Argostoli holidays

Argostoli holidays drop a pin in Kefalonia’s waterside capital. While Argostoli Town flaunts a modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere, harbour views and local boat trips await down by the shore. Keep an eye out for the resident loggerhead turtles.

Discover Kefalonia’s capital

There’s lots to love about the south-west Argostoli Town. Geography-wise, it’s in Kefalonia, and is the island’s capital. But it’s quite different to the cities like Rhodes, which have that classic Greek straight-out-of-a-postcard look. This place had to be rebuilt after an earthquake in 1953, so what you see now is a modern reconstruction. And as for the natural scenery, that’s untouched. Koutavos Lagoon sits at the head of the local bay, with mountains in the backdrop, and you can get panoramic views of the coast from De Bosset Bridge – the longest stone bridge over sea water. There’s a promenade-lined harbour where you’ll find shops and bars, too.

Loggerhead turtles in Argostoli Harbour

Finding Nemo will never quite hit the same level after coming here, especially if you go morning turtle watching. Loggerhead turtles float around the area where the boats bob after sunrise each day, making sightings in the harbour pretty common. Why do they like it here so much? The water’s extra calm, thanks to two peninsulas that offer natural protection from the current. If you’re super keen on seeing them, brush up on south Argostoli turtle habitats before you go. Nesting season’s from July to October, so that’s a great time to see little ones hatching down at the nearby Makros Gialos beach. It’s a nesting site for endangered loggerheads, and is also a great place to spot local wildlife, like monk seals.

Ferry excursions to Lixouri

If you fancy pushing the boat out – literally – it’s just a 20-minute ferry to Lixouri. This coastal town suffered the same fate as Argostoli in the 1950s, when the earthquake struck between Kefalonia and Zante, but its reconstruction focused on replicating a more traditional architecture style. That means it looks almost exactly like it did before the disaster. Other popular things to do in Argostoli include daytrips to the red-sand Xi Beach, which is famous for its terracotta-tinged shoreline, and excursions to the Assos and Myrtos beaches. These ones are right by traditional villages, so you can draw more comparisons between those and Argostoli Town if you fancy a mooch around.