Kefalonia- the largest of all the Greek islands of the Ionian Sea. To the north of it is about. Lefkada, to the east is the famous Ithaca, the birthplace of Homer’s Odysseus, and to the south is about. Zakynthos The highest points of Kefalonia are Mount Enos and Rudi (1627 m and 1130 m respectively), its total area is 671 km².

The first mentions of the local inhabitants, the Cephalonians, are found in Homer’s poem “The Illiad”. In that distant era, their lands were part of the state of Odysseus. In subsequent periods of history, many conquerors visited the island. Its lands were dominated by the Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Turks, Venetians, French and English. And only in 1864 it finally became part of Greece.

The natural beauty of Kefalonia amazes you at first sight. The greenery of the mountain slopes covered with coniferous trees and the riot of colors of flowers that can be seen in every corner of the island are harmoniously combined here.

If you wish, you can travel around Kefalonia all year round, visiting a new place every day - after all, there are 365 villages! Each of them boasts something unusual, but all the villages are united by traditional Greek architecture, an abundance of greenery and flowers, which local residents love to decorate balconies, courtyards and building facades with.

Unfortunately, the powerful earthquake of 1953 also left its mark on the island. Many houses were destroyed, including magnificent buildings from the Venetian period. However, there is a lot to see in Kefalonia: modern architecture complements the appearance of cities and towns, and lush gardens still delight the eyes of visitors.

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Sights of Kefalonia

Monastery St. Andrew's And Church of Panagia Languvarda– the most interesting sights of Kefalonia that survived the earthquake. The monastery is notable for the fact that it houses a unique relic - part of the right foot of the Apostle Andrew from the monastery. There is also a museum here, where Byzantine icons and church vestments are displayed.

An interesting story is connected with Church of Panagia Languvarda, which is located in the village of Markopoulo. According to legend, during the period of Byzantine rule, pirates landed on the island. In order to save the nuns of the local monastery, the Mother of God turned them into small snakes. Since then, every year on the day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (August 15), many snakes with crosses appear in the village. The parishioners catch them and bring them to the icon “Theotokos of the Serpent”. People believe that if you apply a snake to a sore spot or even just hold it in your hands, you can be healed of ailments. Naturally, on this day hundreds of pilgrims come to Markopoulo to see the miracle with their own eyes.

While vacationing in Kefalonia, you can visit other equally wonderful places:

• Unique underground Melissani cave lake, formed as a result of an earthquake
• Drogariti Cave at a depth of 44 meters, which is about 150 million years old
• The highest mountain reserve of the Ionian Islands Enos(1628 meters).
• Asos Fortress, built at the beginning of the 17th century
• Mycenaean period domed tomb of Zanatu, whose burials scientists date back to 1400-1000 BC.
• Ruins of a Roman villa, on the walls of which magnificent mosaics have been preserved

Beaches of Kefalonia

Among the beaches of Kefalonia, it is difficult to give preference to just one, because every corner of the island has a unique and charming atmosphere in its own way. But there are several world-famous beaches that visitors to the island try to visit first.

Ammes. A small, calm beach covered with golden, fine-grained sand, located in the village of Svoronata. A good bonus: there is an airport nearby.

Antisamos. The beach is located in a bay near the town of Sami, not far from the main port, and is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful not only in Kefalonia, but throughout Greece. And it’s not surprising: here the green slopes of the mountains approach the crystal clear water, forming amazing idyllic landscapes.

Makris Gialos. This beach is known for the best infrastructure on the island: there are cafes, snack bars and restaurants, you can rent umbrellas, sun loungers and all the necessary equipment for relaxing on the water. Every year Makri Gialos is awarded the Blue Flag, an international sign of quality.

Platys Gialos. This beach is part of the same coastline as Makris Gialos and is also well maintained and awarded the Blue Flag. But it is Platis Gialos that tourists call the Greek Riviera. Pines, flowers and other greenery form the special charm and charm of this stretch of coast.

Myrtos. A large number of tourists come to the island. Kefalonia is precisely for seeing the world famous Myrtos beach. It looks especially impressive from the heights of the surrounding rocks - a strip of snow-white sand with an incoming azure wave beckons you to go down the mountain serpentine and relax on the seashore.

Xi. Xi Beach, located near the town of Lixouri, is interesting for its unusual yellow-red sand. It is believed that the local clay has healing properties, so many vacationers smear themselves with it and thus take sunbathing. The descent into the water on Xi is gentle and shallow, so the beach is preferred by tourists with children. There are places to eat and relax - there are many eateries, hotels and apartments in the beach area. Xi is also awarded the Blue Flag for Quality.

Rock. The sandy beach of Skala is one of the widest and longest (about 3 km) on the island. It is located on the territory of the city of the same name, so all the amenities of civilization are at hand.

Kefalonia Island Map

Photo: Mouzenidis Travel

This piece of land is a popular destination for those who want to experience the real Greece with its untouched landscapes, traditions and picturesque coastline. Before you is the island of Kefalonia - the largest of the Ionian islands of Greece, and if you compare it with other Greek islands, the influx of tourists here came at a later period. Only since 2001, after the release of the film “Captain Corelli’s Choice”, Kefalonia began to be included in the list of “must-see destinations”.

Kefalonia Island, Greece: mountains and sea

Sights of Kefalonia

Mountain villages surrounded by greenery, Byzantine monasteries and natural attractions - Kefalonia is ready to offer tourists a rich program.

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Famous for its magical beauty Melissani cave. They can’t call it anything other than a miracle: the cave was carved out of limestone rock over decades by salt water. One day, its arch partially collapsed, and through the resulting hole, the rays of the sun fell vertically, which seemed to illuminate the azure water with elusive shades. In ancient times, Melissani had a special meaning. It was believed that nymphs lived here - this fact was established after the discovery of numerous cult figurines. Today, tourists ride boats on the clear surface of the lake, looking at the ancient stalactites on the walls of Melissani.

The cave has gained no less popularity Drogarati. It is one of the most picturesque caves in Greece, famous for its large hall and stalagmites of incredible shapes. Excellent acoustics and capacity (almost 1000 people) make Drogarati more than just a natural monument. Live concerts are regularly held here; the hall for them is 65 m long, 45 m wide and 20 m high.

Concert in the Drogarati cave, Kefalonia. Photo www.kefalonias.gr

A significant part of Kefalonia is occupied by Enos National Park. Species of coniferous trees unique to Greece grow here. In addition to them, you can see orchids and several varieties of wildflowers. For lovers of long walks in Enos there are routes of varying lengths and complexity. There are places for recreation in the park (clearings and gazebos), but you need to take food with you. Since Enos is located at an altitude of 1600 m, it can be chilly here - it is worth taking care of suitable clothing.

Monastery of St. Gerasim

Among the religious shrines of the island, the monastery of St. Gerasim - patron saint of Cephalonia. Saint Gerasim was a descendant of a noble family and received a good education. Subsequently, he became a monk on Holy Athos and made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where he lived for 12 years.

In 1555, the monk Gerasim settled in Kefalonia and spent the first five years as an ascetic in a cave near Lassi. In 1560, he moved to the mountains, to a dilapidated chapel, and founded a monastery here, which he called New Jerusalem. Now this monastery bears his name, stores many icons and is a place of pilgrimage - on August 16, the relics of St. Hundreds of people come to worship Gerasim. A plane tree planted by Gerasim during his lifetime has been preserved on the territory of the monastery. And next to the monastery there is a cave with two rooms, which were the saint’s home.

The beaches of Kefalonia are some of the best in Greece

Poros beach, Kefalonia. Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

The beaches of the island have long received worldwide recognition. The most popular of them is Myrtos, which is among the best in Greece. Myrtos is located at the foot of the mountains, surrounded by rocks and its shape resembles a crescent. The beach is covered with snow-white pebbles. Here you can not only swim in the azure waters, but also enjoy a spectacular sunset or explore a small grotto. There is a snack bar on Myrtos, and it is possible to rent a sun lounger. There is a road leading to the beach, where there are observation platforms.

Kefalonia has one of the most amazing beaches in Greece - Xi, which is shaped like the letter “xi”. It stretches for 4 km and is strewn with dark orange sand.

Xi Beach, Kefalonia. Photo http://ionianinfo.com/

There are many taverns on the edge of the beach and hotels nearby. Another beach - Skala - also cannot be ignored. It charms with its cleanliness and is suitable for boat trips to isolated bays.

Agia Jerusalem beach is located near Fiskardo and is named after the dilapidated church on the edge of the beach. The bay here is small and divided in half by a rock in the middle; seahorses are often found in the clear water. The beach is equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers, and there is a traditional tavern nearby.

The island has many small cozy beaches in bays and wide sandy ones in more open places, you can find a place to your liking: Platis Gialos, Makris Gialos, Platy Ammos, Dafnoudi, Alates, Katelios, Kaminia and others.

What else to do on the island

For entertainment in Kefalonia, you need to go to Argostoli, the capital and largest city of the island. Argostoli has been the capital since its founding in 1757. It is located in an amphitheater on the mountainside, and despite the fact that the city was almost completely destroyed by the 1953 earthquake, you can still find corners with old architecture.

Old Cephalonia... Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

...and new Cephalonia. Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

The central square is home to bars, shops for every taste and restaurants. Shopping can be done on the pedestrian shopping street Litostroto.

Souvenirs for Lithostroto. Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Nightlife in Kefalonia is not very intense, but the capital has many decent options for an evening out. In local establishments you can listen to reggae, dance or go to a traditional Greek evening. If you go out for an evening stroll around the city and are lucky, you may encounter a local orchestra, which often brightens the atmosphere with traditional tunes.

In addition to the central square, in Argostoli there is Kambana (Bell) square, named after the high bell tower located on it. Climbing to the very top of the bell tower, you will admire panoramic views of the city and the sea. It is also worth seeing a photo exhibition that shows the city as it was before the earthquake.

It is also worth visiting the local Archaeological Museum and the Korialennio Library, which, in addition to storing books and manuscripts, is also an ethnographic museum. In addition, in Argostoli you can see the ruins of the ancient city of Kranj, with the remains of Cyclopean walls. Of course, this is not all that can be seen in the city; there would be a desire to learn and explore the history of the city and its surroundings!

Fiscardo

There are good bars and taverns in the village of Fiskardo. This is a cozy village with a beautiful embankment that has preserved its Mediterranean flavor.

Diving enthusiasts will find several dive sites in Kefalonia. There are two equipped dive centers in Fiskardo. Their instructors will point out the most protected places off the coast of the island for observing underwater life. The Lassi Dive Club organizes dives near canyons, caves, reefs and wrecks. By the way, a special program has been developed here for children over 8 years old.

Kefalonia will also be of interest to lovers of gastronomic tourism. The fertile soil provides the island with organic products, from which they produce cheeses, the famous bacagliaropita pie, quince jam, caramelized almonds and Robola wine.

Photo www.iefimerida.gr/

Kefalonia will be remembered as an island of aristocratic beauty that adorns the advertising brochures of Greece. Here you can choose a vacation to your liking: relax or spend time actively, retire to protected places or allow yourself to become a local for a while, fully experiencing the hospitality of the island’s inhabitants.

15 best places in Kefalonia that are not in guidebooks

The island of Kefalonia is one of the most beautiful in Greece. Svetlana shared her impressions of her journey through it and talked about the places that she liked most. And we have designed this into an ideal vacation program that allows you to relax and see all the interesting things.

Greece. A unique country where the history of the ancient world is densely mixed with culinary traditions and winemaking, ancient ruins coexist perfectly with the Athenian Acropolis that has survived to this day.

It's no secret that in, like in any other touristically developed country, there are popular places that are on everyone's lips. Usually, the Greek titans of package holidays loom on the surface of the Russian-speaking traveler: Crete and the island of Thassos, the resorts of the Halkidiki peninsula and the monasteries of Meteora, the islands of Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini. Along with them, in Greece there is a huge number of not very popular, sometimes completely unknown to the general public, but no less amazing and beautiful places to relax. Since we are independent travelers, in most cases we don’t like overstaying tourist locations. That is why this time our choice fell on the Greek island of Kefalonia/Cephalonia, which is not particularly well-known in wide tourist circles.

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It is the largest of the Ionian islands in southwestern Greece and, as popular rumor goes, the greenest. We went to explore Kefalonia in the second half of September 2017.

Transport logistics

There are two ways to get to the island of Kefalonia - by air and by sea. There is an airport on the island, but there are no direct flights from Ukraine. Alternatively, you can fly to Kefalonia with a connection in Athens. But the most interesting option in terms of price and flight schedule for the dates we were looking for was offered by UIA, whose services we used. The logistics turned out to be as follows: a direct flight from Kyiv to Athens; we had a car booked in advance at the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. We then transited along the upper tip of the Peloponnese peninsula on our way to the port of Kyllini, where ferry services to the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia start.

On the island of Kefalonia, apartments were also pre-booked for 10 nights in the village of Mousáta, 15 km from the capital of the island, Argostoli. In many Russian-language reports that I came across before the trip, tourists mainly admired the northern tip of the island or the western coast of Kefalonia. I liked the coastline in the southwest and southeast of the island more, although at that time I could only judge by photos on Google maps. Therefore, they chose housing closer to the desired beaches. During the 10 days we spent on the island, we managed to travel and see quite a lot. I won’t talk about those places that are widely circulated on the Internet. I will only focus on what really impressed us.

One of the closest to our “base” in Musata and, indeed, one of the best beaches in Kefalonia is Koroni Beach. It is located in the southwest of the island at the foot of a high mountain. This is a long unequipped beach, that is, you need to understand that it is conditionally wild, where you need to take a towel and sun umbrella with you. As a bonus, there are a minimum number of people on the beach. We came here several times at different times of the day, and invariably there were very few people there. In my humble opinion, Koroni beach is ideal for a romantic getaway and seeking inspiration: fine golden sand, smooth entry into the water, emerald waters of the Ionian Sea and a stunning panorama before your eyes.

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A little further up the mountainside above Koroni Beach we discovered another stunning place, Sesto Koroni Hill Bar - a wine bar with panoramic views. Amazing place, atmospheric. It would seem that everything is so simply done, sometimes from the simplest materials at hand, but the essence is in the sincere atmosphere and cordiality of the owners of the establishment (an English couple). Sesto Koroni is equally pleasant to be in during the day and in the evening, especially at sunset. The opening panorama is mesmerizing! Nothing superfluous, just the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea and the neighboring island of Zakynthos stretching out in a light haze.

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Nearby you can also stop by for a tasting at the Melissinos Winery (one of the best wineries on the island), and we move further along the coast to the south of Kefalonia.

Next stop is Cape Mounda, the island's southernmost cape. An unusual landscape of the coast: the sandy beach smoothly turns into a powerful stone slab that goes far into the sea, and closer to the tip of the cape, rocks with bizarre weathering forms and hidden grottoes hang over the shore. From a high hill above Cape Mounda you can go down to a long, seemingly endless, deserted beach. Beautiful landscape... and space, space! And the same stunning wind that only happens at the extreme points of the earth.

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We get into the car again and drive further, moving to the southeast of the island. First we pass the lively village of Skala, and literally a few kilometers later we park the car near the next object of our interest, a bay with the poetic name Kato Lagadi. There are no landmarks or signs along the route, only a small spot along the road where the cars of those in the know are left... That’s right: the bulk of tourists are brought to the bay on yachts and boats by sea, so there are no signs along the road. But there is still a land passage to the bay. The trail and the descent to the sea are moderately extreme, but if you have at least minimal physical fitness and hiking experience, there will be no problems.

Kato Lagadi Bay is an amazing coastal landscape, a series of grottoes and tiny coves with small pebbles and a smooth entry into the water. Great place for snorkeling! It’s better to come in the morning, when the sun’s rays brightly illuminate everything around and the grotto-caves can be seen in all their glory. After lunch, the sun goes behind Mount Enos and the grottoes hide in the shadows. However, photographs speak louder than words:

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Our next point of interest is the famous Antisamos beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece according to TripAdvisor. A quick note: we don't like public beaches by default. According to our version, an ideal beach is when there are minimal or no people on it, and there is also a minimum of tourist infrastructure. To be alone with nature is our main desire on vacation. In the case of Antisamos beach, this is a rare exception when we betrayed our principles. The beach is truly stunningly beautiful. First of all, the view! The view of the bay, deep and elongated like a fjord, and the neighboring island of Ithaca is indescribable. The legends and myths of ancient Greece, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey come to life before your eyes... and it is truly breathtaking just to see it with your own eyes! By the way, as local Greeks say, in the strait between Kefalonia and Ithaca, underwater there is an ancient city from the time of Odysseus. All that remains is to take their word for it. In general, on the island, quite a lot of reminders of Mycenaean culture (the period in the history of Greece from the 16th to the 11th centuries BC) and later periods have been preserved to this day, in particular the open-air museum Acropolis of Ancient Same (located high on the mountain above Antisamos beach, free entry).

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Antisamos beach is also unique in that it is usually completely calm. This is due to the fact that the bay in which the beach is located is “covered” from the sea by the mainland and the island of Ithaca, and from the land side it is reliably protected by an amphitheater of high mountains. And indeed, it has been verified experimentally that even when a serious storm broke out one day, the sea in Antisamos Bay was calm and comfortable for swimming. To be fair, it is worth noting that despite all the aesthetic beauty, the beach also has its drawbacks: there are quite large pebbles underfoot, and the depth starts literally from the shore, so this beach is not very suitable for families with small children. But if you are an esthete and your rich inner world is in dire need of new doses of earthly beauty, then Antisamos beach is at your service.

However, you won’t be satisfied with natural beauties alone, so we are going in search of Greek delicacies. Each country has its own signature dish or product - specialty. This is part of the gastronomic history and culture of a particular country, where culinary traditions are respected. In Greece, one of the most famous specialties is, of course, Greek yogurt. It is difficult to live without it in Hellas.

Our guesthouse neighbors, Italians, warmly recommended a place in Kefalonia where you should definitely have a Greek-style breakfast. What can I tell you, Italians know a lot about gourmet food! This is a real oasis... a very small open area, but placing and submitting an order, relaxed communication with the young and cheerful owner of the establishment - this is exactly that rare case when the memory of something is etched in the memory for a long time and over time is mentally savored with slight nostalgia.

Breakfast in the tiny and inconspicuous Myrtillo is worthy of a separate story. This is not only a positive charge and a full stomach, but also a real taste pleasure. We only stopped at Myrtillo for breakfast once on the way to Myrtos Beach (the Myrtillo cafe-shop is located on the main west coast highway, between two viewing platforms at Myrtos Beach), but I really remember this place. Here you can buy local homemade and other only nature Greek specialties (honey, jam, jam, nuts) as souvenirs, and there is also a small open area with tables where you can eat.

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A proper Greek breakfast, like everything ingenious, is extremely simple. Greek yogurt, honey, tahini (sesame paste), nuts. You can also add seasonal fruits or homemade jam. It is not for nothing that, according to statistics, the Greek islands have the highest number of long-livers, because with delicious natural food you can afford to live healthily for many years.

If you come to Myrtillo ideally for breakfast, then for dinner it is advisable to climb higher into the mountains. For example, you can taste excellent young lamb near the resort town of Sami. Our destination is the mountain village of Poulata. The owner of the house where we rented an apartment told us about this place. In fact, this is an ordinary village in the mountains, which is notable only for the fact that the local specialty is excellently prepared here - young lamb meat. You can also try lamb, goat and other mixed grilled meats. But it is the rack of lamb on the coals that is the masterpiece of local Greek cuisine.

In the village of Poulata there is a popular tourist establishment “Rambolis Grill Lamb Reataurant”, where tourists are brought by buses after an excursion in the Melissani cave (this is the “calling card” of Kefalonia, which is located in the vicinity of the city of Sami). And very close to this restaurant there is a small family tavern, the name of which cannot be reproduced in Greek (look at the photo). You need to arrive in the evening, around 8 o'clock is ideal. Because at 7 o’clock in the evening the workers are just getting ready to receive guests, and at 9 there may no longer be any free places left. They work until late as long as there are visitors. It’s very tasty, the portions are impressive, the prices are reasonable, and the attitude towards guests is good-natured. The owners of the establishment welcome guests like a family, and the food and service are beyond praise!

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By the way, the basic principle for choosing catering places in Greece (however, this applies to many European countries). Many domestic tourists have stereotypical thinking about what a catering establishment (restaurant, cafe, pastry shop or coffee shop) should look like. How is it usually with us? That's right: a cafe-restaurant will be cool and tasty if it looks at least decent: a beautiful interior, fabric tablecloths and napkins, expensive dishes, etc. This is a delicious restaurant. Tasty and expensive, there’s no other way. As you understand, the rules of “appearance” of taverns, familiar to compatriots, do not apply in Greece at all. In Greece, taverns focus primarily on the quality and taste of food. That is, if the food is not tasty, then you can do nothing further - there are no people in this tavern, and there never will be. Then the second most important thing is the view from the tavern, and only after that, almost lastly, is it about the design, beautiful dishes, napkins, etc.

Ask me, which tavern in Greece was most memorable and sank into your soul? The answer is simple: this is a tavern somewhere in the mountain wilderness or inconspicuous back streets of the old city, in a completely ordinary room, with the same ordinary ordinary people who cook and serve food. After all, it is the delicious food and friendly atmosphere that is remembered, not the well-trained waiters and original design. Although this also has the right to be, but definitely not in Greece.

It would be worth starting with the fact that in Greece you always need to pay attention to the sign of the establishment. It is extremely rare for a tavern to have “taverna” written in front of it in English; most likely, it will be written “restaurant” in English. But a restaurant is just that: a restaurant with all the attributes: waiters, white tablecloths, etc. Real restaurants in Greece are a rare phenomenon that you can only find in large cities, such as Athens or Thessaloniki, or in hotels. Their cuisine is also usually European. Therefore, the “restaurant” sign is a deliberate substitution of concepts for foreign tourists. If you want to try authentic Greek cuisine, you need a tavern with its understated simplicity and "family" feel.

When your stomach is full, you usually want more spectacles. Or if you suddenly get bored from a measured rest, and there is a desire to dilute the languor of life, you can go to the north of the island, to the small town of Fiskardo. There is a large marina for yachts, around which everything is touristic for the discerning public. In short - pretentious, expensive, cocktail bars, taverns and restaurants. Everything your heart desires, for every taste and budget. In Fiskardo, in addition to the ancient architecture, I remember the impudent and not at all prim young Englishmen, blond Scandinavians, cheerful and loud Italians, drunk and noisy Czechs... the marina in Fiskardo is large, the audience is motley and colorful. You won't get bored, that's for sure! But for a relaxing holiday, it is better to choose accommodation in the immediate vicinity; you should not base yourself in Fiskardo itself.

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Meanwhile, we go around the northern part of Kefalonia and smoothly move to the western coast of the island, closer to the inaccessible rocky bays and the piercing blue Ionian Sea, well known from publications in glossy magazines. The first thing your eye catches from the height of the main route is a long cape protruding into the sea. The view is incredible, so it’s impossible to just drive past! This is Assos - perhaps one of the most beautiful and spectacular places in Kefalonia.

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Assos is a small cozy town located on an isthmus between the mainland and a peninsula crowned by a Venetian fortress. The town itself is miniature and very touristy, which is not surprising in view of its special external attractiveness, and in terms of the number of idly wandering tourists it can easily compete with the pretentious Fiscardo. Assos looks equally great from afar and up close! Houses with brightly colored facades stretch up the slope of a small sheltered bay. On the narrow cobblestone streets, large tubs and tall clay pots with decorative and wildly flowering plants are everywhere, which I especially like in the south. In the marina, fishing boats and small yachts sway rhythmically, taverns with tables along the water, alluring smells of cooking food spread, and then spicy aromas excite the receptors. The colorful reality is pleasing to the eye, and the emotions are overwhelming inside... a real Mediterranean idyll.

If you take the time to climb the wide winding path paved with marble to the top of the peninsula to the Venetian fortress (Castle of Assos of the 15th century), then you will be rewarded for your work and perseverance - the views are grandiose!

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We move further along the western coast of Kefalonia. In this part of the island the main road is laid at a decent height. At a decent height along steep cliffs! I don’t know how anyone perceives reality, but I am always impressed when a Man masters the mountains, “taming” them to his needs. Just imagine: along the western coast of Kefalonia, the road is in some places carved out of huge stone blocks, which causes genuine surprise and, of course, respect for the people who built it. And now driving along ideal mountain roads is a real pleasure, despite the endless turns. After all, behind each of them a new, unique view opens up, and you want to make stops as often as possible to capture this beauty as a memory. But, alas, there are very few suitable places for this. The track has two lanes, fences on both sides, closed blind turns...

Following the settlement of Assos is the famous Greek beach of Myrtos and one of the few equipped areas along the route where you can stop. This is the Myrthos Beach Viewpoint. There are not enough words to express the fullness of feelings and emotions when you see piercing blue in real life!

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Myrtos Beach, along with the Melissani Cave, is the calling card of Kefalonia. We did not go down to the beach itself; according to reviews, it is not very convenient for swimming. It is usually very stormy here and strong winds often blow, due to the fact that the beach “looks” into the open sea. There are large pebbles on the shore, and the depth begins immediately from the shore. But from the outside, especially from a bird’s eye view, this is a dream beach.

Further along the western coast of Kefalonia, between Myrtos beach and the village of Zola, there are several more moderately beautiful beaches and lagoons, but we go further - to a “secret” bay. Lost in the mountains at the north-western tip of the Paiki Peninsula, Atheras Bay is striking in its beauty at first sight. In a carefully closed bay, with a cape protruding far into the sea, everything is perfectly suited for swimming and relaxing - moderately secluded, there are small pebbles on the shore, a clean bottom and a calm sea. And the view is amazing, this is very important!

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I cannot ignore the capital of Kefalonia - Argostoli. This is the main transport hub of the island; most hotels and large supermarkets are concentrated around the capital, and the promenade along the coastal part of the city will bring a lot of pleasure. The city center and the beautiful embankment, lined with multi-colored pebbles framed by date palms, are interesting. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s morning, afternoon or evening – there is something to do in the capital at any time of the day.

The city of Argostoli spreads widely in the shape of an amphitheater along the shore of a large lagoon. There is an airport close to the capital and for fans of spotting this is a place of power. In addition to a large selection of beaches, there are several noteworthy places in the vicinity of Argostoli. For example, a viewpoint on the edge of the cape, the active lighthouse of St. Theodora (Agion Theodoron), better known as the Fanari lighthouse, and nearby the Katavothres Sea Mill watermill is located. Actually, tourists usually fly through this section (between Argostoli and the lighthouse) in cars without stopping. But in vain! From Argostoli, a path stretches along the sea through a natural park, where along the way there are small coves suitable for swimming, pine trees, cypress trees and juniper trees, thanks to which you can breathe in the heady Mediterranean pine air. I can’t even believe that there are such quiet, relatively deserted places very close to the noisy capital of the island.

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The mill, located near the lighthouse, is a very unusual place. It is not so much the engineering structure that is interesting, but Katavotres, a unique geological phenomenon of the island of Kefalonia. Usually on an island the river flows into the sea, but on the island of Kefalonia the opposite happens. Streams of sea water fall into underwater karst crevices near the village of Katavothres (on the outskirts of Argostoli), then they pass under the island from west to east and appear on the surface in the village of Karavomilos (near the town of Sami), where they then flow into the cave lake Melissani.

In 1963, geologists from an Austrian university dropped 160 kg of paint in the area of ​​the underground tunnels of the village of Katavotres, and 15 days later traces of this paint appeared in the water on the eastern side of the island. The Englishman Stevens was the first observer to describe this unusual phenomenon. He decided to use the energy of the water that was lost in the “catavotra” (in the crevice) and built a water mill there, which we can still see today.

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What else is noteworthy in Argostoli? Every day in the morning and evening on the embankment you can take part in a free “attraction” - feeding sea turtles. One day we specially arrived early in the morning at the Argostoli embankment to see the Caretta-caretta turtles up close. It happens like this: at 9 am, fishermen with their morning catch moor at the pier on the embankment, where the first buyers of fresh fish are already waiting for them. A spontaneous mini-fish market is formed. The fish for the buyers are immediately cut up and the offal is thrown into the water right there. Turtles come to them to feast on them. If you see crowds of people on the embankment, that means turtles are there.

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And, concluding the topic of Argostoli, I would like to note that it is in the capital that active tourist life is in full swing. Here is the brightest evening promenade and, in principle, only in this place was nightlife noticed. In addition, Argostoli has a huge selection of establishments: taverns, restaurants, nightclubs, cocktail bars, pizzerias. And, of course, the Greek version of fast food “giradiko” and “souvladzidiko” is widely represented (the first is called after the dish “gyros”, and the second takes its name from “souvlaki” - these are small kebabs). In terms of cuisine, Argostoli has everything your heart desires, for every taste. We dined here several times in various establishments, but most of all I remember the family restaurant of Greek cuisine, Casa Grec, lost in the narrow streets of the old city.

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From Argostoli you can conveniently and fairly quickly move to the Paliki Peninsula. You can get there by land, but it’s much more comfortable to get there by water. The Argostoli-Lixouri ferry, which departs every half hour from the port of one capital of the island to another and back (Lixouri is the capital of the Paliki Peninsula), takes on board both passengers and cars.

The gathering point for vacationers on the Paiki Peninsula is the popular “red” Xi Beach. We deliberately skip it and head a little further, our goal is neighboring Koutala Beach. Most of the beaches on the coast of the Paiki Peninsula are known for their characteristic and expressive combination: a thin strip of bright red sand on the shore and high clay cliffs (this clay is said to have a cosmetic effect and can be smeared with it like in a spa - I can only take their word for it, we haven't tried). It looks very beautiful in sunny weather!

The sea is shallow and calm. Quiet, secluded, practically no people. In my opinion, it is also a great place to relax with small children - shallow, warm sea, sandy.

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Kefalonia is considered one of the most popular islands of the Ionian Sea, the length of its coastline is two hundred and fifty kilometers. The island gained real fame after the release of the film “Mandolin”, after which its attendance increased many times over.

The peak season is in the summer; local beaches are in no way inferior to exotic Asian countries.

The 1953 earthquake claimed the lives of a large number of people; many survivors were forced to leave the island, as they saw no way to restore the destroyed infrastructure.

Over time, all the settlements were rebuilt, the increasing number of tourists from year to year allows us to hope for the best even in not the best crisis years.

How to get to this part of Greece?

Kefalonia has long been in demand among tourists; the island is connected to the mainland by air and ferry lines.

The safest and fastest way of transportation is considered to be a direct flight from Athens; flights are carried out by Olympic Air and Sky Express.

In summer, routes to Corfu and Zakynthos are added to the main flights.

The main island airport is located near Lassi and Argostoli, and due to its fairly compact size, it seems crowded if there are two planes on it at the same time. The airport experiences the greatest load on Sunday and Tuesday; on these days, real chaos begins here.

Buses from Athens also run to Kefalonia; the journey takes much longer, but in seven hours it is an excellent opportunity to explore a large number of amazing places.

Ferries are another affordable means of transportation, with routes operating from Italy as well as mainland and island parts of Greece.

Tickets between the islands are sold at the ticket offices located next to the piers; they are not available for pre-sale; it is best to book an hour before departure, when the ticket offices open.

Ferries transport vehicles and passengers; if there are always places for the latter, then if it is necessary to transport cars, you need to plan everything in advance and not put off buying a ticket until the last minute. The schedule depends on the season, you can view it on the Internet.

The best attractions in Kefalonia

One of the most famous attractions is considered Fortress of St. George, the first mention of which occurs in the 12th century.

The architectural structure was made in the shape of a polygon; it served as a refuge from invaders. Currently, all that remains are ruins, which tourists from all over the world come to see.

Fans of antiquity will be interested Venetian castle in the village of Assos, it hides the spirit of medieval wars and battles at the end of the 18th century. Here there were battles between the French and Russians.

You can feel peace and harmony in the island’s holy places; monasteries and churches display unique icons, altars and attributes for rituals.

In the capital Argostilione a must visit Historical and Archaeological Museums To fully explore the sights, it is recommended to rent a car.

The one formed as a result of the earthquake deserves special attention. Drogarati cave, it is located at a depth of sixty meters and excites the imagination of viewers with its unusual topography and excellent acoustics; sometimes concerts are held here.
In the medieval capital of Castro is located Venetian fortress b, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Read also: Natural and architectural attractions of the island of Kefalonia

Beaches of Kefalonia

Kefalonia has a large number of beaches with a unique atmosphere; it is quite difficult to give preference to just one. The following places are the most popular among tourists:

• Ammes located in the small village of Svoronata, the place is quite calm, the advantages include a sandy surface and a short distance from the airport.

• Antisamos
  located in a bay near the town of Sami, it is considered one of the most beautiful in Greece.

  Its popularity is explained by the picturesque landscapes, the slopes of the mountains almost come close to the water area, the beach is ideal for a relaxing holiday, this unique place gives you the opportunity to completely merge with nature and find harmony.

• Makris Gialos known for the most developed infrastructure.
  There are a large number of restaurants, snack bars and cafes here. Here you can rent sun loungers, umbrellas and other attributes of a beach holiday. Every year the beach receives the international quality mark Blue Flag.

• Platys Gialos
  It is also distinguished by its amenities and has a Blue Flag; it is often compared to the Riviera. located near Lixouri, its distinctive feature is sand of a unique yellow-red hue, reminiscent of Burgundy wine.

  Many vacationers smear themselves with local clay, which has healing properties. Due to the gentle slope to the water, the place is very popular among tourists with children; on the beach there are a large number of apartments, hotels, and cafes.

• Rock is one of the longest and widest beaches on the island; its unique location within the city provides quick access to all the achievements of civilization.

Kefalonia Island Hotels



Catalonia has been popular among tourists since ancient times; air and sea routes provide year-round communication between the mainland and island parts.

The island has many beaches, restaurants, hotels and a variety of attractions, making it an excellent place for families and youth. Many tourists come to the island because of its environmental friendliness; some beaches are marked with the Blue Flag.

Interesting facts about the island of Kefalonia

In the center of the Ionian Sea there is a large Kefalonia island(Kefalonia, Kefalonia), washed by sapphire waters. Mysterious and romantic, concealing the riches of culture, giving rest to the soul and body. The island is the largest of those located in the Ionian Sea. It is named after the mythical hero Cephalus.

The island's landscape is varied - secluded bays, sandy beaches, mysterious caves. Unlike the east coast, the western part of Kefalonia is rocky.

Large administrative center of the province of Kefalonia - city ​​of Argostoli.

Greece is attractive for its comfortable Mediterranean climate. Most precipitation falls in winter. Winters are mild, mostly without snow. Summer is hot and dry. July is the hottest, with air temperatures above 25 degrees.

Amazing natural beauty of Kefalonia

In the cozy village of Karavomylos there is salt lake Melissani- a geological anomaly, water from it flows through a small channel into the sea. The lake is fed by groundwater. Sea water goes deep under the island, covers 17 km in a few weeks, making its way through underground channels, is partially desalinated and ends up in the water located in the cave. The water surface becomes unrealistically blue when it receives sunlight penetrating through the opening of the rock arch. Part of the cave's dome collapsed about 4,000 years ago, which is how this place was discovered.

Scientists have approximately restored the age of the cave - it is about 30,000 years old. This place is a paradise for a photographer, where you can take photographs that are unique in their beauty and fantastic colors and shapes. The unreal blue of the lake turns green when the lighting changes.

There are legends about this place. It’s as if one nymph named Melissani fell in love with the god Pan, a flighty and fickle tempter. The nymph's feelings remained unrequited. She cried so bitterly that a lake formed from her tears. It accepted into its waters a girl who had suffered from unrequited love.

When this place was discovered, inside were clay figurines of the god Pan and nymphs.

People believe that if a couple in love holds hands and immerses them in water, their love will be eternal and happy. If a person wants to find a beloved (beloved), then he needs to wash his face with lake water and love will soon come.

A special pleasure is a boat trip on the lake, the depth of which in some places reaches 14 m. The water is cold - only 15 degrees. The lake is home to eel and mullet.

The water is so transparent and clean that people in the boat feel as if they are floating in weightlessness, because the bottom can be seen from any place and the illusion of being between heaven and earth is created.

A unique place in Kefalonia - huge Dragoratti cave 40 km long, supposedly turning into a whole gallery of caves.

It is famous for its unique surface topography and the whimsical shapes of stalactites and stalagmites. There are stalactites 2 m long in it, and the process of their formation continues to this day. Stalactites grow very slowly - 1 centimeter per hundred years, you can roughly calculate how ancient this cave is.

There is a legend that speaks of a dragon that lived in this cave, which is where its name comes from.

The cave is located at a depth of 60 m. It maintains a constant temperature all year round - 18 degrees.

The cave has excellent acoustics. In its central hall with an area of ​​45x65 m there is a unique concert hall with 800 seats. For its wonderful acoustics, the room was called the “Hall of Perfection”; its height is 20 m.

The cave was discovered about 300 years ago - a strong earthquake “opened” the entrance to it, collapsing part of the vault. Acquaintance with the beauty of this place has been open since 1963.

The Enos mountain range is a national reserve, on the territory of which unique plants listed in the Red Book are found.

A rare species of fir grows on the mountainous slopes - Abiescephalonica - an evergreen coniferous plant from the Pine family. It is found exclusively in Greece. The needles of the tree have a very rich dark green color, appearing black, and the mountains themselves appear black due to the many fir trees. The Venetians called them "Monte Nero".

An amazing religious phenomenon has been spotted on the island. In the village of Markopulo there is the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the day of the religious holiday - the day of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, snakes crawl up to the miraculous icon, with a pattern on their heads in the form of a black cross - this is their coloring. On this day they do not sting people and you can even pick them up. This phenomenon repeats itself year after year. Local residents say that in the 20th century reptiles did not crawl to the temple twice - this was an omen of tragic events - war and a powerful earthquake that occurred in 1953.

Kefalonia is an earthquake-prone zone. The 1953 earthquake destroyed all cities and most villages, except Fiscardo (northern settlement). France, America and Australia provided assistance to the residents - they supplied the residents with food, water, and medicine. That year, many residents of Kefalonia moved to America, Africa and Australia, because their homes were destroyed.

Discovering the sights of Kefalonia

Local residents lead an active, vibrant life, which can be seen in crowded squares and markets where brisk trade takes place. Narrow streets with houses in a distinctive style under red tiles are a pleasant delight to the eye. In many national cafes, tourists taste traditional centuries-old cuisine. Kefalonia is a place rich in attractions, which can only be explored through active recreation and visiting many excursions. The colorful shimmer of the sea, the blue of underground lakes, the grandeur of huge stalactite caves will amaze you with their natural mysteries and wonders.

Sightseeing tour of Kefalonia includes visits to unique places:

1. Castle of the Assos Peninsula.
2. Katavotres.
3. Drogarati Caves.
4. Melissani Cave Lake.
5. Monastery of St. Gerasim.

A café in a picturesque the village of Fiskardo.

Many ancient shrines have been preserved in Kefalonia. Operating churches and monasteries contain rare icons and unique altars.

The Monastery of St. Gerasim is located in the Omala Valley near Argostoli. October 20 – St. Day Gerasima. He lived for 5 years as a hermit in the Lassi caves. In 1560, Saint Gerasim restored the chapel of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is still active today. In the same year, St. Gerasim laid the first stone of the currently operating convent, in which his relics are still kept. If you visit this temple, you will be able to see the cave where the saint led a hermit’s life.

People believe that two ancient plane trees growing on the territory of the monastery were planted by St. himself. Gerasim. The area was waterless, and the saint personally dug 3 large and 37 small wells.

Beaches of Kefalonia

Greek island of Kefalonia famous for its beaches. Its unique places have been awarded the Blue Flag label - an international award that has been awarded since 1987 to beaches with clean water that meets strict quality standards and is safe to swim in.

The most popular, clean and well-maintained beach – Myrtos. It is comfortable due to the protection of rocks from the wind. The waters are mostly calm, striking in the play of colors: cornflower blue, ultramarine, turquoise, blue - the color changes depending on the angle of incidence of the sun's rays. One of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. The beach is not with sand, but with large white pebbles; there are smaller pebbles near the water. The beach is permeable to the winds, the sea is rough.

On Kefalonia Beach, Xi is striking in the color of the sand - rich red, but sometimes it can seem red. The proposed relaxation can be supplemented with wellness treatments using therapeutic mud (balneotherapy).

For those who prefer silence and unity with nature, the coast of Antisamos is suitable. Antisami is the most beautiful of the white pebble beaches. Almost from the first steps of entering the water, a great depth is noted. It’s not comfortable for families with children, but it’s a haven for those who like to swim.

Lassi Beach– clean water, light sand. The entire coast is covered with Cephalonian fir trees. This is especially convenient for families with children, since the water near the shore is shallow.

Legendary Beach Skala– the standard of neatness and comfort.

Petani Beach– a beach with white sands. Cleanest water and surroundings.

Paganism and neo-paganism in Greece

Modern clergy, both Orthodox and adherents of other branches of Christianity, as well as religions, exclude and do not recognize the existence of paganism today. The secret lies in the complete non-recognition of polytheism. Priests also call sinful people pagans. Historians and cultural experts disagree with the latter. Paganism is the worship of several gods at once. By the way, the mass of titans that inhabited the Greek Olympus during Antiquity is precisely a representation of that same polytheism.

Wedding in Greece

Ancient Greek city of Thebes

This city was founded on the territory of central Greece. Thebes was located on a hill, and underneath it lay a huge fertile plain. The polis was founded by the Phoenicians, who came to these lands more than 3 thousand years ago. Thebes was originally called Cadmia. They were a very powerful city-state of Ancient Greece.

Stavronikitsky Monastery. Stavronikita

The Stavronikitsky monastery, located on the north-eastern side of the Athos peninsula, between the Pantokrator and Iversky monasteries, occupies fifteenth place in the hierarchy of the twenty dominant monasteries of Athos. Its foundation dates back to the beginning of the 11th century, while different legends do not agree on the identity of the founder of the monastery.