweet, and incredibly addictive.

At the end of Argostoli Bay stands the Agion Theodoron Lighthouse, built during the British occupation in 1829 and reconstructed after the 1953 earthquake with Doric-style columns.

Visit The Most Beautiful Beaches in Kefalonia

Myrtos Beach – Known as the “trademark” of Kefalonia, located on the island’s western side, 30 km north of Argostoli. It’s been repeatedly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world due to its dramatic scenery. 

The beach is crescent-shaped, with turquoise water, surrounded by lush greenery and white cliffs. From afar, it looks like white sand, but up close it’s a mix of fine sand and tiny shells. There’s a large parking area nearby.

Antisamos Beach – Near the port of Sami, 27 km from Argostoli, this beach features small pebbles, white shells, and clear turquoise water perfect for snorkeling. 

It’s a well-equipped beach with sunbeds and umbrellas, but also plenty of room to set up your own space. 

It’s surrounded by green hills and became famous thanks to the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, starring Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz, which was partially filmed here.

Petani Beach – Located on the western Lixouri Peninsula, famous for beautiful sunsets. The beach features blue crystal-clear water, towering green cliffs, pebbles, and some sand. 

Facilities include parking, showers, toilets, sunbeds, and umbrellas. 

In the evening, the waves can get high—but that’s when the sunset is most magical. It’s about a 50-minute drive northwest of Argostoli. Like Myrtos, the beach descends steeply into deep water—watch out if visiting with young children.

Fteri Beach – Maybe the best beach on the island. Magical colors, amazing waters, and complete tranquility. Accessible only by boat or via a challenging 45-minute hike. 

Worth every minute—but bring supplies, as there’s no infrastructure—just hedgehogs and trees for shade. Taking a boat is much easier and faster. Either way, Fteri is absolutely worth the visit.

Porto Skala – Our personal favorite beach. Easy to access with nearby parking, and a small kiosk a 2-minute drive away. 

A beautiful (though tiny) pebble beach with great snorkeling, little coves, rocks, and clear white water. Not very touristy—definitely a hidden gem. Bring your own food and drinks.

Kako Lagadi Beach – Another gorgeous beach just 5 minutes north of Porto Skala. Ideal for snorkeling, with a magical cave. 

A bit difficult to access—an 8-minute descent from the road. Park near the beach, walk uphill, climb over a fence, and carefully descend. Wear sneakers and go slow. Not suitable for small children.

 Best to arrive early (10–11 am) as it gets crowded by noon. Stunning crystal-clear water.

Melissani Cave 

Located in eastern Kefalonia between Sami and Agia Efimia, near the village of Karavomilos. A natural sinkhole created by a collapsed roof, was discovered by accident in 1951. 

Visitors enter through a man-made tunnel and take a boat ride on the lake, which is 20 meters below ground, with water depths of 10–30 meters. Part of the roof remains intact with stalactites.

Best to visit in the afternoon to avoid long queues. Open daily from 9 a.m. to late afternoon. Entry: €8 for adults, half for kids. Swimming is not allowed.

Horseback Riding

Near Sami is Bavarian Horse Riding Stable, run by a charming woman who loves her horses. Kefalonia isn’t just about beaches—it also has stunning mountains.

 The horses are well-trained with unique personalities. We did a 2-hour mountain ride—highly recommended!

Day Trip to Ithaca

Ithaca is a small, enchanting island just across from Kefalonia, perfect for a day trip or even a few relaxing vacation days.

 It offers scenic views, beautiful beaches, and a peaceful atmosphere. The island is mountainous with green vegetation and picturesque bays, some with sandy beaches. The main town is Vathy on the eastern coast.

Daily ferries run from the ports of Sami or Poros. You can take a car on the ferry.

Where to stay in Kefalonia?

There are several popular areas on the island where you can find a wide variety of small hotels and villas offering complete privacy. 

Since the island is relatively large, keep in mind that reaching the recommended beaches and visiting the beautiful towns will require some driving. That’s why staying in the center of the island usually means shorter drives to all destinations.

We chose to stay quite close to the capital city but in a quiet and charming location – Studio Diana.
We stayed there for a week and it was the best decision we made – first and foremost because of the kind and generous hosts. It’s a small apartment hotel and a family-run business, with warm and lovely people.

Beyond that, the location was excellent, although it’s best to have a car.

The rooms are spacious and fully equipped, and the view from the pool is absolutely stunning and worth it.

The best part is the lovely family who own the studios.

Where to Eat In Kefalonia?

Nicolas Taverna – Fiskardo
This excellent taverna is located right by the marina in the village of Fiskardo, with a large terrace that allows you to enjoy the village view. We stopped by for some snacks and drinks, but the food turned out to be very tasty. We had amazing zucchini fritters, great spinach, fried calamari, and moussaka.

Mikelatos Restaurant – Skala
No doubt, this was the least Greek-style restaurant we ate at. It’s located in the resort town of Skala, right on the main pedestrian street. It’s recommended to book a table in advance because it gets very busy in the summer. We ordered pasta with mushrooms and asparagus, an excellently prepared fish fillet, slow-cooked beef, and an octopus tentacle with white carrot cream. It’s a family-run business, and the hospitality and warmth of the staff reflect that.

Ampelaki Greek Restaurant – Argostoli
This is a highly rated restaurant. The food was nice, though not amazing.

Il Borgo Restaurant
This might be the restaurant with the best view in all of Kefalonia. You’ll need to drive up to the top of a mountain to get there, but it’s absolutely worth it. The food was also excellent – from the moussaka, zucchini fritters, and pea & salmon risotto, to the classic souvlaki. Again, I recommend reserving a table in advance as it’s a very popular spot.

Additional Recommendations

As I mentioned earlier, this is a very large island with lots to see and experience. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to do it all – but that just gives us a reason to return.

Here are a few more points of interest and cool things to do on the island:

• Mount Ainos Viewpoint – The highest mountain on the island, offering a 360-degree view. The hike takes about 30 minutes each way.

• Visit a local winery – Kefalonia is known for its “Kefalonian wine.” Thanks to ideal weather conditions for growing grapes, wine is one of the island’s main exports. There are many wineries where you can enjoy tastings, and even full-day tours that include a winery visit, Melissani Cave, and other island highlights. Two wineries I noted (but didn’t get to visit) are: Gentilini Winery and Stella Vineyard. I recommend contacting them in advance to schedule a visit.

• Agios Gerasimos Monastery – A famous monastic site and one of the island’s symbols.

• White Rocks Beach – A stunning beach located relatively close to the central city, Argostoli.

• The town of Lixouri and the beaches on the island’s western side – Koutala Beach, Paralia Platia Ammos, Agia Eleni, and Paralia Petani.

• Boat trip to Ithaca – The island of Ithaca is very close to Kefalonia and offers spectacular beaches. You could split your stay and spend a couple of nights in Ithaca, or just take an organized boat trip to its beautiful spots.

A Few Facts About Kefalonia

• During World War II, the island of Kefalonia was controlled by the Italians, who were allied with the Germans. In September 1943, after Italy signed an armistice with the Allies and ended its alliance with Nazi Germany, the Germans carried out a massacre of Italian soldiers stationed on the island.

• “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” is a novel written by Louis de Bernières in 1993. It tells the story of World War II in Kefalonia, focusing on Captain Antonio Corelli and his soldiers, and their relationships with the island’s residents. At its heart is a love story that is tragically interrupted by the massacre. The 2001 film based on the book was shot in Kefalonia and showcases the island’s breathtaking, romantic landscapes.

• A massive earthquake struck the island in 1953 (magnitude 7.3), causing widespread destruction. Many residents left the island and never returned. Numerous villages were destroyed, and most buildings on the island were damaged. The only town that wasn’t affected was the northernmost village – Fiskardo.

• The Israeli Navy, which happened to be training in the Kefalonia region during the earthquake, was the first to provide aid to around 1,200 residents in the capital area of Argostoli. In appreciation, one of the streets in Argostoli was named “Israel Street.”

• Renovation and reconstruction of many buildings have led to a loss of the island’s original architectural authenticity. However, the upgrades to infrastructure, like roads, have greatly improved mobility across the island.

Summary

Kefalonia is likely nothing like what you expected from a Greek vacation: it’s a lush island full of green mountains and hills flowing into turquoise bays, with picturesque villages and colorful houses that feel like they were borrowed from Italy.

 It has a thriving wine industry producing award-winning local “Kefalonian wine,” and countless stunning villas at surprisingly affordable prices.

So why hasn’t it become as popular as its neighbors, Corfu and Zakynthos? The answer is simple – and even a bit funny: the “problem” is that you can only get there via a connection in Athens or by ferry from the nearby island of Lefkada. 

If you’re looking to explore new destinations, Kefalonia is quickly becoming one of the best vacation spots in Greece.

Thank you for reading!

If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer and help.

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My Travel Resources

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• Book affordable flights on Skyscanner, a great website that shows the best routes and flight deals to your destination.

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