If you’re wondering things to do in Kefalonia, we’ll tell you right away: this island fascinated us. We stayed for two weeks, exploring the whole thing by rental car, and even today we remember it as one of the biggest surprises of our more than nine years traveling the world.
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and, for us, the one that best combines postcard beaches, green mountains, and small villages that seem frozen in time. We spent over two months touring the entire archipelago (Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos)… and here we tell you, place by place, everything we experienced. Grab a pen and paper!
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Summary: Things to do in Kefalonia – Greece
| Category | Places and highlights |
|---|---|
| Must-see beaches | Myrtos (the postcard), Antisamos, Xi (red sand), Petani, Makris Gialos, and Platis Gialos. |
| Natural wonders | Melissani lake-cave, Drogarati cave, and Mount Ainos National Park. |
| Charming villages | Assos (Venetian fortress), Fiskardo (traditional architecture), and Sami. |
| Capital and surroundings | Argostoli, De Bosset bridge, Koutavos lagoon, and caretta caretta turtle watching. |
| Local experiences | Robola wine tasting, Agios Gerasimos monastery, and tasting kreatopita. |
| Travel logistics | Renting a car is recommended to tour the island; best time: June and September. |
Assos – Must-see village for things to do in Kefalonia
Why we loved Kefalonia
We arrived expecting “just another Greek island” and left head over heels. Kefalonia has water so turquoise it’s hard to believe, roads winding through mountains, and a relaxed rhythm that’s contagious.
It’s not a party island like others in the Aegean. It’s perfect for those who want to drive without rushing, stop at every viewpoint, and discover hidden coves. In our case, having a car was key: many of the best beaches and villages are far from each other and public transport is limited.
The island also has its moment of world fame. Much of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin was filmed here, and you will still see photos of that shoot in several corners. But the best part, believe us, isn’t in any movie.
Fiskardo Port – Kefalonia
Things to do in Kefalonia: the must-sees you can’t miss
Let’s start with the heavy hitters. When someone asks us things to do in Kefalonia in just a few days, we always start with these three. They are the ones you absolutely must put on your list.
Myrtos Beach
It is THE postcard of the island. And we aren’t exaggerating. Myrtos appears on calendars, magazines, and posters of Greece… and when you see it in person, you understand why.
It’s on the northwest coast, about 30 km from Argostoli, tucked between two mountains. The descent is via a narrow, steep road with sharp curves, so drive carefully. Before going down, there is a viewpoint where we stopped to take photos: from above, the contrast between the white stones and the turquoise water is unbelievable.
Myrtos Beach Viewpoint
You can easily find it on Google Maps as “Myrtos Beach Viewpoint” (📍 see on Google Maps). It has surprising views and sea colors, the whole range of blues! It is highly recommended to go near noon, when the sun is strongest and the colors are spectacular… or at sunset.
TIP: arrive early. The parking lot below is small and fills up quickly, and the water is usually calmer in the morning. We returned another afternoon just to watch the sunset from the viewpoint… and it was very worth it. Mind you, it’s a pebbly beach (no sand) and when there’s wind, the waves hit hard, so be careful if you go with kids.
Melissani Lake-Cave
Melissani is a cave with an underground lake of transparent water, near Sami. Part of the roof collapsed thousands of years ago, and the sun enters through that opening.
You go down some stairs, cross a tunnel, and board a small wooden boat with a local rower who takes you around the lake. When the sun hits just right at noon, the water turns an unreal blue. It’s short (the ride lasts about 15 minutes). We didn’t get to go, but many travelers highly recommend it.
Keep in mind: the best light is between 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM, which is also the busiest time. If you can, try to avoid days with cruise ships in Argostoli. In 2026, the entry fee is around €7 to €10 per person and it opens approximately from 9 AM to 6 PM in high season, but prices and hours change often (and in spring they are more limited), so verify before going.
Drogarati Cave
A few minutes from Melissani is Drogarati, a huge cave full of stalactites and stalagmites over 100 million years old. You go down some quite steep stairs (and then you have to climb them!), but the main hall leaves you speechless.
They call it the “concert hall” for its incredible acoustics. It’s cool inside, about 18°C, so bring a jacket even if you’re melting outside. The entrance used to cost around €6 and there is a combined ticket with Melissani that is a bit cheaper. As always, confirm times and prices upon arrival, as they vary depending on the season.
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The most beautiful villages in Kefalonia
If the caves and Myrtos are the main course, the villages are the soul of the island. We fell in love with these three and toured them without rushing.
Fiskardo village – Kefalonia Greece
Assos and its Venetian fortress
Assos is one of those places that makes you stop the car just to look. A small village of colorful houses squeezed onto a small horseshoe-shaped peninsula, crowned by an old 16th-century Venetian fortress.
We walked up to the fortress along a steep path. The view of the village, the sea, and the mountains from above is unmissable. Afterward, we went down to eat fresh fish in front of the port. A perfect day.
Fiskardo
At the northern tip is Fiskardo, the prettiest village in Kefalonia. It has the distinction of being one of the few that survived almost intact after the 1953 earthquake that devastated the island, so it preserves its traditional pastel-colored houses.
The port is full of sailboats and taverns where you can sit down to have a drink while watching the boats go back and forth. It doesn’t have major “attractions,” but walking through its narrow streets and staying to watch the sunset is a plan we wholeheartedly recommend.
Sami
Sami is the main port on the east of the island and the perfect base to visit the caves, which are just a few minutes away. It is a simpler village, not as postcard-worthy, but it has its charm and a couple of very good taverns facing the sea. Ferries to Ithaca leave from here, in case you want to add Ulysses’ island to your trip.
Argostoli, the capital, and its surroundings
Argostoli is the capital and the heart of the island. Rebuilt almost completely after the ’53 earthquake, today it is a modern and pleasant city to walk along its waterfront, go shopping, and eat well.
The De Bosset bridge and the Katavothres
The De Bosset bridge crosses the lagoon and is the longest stone bridge over the sea in the world. Walking along it at sunset, with the mountains in the background, is a great free plan.
A few steps from the center are the Katavothres, natural sinkholes where seawater literally disappears underground. The curious thing is that this same water reappears, 14 days later, in Melissani lake on the other side of the island! A fascinating geological phenomenon.
The caretta caretta turtles and the Koutavos lagoon
We didn’t get to see them here, but watching turtles is one of the most unforgettable moments of any trip. Here, our host mentioned that you can see caretta caretta turtles swimming freely near the port of Argostoli. It is quite common to see them near the fishermen, at dawn or dusk. Just remember one thing: do not feed them or touch them! You have to enjoy them from a distance.
Very close by is the Koutavos lagoon, a beautiful wetland surrounded by a path ideal for walking or cycling. Quiet, green, and full of birds.
Things to do in Kefalonia if you love beaches like we do
Kefalonia is a paradise for sea lovers. Beyond Myrtos, there are dozens of beaches for every taste. These are the best beaches in Kefalonia and the ones we enjoyed the most.
Myrtos Beach Kefalonia
Antisamos Beach
Antisamos beach is located near Sami, with crystal clear waters and surrounded by green hills. Scenes from the Corelli movie were filmed here. One of our favorites to spend the day.
We spent the whole day and it was spectacular: the water was full of fish, so bring goggles and a snorkel because it is very worth it. One of our favorites!
Xi Beach
This beach is unlike any other. Xi Beach has reddish-orange sand and shallow water, ideal for going with children. The clay from its cliffs is famous for its properties for the skin.
Petani Beach
Petani Beach is located on the Paliki peninsula, similar to Myrtos but with fewer people. Movie-like sunsets.
Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos
These beaches are in the Lassi area, a step away from Argostoli. Comfortable, with services and turquoise water. Perfect if you don’t want to drive much.
Lourdas Beach (Lourdata):
And a special mention for Lourdas (Lourdata), on the south coast. We had it near the house where we stayed and it became a habit to go for a dip in its calm waters. It’s a long beach, sand and pebbles, with delicious water and a couple of beachside taverns. Not as famous as others, but we loved returning again and again.
For these beach getaways, having everything organized in advance was great. If you are putting together your itinerary, our guide to planning your trip step by step might be useful.
Mount Ainos: the wildest nature
For us, who are not into just staying on the beach, Mount Ainos (Ainos) was a discovery. It is the highest peak in the Ionian Islands and the only National Park in the area.
It is covered by an endemic fir tree, the Kefalonia fir, which doesn’t grow anywhere else in the world. And the best part: if you are lucky, you will see semi-wild horses grazing among the trees. We drove high up and the views of the entire island and the sea are spectacular. Bring water and a jacket, because it gets chilly at high altitudes.
Flavors of Kefalonia: Robola wine and the Agios Gerasimos monastery
Kefalonia is famous for its Robola wine, a fresh and light white wine that is grown on the stony slopes of Ainos. We visited one of the wineries in the Omala valley area and had a lovely time tasting wines with a view of the vineyards.
Very close by is the monastery of Agios Gerasimos, the patron saint of the island, a place of great devotion for the locals. Even if you aren’t into visiting churches, the setting among the mountains is worth it. And while you’re at it, don’t leave without trying the kreatopita (a typical meat pie) and the island’s thyme honey. Delicious!
What to eat in Kefalonia
The food was another of the delicious things about the area. In addition to the kreatopita, try the bianco, a fresh fish cooked with plenty of garlic and lemon that is pure sea flavor. And the aliada, a typical intense garlic sauce from the island, perfect to accompany fish and vegetables.
We won’t lie to you: we left smelling like garlic more than once, hahaha.
For sweets, the mandoles (caramelized almonds) and the mandolato (a type of nougat) are the local weakness. And like in all of Greece, you’ll get fed up (in a good way) with Greek salad, feta, olives, grilled octopus, and souvlaki. Eating by the beach, with the sea in the background and a cold glass of Robola… that is priceless. It’s worth every bite!
How to get there and get around Kefalonia
Kefalonia has its own airport (EFL), near Argostoli, with flights from Athens and, in season, direct connections with several European cities. The other option is to arrive by ferry from the port of Killini, in the Peloponnese.
Once on the island, our advice is clear: rent a car. The distances are long, the beaches and villages are scattered, and public transport doesn’t reach everywhere. Driving around Kefalonia is part of the experience, with those mountain roads and viewpoints every so often.
And something we never set aside: travel insurance. Before leaving, we always hire ours, because on an island with mountain roads, it’s better to be calm. We leave you our comparison of the best travel insurance for Europe in case it’s useful to you.
Asos Village – Kefalonia
Things to do in Kefalonia in one day
Do you have little time and want to make the most of it? It’s possible. If you only have one day to see Kefalonia, this is the itinerary we would put together so you don’t miss the essentials.
Start early with the caves, near Sami: first Drogarati and then Melissani, to arrive at the lake at noon and see it in its best blue. From there, continue north and stop at the Myrtos viewpoint for those postcard views and, if the weather cooperates, a dip in the beach. In the afternoon, take a turn around Asos and its fortress, and close the day watching the sunset in Fiskardo. A full day, but you take the best of the island with you. Mind you: with your own car, because without it, you can’t see so much.
Where to stay in Kefalonia
The area where you stay changes your trip quite a bit. If you want to be close to services, restaurants, and comfortable beaches, the area of Lassi and Argostoli is the most practical and best connected. To be close to the caves and ferries, Sami is ideal. And if you are looking for postcards and tranquility, the north (Asos and Fiskardo) is the prettiest, although further from everything.
Keep in mind: in July and August the island is full and prices go up significantly. If you can, travel in June or September: you will find better weather, fewer people, and cheaper accommodation. We always book in advance during high season.
Where to Sleep in Kefalonia: Map and Prices
On the map below you can move, zoom, and filter by your dates to see real accommodation prices in Kefalonia:
If you are just putting together the budget, our app to calculate the travel budget can help, and so you don’t forget anything, this luggage checklist always saves us.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Kefalonia
How many days are needed to see Kefalonia?
With 4 or 5 days you see the essentials: Myrtos, the caves, Asos, Fiskardo, and a couple of beaches. But if you can, stay a week or more. We spent two weeks and didn’t have a single day to spare.
What is the best time to visit Kefalonia?
From May to October. July and August have the best beach weather but also more people and high prices. For us, June and September are the perfect sweet spot: warmth, beautiful sea, and much more tranquility.
Do I need to rent a car in Kefalonia?
We wholeheartedly recommend it. The island is large and its best corners are scattered. Without a car, you will depend on excursions or taxis and you will miss a lot.
Is it worth visiting the Melissani and Drogarati caves?
Yes, totally. They are some of the most unmissable things on the island and they are very close to each other, so you can do them on the same day. Try to go to Melissani at noon to see the water in its best color.
Is Kefalonia a good island to go with kids?
Very good. There are beaches with calm, shallow water like Xi or those in the Lassi area, ideal for little ones. For Myrtos, you have to be more careful because of the waves and the pebbles.
Kefalonia or Zakynthos, which to choose?
Both are beautiful. Zakynthos is better known for Navagio Beach and has more nightlife; Kefalonia is larger, quieter, and, to our taste, with more variety of landscapes. If you like to drive and discover, Kefalonia will make you fall in love.
Conclusion: why we would return to Kefalonia
When someone asks us things to do in Kefalonia, it’s hard for us to stop talking. Between the impossibly turquoise beaches, magical caves, colorful villages, and those mountain roads, this island has something that grabs you.
It was one of the big surprises of our tour of the Ionian islands and, without a doubt, we would return. If you are setting up your trip, go for it: grab the car, get lost in its corners, and let Kefalonia steal your heart as it stole ours. Want to keep dreaming? See all our destinations in Greece and start planning.
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