kefalonia is one of the Ionian Islands in Greece and is not only the biggest Ionian island but it is also one of the most popular. Travelers are lured by the many wonderful beaches, the picturesque villages, the friendly locals and the beautiful National Park. The island contains four peninsulas as well as some impressively big mountains. The outstanding scenery coupled with excellent weather leaves a lasting impression on visitors. The island was rocked by a large earthquake in the 1970s which effectively wiped the slate clean and destroyed all relics on the island. As a consequence kefalonia does not look like other Greek islands. Tourists come from all over Europe to the island and it’s a hugely popular package holiday destination, home to some truly impressive holiday villas and apartments. Keep reading to find more about this excellent Greek island!
Where to stay
Choose between a beachfront villa in Fiskardo, or a classy apartment in Christos, a secluded house in Aspasia or a contemporary villa in Zola. Whatever it is you are after Wimdu can help you find a comfortable and inexpensive accommodation in some of the finest locations in Kefalonia. You will find a range of holiday rentals from private owners on the island which means you will also be able to get the best local knowledge about where to eat, shop, and see the best sights. Compared to hotel prices, these Kefalonia villas and apartments are a fantastic cheap alternative for holiday goers looking for a great deal.
Fun Facts
- Kelalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands!
- Kelalonia goes by many names including ‘Cephallenia’ and ‘Kefallinia’.
- kefalonia is named after a Greek mythical person called Kefalos.
- Antisamos Beach on kefalonia was used in the film Captain Corelli's Mandolin!
kefalonia Attractions
The beautiful beaches of kefalonia are famous for their unspoiled natural beauty. The fine golden sands contrasting with the emerald waters create a feast for the eyes. You must also visit the picturesque villages, many of them located in the vast mountainous areas of the island whilst others are along the impressive coastline. Fiscardo is a village worth seeing with its beautifully maintained traditional and Venetian buildings. After you have had a relaxing day on the beach or lounging by the pool at your villa, you may like to check out some nightlife! The lively nightlife in kefalonia is most located in the capital of the island, Argostoli, along with some modern bars and huge night clubs located in Fiscardo, Lixouri, Skala, Poros and Sami. You will certainly not be disappointed with the nightlife is this vibrant and friendly city.
Things you must do!
Anyone visiting kefalonia must take a boat trip to Ithaca, the small island located off the north coast of kefalonia. The island has been inhabited since the 2nd century BC and there are various ruins on the island that are worth investigating. You will need persuade the kids to get up early and leave the villa pool behind through but the trip is well worth it. A three island boat trip is available to Skorpios, Megannissi and Lefkada. The organisers even allow you to take a swim in the ocean! Back on kefalonian, the Agios Gerasimos church is worth visiting and the saint’s body lies inside the church. The Castle of St George is another relic of old kefalonia worth checking out. The summit of kefalonia’s highest mountain gives amazing views out to the Mediterranean sea. During the trip you will be able to visit the famous caves inland in kefalonia – Melissani and Drogerati. These caves are amazing and hugely popular with tourists. They are underground lakes and you can take a boat over the water in the lakes for a view inside the cave – it’s amazing!
Getting Around
Getting to kefalonia is straightforward enough – there is an airport at near the towns of Argostoli and Lassi and is typical of Greek island airports – it’s quite small! Main travel days are Sunday and Tuesday (to coincide with when people leave their holiday apartments) and during the summer months it can get quite chaotic in the airport terminal! You can also reach the island by ferry and there are frequent connections with Italy, the Greek mainland and other islands. You’ll need to hire a car to get the most out of your stay on kefalonia as the bus service is not reliable and doesn’t service much of the island, making it difficult to get from your apartment to some of best sights. By hiring a car you can explore anywhere you fancy and find your own patch of paradise on a secluded beach – perfect! Here’s a top tip – hire a car at the airport – you’ll save yourself a lot of money by not taking a taxi from the airport to your rental. So, if you’re ready to plan your trip, why not get started taking a look at Wimdu’s great selection of villas in Kefalonia.