Holidays in Kefalonia GREECE
Castaway Kefalonia - the island of Captain Corelli fame - is the unexplored giant of the Ionian Sea. Rarely crowded and rich in natural beauty, it begs to be discovered. Kefalonia is a Greek island with a difference. An understated atmosphere brings many people here in search of a
Greece untainted by mass tourism. The natural beauty of Kefalonia, however, is anything but understated, with rugged mountains and olive groves combining to create spectacular scenery. One of the sunniest Greek islands, its ivory shores and plethora of tiny fishing villages are a joy to explore. Meanwhile, as you head inland Kefalonia sweeps up into dramatic mountain scenery. Monasteries dot the pine-clad, craggy hills leading to the impressive Mount Aenos in the south, while in the north, spectacular cliffs are the defining characteristic of a stunning coastline. Much of Kefalonia was devastated in 1953 by a huge earthquake. However in the rebuilding it has managed to retain a true sense of Greek life that has been lost on many other islands. It is also one of the sunniest Greek islands making the coast and its plethora of tiny fishing villages particularly enjoyable. Here you can witness the day-to-day activities of authentic
Greece. As you head inland Kefalonia sweeps up into the dramatic mountain scenery that draws so many people here. Monasteries dot the pine-clad, craggy hills that lead to the impressive Mount Aenos which dominates the south of the island. In the north spectacular cliffs are the defining characteristic of a stunning coastline.
Information about Kefalonia beaches
Anyone who's seen the blockbuster movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin will
know that Kefalonia boasts some of the most breathtaking
beaches in the Greek
islands. There's something for everyone here - from family-friendly sandy
stretches with watersports and other tourist facilities to hidden coves only
accessible by boat. The main port of Sami on the east coast has a long sandy beach stretching
round the bay but a more scenic spot can be found at Antisamos four kilometres
north east of the town. Locals and visitors alike flock to this lovely pebble
beach reached via a winding road with wonderful views of lush mountainous
countryside and the neighbouring island of Ithaca. The crystal clear water is
perfect for snorkelling but the stones and shingle can make getting in and out
a tricky affair so invest in some plastic sandals. Package holidaymakers tend to congregate in the coastal resorts at the
southern end of the island. Poros, south east along the coast from Sami, was
one of the first areas of Kefalonia island to be developed as a tourist resort and
its pebble beach is flanked by bars, tavernas, hotels and apartment blocks. A
more scenic sand and shingle beach can be found at Skala, at the south east
tip of the island 12 kilometres from Poros. The beach is backed by a pine wood
and seems to stretch forever so if you're prepared to walk a bit you'll have
no trouble finding a quiet spot to yourself. The coastline around Kato Katelios at the southern end of Kefalonia is a
key breeding ground for the endangered loggerhead sea turtles which lay their
eggs in the sand after sunset. These beautiful creatures are under serious
threat from the burgeoning tourist trade so it's important to follow local
guidelines such as avoiding the use of sunshades in the marked nesting zones.
You should never try to carry the newly hatched turtles to the water as it's
vital for their development and survival that they reach the sea under their
own steam. The one-kilometre long sand and shingle beach of Lourdhata, in the middle
of the south coast, is one of the most popular beaches on the island or head
for quieter Trapezaki where soft sand gently shelves into crystal clear water.
The beach is in a beautiful setting with a mountain backdrop and it rarely
gets crowded even in high season. Many package holidaymakers base themselves in the south west corner of Kefalonia
island near Makris Gialos and Platis Yialos - two good sandy beaches well
served with all manner of tourist facilitie. Make at least one visit to magnificent Myrtos Beach on the north west
coastline because it has rightly earned a reputation as one of the most
beautiful beaches in
Europe. You reach it via a winding four kilometre road
leading down from the main coastal road. You'll be rewarded with a stunningly
beautiful strip of pure white pebbles backed by towering limestone cliffs and
lapped by water which is as clear as glass. Be warned that there are strong
currents here on occasions and there have been a number of drownings.
Kefalonia sites and attractions - Kefalonia highlights ...
The island of Kefalonia offers you a wealth of attractions
from chic cafes and fine fish restaurants in the cosmopolitan capital to
densely forested mountainous countryside and fascinating stalactite caves to
explore. Take the time to get to know the island and you'll soon realise why
writer Louis de Bernieres fell in the love with the place and used it as the
inspiration for his best selling saga of love and war, Captain Corelli's
Mandolin. The Hollywood version of Captain Corelli was filmed in and around the main
port of Sami on the island's east coast but don't be disappointed to find the
town looks nothing like it did in the blockbuster movie. Sami was devastated
in an earthquake in 1953 so the movie moguls had to order the construction of
an elaborate set to recreate the elegant Venetian architecture which
characterised the town before disaster struck. But Sami makes a good base for
exploring two of the great natural wonders of the
Greek islands - the
Melissani Lake and Drogarati Cave.
Melissani, 2.5 kilometres west of Sami, is part of a huge underground lake
linked to the sea on the west coast of the island near Argostoli via a
subterranean channel. You can take a guided boat tour of two large caverns
flooded with water which shimmers in a kaleidoscope of colour caused by
sunlight pouring through the collapsed limestone roof. The awe-inspiring Drogarati Cave, four kilometres south west of Sami, is
another "must see" on your list. The large cavern, bedecked with impressive
stalagmites and stalactites, hosts occasional concerts due to its perfect
acoustics. Opera diva Maria Callas is among the stars who have performed here. Corelli fans might want to pay a visit to the fishing village of Agia
Efimia, 10 kilometres north of Sami, to have a drink or a meal in the café
favoured by the actors and crew. Unsurprisingly it's now called Captain
Corelli's! For a flavour of how Sami looked before the earthquake, visit the
island's loveliest village, Fiskardo, at the northern tip of Kefalonia. The
village was constructed on a bedrock of limestone which thankfully saved its
elegant, pastel-painted 18th century Venetian buildings from serious quake
damage. From here you can make a day trip over to the unspoilt island of
Ithaca, the legendary kingdom of Homer's Odysseus. Kefalonia island's capital Argostoli is a lively port town with smart shops, bars
and restaurants. The town's Archaeological Museum has a well-labeled
collection of finds from around the island including treasures unearthed from
the Sanctuary of Pan near the Melissani Lake. Various excavations indicate
that Kefalonia was inhabited as far back as 50,000 BC. For a fascinating
glimpse into island life in a bygone era visit the History and Folk Museum
which houses a collection of traditional costumes and various 19th century
paraphernalia showing how the nobility lived under French and British colonial
rule. There are also photos taken before and after the 1953 earthquake.
Getting out in Kefalonia: Nightlife, Clubs, Cafes & Restaurants
All Kefalonia's main seaside resorts have a lively night scene in July and
August when hordes of Italian tourists and package holidaymakers from northern
Europe ensure the beachfront music bars buzz till the small hours. You can
take your pick of English pubs and curry houses or go for the more traditional
evening entertainment offered by local ouzeris and bouzouki joints. Various
cultural events take place in the main towns of Argostoli and Sami during the
summer months and many island villages stage their own religious festivals
which are a good excuse for a Greek-style knees-up. The island has more than its fair share of good quality restaurants,
particularly in the capital Argostoli and the picturesque northern town of
Fiskardo. Try to sample some of the island specialties such as "kreatopita"
(Kefalonian meat pie with rice and tomato sauce) and "crasato" (pork in wine).
The island's famous Robola white wine makes a perfect accompaniment to a
seafood meal. One of the classiest fish restaurants on the island is the
Captain's Table, just off Argostoli's main square behind Hotel Ionian Plaza.
It's not the place to dine if you're watching the Euros but the seafood is
superb and there are plenty of gourmet meat meals to choose from if you're not
a great fish fan.
Cheaper dining is available at the numerous gyros and souvlaki fast food
joint which pepper the town. Or if you've over-dosed on moussaka and tzatziki,
treat yourself to a balti blow-out at the Indian Queen just off the central
square opposite Hotel Mirabel. The cafes and music bars in and around the main square are the focus of the
town's nightlife and during the summer months the square becomes the stage for
occasional outdoor concerts. For late night dancing you can choose one of the
discos in the streets leading off the square. On May 21st Argostoli hosts an
annual festival celebrating the union of the Ionian Islands with the rest of
Greece (an event which took place in 1864 when British rule here came to an
end). The popular resort area of Lassi, south of Argostoli, is chockfull of
lively music bars which throb till the small hours in high season. Poros and
Skala in the south east corner of the island also offer plenty of late night
watering holes and dance spots for the benefit of foreign tour groups. Many
hotels and tavernas organise special events such as Greek nights and weekly
barbecues in high season.
Local festivals include the Feast of Saint Gerasimos on August 16th in
honour of the saint whose preserved body lies in the Monastery of Agios
Gerasimos to the south east of Argostoli. On August 15th there's the rather
bizarre Assumption of the Virgin Festival in the village of Markopoulo in the
south east corner of the island. A swarm of snakes obligingly appears in time
for the annual festival - reminding villagers of the miraculous transformation
of some local nuns who reputedly turned into snakes to escape capture by
marauding pirates! The awesome Drogarati stalactite cave near Sami occasionally hosts
classical concerts due to its perfect acoustics. Check with one of the local
tourist offices for details of forthcoming performances. .
Climate and weather in Kefalonia GREECE
The Greek island of Kefalonia enjoys long hot summers with plenty of sunshine, together with mild wet winters. The largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia experiences a typically Mediterranean climate, with high temperatures during the summer months and plenty of rainfall throughout the low season. Spring in Kefalonia sees temperatures of between 15C and 18C, with relatively dry days and around 7 or 8 hours of sunshine a day. Swimming in the sea is possible, and the pleasant weather during these months is ideal for sightseeing and walking holidays. June and July sees the temperatures rising to 23C - 26C, and frequently reaching 30C.
With no rain and the sun shining for up to 12 hours of sun a day, the weather during the summer season is very reliable, making the island the perfect spot for a beach holiday. Temperatures remain high during the summer, as the island sees little winds to temper the heat. The autumn months bring the liklihood of rain, although the weather remains warm and the sun still shines between 7 and 9 hours a day. Temperatures drop to 22C in September and 18C in October, and the climate is much more comfortable. Winters remain mild, with temperatures reaching lows of 9C, and plenty of rain expected throughout the season. This abundant rainfall, so typical of the Ionian islands, is integral in helping to maintain Kefalonias' lush green landscape.
Getting to Kefalonia island - flights & ferries - Getting arround ...
Kefalonia enjoys a great many ferry links thanks to three good ports and the popularity of the island with Italians. Sami is main port for ferries to other Ionian islands like
Zakynthos,
Corfu and
Lefkas and the place to catch boats to Italy. Ferries from Agia Efemia and Argostoli link the island to
mainland Greece and a ferry from Argostoli is the quickest and best way to get to Lixouri. There are several boats each day to neighbouring Ithaca and tour trips to the offshore island are plentiful. Kefalonia airport is 9km south of the island capital at Argostoli. Olympic Airways has a daily flight to Athens all year round and this runs to several flights a day during high summer. International charters take passenger number to upwards of 400,000 annually. There is no public transport from the airport and a taxi is not cheap. Some hotels offer private minibus transfers. There are only 110 parking spaces so it can get crowded at busy times. There's a post office and first aid centre, some shopping, a gift shop, cafe and bar. There is bus service between Argostoli to Lassi (Platys Yialos), Poros, Sami, Fiskardo. and to the villages of the south coast. Agia Effimia, Divarata and Sami are connected with Fiskardo. Check with KTEL bus station at 26710 22281 and 26710 22276 for times
Quick facts - Kefalonia overview
Kefalonia Greece is the largest island of the Ionian Islands cluster and considered an ideal resort where you will have the chance to get acquainted with nature. Enigmatic caves, imposing sinkholes, sculptured rocks, verdant forests, and golden beaches, composing a magnificent and relaxing setting. Argostoli, the capital of the Kefalonia island, is a beautiful town that was destroyed by earthquakes and was re-built. Its spacious squares, large buildings, traditional architecture and hospitality of its inhabitants are what make it very attractive. Wandering around Kefalonia you will come across innumerable settlements of amazing natural beauty, exceptional traditional picturesqueness and spellbinding landscapes. Assos, one of the most scenic regions of the island, Lixouri, the renowned second largest town, Lourdata, a picturesque coastal resort, Poros, a tourist village and central port, Sami, the largest and most popular port of the island and above all Fiskardo, a traditional settlement of unique beauty that is the most frequented resort of the island of Kefalonia. Furthermore, Agia Afimia, Vlahata, Skala, Svoronata are worth visiting.
You can travel to Kefalonia from Patra Port and Kyllini Port by ferry boat, or by airplane from
Athens airport. You can also travel to Kefalonia Greece from
Ithaki,
Lefkada, Astakos and
Zakynthos. Transport is a must as the Kefalonia is large and public transport infrequent. Resorts are scattered widely around the coast which can call for long and wearing drives over tortuous mountain roads. Acres of inland forest-covered mountains give walkers some spectacular views but sunbathers must dig a little deeper to reach the relatively few good beaches, given the island's size. Kefalonia's recent rise in popularity has prompted islanders to jack up taverna and bar prices. At the height of the season they can now reach the outrageous levels normally found on the tourist honey-pots of
Santorini and
Mykonos islands. Don't expect picturesque Greek villages. Houses rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake are rarely charming or attractive, with the capital town at Argostoli a sad lesson in grim functionality in an idyllic setting.
