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Destinations » Greece » Ionian Islands » Kefalonia

Kefalonia Holidays

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  • Places To Go
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Spectacular countryside, hidden beaches and laid-back towns are yours for the taking on holidays to Kefalonia – aka Captain Corelli’s isle.

Captain Corelli’s isle

The biggest of the Greek Ionian Islands, Kefalonia shot to fame in the Hollywood blockbuster, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Take one look at the place and you’ll see why its scenery was deserving of the big screen. Tree-studded hills stand guard over sprawling vineyards, and honey-hued sands are kissed by turquoise waters.

The popular resorts

Skala, in the south-east, leads the way as far as holiday resorts are concerned. Its long beach is backed by pines, and its nightlife is the liveliest on the island, with stylish bars and music clubs setting the tone. Lourdas, further west, is also popular. Life here revolves around the sleepy main square, and the village is fringed by 2 miles of coastline. Then there’s Lassi, which people flock to from far and wide to watch the spectacular sunsets.

Sightseeing

Wherever you choose to stay, the island’s main attractions are within day-tripping distance. Don’t miss Myrtos Bay, a spectacular chalk-white beach which Captain Corelli’s directors couldn’t resist slotting into the movie. And pay a visit to the age-old chambers at the Drogorati Caves.

Things to See and Do in Kefalonia

  • Beaches
  • Shopping
  • Night Life
  • FOOD & DRINK
  • Kefalonia’s beaches

    The beaches in Kefalonia are among the most photogenic in Greece – we’re talking white slithers of sand that give way to forest-trimmed bays. And the great thing about this island is, if you rent a car and just drive along the coast, you’ll stumble upon near-deserted beaches that look like they haven’t been visited in years.

  • The big beach

    Makris Gialos Beach, in Lassi, is the liveliest stretch of coast on the island. Restaurants, bars and cafés line up behind the white sands, keeping visitors going with food and drink all day long. Have a go at snorkelling while you’re here – the water is really clear and, if you’re lucky, you’ll spot a loggerhead turtle or two.

  • The secret beach

    With a quiet village setting and no sand-side facilities to speak of, Vatsa Beach, about a 5-minute drive from Lassi, is usually devoid of visitors. The golden sands are home to nothing but a single Greek taverna, so it’s worth bringing a picnic with you if you plan on staying a while.

  • Bargain Buys

    Sami and Lassi have stores packed with straw trilby hats, imitation Havaiana flip-flops and beach inflatables. But for more authentic take-homes, Skala is the place to seek out. The pine-shaded village square is bordered by cubbyhole shops selling pottery, ceramics and lace. They also stock quality local produce, like giant knuckles of cheese, spicy soutsoukaki sausages and pots of honey.

  • Mid-Range Buys

    Kefalonia’s answer to high-street brands like M&S can be found in busy Argostoli. Lithostrato Street, in particular, is a good bet for local fashions, Lancôme make-up counters, and miniature Greek versions of Debenhams and House of Fraser. You’ll also see some names you recognise, such as The Body Shop.

  • Designer Buys

    Fiskardo is a bit of an A-list haunt, so keep an eye out for celebrities while you’re trawling the boutiques here. The best ones are down by the harbour, and include top-end names like Gucci and D&G. You can get your hands on anything from designer sunglasses and new-season handbags to one-of-a-kind cocktail dresses and jewellery made for showing off.

  • Laid-back evenings

    The harbour in Fiskardo has an upmarket feel, thanks to its fairy-lit restaurants and luxurious wine bars. You’ll find every type of cuisine going here – from gourmet Thai to traditional Greek. Over in Skala, you can walk off your dinner with a stroll around the ruins of the 3rd-century Roman villa on the outskirts of town – they look spectacular when they’re lit up after sunset.

  • Lively evenings

    Kefalonia’s capital, Argostoli, has a great set of bars, bouzouki clubs and discos – most of which spiral out from the main square, Platia Vallianou. You’ll also find a couple of nightclubs here, which attract celebrity DJs in the summer months. Lassi is another good option for a night out. Wander down the main strip, and you’ll find a parade of live music venues and karaoke bars.

  • Kefalonia meat pie

    Meat pies are what Kefalonia does best. The pies are made from a crumbly, thick-crusted pastry case, which is filled to bursting with tender meat, rice and vegetables. The meat varies depending on where you go, but lamb, beef and pork are the most popular options.

  • Bourbourelia

    In the winter time, locals huddle around their kitchen tables and tuck in to giant bowls of bourbourelia with ladle-like spoons. It’s a thick, warming soup made with locally-grown beans, corn and grain, and is usually served alongside big wedges of freshly-baked bread.

  • Riganada

    This is the Greeks’ take on bruschetta. Dry slices of bread are rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil. Grated tomatoes are then spread on top, along with a sprinkle of sea salt and dried oregano. Some restaurants will add some extra bits and pieces, like black olives, crumbled feta cheese or green pesto.

  • Strapatsada

    Granted, this might not be the most attractive dish in the world – but it sure is tasty. What’s more, with just three ingredients, it’s really simple to make. Tomatoes are either grated or pureed in a food processor, before being cooked in a generous pool of olive oil. Whisked eggs are then added, to form a scramble that’s goes really well with toast.

  • Robola

    Kefalonia is famous for its Robola wine – a dry, white variety with a fruity flavour and a crisp, lemony aftertaste. It’s quite light, so it goes with just about everything. Pair it with a meaty tuna fillet or a swordfish steak to bring out the flavour of the fish.

Places To Stay In Kefalonia View all places to stay »

  • Hotels / Apartments
  • Villas

Karavados

Karavados is a pocket-sized village in the south of Kefalonia, anchored among pine forests and citrus groves. It has all the mainstays of a typical Greek town, including rustic houses with cheerful gardens, an oxblood-red church, and a couple of tiny tavernas. While mountains lie to the north, a pancake-flat plain rolls out for a mile to the coast. Here, you’ll find a couple of beaches with views right across to Zante.

  • Karavados Beach Hotel

Fiskardo

This stylish town on Kefalonia's northern tip is known as the St Tropez of Greece – and with good reason, too. Demi Moore and Jon Bon Jovi have been spotted here, while Roman Abramovich parks his yacht in the harbour. It’s Fiskardo’s beauty and history that attracts the A-list – it mostly escaped the 1953 earthquake, and the candy-coloured Venetian buildings draped in bougainvillea make a great backdrop for a glitzy marina.

  • Hotel Emelisse

Karavomilos

Karavomilos is a peaceful fishing village on the east coast of Kefalonia. It wraps around the west side of Sami Bay, and is separated from the waves by a beach. There’s no sand – instead, you’ll find smooth white pebbles warmed by the Mediterranean sun, and shaded by a curtain of eucalyptus trees.

  • Ionian Emerald Resort

Fiskardo

This stylish town on Kefalonia's northern tip is known as the St Tropez of Greece – and with good reason, too. Demi Moore and Jon Bon Jovi have been spotted here, while Roman Abramovich parks his yacht in the harbour. It’s Fiskardo’s beauty and history that attracts the A-list – it mostly escaped the 1953 earthquake, and the candy-coloured Venetian buildings draped in bougainvillea make a great backdrop for a glitzy marina.

  • Androniki Villa
  • Allegra Villa

Bazukata

Bazukata keeps a low profile on the Greek island of Kefalonia. This tiny hamlet is perched on a cypress-clad hillside up in the north, with views across to the neighbouring island of Ithaca. This pindrop-peaceful place isn’t full of shops, bars and restaurants, but you'll find them in heaps at the nearby town of Fiskardo.

  • Villa Pelagos

Assos

Assos is a pindrop-peaceful village on the west coast of Kefalonia. It’s nestled into a horseshoe-shaped bay filled with azure waters. There are a handful of waterside tavernas down by the harbour, which come with views of the pebbly beach. The village is backed by rolling hills carpeted with cypress and pine trees. And there's a huge 16th-century fortress on top of one of them.

  • The Architect's House
  • Olympic House

AT A GLANCE

  • Follow in Hollywood’s footsteps on world-famous Myrtos Beach
  • Pack a picnic and head for Kefalonia’s poppy fields
  • Watch the world go by in one of Fiskardo’s harbour-side cafés
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Map of Kefalonia See places to go »

Weather

Average monthly temperature and rainfall for Kefalonia.

TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm)

MonthTemperatureRainfall
JAN 14.0 116.0
FEB 14.0 94.0
MAR 16.0 70.0
APR 19.0 45.0
MAY 24.0 22.0
JUN 28.0 8.0
JUL 30.0 6.0
AUG 30.0 8.0
SEP 28.0 27.0
OCT 23.0 102.0
NOV 19.0 131.0
DEC 14.0 148.0

WHEN TO GO

Like its Ionian neighbours, Kefalonia sizzles from June to August, with temperatures regularly climbing to 30°C and above. If you’re coming early or late in the season, it’s still fairly warm, with temperatures hovering between 18 and 22°C in May and October.

 

Things To Do View all »

  • The Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

    The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary kicks off Kefalonia’s season of summer festivals. It’s a national bank holiday,…

    View details »
  • Explore the millennia-old Drogarati Caves

    Experts reckon these caverns – about a 45-minute drive from Skala – are more than 150 million years old. To put that into…

    View details »
  • Snap a photo of Myrtos Beach

    Myrtos Beach’s dazzling white pebbles and Bombay Sapphire-blue waters caught the eye of Hollywood casting directors, whogave…

    View details »
  • Sail across Melissani Lake

    The word ‘breathtaking’ is bandied about so much it seems to have lost its impact. But Melissani Lake is deserving of the…

    View details »
  • Admire the castle in Assos

    If you can brave the hairpin bends that lead to Assos, you’re in for a nice surprise. This picturesque little village north…

    View details »
  • Step back in time in Sami

    In the year 2000, the small town of Sami, half an hour from Lassi, was invaded by Hollywood for the filming of Captain Corelli’s…

    View details »
  • Stretch out on Lepeda Beach

    A 25-minute walk – or 3-minute drive – from Lixouri will bring you to Lepeda Beach’s clay-orange sands. It’s spot on forfamilies…

    View details »
  • Follow in Hollywood’s footsteps at Myrtos Beach

    Myrtos Beach isn’t considered one of the world’s finest for nothing. This swathe of sand, about a 40-minute drive from Lassi,…

    View details »

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Top 5 resorts in Kefalonia

  • 1 Assos

    Assos

  • 2 Bazukata

    Bazukata

  • 3 Fiskardo

    Fiskardo

  • 4 Karavados

    Karavados

  • 5 Karavomilos

    Karavomilos

Top 5 hotels in Kefalonia

  • 1 Olive Garden Apartments

    Olive Garden Apartments

    From £175

  • 2 Marinos Apartments

    Marinos Apartments

    From £203

  • 3 Marietta Hotel Apart

    Marietta Hotel Apart

    From £154

  • 4 Panorama Village

    Panorama Village

    From £225

  • 5 Eleana Studios

    Eleana Studios

    From £163

Top 5 villas in Kefalonia

  • 1 Anassa Villas

    Anassa Villas

    From £523

  • 2 The Architect's House

    The Architect's House

    From £488

  • 3 Mounta Villas

    Mounta Villas

    From £461

  • 4 Villa Pelagos

    Villa Pelagos

    From £657

  • 5 Villa Haris

    Villa Haris

    From £547

Where we go in Kefalonia Show on a map »
  • Hotels / Apartments
  • Villas

  • Fiskardo

  • Karavados

  • Karavomilos

  • Katelios

  • Lassi

  • Lixouri

  • Lourdas

  • Skala

  • Svoronata

  • Agia Efimia

  • Assos

  • Bazukata

  • Fiskardo

  • Karavados

  • Ratzakli

  • Skala

  • Spartia

  • Lakithra

Popular holidays

  • Family holidays in Kefalonia
  • Luxury holidays in Kefalonia
  • All inclusive holidays in Kefalonia
  • Cheap holidays in Kefalonia
  • Last minute holidays in Kefalonia

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  • Chania Area

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