10 Best Things to do in Kefalonia, Greece

Things to do in Kefalonia

Kefalonia, off the west coast of mainland Greece, is the island that has won the title of best Greek island in Which. Its abundance of sandy beaches, scenery free of high-rise structures, and accessibility to much-desired isolation sealed the deal. Two cultural landmarks, the fishing communities of Fiscardo and Assos, as well as additional natural landmarks, such as Melissani Underground Lake, Drogarati Cave, and Myrtos Beach, have contributed to Cephaloni’s rise to fame. Here are 10 things you should do in Kefalonia:

1. Melissani Cave

Located on the east coast by the Town of Sami is a partially submerged cave with a breathtaking underground lake with crystal clear turquoise waters and stunning rock formations. The lake inside the cave is fed by both sea and freshwater. Visitors can take a short 15-minute boat ride which costs around €7 per admission.

2. Assos Village

Assos is a picturesque village located on the northwest coast of the Island, between the village of Fiscado and Mirtos Beach. The village is known for its stunning beauty lush green hills and crystal clear waters surrounding it. The village itself is small and charming with traditional Kefalonian architecture and narrow streets lined with colourful houses and tavernas.

3. Myrtos Beach

Myrtos is one of the most picturesque and famous beaches on the Island. Due to its popularity, it’s busy during the day so I would recommend visiting after 4 pm. I highly recommend staying until sunset as the sight is incredibly beautiful and likely one of the best views of the sunset in Kefalonia.

4. Argostoli City

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and beauty. Walking along you will notice many restaurants and cafes, this is especially charming to walk through in the evenings. The bay of Argostoli is known for its resident population of loggerhead sea turtles where visitors can often see them swimming in the early hours of the day.

5. Boat Excursion

I recommend going around the Island on a boat excursion to visit different beaches. Walking around Argostoli you will see many different companies advertising various boat trips for different parts of the Island, these can cost around €55 per person. The trip I went on took us to three different locations, White Rocks Beach, Rabbit Island, and Xi Beach. The excursion included a beach BBQ and unlimited wine.

6. Greek Wine Tasting

Villages of the Island are also home to a thriving wine industry with vineyards producing a range of delicious wines. The wine industry in Kefalonia has a long history with vineyards on the island dating back to ancient times. Visitors today can go to wine tastings to learn about winemaking and taste delicious wines which cost me around €10. The most famous wine produced in Kefalonia is the Robola wine which is made from the Robola grape variety that grows exclusively on the island.

7. Makris Gialos Beach

Located near the town of Lassie is one of my favorite beaches in Kefalonia, Makris Gialos. The beach is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and fine white sand. It is well-equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas (€12 for a day rental), and a variety of water sports facilities making it an ideal destination for families and active beachgoers.

8. Antisamos Beach

This beach much like Makris Gialos also bolsters some fantastic amenities with bars, restaurants, and even free sunbeds. Take advantage of the free snorkeling gear and enjoy what I found to be the best location on the island to interact with marine life.

9. Skala

Skala is the most southern town on the island, it has a long sandy beach that stretches for 3 kilometers. There are many bars and restaurants in the area that help to cater to visitors. They also have the best cocktail bar on the island, Captain’s Bar costing around €6.50 per cocktail. Not only are the cocktails amazing but the hospitality from the staff and the owner is fantastic.

10. Navagio Beach

Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach is not located in Kefalonia but on the Norwest coast of Zakinfos which is 30 miles away or a 2-hour boat ride. There are several different tours that depart from the ports of Poros, Scala, and Argostoli. The beach can get crowded during peak tourist season so I recommend visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon between June, July, and August.

How to visit Kefalonia, Greece

The ports of Patras or Kyllini in Western Greece are the best ways to reach Kefalonia from mainland Greece. Kefalonia can also be reached indirectly from the Italian port city of Bari! Patra and Kyllini are located in the Peloponnese and can be reached from Athens in around 3 hours by vehicle or public transportation.

Best way to get around Kefalonia, Greece

My recommendation would be to get a rental car or a motorbike as it only takes 1.5 hours to go from one side of the island to the other, Busses are not common so it’s best not to rely on them. Otherwise, you could use a taxi however it may limit how much time you spend at each location.

Costs of Traveling in Kefalonia

The cost of living in Kefalonia ranges from €500 to €2060 USD per week per person, depending on things like lodging, transportation, and activities. Flights are not included in this pricing.