20 Best Things to Do in Kefalonia
Kefalonia is a beautiful Greek island located in the Ionian sea. It is known for its exotic beaches, crystalline and deep blue Mediterranean waters, and calming atmosphere. Kefalonia, also known as Cephalonia, is the largest Ionian island and a traveler’s paradise. The island is gifted with exquisite natural beauty. Kefalonia is bound to give all its visitors an unforgettable experience to cherish.
The most beautiful and loved beaches of Kefalonia are Antisamos, Myrtos, Skala, Makris Gialos, Lourdas, Petani, Xi. Tourists enjoy the beautiful sunsets, delicious cuisines, adventurous watersports in Kefalonian beaches.
Boat journeys to the Melissani Cave
A beautiful cave in the Melissani Lake waters. It is located 2.8 kms (1.74 miles) from the island town Sami. The lake is enveloped by lush green trees. It is one of the popular tourist destinations in Kefalonia. The waters of the lake are crystal clear and a beautiful shade of blue. The best time to visit the cave would be during the late mornings and early afternoons. That’s when the sunlight seeps in from the roof of the cave and hits the waters below. It’s a heavenly sight to the eyes and gives you an enchanted paradise like feels! The caves are open everyday from 9am to 7pm if you’re visiting between May to October. During the winter, the cave is open only on Thursdays and weekends from 10am to 4pm. Make sure to reach a few minutes early if you’re visiting during summers and want to get on a boat between 11 am to 2pm. Entry fee inclusive of a boat ride is 7 Euros per person. The timings may fluctuate sometimes.
Sunbathing at Antisamos Beach
It is a beautiful, clean beach located on the Ionian sea. It is 30.6 kms (19 miles) from Argostoli. Antisamos offers a wide range of watersports such as scuba diving, speed boat rides, snorkeling and more. The beach is easily accessible and only a few kilometers from the port of Sami. There are restaurants and bars available on the beach. The views are truly gorgeous and breath taking. This beach is a perfect destination even if you’re not the kind of person who’s into water sports. Many visitors of this beach just like to lie down in the sun and relax for hours.
A stroll along the Fiscardo Harbor
Fiscardo is one of the prettiest traditional villages of Kefalonia. It offers a really calm atmosphere. One can take strolls along the harbor and around the village. The buildings are of traditional architecture and are very picturesque. The village offers variety of dining in options beside the waters. Tourists like to hop a boat and explore the waters. Travelers also enjoy going on small hikes here. The village is located about 50kms from Argostolion.
Sunset at Myrtos Beach
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece and one of the best attractions of Kefalonia. The white sands and the turquoise blue waters create a splendid contrast. It is located between two mountains and the view from the cliff tops is absolutely stunning and surreal. Myrtos is also one of the most wild beaches with strong currents. It is located about 30 kms from Argostoli. Tourists describe the crimson sunsets in this beach to be extremely romantic. There aren’t many places to eat on the beach but there are several restaurants on the main road very close by.
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving is extremely popular in Kefalonia. There are various businesses providing this service in most of the beaches. The important sites for scuba diving in Kefalonia include Fiscardo and Lassi. All age groups can participate in such diving. It is a thrilling and fun-filled experience. The beautiful turquoise and deep blue ocean colour and the clean waters make this experience even more worthwhile and incredible.
A Romantic Walk on the De Bosset Bridge
De Bosset Bridge is the world’s longest stone bridge on sea. It was built in the early 1800s and offers beautiful scenic views on both sides. It is located on the Koutavos Lagoon in Argostoli. The lagoon is home to many large turtles and sea creatures which attract the visitors. Tourists like enjoying romantic walks here in the evening.
Chill at Skala Beach
Skala Beach is 36 kms (22.3 miles) from Argostoli and is located in south Kefalonia. It is a family friendly beach with a lot of sunbeds. Tourists love to engage in water based activities , organize parties, or just relax and sunbathe. The beach is very clean and has gorgeous views. It is one of the best beaches in the island and is frequently visited by travelers. The beach has a lot of lush dense greenery. There are many eateries and shops on the main road close to this beach. It may get a little crowded during peak seasons.
Magnificent View from Mount Ainos National Park
The national park is located around 30 kms (18.6 miles) away from the island capital, Argostolion. The mountain top offers captivating and exquisite views of the island. It has a really peaceful and calming environment. Mount Ainos is the tallest mountain in Kefalonia. It is a perfect place to enjoy a small picnic and relax while watching the view. Some tourists enjoy hiking here. The mountain is covered with dense greenery and is home to a wide and exotic range of flora and fauna. The forest here is home to the blackbird, the Owl, the Coal Tit and various other species.
Gorge on the Kefalonian meat pie!
While visiting Kefalonia one must try their famous meat pie also known as Kreatopita. The most loved restaurants in the Argostolion are Tzivras, Casa Grec, Ampelaki, Sepia. Try these eateries out in the capital city for authentic Greek cusine. You can also try out other local dishes like Soumada, Bakaliaropita, Bourbourelia, Strapatsada, Chicken in Tserepa, Aliada, Scordalia, Riganada. Popular diners in Skala include Old Times, The Flamingo, Apostolis Taverna, Mikelatos, The Pines. Tassia and Elli’s restaurants serve delicious cuisines in Fiscardo. One must also try out the fresh seafood while visiting this island.
Go Wine Tasting
Greece is known for producing wine. There are several vineyards in this Ionian island. Kefalonia is the only producer of Robola wine in the world. It’s also the most popular wine on the island. Tourists in Kefalonia can go wine tasting in the famous wine refineries such as Haritatos, Sclavos. There are various agencies which provide wine tour services. These tours help the tourists learn about the various kinds of wines produced in the island and also about the history of wine production in Greece.
Honey Shopping
The Ionian island is known for its thyme honey, sweets, jewellry, extra virgin olive oil and wine. The best place to shop in Kefalonia is in its capital, Argostoli. The most popular shopping area for tourists is Lithostroto Street. The most famous traditional sweet in Kefalonia is called Mandola. It is made from almonds and is red in color. Pastokidono is also a traditional dessert which is loved here. Thyme honey is one of the finest quality honey produced here. The island is also known for its gold and silver jewelry, organic agricultural produce , extra virgin olive oil, Robola wine and dairy based products.
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking in the deep blue Mediterranean waters of the Ionian island is a spectacular and unforgettable experience. This service is available on almost all the beaches of the Ionian island including Argostoli, Antisamos, Skala, Xi, and Fiscardo. It allows you to get a unique view of the island from the waters.
A day at Makris Gialos
Makris Gialos beach is a famous beach near Argostoli. It offers picturesque views and is a popular tourist attraction. The beach is surrounded by many trees and has many good taverns. Makris Gialos is easily accessible by transport. The waters are crystalline and the sand is golden.
Visit Monasteries
The island has a great number of famous monasteries. These include Agios Gerasimos monastery, Monastery of Kipoureon, Monastery of Lagouvarda, Monastery of Argilion, Monastery of Panagia Atros, Monastery of Themata. These are ancient monasteries. The oldest one dates back to 8th century. These are an integral part of the culture of Kefalonians. The architectural designs of these establishments are remarkable. Monastery of Agios Gerasimos is one of the most impressive monasteries in this island and is frequently visited by tourists and pilgrims all over the world.
Exploring the Ruins of an Ancient Town
Sami Acropolis is located in the Lapitha mountains in Sami. It is an archaeological site and the ruins date back to 3rd century BC. One can observe the ruins of the ancient town including the public buildings, structures and more. The view of the sunset from the cliff is gorgeous. It also offers spectacular views of the island and the sea.
Swimming at Petani Beach
Petani is one of the tourist loved beaches of Kefalonia. It is located in Lixouri which is 35 kms (21.7 miles) from Argostoli. It’s an exquisite beach with big waves and deep water. Petani is known for swimming. It is in also close proximity to many monasteries and other tourist sites in the island. The beach is enveloped by mountains with lush forests. There are two big restaurants here but it is not accessible by public transport. Travelers usually rent a car to reach here.
Destination Weddings
Kefalonia and Greece in general is famously known for being one of the most romantic wedding destinations. This is due to its dreamy beaches, enchanting views, romantic sunsets, peaceful and calm environment, surreal sceneries, turquoise waters. Many couples all over the world plan their dream weddings in Kefalonia. There are many wedding planners here who are ready to plan the most beautiful and romantic wedding for you.
Horse Riding
There are trained horse riding instructors who will teach you how to ride and will take you around in horses to explore the mountains and the forests of Kefalonia. You can enjoy the beautiful scenic views of the island and have an exciting experience. All age groups can participate in this activity.
Visit the Drogarati Cave
These are ancient caves situated in Sami, Kefalonia. The caves are around 200 feet deep and contain stalagmites and stalactites. Drogarati is frequently visited by the travelers. It is a magnificent piece of nature’s art. Only a portion of the cave is accessible to the public. Cultural programs are sometimes conducted here. The admission tickets to the cave cost 5 Euros per adult and 3 Euros per child. Drogarati is open to the public every day between 9am to 5pm.
Outdoor Movies
Tourists can enjoy the outdoor movie experience in the romantic island of Kefalonia. Cine Anny provides this experience in the capital Argostoli. It is open during the summer seasons each year and plays Hollywood movies. It’s a very romantic experience for couples. Tourists also visit with families. This is the only outdoor movie service in Kefalonia.