The best things to do in Kefalonia in Greece
Last update : 21/08/2023
We take you to discover Kefalonia, a Greek island in the Ionian Sea that’s well worth a visit. Still relatively untouristy, Kefalonia will surprise you with its crystal-clear white sandy beaches, charming colorful villages and numerous water sports. To get the most out of this island, we recommend spending at least five days here, and possibly two hotels in different locations. In this article, discover the island’s must-sees, on the program: beaches, caves, water activities and good restaurant addresses!
You may also be familiar with the neighboring island, Zante (Zakynthos)? You can extend your vacation by discovering these two Greek islands during the same stay. That’s what we did, and we recommend it! In our blog, we explain how to get from one island to the other by ferry. Come on, it’s time to plan your next travel to Greece!
Visit Kefalonia in Greece, where to sleep?
Hotel Electra Kefalonia & Spa
We discovered this hotel during a lunch, we were able to visit it but we didn’t stay there. The comfort and design of this beautiful place made us really want to try it out on our next visit to Kefalonia. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated, and all have a balcony or garden with private pool – a dream come true! This hotel has a large outdoor pool as well as an indoor pool. It’s conveniently located close to the airport. We recommend it for your vacation in Kefalonia!
What to do in Kefalonia in Greece? Our 10 must-sees
1. Myrtos Beach
One of our favorite beaches in Kefalonia! It’s apparently one of the most spectacular in Europe, to the northwest of the island. It’s set in the heart of towering cliffs, and you can admire it from a pretty vantage point on the road to Assos.
Myrtos it’s a beach of white sand and pebbles, which contrasts wonderfully with the turquoise water. On the other hand, it’s not the ideal place for swimming, as the currents are strong and the seabed slopes steeply. From mid-June onwards you’ll be able to settle comfortably on deckchairs, run by a beach bar-snack. A real “coup de coeur” for us, a must-see on your visit to Kefalonia!
2. The village of Assos and the ruined castle
This small Greek village is clearly worth a visit during a stay in Kefalonia. Picturesque and colorful, it reminded us of the Cinque Terre villages in Italy. It’s a rather confidential village, as there are very few inhabitants outside the school year (seven according to what we heard on the spot 😂). If you like cats, you’ll also be in heaven.
What creates this idyllic setting are also the surrounding forests, blooming bougainvillea and turquoise sea. A mix of colors that’s sure to lift your spirits! Let yourself be carried along the narrow streets of Assos to the village square, where you’ll find plenty of cats. You can also sit on the terrace of the Sea Side in Assos, for a Spritz with a view, for example? 🍹
The village is said to have been partly destroyed by an earthquake in 1953 and rebuilt with the help of the French. On the hill opposite, you’ll find the ruins of the Chateau d’Assos, built in 1593. You can get there by a pleasant walk of around 40 minutes.
3. The village of Fiskardo
The village of Fiskardo was one of our favorite places during our time in Kefalonia! This port village is located in the very north of the island, and will surprise you with its superb Venetian architecture. In this Greek village, you’ll find many colorful houses, textile stores, terraced restaurants and docked boats. It’s a fairly touristy place, even posh in high season. Still, it’s worth the detour, trust us!
If you want to have lunch in Fiskardo, we recommend the Vassos restaurant, which offers excellent local specials: mezzes as a starter followed by spaghetti with lobsters, a real treat.
4. Melissani cave
This is a truly magical place, one of the must-do things to do on your vacation in Kefalonia. The Melissani cave was discovered after an earthquake toppled its roof. Measuring 150 metres wide and 60 metres long, you can discover it from the inside during a fun activity: a boat trip on the lake. The lake is 39 meters deep and a sensational turquoise blue color!
We recommend going between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in summer, so that the sun can shine through the cave, an exceptional moment. Admission is around 7€ per person.
5. Zervati caves
These caves are much less well-known than Melissani’s, yet they’re all nearby. They’re not touristy, but they’re not forbidden either, so don’t hesitate to check them out!
6. Drogarati cave
Another atypical spot we never thought we’d discover in Greece! This cave of stalactites and stalagmites is formed from limestone. Since 1983, the caves have been fitted out so that visitors can explore them on foot, and there are even concerts organized inside – it must be a fantastic experience! The Drogarati cave in Cephalonia is said to be over 150 million years old, no less. We really enjoyed our visit to this cave, feeling completely out of time amidst its immensity and warm colors.
Admission is €5 per person, so remember to bundle up as it’s below 18 degrees inside.
7. Pessada beach
This little cove near the Port of Pessada is well worth a visit if you want to swim somewhere away from the crowds. On the other hand, access has to be earned and there are no facilities once you’re there, so pack a picnic lunch for a day on Pessada beach, for example! We enjoyed our swim in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of Pessada, we recommend it.
8. Fteri Beach
Among the best things to do in Kefalonia, Fteri Beach! This beach in the heart of the cliffs looks really unique. We didn’t get a chance to go there, but it’s on our list for our next visit to Kefalonia. To get there, you can walk 40 minutes from the parking lot or take a cab boat for €14 return per person. This beach is made up of pebbles, so don’t hesitate to bring water slippers to make the most of it!
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9. Visit to Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia in Greece
The capital of Kefalonia is very pleasant to discover. Completely destroyed in 1953 following an earthquake, the notable architecture is therefore no longer Venetian, but it’s colorful and charming all the same. There’s a long pedestrian bridge that takes you to a different point of view of the city, 700 meters long, if you go to the end you might even come across a few turtles!
10. Extend your vacation in Greece by discovering the island of Zakynthos
The neighboring island of Zakynthos is also worth a visit! We loved our 5 days in Zakynthos and can only recommend that you go there. If you’d like to find out more, we recommend you read our dedicated article.
See article on Zakynthos
How to get from Cephalonia to Zakynthos ?
You can go from one island to the other on a ferry that leaves from the port of Pessada in Kefalonia and reaches the port of Agios Nikolaos in Zakynthos in just 1h30. It’s difficult to find information on the Internet about this ferry crossing, so we recommend you visit this site for crossing times.
You will be able to book the tickets once on site, at the port of Agios Nikolaos. We advise you to come a few days before to pick up your tickets. The price is €8 per person and €31 for a car.
Visit Kefalonia in Greece, where to eat?
1. Vassos Restaurant in Fiskardo
An excellent restaurant on the quays of Fiskardo where you can enjoy mezzes and local specialties. We recommend it on your visit to Fiskardo in Kefalonia!
2. Sea Side at Assos
A lovely address for a drink overlooking Assos beach and its colorful houses. The perfect spot to take a break and enjoy Greek-style Dolce Vita.
3. Electra Kefalonia & Spa
A beautiful hotel in Kefalonia where you can come for lunch or a drink without even staying there. That’s what we did and we had a delicious time overlooking the pool and the sea. The cocktails are excellent, you absolutely must try them!
Visit Kefalonia in Greece, practical information
How to get to the island of Kefalonia
Direct flights with Transavia
This Greek island is served directly by Transavia from Paris Orly, as is its neighboring island Zakynthos, at very affordable prices (around €150 return, depending on the period). The flight to Kefalonia takes around 2 hours 40 minutes. A perfect option for discovering the islands of the Ionian Sea at lower cost! We recommend that you book well in advance, as there are few flights, especially out of season.
Learn more
When to come to Kefalonia in Greece?
The best months to discover Kefalonia are May, June, September and October. You’ll enjoy mild, sunny weather, without too much tourism, and prices are also more affordable. You can also visit in high season (July, August), but expect more crowds!
How to rent a rental car at the best price in Kefalonia in Greece
If you’re looking to rent a car during your trip, we recommend you take a look at the RentalCars website. This will enable you to find the best prices and conditions for your rental.
Learn moreHow to find the best hotels to visit Kefalonia
In order to find the best hotels and benefit from the best conditions (security, cancellation…) we go almost exclusively through Booking.com for our trips. We recommend that you take a look at the available hotels and filter them according to their ratings. The customer reviews are very numerous and recent, which helps to avoid unpleasant surprises when traveling!
Learn moreMust-do activities on the island of Kefalonia in Greece?
1. Board a fishing boat
If you want an authentic, immersive experience on the Ionian Sea, embark with Michalis Fishing for a morning of fishing. You’ll be able to discover Kefalonia from the sea, and then enjoy lunch of the day’s catch, cooked Greek-style and with talent by the crew. A convivial and delicious moment!
2. Wine tasting at Orealios Gaea
If there are any wine lovers among you, this tasting is sure to please! You’ll discover local creations explained with passion by Orealios Gaea staff. The winery and boutique are well worth a visit!
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This trip is the fruit of a collaboration with the teams at the Greek Tourist Office and Transavia, and we’d like to thank them warmly. We remain totally free in what we say, so our opinions are personal and sincere.
Thank you for reading
We hope that the tips and good addresses on our travel blog will help you organize your trip to Kefalonia.
You can also follow our daily adventures on Instagram 🙂
Clem & Alex
