Sami kefalonia. ​Kefalonia (Greece): How to get there, beaches, photos

Kefalonia - island of sailors, an island of beaches where nymphs gather and miracles happen. The island got its name from the name of the hero Cephalus from ancient Greek mythology.

Kefalonia is the largest island in the group of seven Ionian Islands. It is located between the islands of Zakynthos and Lefkada almost in the center of the Ionian Sea. The area of ​​the island of Kefalonia is 671 sq. km, and the length of its coastline stretches for 250 km.

Since May 2013 to the island of Kefalonia first started direct weekly charter flights from Moscow, which, together with the already existing charters from St. Petersburg make the island of Kefalonia more accessible to tourists from Russia. Kefalonia is connected by air (30 minutes) and ferry (1.5 hours) communication.

Complex tours Zakynthos - Kefalonia are in particular demand for holidays on the islands of Greece, because you can fly to one island and fly away from vacation from another. The islands complement each other, and there will be twice as many impressions from a tourist trip.

Holidays on the island of Kefalonia in Greece.

At first glance, Kefalonia is a mountainous and rugged island.. As you move along the serpentine road leading along the coast, landscapes of amazing fairy-tale beauty open up behind every turn: an incredible blue sea, framed by rocky bays with beaches, and green islands of seaside villages. Vineyards, myrtle and olive groves with fluttering leaves of trees that make an almost metallic sound, as well as coastal towns with original moored yachts and small fishing boats, complete the landscape picture of the island of Kefalonia.

The island of Kefalonia captivates travelers with vine valleys, slopes with cypress alleys and pine air. Kefalonia immerses tourists in the atmosphere of relaxation and gives joy! The hospitality and cordiality of the inhabitants of Greece to the Russians proves that there is an invisible spiritual connection between the two countries.

Rest on the island of Kefalonia is distinguished by its regularity and tranquility.

Cities and resorts Kefalonia.

Capital of the island of Kefalonia city ​​of Argostoli. 10 km from the capital there is an international airport that receives flights from Athens and charter flights.

The city of Argostoli was rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1953 with a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale. Today, modern life is seething here, and at night, a vacation "party" is added at discos, clubs and bars.

Patron of the Island of Kefalonia Saint Gerasim who lived as a hermit in the cave of Katavotres, 2.5 km from the monastery near Argostoli.

Ferry services operate from the main port of Argostoli, as well as Sami, Poros and Fiskado.

Sami - the second port of the island and the main gate for ferries from Italy, Patras, Astakos and Lefkas. Port Sami became the main film set for the film "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" with the participation of N. Cage and P. Cruz.

The main resort towns of the island of Kefalonia: Skala, Lixouri, Lassi.

The beach season on the island of Kefalonia lasts from May to mid-October. The highest summer air temperature is +35C in August.

The beaches on the island of Kefalonia are presented for every taste: from "wild" and secluded to noisy with a developed tourist infrastructure.

The best beaches of Kefalonia island.

• Myrtos is the most beautiful and most photographed white sand and pebble beach in Greece with deep sea. It is included in the top 10 best beaches on the planet;
• Xi - a shallow beach with dense red sand, framed by limestone rocks with healing blue clay;
• Katelios - a long sandy beach;
• Makris Gialos and Platys Gialos (4 km from the capital Argostoli);
• Antisamos - near the port of Sami;
• Petani beach;
• Skala Beach is a long sandy beach near the town of Skala.

More than 20 beaches of Kefalonia have their own names, many of which have been awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness.

Hotels on the island Kefalonia.

Apartments and villas, small family hotels and 4* and 5* luxury hotels make up a significant part of the Kefalonia hotel map.

The best hotels for all categories of tourists: Cyprotel Kefalonia Garden Village 4*, Porto Scala Hotel Village 4*, Mediterranee 4*, Cephalonia Palace Hotel 4*, Utopia Resort & SPA 5*, Appolonion Resort & SPA 5*, White Rocks Hotel & Bungalows 5*.

Family holidays with children it is better to spend it at the Ionian Sea Hotel and Aguapark 3 *, where the SOL Night Circle club has been created and animators-educators work.

Sights of the island of Kefalonia.

• Argostoli. Archaeological and ethnographic museums and an ancient multi-arch bridge;
• Mount Enos (1627 m) and Rudy (1130 m) are the natural attractions of the island. They are covered with a relic tree species of dark green color "black spruce", which grows only here. The Enos mountain range is a national reserve, with an area of ​​1973 hectares;
• The resort village and port of Agia Efimia is a vacation spot for lovers of diving and yachting;
• Lixouri. Jacob's Palace with a library, the ruins of ancient Pali;
• Fiskardo - a fishing harbor with ancient architecture, the only one not affected by the 1953 earthquake;
• Melissana - a cave on the lake, which can only be accessed from a boat;
• Drongarati Cave (Dragon House) is one of the longest descents of 44 meters, which ends in a cave hall with excellent acoustics, where concerts can be held. The cave fascinates with stalactites up to 300 meters long;
• Assos. Venetian fortress of the 16th century;
• Castro is the medieval capital of the island.

What to bring as a gift from the island of Kefalonia? Great mood, video and photo! Honey, Robola wine, Feta cheese, quince and almond sweets and olive oil.

Kefalonia - very picturesque and the largest of the Ionian Islands - is located in the western part of Greece and is adjacent to the small but world-famous island of Ithaca, the birthplace of the mythological Odysseus.

However, today there is a version of historians that the great Homer "settled" Odysseus not at all on Ithaca, but had in mind the island of Kefalonia. This fact alone for many could become attractive from a tourist point of view. But, besides this, Kefalonia is famous for its amazingly beautiful nature even by Greek standards and rich historical heritage, since the Republic of Venice left a noticeable mark on the architecture of the cities of the island, under whose rule it was for almost two centuries. All this has made Kefalonia one of the most popular destinations in the Ionian Islands, and every year more and more people flock here to relax or just visit with an excursion from the capital of Greece or from neighboring islands. And there is something to see here!

How to get to the island of Kefalonia

The fastest

Airplane is the fastest and most convenient way to get to Kefalonia. The island has a small international airport with one runway (indicated by the code EFL on aviation scoreboards and in ticket search engines), which receives regular Olympic Air flights from Athens all year round, as well as seasonal (in spring and summer) flights from many European countries. airlines and charter tour operators. From Moscow and St. Petersburg to the island of Kefalonia in the "high" tourist season, you can fly with a transfer at one or another European airport, or buy a direct ticket to Athens, and then transfer to an Olympic Air flight.

Travel time, for example, from the Greek capital of Athens on an Olympic Air plane to the island is 1 hour, a significant part of which is take-off and landing in Kefalonia. Ticket prices vary greatly depending on the season and day of the week, as well as various holidays. On average, it is worth focusing on 100-150 euros for a ticket to Kefalonia from Athens (round-trip). The earlier you book tickets, the lower, as usual, the prices.

Alternative

However, the main means of transportation in the Greek Mediterranean Sea are ferries. It is they who connect Kefalonia with mainland Greece and other islands.

There is also a way to fly to the capital of Greece, and then get to the island by two modes of transport - by bus, which will bring you to the port (Kyllini or Patras), and then by ferry (travel is included in the price of the bus ticket).

This method is quite long and much less convenient than the previous one (by air), and is more suitable for experienced independent travelers without children and luggage. It is as follows: from Athens airport, take the X93 bus to the KTEL Kifis bus station (this is the final stop), and buy a bus ticket to Kefalonia at the office of the transport company. Arriving at the port of Kyllini, the bus enters the ferry, and the passengers get off and sit down. The approximate travel time to the island of Kefalonia is 7-8 hours, and most of them are taken by bus from Athens to the port of Kyllini (~ 320 kilometers).

You can also take a ferry to Kefalonia:

From the island of Zakynthos;

From the island of Corfu;

From the island of Lefkada and some other small islands. There is also a ferry service from Kefalonia to the Italian city of Brindisi in the Apulia region (from where it is very close to the city of Bari, where the great Christian shrine is located - the temple and relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker)

Ferries mostly operate only seasonal (summer) flights, so you need to check the schedule just before your trip. For example, here is the site of one of the many maritime companies Kefalonian Lineswhose ferries run on Kefalonia - Kyllini Port(on the mainland) and Kefalonia - Zakynthos, and where the relatively recent flight schedule for 2019 is indicated.

Important: To see all current ferry flights in Greece, it is convenient to use the search site ferries.gr. The fact is that the schedule and routes of different ferry companies are constantly changing, so it is not possible to track all the changes within the framework of this article.

As a sightseeing trip, it is most convenient to sail to Kefalonia from Zakynthos or Corfu to explore the island in a few days. In this case, the road will not be very tiring. It is also worth bearing in mind low-cost flights between the Greek islands of local airlines.

For moving around Kefalonia, as well as almost everywhere in Greece, it is most convenient to rent a car. The fact is that ferries are not only the main means of communication between the island and the mainland, but also the main transport between the settlements of the island. There is a bus service in Kefalonia, but buses run infrequently.

Car rental in Greece

You can choose a car in advance for traveling around Kefalonia here

(instant comparison of offers, prices and conditions of the world's leading car rental companies, online booking confirmation and flexible conditions, discounts, there are super offers)

There are 4 major ports on the island: in Sami, in Poros, in Argostoli (the capital of the island) and Fiskardo.

There will be a separate article about architecture and preserved artifacts on Kefalonia, but for now I will list the best natural attractions of this island, namely - beaches. They occupy the top lines of all ratings compiled by tourists.

Here I give the top ten beaches of the island and the nearest settlements of the island to them:

Myrtos beach

Petani Beach (Lixour)

Kaminia beach (Skala)

Antisamos beach (Sami)

Makris Gialos Beach (Lassi)

Emblisi Beach (Fiskardo)

Skala Beach (Skala)

Lourdas beach (Lourdata)

Ames beach (Svoronata)

Katelios beach

Kefalonia photo

The beaches of Kefalonia, including the most famous and popular Myrtos Beach

Fiskardo, Kefalonia

"Venetian trail?"

Assos is one of the most beautiful towns on the island.

Updated: 4 Mar, 2020

The island of Kefalonia (Greece) is a great holiday destination that will appeal to lovers of vibrant beaches and sunny resorts. It is located in the heart of the Ionian Sea and is the largest of the islands in this region.

The area of ​​Kefalonia is 800 square kilometers. On its territory is the Enos mountain range, the highest point is 1628 m. The largest city is Argostoli, which is also the capital of the province of Kefalonia. The local population is only 40 thousand people.

Kefalonia is a fairly young resort in Greece. During the Second World War, it was badly damaged by the blows of the enemy army, and in 1953 there was an earthquake that destroyed everything that was built on the island. It was these events that caused the infrastructure and tourism in Kelafoniya to develop only at the end of the 80s of the 20th century.

Island airport

On the territory of the island there is an airport, which is located near the capital of Kefalonia. Most often, planes land here from, but the city also receives charter flights from many European countries. Travelers can get to the neighboring islands of Greece with the help of ferries. In addition, this vehicle delivers residents to the coast of the Peloponnese, to Kyllini.

Kefalonia is popular for its modernized places like nightclubs, cafes and cinemas, but it also has quiet coastlines and beautiful mountains where the iron hand of progress has not yet reached.

The best beaches of Kefalonia

The most popular attraction of the island is its coast. In total, Kefalonia has more than 60 beaches. Among the most popular, beautiful, picturesque and clean, the following are worth noting.

Captain Nicholas

The choice of restaurants on the island is large. The cost of dishes in restaurants is significantly different: you can have lunch together for 10€, or you can dine for 80€.

For example, consider one of the high-rated middle-class establishments - Captain Nicolas (to enlarge the photo - click on it). The restaurant is in high demand among tourists. Located in the village of Lixouri on a site surrounded by trees and flowering plants with a beautiful view of the sea -. The staff here is attentive, and the owner personally communicates with visitors.

Fish and seafood are excellently cooked here, and they are worth ordering. The average check is 20-25 € for two.

Among the rest, we can distinguish establishments:

• Ladokolla stin Plagia in Liskur;
• Cafe Platanos - atmospheric cafe in Lourdos with affordable prices;
• Kastro Cafe - near the castle of St. George, desserts are served here for a price of 4-5 €.

The island of Kefalonia (Greece) is a great place to relax. Here you will not only get distracted from everyday problems, bask under the bright sun and enjoy the turquoise waters, but also have fun at concerts, in restaurants and on ferries. Have a good trip!

1. The island was mentioned in his works by Homer. True, then it was called Sama.
2. The first known people in Kefalonia lived in the 15th century BC.
3. If you want to see the huge carriage-carriage turtles, head to the city of Argostoli. There, fishermen on boats near the fish market at 8-9 in the morning clean the fish and throw the rest into the water, where turtles are already waiting for the “goodies”.

The infrastructure facilities mentioned in the article are marked on the map below.

Video from the island of Kefalonia.

Related posts:

15 best places in Kefalonia that are not in the guidebooks

The island of Kefalonia is one of the most beautiful in Greece. Svetlana shared her impressions of her journey through it and spoke about the places that she liked the most. And we have designed it into an ideal holiday program, which allows you to relax and see all the most interesting.

Greece. A unique country where the history of the ancient world is densely mixed with culinary traditions and winemaking, the ancient ruins coexist perfectly with the Athenian Acropolis that has survived to this day.

It's no secret that in, like in any other tourist developed country, there are popular places that are on everyone's lips. Usually, the Greek titans of a package holiday loom on the surface of a Russian-speaking traveler: Crete and the island of Thassos, the resorts of the Halkidiki peninsula and the monasteries of Meteora, the islands of Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini. Along with them, Greece has a huge number of not very popular, sometimes completely unknown to the general public, but at the same time no less amazing and beautiful places to stay. Since we are independent travelers, in most cases we do not favor crowded tourist locations. That is why this time our choice fell on the Greek island of Kefalonia (Kefalonia / Cephalonia), which is not very well known in wide tourist circles.

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It is the largest of the Ionian Islands in southwestern Greece and is said to be the greenest. We went to explore Kefalonia in the second half of September 2017.

Transport logistics

The island of Kefalonia can be reached in two ways - by air and by sea. The island has an airport, but there are no direct flights from Ukraine. Alternatively, you can fly to Kefalonia with a connection in Athens. But the most interesting option for the price-schedule of flights for the dates we were looking for was offered by the UIA airline, whose services we used. The logistics turned out as follows: a direct flight from Kyiv to Athens, at the international airport in Athens, Eleftherios Venizelos, we had a car booked in advance. Then we transited along the upper tip of the Peloponnese peninsula on the way to the port of Kyllini (Kilini / Kyllini), from where ferry flights to the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia start.

On the island of Kefalonia, apartments were also booked in advance for 10 nights in the village of Mousata, 15 km from the capital of the island, Argostoli. In many Russian-language reports that I met before the trip, tourists mostly admired the northern tip of the island or the western coast of Kefalonia. I liked the coastline in the southwest and southeast of the island more, although at that time I could only judge by the photo on google maps. Therefore, housing was chosen closer to the desired beaches. During the 10 days spent on the island, we managed to drive and see quite a lot. I will not talk about those places that are abundantly replicated on the net. I will focus only on what really impressed us.

One of the closest to our “base” in Musat and, indeed, one of the best beaches in Kefalonia is Koroni Beach. It is located in the southwest of the island at the foot of a high mountain. This is a long unequipped beach, that is, you need to understand that it is conditionally wild, where you need to take a towel and a sun umbrella with you. As a bonus - a minimum of people on the beach. We came here several times at different times of the day, and invariably there were very few people. In my humble opinion, Koroni beach is ideal for a romantic getaway and inspiration: fine golden sand, smooth entry into the water, emerald waters of the Ionian Sea and a stunning panorama before your eyes.

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A little higher up the hillside above Koroni beach, we discovered another amazing place Sesto Koroni Hill Bar - a wine bar with a panoramic view. Amazing place, great atmosphere. It would seem that everything is so simply done, sometimes from the simplest materials at hand, but the essence is in the sincere atmosphere and hospitality of the owners of the institution (a married couple of Englishmen). It is equally pleasant to be in Sesto Koroni both during the day and in the evening, especially at sunset. The panorama that opens up is breathtaking! Nothing superfluous, only the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea and the neighboring island of Zakynthos spreading in a light haze.

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Nearby you can also drop in for a tasting at the Melissinos Winery (one of the best wineries on the island), and we move further along the coast to the south of Kefalonia.

Next stop is Cape Mounda, the southernmost cape of the island. The unusual landscape of the coast: the sandy beach smoothly turns into a powerful stone slab, which goes far into the sea, and closer to the tip of the cape, rocks with bizarre weathering forms and hidden grottoes hang over the coast. From a high hill above Cape Mounda, you can go down to a long, seemingly endless, deserted beach. Beautiful scenery... and space, space! And the same stunning wind, which happens only at the extreme points of the earth.

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We get into the car again and drive further, moving to the southeast of the island. First, we pass the lively village of Skala, and literally after a few kilometers we park the car near the next object of our interest, the bay with the poetic name Kato Lagadi. There are no landmarks or signs along the route, only a small spot along the road, where the cars of those who are in the know are left ... That's right: the bulk of tourists are brought to the bay on yachts and boats by sea, so there are no signs along the road. But there is still a land passage to the bay. The trail and the descent to the sea are moderately extreme, but if you have at least minimal physical fitness and experience in hiking, there will be no problems.

The bay of Kato Lagadi is an amazing landscape of the coast, a series of grottoes and tiny coves with small pebbles and a smooth entry into the water. Great place for snorkeling! It is better to come in the morning, when the sun's rays brightly illuminate everything around and the cave grottoes can be seen in all their glory. After lunch, the sun goes behind Mount Enos and the grottoes hide in the shade. However, pictures speak louder than words:

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Our next point of interest is the famous Antisamos beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece according to TripAdvisor. A side note: we don't like public beaches by default. According to our version, the ideal beach is when there are at least or no people on it, and there is also a minimum of tourist infrastructure. Being alone with nature is our main desire on vacation. In the case of Antisamos beach, this is the rare exception when we changed our principles. The beach is really amazingly beautiful. First, the view! The view of the bay, deep and elongated like a fjord, and the neighboring island of Ithaca opens up indescribably. The legends and myths of ancient Greece, the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer come to life before your eyes ... and it's really breathtaking that you just see it with your own eyes! By the way, as the local Greeks say, in the strait between Kefalonia and Ithaca, there is an ancient city from the times of Odysseus under water. It remains only to take their word for it. In general, on the island, quite a lot of reminders of the Mycenaean culture (the period in the history of Greece from the 16th to the 11th century BC) and later periods have survived to this day, in particular the open-air museum Acropolis of Ancient Same (located high on a mountain above Antisamos beach, admission is free).

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Antisamos beach is also unique in that it is usually completely calm here. This is due to the fact that the bay in which the beach is located is “covered” from the sea by the mainland and the island of Ithaca, and from the land side it is reliably protected by the amphitheater of high mountains. And indeed, it was verified by experience, even when a serious storm broke out one day, the sea in Antisamos Bay was calm and comfortable for swimming. In fairness, it should be noted that for all the aesthetic beauty, the beach has its drawbacks: there are quite large pebbles underfoot, and the depth starts literally from the shore, so this beach is not very suitable for families with small children. But if you are an aesthete and your rich inner world is in dire need of new doses of earthly beauty, then Antisamos beach is at your service.

However, you will not be satisfied with natural beauties alone, so we are going in search of Greek goodies. Each country has its own signature dish or product - a specialty. This is part of the gastronomic history and culture of a particular country, where culinary traditions are respected. In Greece, one of the most famous specialties is, of course, Greek yogurt. It is difficult to do without it in Hellas.

Our guesthouse neighbors, the Italians, warmly recommended one place in Kefalonia where you should definitely have breakfast in the Greek style. What can I say, Italians know a lot about gourmet food! This is a real oasis… a very small open area, but making and submitting an order, easy communication with a young and cheerful hostess of the establishment - this is exactly the rare case when the memory of something is etched in the memory for a long time and is mentally savored with a slight nostalgia over time.

Breakfast in the tiny and inconspicuous Myrtillo is worthy of a separate story. This is not only a positive charge and a full stomach, but also a real taste pleasure. We only stopped by for breakfast at Myrtillo once on the way to Myrtos Beach (the Myrtillo cafe-shop is located on the main west coast highway, between two observation decks on Myrtos Beach), but I really remember this place. Here you can buy local homemade and other only nature Greek specialties (honey, jam, jam, nuts) as souvenirs, and there is also a small outdoor area with tables where you can eat.

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A proper Greek breakfast, like everything ingenious, is extremely simple. Greek yogurt, honey, tahini (sesame paste), nuts. You can also add seasonal fruits or homemade jam. It is not for nothing that, according to statistics, it is on the Greek islands that the most centenarians are, because with delicious natural food you can afford to live healthy and healthy for many years.

If it is ideal to come to Myrtillo for breakfast, then for dinner it is advisable to climb higher into the mountains. For example, excellent young lamb can be tasted near the resort town of Sami. Our destination is the mountain village of Poulata. The owner of the house where we rented an apartment told us about this place. In fact, this is an ordinary village in the mountains, which is notable only for the fact that the local specialty is excellently cooked here - the meat of a young lamb. You can also try lamb, goat and other mixed meat grills. But it is the rack of lamb on the coals that is a masterpiece of local Greek cuisine.

In the village of Poulata there is a popular tourist establishment "Rambolis Grill Lamb Reataurant", where tourists are brought by bus after an excursion in the Melissani cave (this is the "calling card" of Kefalonia, which is located in the vicinity of the city of Sami). And very close to this restaurant there is a small family tavern, the name of which cannot be reproduced in Greek (look at the photo). You need to come in the evening, by 8 o'clock is ideal. Because at 7 pm the workers are just getting ready to receive guests, and at 9 pm there may already be no empty seats left. They work until late as long as there are visitors. Very tasty, the portions are impressive, the prices are democratic, and the attitude towards the guests is good-natured. The owners of the institution receive guests in a family way, and the food and service are beyond praise!

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By the way, the basic principle of choosing catering places in Greece (however, this applies to many European countries). Many domestic tourists can find stereotypical thinking about how a catering establishment (restaurant, cafe, confectionery or coffee shop) should look like. How are we usually? That's right: a cafe-restaurant will be cool and tasty if it looks at least decent: a beautiful interior, fabric tablecloths and napkins, expensive dishes, etc. This is a delicious restaurant. Tasty and expensive, otherwise nothing. As you understand, the rules of "appearance" of taverns, familiar to compatriots, in Greece do not work from the word "completely". In Greece, taverns focus primarily on the quality and taste of the food. That is, if the food is tasteless, then you can do nothing further - there are no people in this tavern, and there will not be. Then the second most important is the view from the tavern, and only after that, almost in the last place, we are talking about design, beautiful dishes, napkins, etc.

Ask me which tavern in Greece is the most memorable and sunk into the soul? The answer is simple: it is a tavern somewhere in the mountain wilderness or inconspicuous nooks and crannies of the old city, in a completely ordinary room, with the same ordinary ordinary people who cook and serve food. After all, it is the delicious food and the sincere atmosphere that are remembered, and not the well-trained waiters and the original design. Although this also has the right to be, but definitely not in Greece.

It would be worth starting with the fact that in Greece you always need to pay attention to the sign of the institution. It is a huge rarity to have “taverna” written in English in front of a tavern, most likely they will write “restaurant” in English. But a restaurant is exactly a restaurant with all the attributes: waiters, white tablecloths, etc. Real restaurants in Greece are a rare phenomenon that you can only find in big cities like Athens or Thessaloniki, or in hotels. Their cuisine is also usually European. Therefore, the sign "restaurant" is a deliberate substitution of concepts for foreign tourists. If you want to taste real Greek cuisine, you need a tavern with its discreet simplicity and "family".

When the stomach is full, usually you also want circuses. Or if you suddenly get bored from a measured rest, and there is a desire to dilute the languor of being, you can go to the north of the island, to the small town of Fiskardo. Here is a large marina for yachts, around which everything is sharpened for tourism for the discerning public. In short - pathetic, expensive, cocktail bars, taverns, restaurants. Anything your heart desires, for every taste and budget. In Fiskardo, in addition to the ancient architecture, I remember impudent and not at all prudish young Englishmen, blond Scandinavians, cheerful and loud Italians, drunken and noisy Czechs ... the marina in Fiskardo is large, the audience is motley and colorful. You won't be bored, that's for sure! But for a relaxing holiday, it is better to choose accommodation in the immediate vicinity; you should not be based in Fiskardo itself.

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In the meantime, we go around the northern part of Kefalonia and smoothly move to the western coast of the island, closer to impregnable rocky bays and the piercing blue Ionian Sea, well known from publications in glossy magazines. The first thing that catches the eye from the height of the main route is a long cape protruding into the sea. The view is incredible, so it's impossible to just drive by! This is Assos - perhaps one of the most beautiful and spectacular places in Kefalonia.

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Assos is a small cozy town located on the isthmus between the mainland and the peninsula crowned with a Venetian fortress. The town itself is miniature and very touristy, which is not surprising in view of its special external attractiveness, and in terms of the number of idle tourists it can easily compete with pathos Fiskardo. Assos looks equally great from far and near! Houses with bright colored facades stretch up the slope of a small enclosed bay. In the narrow cobbled streets, large tubs and tall earthenware pots full of decorative and profusely flowering plants are found everywhere, which I especially like in the south. Fishing boats and small yachts sway in the marina, taverns with tables along the water, inviting smells of cooking food spread, and then spicy aromas excite the receptors. Colorful reality is pleasing to the eye, and emotions are overwhelmed inside ... a real Mediterranean idyll.

If you are not too lazy and climb the wide winding path lined with marble to the top of the peninsula to the Venetian fortress (Castle of Assos of the 15th century), then you will be rewarded for your work and perseverance - the views are grandiose!

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We move further along the western coast of Kefalonia. In this part of the island, the main road is laid at a decent height. At a decent height along the sheer cliffs! I don't know how anyone perceives reality, but I'm always impressed when a Man masters mountains, "taming" them to his needs. Just imagine: along the western coast of Kefalonia, the road is cut in places in huge boulders, which causes genuine surprise and, of course, respect for the people who built it. And now driving on ideal mountain roads is a real pleasure, despite the endless turns. After all, behind each of them a new unique view opens up, and you want to make stops as often as possible to capture this beauty as a keepsake. But, alas, there are very few suitable places for this. The track is laid out in two lanes, fences on both sides, blind closed turns…

Following the settlement of Assos is the famous Greek beach Myrtos and one of the few equipped sites along the route where you can stay. This is the Myrthos Beach Viewpoint. There are not enough words to express the fullness of feelings and emotions when you see a piercing blue in real life!

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Myrtos beach, along with the Melissani cave, is the visiting card of Kefalonia. We did not go down to the beach itself, according to reviews it is not very convenient for swimming. It is usually very stormy here and a strong wind often blows, due to the fact that the beach "looks" into the open sea. There are large pebbles on the shore, and the depth begins immediately from the shore. But outwardly, especially from a bird's eye view, this is a dream beach.

Further along the western coast of Kefalonia between the beach of Myrtos and the village of Zola, there are several more moderately beautiful beaches and lagoons, but we go further - to the "secret" bay. Lost in the mountains at the northwestern tip of the Paliki Peninsula, Atheras Bay strikes with its beauty at first sight. In a carefully closed bay, a promontory protruding far into the sea, everything is perfectly suited for swimming and a relaxing holiday - moderately secluded, on the shore there are small pebbles, a clean bottom and a calm sea. And the view is awesome, it is very important!

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I can not ignore the capital of Kefalonia - Argostoli (Argostoli). This is the main transport hub of the island, most of the hotels and large supermarkets are concentrated around the capital, and the promenade along the coastal part of the city will bring a lot of pleasure. The city center and the beautiful embankment, lined with multi-colored pebbles framed by date palms, are interesting. And it doesn’t matter if it’s morning, afternoon or evening – there is something to do in the capital at any time of the day.

The city of Argostoli spreads widely in the form of an amphitheater along the shore of a large lagoon. There is an airport near the capital and for spotting fans this is a place of power. In addition to a large selection of beaches in the vicinity of Argostoli, there are several notable places. For example, the observation point on the edge of the cape, the active lighthouse of St. Theodora (Agion Theodoron), better known as the Fanari lighthouse, and near it is the Katavothres Sea Mill. Actually, usually this section (between Argostoli and the lighthouse) tourists fly by in cars without stopping. But in vain! From Argostoli, a path stretches along the sea through a natural park, where along the way you meet small coves suitable for swimming, pines, cypresses and junipers, thanks to which you can breathe in the heady Mediterranean coniferous air. I can’t even believe that there are such quiet, relatively deserted places very close to the noisy capital of the island.

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The mill, located near the lighthouse, is a very unusual place. It is not so much an engineering structure that is interesting as Katavotres, a unique geological phenomenon of the island of Kefalonia. Usually on the island the river flows into the sea, but on the island of Kefalonia everything happens the other way around. Streams of sea water fall into underwater karst crevices near the village of Katavothres (on the outskirts of Argostoli), then they pass under the island from west to east and appear on the surface already in the village of Karavomylos (near the town of Sami), where they then flow into the cave lake Melissani.

In 1963, geologists from an Austrian university dumped 160 kg of paint in the area of ​​the underground tunnels of the village of Katavotres, and 15 days later, traces of this paint appeared in the water on the eastern side of the island. The Englishman Stevens was the first observer to describe this unusual phenomenon. It was he who decided to use the energy of the water that was lost in the “catavotra” (in the crevice) and built a water mill there, which we can see today.

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What else is remarkable in Argostoli? Every day in the morning and in the evening on the embankment you can take part in a free "attraction" - feeding sea turtles. On one of the days, we specially arrived early in the morning on the Argostoli embankment in order to see Caretta-caretta turtles up close. It happens like this: at 9 am, fishermen with their morning catch moor to the pier on the embankment, where the first buyers of fresh fish are already waiting for them. A spontaneous fish mini-bazaar is being formed. The fish is immediately butchered for the buyers and the giblets are dumped here into the water. Turtles come to them to feast on them. If you see crowds of people on the embankment, it means that there are turtles there.

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And, completing the topic of Argostoli, I want to note that it is in the capital that an active tourist life is in full swing. Here is the brightest evening promenade and, in principle, only in this place the night life was noticed. In addition, Argostoli has a huge selection of establishments: taverns, restaurants, nightclubs, cocktail bars, pizzerias. And, of course, the Greek version of fast food “giradiko” and “suvladzidiko” is widely represented (the first is called “gyros” after the dish, and the second takes its name from “suvlaki” - these are small skewers). In terms of cuisine, Argostoli has everything your heart desires, for every taste. We dined here several times in various establishments, but the family restaurant of Greek cuisine Casa Grec, lost in the narrow streets of the old city, was most memorable.

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From Argostoli, you can conveniently and fairly quickly move to the Paliki peninsula. You can get there by land, but it is much more comfortable to get there by water. The ferry-bus Argostoli-Lixouri, which sails every half an hour from the port of one capital of the island to another and back (Lixouri is the capital of the Paliki Peninsula), takes on board both passengers and cars.

The assembly point for vacationers on the Paliki Peninsula is the popular "red" Xi Beach. We deliberately skip it and keep the path a little further, our goal is the neighboring Koutala Beach. Most of the beaches on the coast of the Paliki peninsula are known for their characteristic and expressive combination: a thin strip of bright red sand on the shore and high clay cliffs (they say that this clay has a cosmetic effect, and you can smear yourself with it like in a spa - I can only take my word for it, we haven't tried). Looks great on a sunny day!

The sea is shallow and calm. Quiet, secluded, almost no people. In my opinion, it is also a great place to relax with small children - shallow, warm sea, sand.

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This piece of land is a popular destination for those who want to see the real Greece with unspoiled landscapes, traditions and picturesque coastline. Before you is the island of Kefalonia - the largest of the Ionian islands of Greece, and if you compare it with other Greek islands, then the influx of tourists here came at a later period. Only since 2001, after the release of the film "Captain Corelli's Choice", Kefalonia began to be included in the lists of "destinations to visit."

Kefalonia island, Greece: mountains and sea

Attractions of Kefalonia

Mountain villages immersed in greenery, Byzantine monasteries and natural attractions - Kefalonia is ready to offer tourists a rich program.

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Famous for magical beauty melissani cave. They don’t call it anything other than a miracle: for decades, the cave was carved by salt water in a limestone rock. One day, its arch partially collapsed, and the rays of the sun fall vertically through the hole formed, which seem to illuminate the azure water with elusive shades. In ancient times, Melissani was of particular importance. It was believed that nymphs lived here - this fact was established after the discovery of numerous cult figurines. Today, tourists ride boats on the transparent surface of the lake, looking at the ancient stalactites on the walls of Melissani.

The cave won no less popularity Drogarati. It is one of the most picturesque caves in Greece, famous for its large hall and stalagmites of incredible shapes. Excellent acoustics and capacity (almost 1000 people) make Drogarati not just a natural monument. Live concerts are regularly held here, the hall for them has a length of 65 m, a width of 45 m and a height of 20 m.

Concert in Drogarati Cave, Kefalonia. Photo www.kefalonias.gr

Enos National Park occupies a significant part of Kefalonia. Here grow species of coniferous trees unique to Greece. In addition to them, you can see orchids and several varieties of wildflowers. For lovers of long walks in Enos, there are routes of varying length and complexity. On the territory of the park there are places for recreation (clearings and gazebos), but you need to take food with you. Since Enos is located at an altitude of 1600 m, it can be cool here - you should take care of suitable clothing.

Monastery of St. Gerasimos

Among the religious shrines of the island, the monastery of St. Gerasimos - the patron saint of Kefalonia. Saint Gerasimos was a descendant of a noble family and received a good education. Subsequently, he became a monk on Mount Athos and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he lived for 12 years.

In 1555, the monk Gerasim settled in Kefalonia and lived for the first five years as an ascetic in a cave near Lassi. In 1560, he moved to the mountains, to a dilapidated chapel, and founded a monastery here, which he called New Jerusalem. Now this monastery bears his name, stores many icons and is a place of pilgrimage - on August 16, the relics of St. Gerasim, hundreds of people come to bow. A plane tree, planted by Gerasim during his lifetime, has been preserved on the territory of the monastery. And next to the monastery there is a cave with two rooms, which were the home of the saint.

The beaches of Kefalonia are some of the best in Greece

Poros beach, Kefalonia. Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

The beaches of the island have long received worldwide recognition. The most popular of them is Myrtos, which is among the best in Greece. Myrtos is located at the foot of the mountains, surrounded by rocks and its shape resembles a crescent moon. The beach is covered with white pebbles. Here you can not only swim in the azure waters, but also enjoy a spectacular sunset or explore a small grotto. There is a snack bar on Myrtos, it is possible to rent a sun lounger. A road leads to the beach, where observation platforms meet.

Kefalonia has one of the most amazing beaches in Greece - Xi, which resembles the letter "Xi" in shape. It stretches for 4 km and is strewn with dark orange sand.

Xi beach, Kefalonia. Photo http://ionianinfo.com/

There are many taverns on the edge of the beach, and hotels are located nearby. Another beach - Skala - also cannot be ignored. It enchants with cleanliness and is suitable for boat trips to isolated bays.

The beach of Agia Jerusalem is located near Fiskardo and is named after the dilapidated church on the edge of the beach. The bay here is small and is divided in half by a rock in the middle; seahorses are often found in clear water. The beach is equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds, there is a traditional tavern nearby.

The island has many small cozy beaches in bays and wide sandy ones in more open places, you can find a place to your liking: Platis Gialos, Makris Gialos, Platy Ammos, Dafnoudi, Alathies, Katellos, Kaminia and others.

Other things to do on the island

For entertainment in Kefalonia, you need to go to Argostoli - the capital and largest city of the island. Argostoli became the capital from the day of its foundation - since 1757. It is located like an amphitheater on the mountainside, and despite the fact that the city was almost completely destroyed by the 1953 earthquake, you can still find corners with old architecture.

Old Kefalonia… Photo by www.iefimerida.gr/

…and the new Kefalonia. Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Bars, shops for every taste and restaurants are concentrated in the central square. Shopping can be done on the Litostroto pedestrian shopping street.

Souvenirs at Litostroto. Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Nightlife in Kefalonia is not very intense, but there are many decent options for an evening out in the capital. In local places you can listen to reggae, dance or go to a traditional Greek evening. If you go out for an evening walk around the city and you are lucky, you may come across a local orchestra that often brightens the atmosphere with traditional melodies.

In addition to the central square, in Argostoli there is a Kambana (Bell) square, named after the high bell tower located on it. Climbing to the very top of the bell tower, you will admire panoramic views of the city and the sea, it is also worth seeing a photo exhibition showing the city as it was before the earthquake.

It is also worth visiting the local Archaeological Museum and the Korialennio Library, which, in addition to storing books and manuscripts, is also an ethnographic museum. In addition, in Argostoli you can see the ruins of the ancient city of Krani, with the remains of the Cyclopean walls. Of course, this is not all that can be seen in the city, there would be a desire to learn and explore the history of the city and its surroundings!

fiskardo

There are good bars and taverns in the village of Fiskardo. This is a cozy village with a beautiful promenade that has preserved the Mediterranean flavor.

Diving enthusiasts will find several diving spots in Kefalonia. In Fiskardo there are two equipped dive centers at once. Their instructors will indicate the most reserved places off the coast of the island for observing underwater life. The dive club in Lassi organizes dives near canyons, caves, reefs and shipwrecks. By the way, there is a special program for children from 8 years old.

And Kefalonia will be of interest to lovers of gastronomic tourism. The fertile soil gives the island organic products, from which cheeses, the famous bacagliaropita pie, quince jam, caramelized almonds and Robola wine are produced here.

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Kefalonia will be remembered as an island of aristocratic beauty that adorns Greek advertising brochures. Here you can choose a vacation to your liking: relax or spend time actively, retire to protected places or allow yourself to become local for a while, fully recognizing the hospitality of the inhabitants of the island.