Kefalonia is arguably one of the most interesting Greek islands. There are plenty of things to do and places to explore. Our guests at Stefanos Home in Katelios often ask how they can best spend their time on Kefalonia. While we are always happy to provide individual tips to our visitors catered to their personal interests, we thought it would be nice to share our7-day itinerary as a baseline to inspire your unforgettable holiday in Kefalonia.
Before diving deeper into the content, a big shout out to our friend and talented photographer Javi Lorbada. Almost all photos in this blog post have been taken by him. Muchas gracias amigo. We hope to welcome you soon again at Stefanos Home.
Getting around
Kefalonia is a relatively large island. Public transport is pretty much non-existent or at least not very convenient if you want to explore all its beauty. We strongly recommend renting a car when you visit Kefalonia. There are numerous rental car agencies directly at the airport. With its mountainous terrain, curvy roads, and anxious local drivers, driving a car in Kefalonia can be challenging for some (especially at night). Consider this when planning your week. Our one-week Kefalonia itinerary is written assuming you are staying in Katelios (or somewhere else in the south of Kefalonia) and you got some wheels to get you around the island.
Itinerary - One week on Kefalonia
We fully believe that every day is a beach day. With that in mind, this is how 7 days on Kefalonia might look like:
Day 1 - Kaminia
Day 2 - Mellisani Cave & Antisamos
Day 3 - Kako Lagadi & Skala
Day 4 - Monestary Agios Gerasimos, Robola wine and Mount Ainos
Day 5 - Myrtos, Asos and Fiskardo
Day 6 - Lixouri & Petani
Day 7 - Argostoli, Fteri & Vouti
Bonus Mission: Ithaka
Day 1 - Kaminia Beach
Begin your vacation with a full-on beach day to allow for maximum relaxation to start off your holidays the right way. Kefalonia is all about its stunning beaches and Kaminia Beach is one of a kind, not least because it's the chosen hatching habitat of the loggerhead sea turtles. Sandy beaches are rare on the island and Kaminia is the cream of the crop. The seemingly endless coastline offers enough space for a little privacy and beach games even during high season. Sunbeds are also available for a small daily rate if you prefer a bit more comfort with easy access to cold drinks. For lunch, walk up the hill to Anemos. This charming taverna offers a stunning view over the bay and serves a variety of delicious mezes. For dinner, try one of the many restaurants at Katelios and be spoiled by warm Greek hospitality. It's the perfect location to eat fresh fish and traditional Greek dishes.
Day 2 - Mellisani Cave & Antisamos
Mellisani Cave is a must-see attraction on Kefalonia. Over thousands of years, groundwater has eroded the limestone bedrock creating a large underground cave. The big earthquake in 1953 caused the roof to collapse, revealing the magnificent Mellisani Cave. We recommend visiting around noon when the sun is at its highest. The lighting and turquoise water provoke a truly magical atmosphere. If you are visiting during the high season, prepare to queue for 30-45min.
The cave is located only a couple of kilometers away from the port village of Sami. You can start your day with a morning walk along the Sami harbor and breakfast at Afrala. Try their flavorful pancakes before you head over to the Mellisani Cave. To close off the day, enjoy the afternoon at Antisamos Beach which lies in a beautiful bay just a short drive southeast of Sami. Antisamos is a rather commercialized beach with plenty of sunbeds and watersport offerings.
Day 3 - Kako Lagadi & Skala
Kako Lagadi is one of these hidden gems on Kefalonia that will leave you in awe. Wear some proper shoes today as you will need to climb down the rocks to reach this magnificent beach. You can park your car beside the road and make your way down a little path south of the beach. Once you see it with your own eyes, you certainly won't be surprised that this stunning beach made it to our list of top beaches in south Kefalonia.
For the afternoon, make a stop at Skala beach. The golden pebbles on the beach are truly unique and shine like gold in the hot Kefalonian sun. For some cold drinks, stop by Ammos Beach Bar. They usually play some loud beats through their sound system. If you prefer a calmer afternoon and want to explore a little more, walk down to the south edge of Skala beach. Here you will find curious rock formations and cave-like bays. Dare to swim a little further to reach Spithi Beach.
Day 4 - Monestary Agios Gerasimos, Robola Wine and Mount Ainos
Start the day with a visit to the Sacred Monastery of Saint Gerasimos. Saint Gerasimos is the beloved patron and protector of Kefalonia. He is kind of a big deal on the island and many locals name their children after him. The monastery was established by him in the 16th century and quickly became a center of charity for the poor. Just a short walk from the monastery you can visit a winery that produces the lightly aromatic citrusy Robola wine. Robola is a white grape variety grown almost exclusively on Kefalonia.
Afterward, it's time to explore Ainos National Park. Mount Ainos is the highest mountain in Kefalonia with an elevation of 1628m. You can approach Ainos from the northwest and leave your car at the transmitter station. From there, it's only a short 10min walk up to the peak, rewarding you with a stunning view over the Ionian Sea. You can further explore Mount Ainos along the road. Look out for the protected native Greek fir tree (Abies Cephalonia). If you are lucky enough, you might also run into a herd of wild Kefalonian mountain goats.
Day 5 - Myrtos, Asos and Fiskardo
If you are based in the south of the island, this is going to be the most challenging day of the trip. Start early to enjoy Kefalonia's spectacular north coast to the fullest. Head over to the world-renowned Myrtos Beach first. The blueness of the water here is second to none. Depending on the weather conditions, Myrtos often tends to be quite choppy but the mesmerizing color of the water will let you quickly forget about that.
Just a short 25min car ride up north, you will find the picturesque Asos. The road from Myrtos to Asos high above the sea is certainly one of the most scenic routes Kefalonia has to offer. There are plenty of viewpoints and photo opportunities on the way to snap some phenomenal shots that will make your friends at home very jealous. If you already built up an appetite, we highly recommend driving up to the little mountain village of Karia. Eat at Kapilio tavern for tasty local cuisine with a view before exploring Asos.
The last stop for today is Fiskardo. The charming village is one of the few places on Kefalonia which survived the big earthquake almost without a scratch. During the high season, Fiskardo harbor attracts dozens of sailing boats and yachts creating a cosmopolitan and easy-going atmosphere. Enjoy a walk through the small streets and along the promenade. The cafes and restaurants at the harbor are great for drinks and dinner.
Day 6 - Lixouri & Petani
Lixouri lies on the peninsula of Paliki northwest of the Argostoli. Kefalonians commonly joke that Lixouri is located on another island. There are regular daily (car) ferries connecting Lixouri and Argostoli. This saves you a long ride up north to reach this unique part of Kefalonia. Xi Beach, famous for its red sand, is only a short 10min ride away. It's quite narrow and tends to get very crowded so we recommend spending your time at Petani instead. Petani Beach is located in a curved bay surrounded by limestone rocks covered by brush undergrowth.
Petani is often described as the small-sized Myrtos. The beach is facing west and invites you to stay until late to experience a magnificent sunset over the Ionian Sea.
Day 7 - Argostoli, Fteri & Vouti
Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and the economic center of the island. Take a stroll down the main shopping street, Lithostroto, to buy some souvenirs. Go to the harbor to spot local loggerhead sea turtles. Usually, it doesn't take long before you see one. Just look out for small excited tourist crowds and you will find them. If you want to eat an early lunch at Argostoli, check out Ladokolla, one of our favorite Gyros places in town. Before you head further make sure to drive up north to see the Saint Theodore Lighthouse.
Fteri Beach is an absolutely stunning beach with a magnificent high cliff at the east end. It is not reachable by car so you will need to take a water taxi from the small harbor at Zola. Unfortunately, the water taxis do not operate when the sea gets too choppy for boats to approach the beach. No need to get upset though if this is the case, Kefalonia is full of beautiful beaches and Vouti Beach is just around the corner. Calling this charming small beach a plan B would certainly not do this little unique paradise justice.
Bonus Mission: Ithaka
If you are lucky enough to stay a couple of days longer than a week in this Ionanian Paradise, visiting Ithaka is a must. We recommend staying at least one night to immerse yourself fully into the slow-paced lifestyle in Ithaka. That's however an adventure on its own and deserves a separate blog post: Visiting Ithaca from Kefalonia.
Tell us what you think and share your experience in the comments. Feel free to contact us if you want to spend your holidays on Kefalonia and make Stefanos home apartments your home base.