Things To Do In Kefalonia Island

The island of Kefalonia Greece (additionally spelled Cephalonia) is amazingly scenic, and it’s nonetheless not as crowded as different Greek islands like Zakynthos or Santorini.

You can go to Kefalonia on a day journey from Zakynthos and see a number of the prime sights in a single full day, however in my view, it’s higher to remain not less than just a few days on the island and spend extra time sightseeing.

The most well-known factor to see on Kefalonia island is the Melissani lake and cave, however the island additionally has a great deal of good seashores with gentle white pebbles and turquoise water.

This journey weblog will clarify a number of the finest issues to do in Kefalonia Greece, easy methods to get there, the place to remain, and one of the best transport choices and tour packages. I’ve additionally included a helpful Kefalonia island map for journey planning!

Best Kefalonia Tours

First of all, in the event you solely have a brief keep in Kefalonia, reminiscent of just a few days or much less, then a day tour may be a good way to see the island.

We advocate GetYourGuide for Kefalonia excursions! They have high-rated personal excursions that go to a bunch of one of the best sights like Melissani Cave, Antisamos Beach, and Myrtos Viewpoint.

If you’re a solo traveler on a price range, additionally they have shared excursions by bus. These excursions normally embrace free resort pickup and drop-off from many of the standard areas in Kefalonia.

We’ve used this firm for plenty of days excursions and actions around the globe, and so they’re nice! Highly advisable.

Book Now: Kefalonia Greece Private Tour / Bus Tour

Where Is Kefalonia Island?

Kefalonia (additionally spelled Cephalonia) is an island situated within the Ionian Sea, west of mainland Greece.

There are a complete of seven Ionian Islands in Greece, and the space from Athens to Kefalonia is barely about 260 kilometers (160 miles) in a straight line.

How To Get To Kefalonia Greece

Kefalonia island may be reached by flight or ferry.

Flying to Kefalonia is the simplest, quickest, and costliest (however advisable) strategy to get there. The Kefalonia airport (EFL) is served by each day nonstop flights from Athens, in addition to some worldwide cities like Amsterdam, London, and Munich.

The flight time to Kefalonia from Athens is 1 hour, and it prices wherever from 50 to 100 Euros for a one-way ticket with Aegean/Olympic Air or Sky Express.

The finest airline to make use of is Aegean (or its subsidiary Olympic Air) as an alternative of Sky Express when you’ve got a alternative, however any of them is okay. Free checked baggage is normally included within the ticket costs.

Shop Now: Kefalonia flights at Skyscanner

Taking the ferry to Kefalonia from Athens is cheaper than flying, nevertheless it’s slower and a bit extra difficult.

You first must take a 4-hour bus experience from Athens to Kyllini (which prices 25 Euros), after which hop on the ferry there. The boat experience from Kyllini to Kefalonia takes round 1.5 hours and prices about 14 Euros.

There are additionally ferries operating from close by islands like Zakynthos and Ithaca, so in the event you’re eager about performing some island hopping in Greece and also you wish to see extra than simply Kefalonia, you possibly can combine up the itinerary a bit.

For instance, you possibly can fly into Kefalonia for just a few days, take the ferry to Zakynthos, after which fly from Zakynthos again to Athens. Or do the identical factor in the wrong way. That’s what we did, and it labored out nice!

Transport: How To Get Around On Kefalonia

Kefalonia is a reasonably good-sized island (virtually twice as massive as Zakynthos), and driving from one facet to the opposite can take hours. If you wish to do the island justice, then you definately’ll want transport.

The predominant strategy to get round Kefalonia island is by renting a automobile. There are many corporations providing automobile leases on the island, however we advocate DiscoverCars! For short-distance journeys close to a city, there’s no Uber however you possibly can rent a taxi.

Driving in Kefalonia is a bit of demanding, however not too exhausting, and many of the roads are in good situation. We discovered it to be a bit simpler than Zakynthos. It’s a extra mountainous island, so that you’ll often have steep roads, however these are well-paved.

A couple of distant roads in Cephalonia should be gravel with occasional potholes, however even these roads are rapidly bettering because the island turns into extra accessible and standard with vacationers.

The predominant issue is driving in Argostoli city, the place there’s extra site visitors and the roads are slim, with a number of automobiles parked on either side. Drive slowly on the town and keep alert. Once you get out of city, the roads are easy crusing for essentially the most half.

Greeks drive on the correct facet of the highway, just like the US and Canada. The locals prefer to drive quick, and so they often ignore pace limits and go on double yellow traces. Just pay attention to this, and transfer over to allow them to go.

Since the regulation was modified in 2021, international vacationers from Australia, Canada, the UK, and the United States don’t want an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Greece anymore.

The precise textual content of the brand new regulation (within the Greek language) may be present in Law 4850, artwork. 25, par. η, web page 10697, and it’s additionally been confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in Greece.

With that mentioned, it nonetheless doesn’t harm to have an IDP for Kefalonia in case there’s confusion from the authorities or your native automobile rental firm. Many individuals in Greece nonetheless appear to be unaware of this variation.

If you don’t really feel like driving in Kefalonia, it’s additionally attainable to see the island with a personal tour or bus tour.

Where To Stay In Kefalonia

Best Things To Do In Kefalonia Greece

• Melissani Cave Lake

Melissani is a spectacular underground lake and collapse Kefalonia with an open ceiling that lights up its beautiful blue water.

You can go into this cave and take a brief paddleboat tour across the lake, and it’s simply the most effective issues to do in Kefalonia! If you go to Melissani cave on the proper time of day, the ceiling allows simply sufficient gentle to make the watercolor go loopy, turning a clear vibrant blue.

I might virtually say this can be a bucket checklist merchandise that each world traveler must see, though the boat experience is a bit quick and the lake is admittedly depending on the correct lighting so as to look its finest.

Because of its magnificence, Melissani has turn into one of the standard locations to go to in Kefalonia, so that you’ll normally must queue to see it. During the excessive season months, the road can take wherever from 10 to 40 minutes.

Midday is one of the best time to see the cave as a result of that’s when the solar is highest within the sky, lighting up the colours of the lake. Unfortunately, that’s additionally the busiest time to go to, so be ready to attend.

Even although the boat experience is brief (about 10 minutes), it’s loaded with good photograph alternatives! If you’re fortunate, you possibly can typically see eels swimming round within the lake too. It’s an important little journey.

Read More: Melissani Cave Lake

Book Now: Melissani Lake Private Tour / Half-Day Tour / Bus Tour

• Antisamos Beach

Antisamos is an attractive seaside with clear water and gentle waves, and it’s surrounded by inexperienced hills on all sides. The water at this seaside is evident as glass and nice for swimming.

It was a quiet, hidden seaside, however these days it’s fairly industrial and busy. There’s easy accessibility on a paved highway from the harbor city of Sami, and the seaside has eating places with a number of umbrellas, loos, and parking.

Because of the proximity to Sami, this seaside is straightforward to mix with a go to to the close by Melissani Lake and Drogarati Cave.

Overall, it’s an important seaside to carry the household for swimming and stress-free!

• Myrtos Beach

Myrtos is among the most spectacular places in Kefalonia Greece, with a snow-white pebble seaside surrounded by steep cliffs on either side, and a viewpoint the place you possibly can look down on the seaside from above.

Make certain you cease on the roadside viewpoint (situated right here) earlier than taking place to the seaside. It has a number of the finest surroundings in Kefalonia, and also you don’t must pay or do any climbing to see it!

This spot has superb views of the Kefalonia shoreline and the steep highway main all the way down to the seaside. Parking is restricted, however there’s normally area since automobiles frequently come and go.

Myrtos Beach is accessed by a steep paved highway that may be a bit of unnerving at occasions, particularly since you need to share it with different automobiles going again up the hill.

In the excessive season, it’s finest to return right here early for parking as a result of Myrtos may be very standard. However, the seaside is greater than 700 meters lengthy so it by no means feels too crowded in any respect. Waves may be tough right here, so it’s most likely not an important spot for youths to swim.

The vibrant pebbles and cliffs at Myrtos Beach are virtually blindingly white, with colourful turquoise water. It’s most likely Kefalonia’s most stunning seaside!

• Assos Village

Assos is a bit of seaside village on a peninsula in northern Kefalonia. A go to to this spot is certainly the most effective issues to do in Kefalonia Greece!

It’s a quaint and colourful city that’s nice for photos, and we’d’ve cherished to remain longer. There’s a pleasant little protected seaside the place you possibly can go for a swim, and loads of outlets and eating places by the coast.

Shade bushes and benches by the water make it an important place to sit down and calm down.

Assos as soon as served as the executive capital of northern Cephalonia underneath Venetian rule, beginning in 1593.

If you’ve got further time, climb the hill to the Venetian Castle of Assos for an important view of the city from the alternative facet. You can attain the fort ruins in about 30-40 minutes from the automobile park, and it’s free to go to.

Parking at Assos is restricted and might refill within the high-season months, so that you’ll wish to arrive early if attainable.

Where To Stay In Assos: Romanza Studios

• Fiskardo Village

Fiskardo is a historic harbor city on the northern tip of Kefalonia island, with a ferry that runs to the close by Greek islands of Ithaca and Lefkada.

Even in the event you don’t plan on utilizing the ferry, Fiskardo is a good place to go to to stroll across the harbor and benefit from the seaside views. We had an important lunch of Greek gyros in Fiskardo and purchased some souvenirs.

I’ve to say the city of Fiskardo was extra crowded than Assos and never fairly as photogenic. It’s nonetheless price a go to, but when you need to select solely certainly one of these cities to see then I might decide Assos for certain.

Where To Stay: Fiscardo Studios

• Fteri Beach

Fteri is a secluded seaside that’s reachable by boat (‘water taxi‘) from the city of Zola.

The boat experience is straightforward and cozy and takes lower than 10 minutes every method. You can keep on the seaside for hours in the event you like, and the boat captain provides you with a WhatsApp quantity to name while you’re prepared to return to Zola.

I had my doubts about this setup at first, nevertheless it labored actually easily for us. You don’t must guide something upfront, and in the course of the excessive season, there are many boats coming and going.

Fteri is an attractive seaside and really photogenic, with a turquoise watercolor that nearly appears to be like unreal. The seaside was empty once we arrived, though it began to refill with individuals by the point we left.

The waves at Fteri are calm so it’s nice for swimming, though water sneakers assist for strolling on the exhausting white pebbles. If you need, you possibly can pay further to discover a number of the different close by seashores and sea caves by boat.

If you’re on a price range, you may also attain Fteri by climbing for about 30-45 minutes on a path, however the path is tough and unmarked so most individuals use the water taxi as an alternative.

Prices for the water taxis are fairly cheap, and in the event you’re a solo traveler you don’t must lease your personal boat, you possibly can be part of a ship with different individuals to avoid wasting prices. Overall, it’s a really enjoyable expertise!

• Petani Beach

Petani Beach could be tied with Fteri as essentially the most stunning seaside on the island of Kefalonia Greece. This one is situated on the western peninsula of the island.

This is an easy-access seaside with all of the services: eating places and bars, showers, and plenty of umbrellas. Like the opposite prime seashores in Kefalonia, it may get very busy in the course of the peak season, so it’s a good suggestion to point out up early.

The water at this seaside is crystal clear and it’s surrounded by limestone mountains. It’s very good!

Best Kefalonia Photo Spot

I must say one of the best photograph spot in Kefalonia might be the Melissani cave and lake. It was my favourite of the various locations we noticed in Kefalonia Greece.

The viewpoint above Myrtos Beach can also be superb, and Assos village is very photogenic at any time of day. Kefalonia is a good place for photographers.

For drone pilots, it’s attainable to take superb pictures on Kefalonia island. The locals in Greece aren’t strict about drones right here, and there are many quiet locations to fly with out disturbing anybody. If unsure, simply ask earlier than you fly.

Best Beaches In Kefalonia Greece

The island of Cephalonia is loaded with nice seashores. It has a significantly better collection of seashores than close by Zakynthos island.

If you’re primarily simply searching for the favored seashores with easy accessibility and beachfront lodging, take a look at the seashores on the southern coast of the island, reminiscent of Kalmia, Xi, Makris Gialos, Skala, and Ragia Beach.

For the actually scenic seashores, take a look at Antisamos, Myrtos, Fteri, and Petani Beach. All of those have colourful turquoise water, white pebble shores, and dramatic limestone mountains.

Kefalonia Island Map

Here’s a Kefalonia island map you need to use to plan your journey in Greece.

You can click on the icons on this map to get extra information on every focal point, however have in mind a number of the places could also be approximate.

What To Bring

Here are some packing strategies to your journey to Kefalonia Greece.

Most of the objects under can most likely be discovered on the island in a pinch, however the high quality of stuff you purchase on the road received’t be assured (personally, I’m not about to make use of a junky knockoff bag from a road vendor to guard my costly digital camera gear).

It’s finest to purchase vetted merchandise on-line!

• Waterproof Bag: Essential for preserving your electronics secure on the boats. I introduced a 30 liter bag and was in a position to match my drone, pill, digital camera, telephone, and a bunch of different stuff inside. Everything was stored dry, even after I took the bag swimming just a few occasions!
• Waterproof Phone Pouch: Same as above, however these are to your telephone solely. Great in the event you don’t produce other electronics and simply want one thing small to guard your telephone.
• Snorkeling Gear: Good for exploring the clear waters round Kefalonia, and typically you possibly can even see turtles. Snorkels and masks may be borrowed or rented from the boat corporations too, however in the event you plan to do a number of excursions it’s higher to carry your personal gear.
• Water Shoes: Save your toes some grief and put on water sneakers! Many of the seashores in Kefalonia have pebbles as an alternative of sand, so water sneakers will really feel higher for getting out and in of the water.

Other Kefalonia Tips

• Credit Cards: You pays by bank card for many resorts, eating places, and different issues in Kefalonia, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to hold money (in Euros). Some smaller eating places solely take money, or the cardboard machines might go down. If you present up at a harbor and wish to guide a ship tour on the spot, then they’ll ask you to pay in money.
• ATM: There are ATMs inside attain of each nook of the island. We normally pulled 200 Euros at a time, and by no means had any points. One factor to notice is that the ATMs will give you their very own conversion price (which is a extremely unhealthy price), or you possibly can proceed in Euros. Make certain you select Euros with out their foolish conversion price. This is a widely known rip-off at ATMs in Greece, nevertheless it’s simply averted if what you’re doing.
• Cell Service: Phone reception is powerful throughout most of Kefalonia island, though it’s possible you’ll lose service in some locations whereas driving round as a result of the island is pretty mountainous.
• WiFi: Internet high quality in Kefalonia just isn’t the best, nevertheless it’s bettering, particularly in the primary city areas. Don’t count on WiFi speeds on par with Athens (or different European nations), nevertheless it’s typically adequate for emails, looking, and possibly a bit of little bit of streaming.

• Language: The native language in Kefalonia is Greek, in fact, however virtually everybody speaks and understands sufficient English for dialog. Lots of UK vacationers go to the Ionian islands, so the locals are accustomed to talking English with vacationers.
• Mosquitoes: We by no means noticed any mosquitoes in Kefalonia, and the island isn’t identified to be dwelling to the West Nile Virus, so it’s not likely a big concern right here.
• Water: The faucet water in Kefalonia is meant to be secure to drink, nevertheless it doesn’t style good. It’s higher to drink bottled water, which is reasonable and may be discovered at any mini-market. You can use faucet water for cooking or brushing your tooth.

Is Kefalonia Safe?

Yes, Kefalonia is a really secure place to go to!

Greece has one of many lowest murder charges on the earth. Just take regular precautions and also you shouldn’t have any points with crime.

Kefalonia island just isn’t so touristy that you simply may really feel resented, and the locals had been very pleasant in our expertise.

Is Kefalonia Worth It?

Yes, I believe Kefalonia is price it. We actually loved our time spent on the island, and a number of the sights like Melissani Lake and Myrtos Beach are spectacular.

If you’re searching for an island with superb surroundings, seashores, and never too many individuals, Cephalonia is a good choice!

How Long To Stay In Kefalonia Greece

Three or 4 days is sufficient time to see the highlights of Kefalonia, though every week or two could be extra relaxed.

There are many good seashores and hidden spots on Kefalonia island, and it’s cheaper than Zakynthos, so you would positively keep longer in order for you! We solely stayed 4 days, and we felt like we would have liked extra time.

If you solely have sooner or later in Kefalonia (i.e. on a day journey from Zakynthos or one thing), then be sure you go to the Melissani cave. It’s one of many single finest sights in Cephalonia Greece!

Kefalonia Greece Itinerary

Here’s what a pattern 4-day itinerary for Cephalonia island might seem like:

• Day 1: Central/East Kefalonia. Drive over to Sami to see the superb Melissani Lake and Drogarati Cave, then calm down at Antisamos Beach earlier than persevering with the highway journey over to the east coast of Kefalonia, stopping at a number of the extra hidden seashores like Ragia, Armenia, Kako Lagadi, and Skala Beach.
• Day 2: North Kefalonia. Head to the north finish of Kefalonia, stopping at Myrtos Viewpoint and the seaside city of Assos alongside the best way. Drive all the best way to the far northern tip of Kefalonia island and go to the harbor city of Fiskardo, the place you possibly can seize lunch. Visit the close by Foki Beach after which begin the drive again to south Kefalonia. Stop at Myrtos Beach on the best way again!
• Day 3: West Kefalonia. Start the day by visiting some spectacular seashores at Zola. Take the quick water taxi over to Fteri Beach, after which afterward see Vouti and/or Kiriaki Beach. Drive round Kefalonia’s western peninsula, seeing some superb spots like Petani Beach and Xi Beach.
• Day 4: South Kefalonia. Take a sluggish day exploring sights in Argostoli, together with the De Bosset Bridge, Fanari Lighthouse, and Kalmia Beach. End the day on the Castle of Agios Georgios, and get an early dinner at Kastro Cafe, the most effective eating places in Kefalonia!

I hope this pattern itinerary offers you some concepts to your personal journey to Cephalonia. As all the time, be at liberty to ask any questions when you’ve got them.

Kefalonia Hotels

Best Time To Visit Kefalonia Greece

The finest time to go to Kefalonia island is dependent upon what you’re searching for, however typically, the nicest climate is from early May to late October. All of those months are principally heat and sunny. The shoulder months in spring and autumn may be good in the event you’re wanting good climate with out the crowds.

The hottest months in Greece are July and August, and Kefalonia throughout this time has temperatures of as much as 82 °F (27 °C) in the course of the day time, and lows of 67 °F (19 °C). This may be nice for swimming in a pool or lounging on the seaside, though these two months may also be a bit busier with vacationers.

Winter in Kefalonia is pretty gentle, nevertheless it’s wetter, cooler, and extra overcast, and there could also be some snowfall, particularly within the Ainos mountains. High temperatures are round 53 °F (11 °C), and lows are round 43 °F (6 °C). Not as many boats and excursions are operating at the moment, however it’s possible you’ll get a very good deal on resorts and issues.

Regardless of while you resolve to go to Cephalonia, you’re certain to have a memorable journey!

More Greece Travel Guides

Thanks for wanting! I hope you loved this journey information for one of the best issues to do in Kefalonia Greece.

We have extra journey guides for the Greek islands coming quickly, so don’t overlook to examine again later!

Happy travels!