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Kefalonia Holidays

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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.

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

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.

Hotel Emelisse

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.

Fiskardo

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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Weather

TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm)

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.

Latest Deals

Price per person

Karavados Beach Hotel, Karavados 09 May 2019, 3 nights London Gatwick

£ 237
Bed and Breakfast
Nine Muses, Skala 07 October 2018, 7 nights London Stansted

£ 238
Bed and Breakfast

What are these prices

Things To Do View all

Sample the local plonk at the Robola Winery

Every Kefalonia wine menu worth its salt will offer you a glass of crisp Robola. It’s the A-lister of Greek white wine and…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Stop for lunch in Argostoli

The 1953 earthquake pretty much flattened the island’s capital, but don’t let that put you off. There’s plenty to see inthis…
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Spend a day island-hopping

Kefalonia is the perfect base for exploring. With so many islands nearby, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to daysout.…
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Top 5 resorts in Kefalonia

Top 5 hotels in Kefalonia

1

Nine Muses

From £238
2

Olive Garden Apartments

From £314
3

Crystal Palace Resort 1

From £321
4

Caretta's Nest

From £574
5

Hotel Paspalis

From £313

Top 5 villas in Kefalonia

1

Villa Della

From £541
2

Mounta Villas

From £414
3

Villa Eros

From £404
4

Anassa Villas

From £647
5

Androniki Villa

From £655

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Kefalonia Holidays

Captain Corelli’s isle

The popular resorts

Sightseeing

Things to See and Do in Kefalonia

Kefalonia’s beaches

The big beach

The secret beach

Bargain Buys

Mid-Range Buys

Designer Buys

Laid-back evenings

Lively evenings

Kefalonia meat pie

Bourbourelia

Riganada

Strapatsada

Robola

Places To Stay In Kefalonia View all places to stay »

Karavados

Karavomilos

Fiskardo

Bazukata

Assos

Fiskardo

AT A GLANCE

Weather

WHEN TO GO

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Things To Do View all »

Top 5 resorts in Kefalonia

Top 5 hotels in Kefalonia

Top 5 villas in Kefalonia

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