Kefalonia

Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands. It’s a majestic destination, ideal for nature exploration and swimming.

Discover useful information about the best beaches, villages, food, and vacation experiences on the Greek island of Kefalonia on Ferryhopper and book your ferry tickets online!

Castle on the top of a green hill in Kefalonia

Vacation in Kefalonia

Kefalonia (or Cephalonia) is a cosmopolitan destination, where visitors enjoy peaceful holidays away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Amazing beaches, exceptional food, and awe-inspiring natural sceneries guarantee the perfect getaway.

There’s much to see and do on the island both during the day and at night, from outdoor activities such as cave exploration and snorkeling to quaint tavernas and wine-tasting sessions.

Kefalonia is also famous for the filming location of the movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin, which helped make the island a favorite among international travelers.

How to get to Kefalonia

Kefalonia is regularly connected by ferry to mainland Greece and more destinations in the Ionian Sea. The best way to get to Kefalonia from mainland Greece is via the ports of Patras or Kyllini in Western Greece. Indirectly, you can also travel to Kefalonia from the Italian port of Bari!

Patra and Kyllini are in the Peloponnese and you can get there by car or public bus from Athens in around 3 hours. Ferries to Kefalonia are in operation throughout the year. Below, you can find more information about ferries to Kefalonia.

What to do in Kefalonia

The diverse natural landscape of Kefalonia invites travelers to explore the island on foot, hike through amazing trails, explore secluded coasts and visit nature reserves, such as Mount Ainos.

Visit the villages of Cephalonia to taste local dishes and drink delicious wines, reconnect with nature and enter impressive caves, such as the cave of Melissani. Discover the best of Kefalonia below!

Beaches in Kefalonia

Kefalonia has a long coastline with many beaches. There are large beaches with visitor amenities, as well as small secluded coves for the ultimate summer relaxation experience.

You can try water sports, have lunch at quaint seaside restaurants, swim in crystal-clear waters and watch the sunset on the beach.

Here are 10 great beaches in Kefalonia.

1. Myrtos: Myrtos is a multi-awarded beach with lush vegetation, impressive rocks, blue waters and white pebbles. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset and it has been voted one of the best beaches in Greece and the whole world! There is no natural shade on the beach, so make sure you bring an umbrella.
2. Skala: this 5-km-long beach is one of the largest on the island. It is located next to a famous resort village and it is quite popular with visitors. Despite its popularity, it rarely gets crowded, as its coast is rather long. It has blue waters, thick golden sand, and tall pine trees.
3. Petani: this beach is one of the best in Kefalonia. Emerald waters, small pebbles, lush vegetation and picture-perfect sunset views make up a dreamy setting. You can find visitor amenities, as well as tavernas and cafés. 
4. Foki: it’s a beautiful wind-protected cove amidst olive and cypress trees. It has shallow emerald-green waters and pebbles. There are plenty of tavernas close to the beach.
5. Xi: Xi is distinguished for its red sand and clay rocks. You can have a free spa session using the grey clay found on the beach! It is wind-protected and has shallow waters, making it great for kids. There are umbrellas, sun loungers, restaurants, cafés and a food truck. You can watch the sunset and try out water sports.
6. Makris Gialos: this is one of the busiest beaches in Cephalonia. It is a large sandy beach with shallow crystal-clear blue waters. There are umbrellas, sun loungers, lifeguards, a beach bar, and water sports facilities.
7. Platia Ammos: the peaceful beach has clear blue waters, pebbles and imposing rocks, and it is one of the most impressive spots on the island. You have to descend around 400 steps to get to the beach, but the waters and sunset view are surely worth it! There are no visitor amenities, so make sure you bring all beach essentials.
8. Lagadakia: Lagadakia is a secluded cove with impressive rock formations and a rich seabed, perfect for snorkeling. It has white pebbles and reinvigorating deep emerald waters. There is no natural shade or visitor amenities.
9. Antisamos: the beach is one of the most popular spots for swimming and sunbathing on the island. It has crystal-clear blue waters and there are sun loungers, umbrellas and beach bars.
10. Emplisi: this is a remote rocky beach, perfect for snorkeling. There are some trees for shade, free parking, and a food truck. We recommend that you lie on the smooth rocks on the side of the beach to take in the sun.

The popular beach of Myrtos with its amazing waters

Sightseeing and activities in Kefalonia

The island of Kefalonia has a rich history and untouched nature, making it a great destination for cultural sightseeing and outdoor exploration. If you’re interested in cultural and historical attractions, there’s a lot to see and do in Kefalonia. Find some of our favorite sightseeing recommendations below:

• The statue of Greek poet and sailor Nikos Kavvadias
• The stone-made De Bosset Bridge from Argostoli to Drapano
• The Kefalonia Archaeological Museum, displaying the ancient roots of the island
• The Lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi
• The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos
• The ruins of the Venetian Castle of Assos

Apart from enjoying the warm sun and swimming in amazing waters, we recommend the following outdoor activities on the island:

• Follow the hiking trail from Antisamos to Poros
• Explore the cave lake of Melissani on a boat
• Visit the cave of Drogarati to see the stalactites and stalagmites
• Try paragliding to admire the island from above
• Discover the seabed of Kefalonia by snorkeling
• Take a trip to the nature reserve of Mount Ainos
• Go spearfishing for fresh fish
• Try wine-tasting at the local wineries

Aerial view of the heavenly cave lake of Melissani in Kefalonia

Nightlife in Kefalonia

Kefalonia may not be the ultimate party island, but this doesn’t mean you can’t have fun at night! There are many lounge bars and restaurants in Argostoli and Fiskardo, where you can dine or enjoy delicious wine and cocktails.

Skala and Lassi are also lively by night. There are ambient bars, which are popular among young travelers. You can find tavernas and beach bars all over the island, as well as resorts that arrange parties and music events. As for clubbing, there are some good options close to Argostoli.

Food in Kefalonia

The islands of the Ionian Sea are famous for their delicious cuisine and high-end culinary experiences, ranging from local tavernas to modern restaurants.

The local cuisine perfectly combines different Greek and Italian gastronomic traditions. In Kefalonia, you can enjoy fresh fish, organic vegetables and dishes prepared with wild herbs. Here are some of the best products and dishes to try in Cephalonia: 

• mpakaliaropita (cod fish pie)
• kouneli stifado (rabbit and onion stew)
• skordalia (garlic purée)
• tsigaridia (wild greens with rice)
• mantoles (caramelized almonds with cinnamon)
• robola (local wine)
• thyme honey

Villages in Kefalonia

There are many villages to explore in Kefalonia, as it’s the largest island in the archipelago. We recommend that you visit quaint villages both on the coast and the mountainous areas of the island, to experience the variety of traditions and architecture.

Here are some of the 5 most popular villages of Kefalonia:

1. Argostoli: Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia, surrounded by lush verdant hills with stunning views. During your visit, head towards Valianos Square and enjoy the shade of the tall trees while drinking your morning coffee. You can also walk along the cobbled alleys, go window shopping, and buy some handmade souvenirs.
2. Lixouri: it is the largest village in Kefalonia with a rich history in music. You can stroll around its neoclassical buildings and enjoy a coffee in Petritsi Square. Alternatively, you can visit the Archaeological Museum or the famous Monastery of Kipoureon.
3. Assos: in the northern part of Kefalonia, you can find the seaside village of Assos. It is known for its breathtaking views from the Venetian Castle of Assos, overlooking the delightful bay.
4. Fiskardo: Fiskardo is one of the prettiest villages in Kefalonia. Surrounded by beautiful greenery, its port is filled with anchored fishing boats and yachts, pastel houses and stone-paved alleys.
5. Sami: situated on the coast, the village of Sami has the second-largest port on the island. Just 25 km outside of the capital, you can find Ancient Sami, one of the most important ancient civilizations remains on the island. You can walk around the area of the Agrilla Monastery and enjoy its stunning views or explore the amazing caves of Dragati and Melissani.

The quaint seaside village of Fiskardo

Useful information about Kefalonia

You can find everything you might need for a safe and enjoyable vacation in Kefalonia. Argostoli and Lixouri are the two largest towns on the island. There, you can find hotels, shops, banks, supermarkets, tourist services, ATMs, souvenir shops, grocery stores, pharmacies and more!

There are 2 hospitals, as well as car rentals, ATMs, vacation rentals, gas stations, camping sites and grocery stores all over the island. The island is also home to an international airport located on the southwestern coast, close to Minia.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Kefalonia

Here are some important phone numbers for your trip to Kefalonia:

• Poros Port Authority: +302671072460
• Sami Port Authority: +302674022031
• General Hospital of Argostoli: +302671024641
• General Hospital of Lixouri: +302671092222
• Public bus service (KTEL):+302671022281
• Municipality of Kefalonia: +302671022230
• Tourist police: +302671022815
• Airport of Kefalonia: +302671041511

Transportation in Kefalonia

The public bus network in Kefalonia is well-developed and connects the two main ports of Sami and Poros to Argostoli, the airport, major villages and other popular spots on the island.

As distances are quite long, we recommend that you bring your own vehicle or rent one there for more flexibility when it comes to getting around. For example, the distance between Sami and Poros is 27 km, while the distance from Argostoli to Myrtos is around 30 km. If you don’t want to drive, there are also taxis and sea buses on the island.

Ports in Kefalonia

The two main ports of Kefalonia are Sami and Poros, serving routes between the island and mainland Greece, as well as other islands of the Ionian Sea. You can find car rentals, restaurants, gas stations, hotels, supermarkets, and ATMs at the major ports. There are also smaller ports that serve routes and boat tours to neighboring islands.

• Sami: it is one of the main ports of Kefalonia. From the port of Sami, there are ferries to Patras, Ithaca, Astakos, Corfu and Italy (indirectly).
• Poros: this is the second main port of the island. Ferries from Kyllini arrive at the port of Poros.
• Argostoli: the port of the capital of Kefalonia serves daily sailings to Lixouri.
• Pessada: you can catch a ferry from the port of Pessada to Zakynthos.
• Fiskardo: there are ferry routes from the port of Fiskardo to Lefkada during the summer.

Tip: the port of Patras is connected to the Italian port of Bari, meaning that you can travel to Bari from Kefalonia with a layover and ferry change in Patras.

Island hopping from Kefalonia

Kefalonia is a great destination for island hopping in the Ionian Sea. There are direct ferry crossings from Kefalonia to the ports of:

• Ithaca
• Zante
• Corfu
• Lefkada
• Igoumenitsa
• Astakos

Discover more ferry routes and schedules, such as Kefalonia - Ithaca and Kefalonia - Zante, on Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries and easily plan the perfect island-hopping trip!

Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Kefalonia

Kefalonia ferry: schedules and tickets

You can catch a ferry from mainland Greece to Kefalonia at the ports of Kyllini and Patras throughout the year. You can drive or catch a public bus to the ports from Athens and other major cities in Greece. The closest mainland airports to Patra and Kyllini are Aktion and Kalamata. 

• Kyllini - Kefalonia: the ferry route from Kyllini to Kefalonia arrives at the port of Poros and it is available year-round. The journey duration is 1.5 hours and it’s the fastest way to get to Kefalonia by ferry.
• Patras - Kefalonia: ferries from Patras to Kefalonia arrive at the port of Sami and the route is usually active during the peak season. It takes around 3 hours to reach Kefalonia from the port of Patras.
• Bari - Kefalonia: the Bari - Kefalonia ferry route is usually available once a week and the trip lasts around 17 hours.

Tip: bear in mind that you can get an early booking discount on round-trip Bari - Western Greece ferry tickets with Ventouris Ferries anytime you book for summer 2024! The discount applies to your return passenger and vehicle tickets, as long as you include both legs of the trip in the same booking.

Book ferry tickets to Kefalonia online

Are you ready to explore the charming villages of Kefalonia and dive into its idyllic beaches? Discover everything you need to know about a vacation in Kefalonia, find info about ferry schedules, compare ferry companies and fares, and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper with ease!