The 16 Best Things To Do In Kefalonia, Greece

Last Updated: January 10 2024

When people think of the Greek islands, places like Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini usually come to mind. However, there are many more islands to explore, and one of the best is Kefalonia!

Found west of mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea, Kefalonia is home to long white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, rugged landscapes, charming coastal towns, historic landmarks, and so much more.

We love this island and everything it has to offer, so we’ve put together a travel guide that shows you all the best things to do in Kefalonia. Aside from showing you where to visit, we’ll also show you where to stay and answer some frequently asked questions!

Let’s get started!

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The Best Things to Do in Kefalonia, Greece

1. Visit Melissani Cave

We’ll start with Melissani Cave, which is one of our favourite attractions on the island and arguably one of the most iconic natural landmarks. Also known by the name Melissani Lake, this is a large cave that you can find near the town of Sami.

What makes this cave so special is the lake that sits within it and the small opening at the top. Surrounded by mountain slopes and forests, this cave comes to life at midday when sunlight shines right through the opening!

We took a small boat tour around the lake and it was spectacular. The trip lasts about 20 minutes and costs €7 (£6).

You can expect to explore every nook and cranny of the cave with a tour guide and spot wildlife like eels and bats. You could also book a Kefalonia caves tour that visits both Melissani Lake and Drogarati Cave!

2. Explore the town of Argostoli

Exploring Argostoli is easily one of the best things to do in Kefalonia, so make sure you add it to your itinerary. Argostoli is a picturesque seaside town that has been the capital of the island since 1757.

The town has a lively atmosphere, a scenic landscape, and lots of things to do. Not to mention, the beachside restaurants in Argostoli are amazing, so we strongly recommend pitching up for a refreshing cocktail and a bite to eat!

When you’re not admiring the impressive coastal views, explore the town, walk through the harbour, cross De Bosset Bridge, and take plenty of photos of the vibrant architecture. If you’re looking for something more taxing, you could walk around the bay to Saint Theodore Lighthouse.

From the centre of town, this flat walk will take you roughly one hour. Don’t forget to visit Vallianou Square and Bell Square too!

3. Admire the beauty of Myrtos Beach

Let’s face it, the main reason we all visit Greece is to soak up the sun at the beach. Like most Greek islands, Kefalonia is home to countless sandy beaches with picture-perfect turquoise waters.

The best beach on the island is Myrtos Beach, which is regularly voted in the top 30 beaches in the world. It has also been voted the best beach in Greece and it’s not hard to see why!

Accessed via a long, windy, and quite scary cliff path with lots of hairpin bends, you can find Myrtos Beach on the northwest coast of the island. We don’t advise walking to the beach, but luckily there’s a car park at the base of the cliff.

We do, however, recommend stopping at the cliff to take panoramic landscape photographs.

You can visit the beach on this Myrtos Beach Guided Tour. You’ll be treated to impressive coastal views, refreshing waters, and plenty of space to sunbathe.

4. Walk around the fishing village of Fiskardo

If you’re looking for those quintessential Greek island vibes, one of the best places to visit in Kefalonia is Fiskardo. This charming village has everything from colourful houses and traditional Greek restaurants to a busy harbour and pristine waters.

What we love most about Fiskardo is how relaxed it is. You never feel under pressure to rush around and see everything. Instead, you feel encouraged to take a breath, have a wander through the village, and admire your surroundings.

We suggest strolling through the village before checking out the harbour. After that, you could walk to the Venetian Lighthouse or kick back on Fiskardo Beach.

Other notable sites include the Roman Cemetary, Zavalata Beach, and the Nautical and Environmental Museum. You could also head out on a boat trip or visit Fiskardo as part of a tour. This Kefalonia Island Day Tour will show you both Fiskardo and Assos!

5. Relax in Assos Village

The next location on our list of things to do in Kefalonia, Greece is Assos village. Assos offers similar vibes to Fiskardo but on a smaller scale.

This beautiful village is attached to the Frourio peninsula, which forms a colourful turquoise bay. With a population of approximately 100 people, you’ll find brightly coloured houses, narrow streets, craft shops, quaint restaurants, and old church buildings here.

One of the main attractions to visit is the Venetian Castle of Assos, which sits high above the village overlooking the coast. If you’d prefer to relax instead, you could explore the town and enjoy Assos Beach.

When it comes to getting something to eat, we can highly recommend eating at Nefeli-Anait.

If you want to visit Assos on a tour, this Assos and Fiskardo tour will show you the main highlights and take you on a boat ride. You’ll also visit Melissani Cave.

6. Visit Drogarati Caves

One of the more unique things to do in Kefalonia is visit the Drogarati Caves in Sami, which are more than 150 million years old. Discovered 300 years ago, the cave was only found after a large earthquake caused the ground to collapse which revealed its entrance.

The caves have been open to the public since 1963 and they offer an interesting insight into rock formations. Inside the cave, you will find impressive formations of stalagmites and stalactites.

Scientists believe the formations in the caves are a geological phenomenon so they’re well worth checking out. The caves are about 60 metres (196 feet) deep and temperatures rarely drop below 18°C (64.4°F).

The caves are open daily from 9:30 am to 3 pm and you can visit on your own or as part of a tour. This Half-Day Tour will take you to Drogarati Caves, Melissani Cave, and Mt. Ainos.

7. Spend some time in Sami

Sami is a beautiful town on the central east coast of the island. It’s where we stayed during our visit to Kefalonia, yet we wish we spent more time there!

This town has a gorgeous waterfront, stunning surroundings, Venetian buildings, historic landmarks, and a delicious food scene. In other words, Sami has something for everyone.

Foodies can enjoy traditional Greek food at one of the many local tavernas and shoppers will enjoy scouring through the dainty souvenir shops. Meanwhile, thrill seekers might want to take in a horse riding tour through the hills.

We love learning more about local history when we visit somewhere and Sami is full of it. The main attraction for history lovers in this area is the Acropolis of Sami.

Inhabited since the Paleolithic Times, the Acropolis once looked over a fortified Sami. However, it couldn’t stop the Romans from besieging the town!

8. Explore Mt. Ainos National Park

Mt. Ainos is the highest peak in the Ionian Islands, sitting at 1,628 metres (5,341 feet) tall. Covered in fir forest and offering panoramic views of the island, this mountain and its surrounding national park is a fantastic place to hike.

There are countless hiking paths in Kefalonia, but the ones in and around Mt. Ainos are the most spectacular, mainly because the park is protected. If you’re lucky, you might even get to spot some of the island’s semi-wild horses as you climb to the top.

There are multiple marked trails, but two hikes we recommend are the Mt Ainos Environmental Centre to Hionistra Trail and the Digaleto to Megas Soros Trail.

The Environmental Centre trail is an easy circular route to Hionistra Viewpoint. Meanwhile, the Digaleto Trail is more challenging, but it will take you to the summit.

Both trails offer awesome views of Kefalonia and the Ionian islands.

9. Head to Skala Beach

Skala Beach is another Kefalonia special you don’t want to miss during your trip. This beach is found at the southern tip of the island near the town of Skala.

It’s a long white-sand beach that offers scenic views, plenty of space to relax, food and drink options, and of course, those dreamy crystal clear waters we all dream of diving into.

Visiting Skala Beach also happens to be one of the top things to do on Kefalonia if you love wildlife. That’s because nesting sea turtles can occasionally be spotted on the beach!

We headed to Skala Beach in search of sea turtles but unfortunately, didn’t spot any. Instead, we enjoyed a few hours soaking up the sun, swimming in the sea, and kicking it back at a beachside bar.

An honourable mention near Skala Beach is the Roman Villa of Skala, so stop by there as well.

10. Relax on Antisamos Beach

Another marvellous beach you should visit in Kefalonia is Antisamos Beach. This beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, so give yourself plenty of time to make the most of your visit.

Just a short distance from Sami and approximately 30 km (18 miles) from Argostoli, Antisamos Beach is best known for its breathtaking scenery, turquoise waters, natural landscape, and wide range of things to do.

In our opinion, spending an afternoon at this beach is one of the best things to do in Kefalonia for couples. Along the beach, you can find sunbeds, bars, restaurants, and plenty of space to find somewhere quiet to sit and kick back.

After you’ve relaxed, you can then take to the water in a variety of watersports. You can ride a pedalo, race on jetskis, or be pulled along on a float-by-speed boat.

For something to eat or drink, check out Acron Antisamos!

11. Go on a traditional boat cruise

A great way to explore the Kefalonia coastline is by boat and this Traditional Boat Cruise is perfect. If you’ve ever dreamt of sailing across the Ionian Sea on a traditional wooden Greek boat with a glass of wine in hand and the sun kissing your face, now’s your chance!

This boat tour leaves from Argostoli Harbour and takes you out onto the emerald waters. You’ll travel along the coast in search of Kefalonia’s most picturesque secluded beaches and isolated islands.

This is a full-day tour, so you’ll be provided with food and drink throughout. At lunchtime, you’ll sit down for a traditional homemade Greek meal, accompanied by fresh fruit, a Greek salad, and lots of wine.

Later in the day, you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel at White Rocks (equipment included), swim, and have a cocktail before reaching Vardiani Island for a short walk and a clay spa treatment.

What’s not to like?

12. Take a day trip to Zakynthos Island

One of the things we love most about Kefalonia is how easy it is to reach other Greek islands. For example, did you know that you can visit Zakynthos Island from Kefalonia in one day?

If you didn’t, you probably also didn’t know there are day trips from Kefalonia to Zakynthos too, some of which include drop-off in Zakynthos. If you want to visit on a day trip, head out on this Navagio Shipwreck Beach & Blue Caves Tour.

Zakynthos Island is incredibly beautiful. It’s home to pristine beaches, a harbour city, a waterfront, watersports activities, lots of natural landmarks, and a lively party scene.

This tour allows you to explore Zakynthos’ main sites. You’ll visit the famous Navagio Shipwreck beach before jumping on a boat to the Blue Caves.

You’ll also visit Bochali View Point, Xigia Sulfur Beach, Makris Gialos Beach, and the Old Olive Tree.

13. Relax on Fteri Beach

If you’re wondering what to do in Kefalonia then we have one more beach for you and this one is an absolute belter. If you’re looking for a secluded beach to relax on, Fteri Beach fits the bill perfectly.

For starters, this remote swimming spot is only accessible via boat or by hiking. There’s no road access, so you have to hike to the beach from Atheras village and Zola. For obvious reasons, we recommend getting the boat from Agia Kiriaki port instead.

Boats run daily and tickets cost €15 (£13). As you can probably imagine, due to the extra effort it takes to reach Fteri Beach, it’s much quieter here compared to other beaches on the island.

Therefore, you can expect a much more relaxing experience. The beach is backed by tall limestone cliffs and has a long sandy beach and emerald waters.

You should spend your time walking along the beach, sunbathing, and swimming in the sea.

14. Visit the Sacred Monastery of Agios Gerasimos of Kefalonia

If you want to learn more about local culture and history during your time on the island, we suggest visiting the Sacred Monastery of Agios Gerasimos of Kefalonia. Located in central Kefalonia, this is a 16th-century church complex that consists of a monastery, a courtyard, gardens, and the tomb of a patron saint.

The monastery is widely regarded as one of the most sacred sites and pilgrimage places on the island and is dedicated to Saint Gerasimos, who was born in 1503. Declared a saint in 1622, Gerasimos was famous for his miraculous abilities to cure mental illnesses.

Today, we can explore the monastery and learn all about his life. Inside the monastery, you’ll find Saint Gerasimos’s tomb, a beautifully decorated chamber, and a collection of his relics.

The Agios Gerasimos Monastery is open most days from 4 am to 1 pm and from 3:30 pm to 6 pm.

15. Go on a wine tour

Kefalonia’s wine region has been cultivating grapes since the Neolithic era. Today, the island is famous for its Robola wine. Bearing that in mind, it would be rude not to visit at least one winery during your Greek holiday.

Of course, you can sample local wines at most bars and restaurants, but nothing beats a good wine tour, especially if you want to learn more about the wine-making process and Kefalonia’s wine history.

You can learn all about Kefalonian wine on this 4-hour Wine Tour. With hotel pick-up and drop-off, this tour includes an expert guide who will introduce you to the island’s most celebrated wines.

You’ll meet winemakers, learn about different regional varieties, sample multiple wines, and explore Kefalonia’s scenery along the way. This budget-friendly tour also includes snacks throughout the day and you’ll have time to buy a few bottles of wine.

16. Take a trip to Ithaca

The final attraction on our list of best things to do in Kefalonia is Ithaca, which you can easily visit on a tour. Ithaca is a Greek island found to the northeast of Kefalonia.

This island is famously known worldwide as the home of Odysseus – the legendary Greek king and the hero in Homer’s Odyssey poem.

This Kefalonia to Ithaca Day Trip will take you to the island from Agia Efmia. In 8 hours, you’ll sail along the coast of Ithaca to some of the best hidden gems and secluded spots on the island.

You’ll have the opportunity to get off the boat and snorkel in the waters around Gidaki Beach and Lygia-Pera Pigadi island before eating a Greek lunch in front of some epic views.

This tour can take groups of up to six people, so is perfect for groups of friends.

Helpful Information for Visiting Kefalonia, Greece

How to get to Kefalonia

The easiest way to get to Kefalonia Island is by plane. The island is home to one airport – Cephalonia International Airport (EFL), also known by the name Anna Pollatou Airport.

This airport is 8 km (5 miles) away from Argostoli and offers international connections to countries across Europe. Two of the most popular routes from Kefalonia airport are the United Kingdom and Athens in mainland Greece.

If there are no direct flights from your country to Kefalonia, you can fly to Athens and catch a connecting flight to the island. You can also get to Kefalonia by ferry, which is a good option for anyone doing a road trip through Europe.

Ferries leave from mainland Greece at the ports of Kyllini and Patras. Alternatively, you can travel from Italy to Kefalonia by ferry too.

Ferries leave Bari in Italy once a week and take 18 hours to reach Sami.

How to get around Kefalonia

In our opinion, the best way to get around Kefalonia is in a hire car. Hiring a car gives you complete freedom and control over where you go and how quickly you travel.

It also allows you to reach the hidden gems that aren’t accessible via public transport. When it comes to hiring a car on the island, we recommend using Europcar because they have an excellent reputation and an office at the airport.

Therefore, you can pick a car up as soon as you land on the island. A smart four-seater car from Europcar can cost as little as €12 (£10) a day.

If you don’t want to drive around the island, you will have to rely on public transport. Luckily, there are reliable bus services in place. However, you will struggle to explore the whole island.

Kefalonian Buses (KTEL) runs bus services from Argostoli, Sami, Lixouri, and Poros.

The best time to visit Kefalonia

The best time to visit Kefalonia depends on what you’re trying to get out of your holiday. If you simply want to visit the island when it’s at its hottest, the best time of year to visit is between June and August, with the hottest temperatures being recorded in July.

The average temperature during this time of year reaches highs of 31°C (87°F) and lows of 21°C (69°F). Having said that, temperatures during spring and autumn still tend to sit above 20°C (68°F), so you can almost always expect warmth.

Even the winters in Kefalonia are fairly mild. However, winter on the island can be wet, so you might want to choose another time of year to visit.

If you want to visit Kefalonia when it’s quieter, around October is the best time to visit. During this time of year, temperatures are still warm but the crowds are few.

Exploring Kefalonia by tour

There are plenty of places to see in Kefalonia and we often find that exploring self-guided offers the most flexibility. However, if you’re short of time, then a tour is a great way to see a lot of locations in a short amount of time. Not to mention you’ll have a local guide showing you around.

Here are some of the most popular tour options in Kefalonia:

• Highlights of Kefalonia – This 5-hour tour will take you to some of the island’s most popular locations. This includes Drogarati Cave, Melissani Cave, Myrtos Beach, and Vassilakis Distillery.

• Kefalonia: Island Bus Tour with Wine Tasting – This 7-hour bus tour includes a visit to Robola Winery where you’ll get to go wine tasting. You’ll also have two hours of free time in Fiskardo.

• All-day private Kefalonia tour – This private tour lasts for 8-10 hours and will you some of Kefalonia’s best photo spots. This includes the villages of Assos, Fiskardo, and Sami.

Where to Stay in Kefalonia, Greece

There are plenty of excellent accommodation options in Kefalonia. You can easily find something that suits every budget. The hardest part is deciding where to base yourself.

Your best option is to narrow down the things you want to see first and then work out where to stay.

Here are some of our best accommodation recommendations!

Budget: Belleza Villa

Belleza Villa may be a budget accommodation option, but you wouldn’t guess it. This stunning location consists of vibrant studio apartments, penthouse suites, and maisonette-style rooms, most of which feature a cosy terrace area.

Based in Lixouri, this option is close to shops, cafes, and restaurants, and you won’t be too far away from a range of popular attractions, for example, Lepeda Beach.

Mid-range: King A

King A in Argostoli is a little bit more upmarket. As such, you can expect a lot more from your stay. For starters, the terraces at this hotel offer impressive views of the sea and surrounding mountains.

Secondly, a delicious vegetarian or continental breakfast is served every morning. Finally, all of the rooms are beautifully decorated and equipped with everything you need to have an amazing stay.

Luxury: Electra Kefalonia Hotel & Spa

If you’re looking for a more luxurious Greek getaway in Kefalonia, consider staying at Electra Kefalonia Hotel & Spa in Svoronata. Just a 5-minute drive from the airport, this stunning property has one huge pool, multiple smaller private pools, sea views, a restaurant, and unsurprisingly, 5-star status.

Every luxurious room and suite is equipped with world-class amenities and there’s even a spa and wellness centre with a hot tub on site.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kefalonia, Greece

How many days do I need in Kefalonia?

We recommend spending at least 4 days in Kefalonia if you want to experience everything the island has to offer. You can easily spend 4 days on the island because there is so much to do!

In 4 days, you can spend a day relaxing at the beach and the rest of your time exploring the island and its main attractions. If you want more time to just chill out, we recommend staying for a week.

What is a good budget for Kefalonia?

We recommend a minimum budget of £60-80 per person per day. However, there are plenty of Kefalonia attractions to visit, so you may want to increase your budget to make the most of your trip.

If you’re travelling as a group then you can easily split the costs too. For those travelling on their own, just be aware that there aren’t many hostels on the island.

What is Kefalonia best known for?

Kefalonia is best known for its picturesque coastline, crystal clear waters, hidden coves, vibrant villages, and breathtaking views. However, that isn’t all the island is famous for!

Kefalonia is also known for its stunning architecture, historical landmarks, cultural attractions, and famous filming locations. In other words, Kefalonia has everything you could ever dream of and more from a Greek island.

Do we need a car in Kefalonia?

No, you don’t need to have a car to explore Kefalonia. There are bus services and tour companies that operate all over the island. However, having one is a massive bonus!

Hiring a car in Kefalonia allows you to explore all areas of the island without having to rely on bus schedules. You’ll also find it a lot easier to reach the best hidden gems on the island.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Kefalonia, Greece

Now you’ve made your way through our travel guide, you should know all about the best things to do in Kefalonia. We’ve also told you everything you need to know about planning the perfect trip and finding the best place to stay.

When you’re next planning a Greek island getaway, strongly consider Kefalonia if you’re looking for a quieter destination that still offers all the things we love most about Greece.

On the island, you’ll find all the beautiful Greek villages, historic landmarks, white sand beaches, and traditional restaurants your heart desires. To date, Kefalonia is still one of our favourite Greek islands and we’re sure it will quickly become one of yours too!

If you have further questions about things to do in Kefalonia, don’t hesitate to contact us via Facebook, Instagram, or in the comments below!

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