Ultimate 15+ must visit attractions- Kefalonia guide II

28.Mar.2017
Kefalonija-Svetionik_6

In case you still haven’t read the first part of the ultimate Kefalonia guide, I suggest that you do that now and here so that you have enough time to organize everything before you make the final decision.

Kefalonia Guide
Airport

I am happy to recommend you some of the world attractions you can visit on your trip to Greece. Everything you can see and do in Kefalonia in details, and why it’s such an interesting destination for thousands of tourists.

Kefalonia Guide
Smell of sea in the stores

We have already mentioned, it’s best to divide your tours into days and use all the time that’s left to go to the beach, visit cafés and for some other hedonistic things.

Kefalonia guide

1st DAY

Part of the west coast and Paliki peninsula

Lassi

A small place with lots of sandy beaches and bays. It has one main street in which there is everything, from stores to restaurants.

Near one of the beaches in the center of Lassi, there is this natural stone attraction, made by the erosive force of water and waves.

Kefalonia Guide
Lassi
Kefalonia Guide,
Lassi

A pause to take photos about 10-15 minutes for that, although there is also a small restaurant on the beach.

St. Theodor lighthouse

The first one was also built by the English in 1821. As Kefalonia is a seismic active area susceptible to earthquakes, this lighthouse was destroyed and rebuilt three times. The lighthouse has one romantic feature, it is a meeting spot for couples. Also, the best wedding photos are taken in this very spot.

The lighthouse has one romantic feature, it is a meeting spot for couples. Also, the best wedding photos are taken in this very spot.

Svetionik, Sv. Teodora
Svetionik, Sv. Teodora

So, Kefalonia is an ideal place for honeymoon, or proposal.

A magnificent view from the lighthouse is stretching over to the biggest city, Lixouri, which is on the other shore.

Kefalonia Guide
St. Theodora lighthouse

It takes 15 minutes to take photos and see all this.

Katavotres

A natural phenomenon which is not far from the lighthouse. Where the sea water disappeared and left that place was an unsolved mystery for hundreds of years. It wasn’t until recently that it was discovered the water created a circle underneath the island all the way to the Melissani lake. A nice place for a morning coffee and an opportunity to take a couple of photos as a memory, so you don’t need to spend more than 20 minutes there.

Kefalonia Guide
Katavotres

This place was booked for my morning coffee 🙂 .

Kefalonia Guide
Katavotres

Argostoli

The biggest city, and the capital of Kefalonia. Although I was accommodated in Lassi, we walked for 5 km in one direction almost every night to Argostoli. You can go shopping there, as well as eat some great food because there is a great choice of restaurants and cafés. You should also visit the Museum of archaeology. There is a beautiful promenade along the shore where you can sit in the evening and look at the beautiful sky full of stars. And I am yet about to show you what the sunset in Kefalonia looks like.

And I am yet about to show you what the sunset in Kefalonia looks like.

Kefalonia Guide
Argostoli
Kefalonia Guide
Argostoli from sea

You can also visit the Orthodox Greek church in the center of the city, pedestrian zone.

Kefalonia guide
Argostoli Orthodox church
Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Argostoli entrance to the Greek Orthodox church

Breathtaking Drapano bridge, built by the English, connecting the two shores. It’s not very short but is an amusing experience to walk across it.

Kefalonia guide
Argostoli bridge
Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Bridge connecting two shores, Argostoli

In Argostoli, if you are early enough and with some luck, you can also run into some turtles along the shore on the beach.

Farsa

Ghost village.

Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Farsa ghost village

A small village in hills which was ruined in the biggest earthquake ever to hit Kefalonia, in 1953. All of the houses were completely ruined, so that the settlers didn’t try to fix them, but built new ones closer to the shore (compare the top and the bottom picture). After that earthquake, the land was 60 cm higher.

Lixouri

We’ve now crossed to Paliki peninsula where this, second in size city in Kefalonia, is.

Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Palik peninsulai, Lixouri

You can get to this city directly by taking a ferry from Argostoli, and the ride lasts for approximately 20 minutes.

Kipouria monastery

Also known as the Ionian Sea veranda. It is on the cliff above the sea and it looks like the world ends there.

Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Kipouria Monastery, Paliki peninsula

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into the monastery because it was closed on that day for some reason, but we peeked through gate and fence like all curious tourist.

Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Kipouria Monastery
Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Monastery

Kefalonia guide to the

2nd DAY

Through the central part of the island to the east coast.

St. Georgie fortress

The original Lefkada capital which today is nothing but ruins. It is not reconstructed, but you can walk through and around it. The parts of the path are a bit slippery, so you should be careful about it.

Kefalonia guide
St. Georgie fortress

The view from the fortress on the villages beneath it.

Kefalonia guide
The view from the fortress

Next to the fortress, there is Castro village which has very unique architecture. English influence is stronger in Kefalonia than in the other islands.

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
Castro village, immediately beneath the St. Georgie fortress
Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
Castro

The village of Castro has become familiar to me by great cakes, but the story about that is going to be a surprise.

St. Gerasimus Monastery

Dedicated to Gerassimos, saint, miracle worker and protector of Kefalonia. It is known that St. Gerassimos helped mentally ill people and that it why people loved and respected him.

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
Entrance to St. Gerassimos monastery

The monastery yard and buildings.

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
St. Gerassimos monastery
letovanje u Grčkoj
Monastery buildings

Interior of the main monastery building.

Kefalonia guide
St. Gerassimos monastery

There is a cave in which St. Gerassimos spent time within the monastery. The entrance to the cave doesn’t look promising, there are steep ladders leading into it, so you should be careful.

Personally, I couldn’t get down, although, as you can see, there were some braver than me.

Kefalonia guide
The Cave

St. Gerassimos’ relics are also placed within the monastery. You can even see them. For example, if you visit the monastery on Sundays, the chances are you will be able to kiss the relics.

letovanje u Grčkoj
Kissing the relics, St. Gerassimos

It looks kind of scary, but still, it is worth seeing it.

letovanje u Grčkoj
St. Gerassimos relics

Robola Winery

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
Robola Winery

It is only 500 meters away from the St. Gerassimos’ monastery. It is the best known Kefalonia winery and its famous brand.

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
Preparing grapes for crushing

If you’ve decided to visit the factory, you can certainly do so, and buy some of the products at very good price.

Wine production
Wine production
Robola factory
Robola factory

Robola Winery is famous for its white wine. Be sure to taste them, at least when you’re visiting the winery.

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
Wine tasting

Drogarati cave

On the way to Sami, there is this cave as well. In case you are very sensitive to cold, be sure to bring something to wear because the temperature in the cave is 18°C. What you should also be prepared for is 200 stairs, 100 to the first cave chamber and another 100 stairs to the second one.

Kefalonia guide
Drogarati cave

Cave chambers are very acoustic, so they were used for opera concerts. The best known Greek opera singer, Maria Callas, sang in the Drogarati cave.

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
Drogarati cave

Sami

We decided to head towards Sami after the cave.

Kefalonia guide
Orthodox church in Sami

The biggest harbor in Kefalonia where all main ferries arrive and depart from. There is another harbor in Poros apart from this one. There are a lot of restaurants along the shore where you can enjoy some traditional Greek dishes.

Kefalonia guide
The biggest harbor in Kefalonia

Captain Cornelius Mandolin movie was filmed there. Whether you were watching?

The streets are full of souvenir shops and little shops with healthy ingredients, food, and other things.

Kefalonia guide
Sami
Kefalonia guide
Natural soaps
Kefalonia guide
Sami

Melissani Lake and cave

We returned to Karavomilos and Melissani Lake after Sami.

For me, the best experience in Kefalonia was the tour of the cave and the Melissani Lake. The lake has surreal bluish and green color. I am going to share most of the photos with you here because they can make a stronger impression than words, and depict the incredible view.

Kefalonia guide
Blue lagoon of Melissani Lake
Kefalonia guide
Melissani Lake

After a strong earthquake which hit Kefalonia in 1953, Melissani Lake is no longer a cave. The roof fell worn, the earth opened so that there is now an opening above the lake. Hence, there is strong sunlight shining on the Lake Melissani during the warm summer days.

Kefalonia guide
The Lake of Melissani
Kefalonia guide, Explore Kefalonia
Melissani

The Lake has a lot of visitor during the summer season, so prepare to be patient because you will wait for your boat for a while, although there are at least ten of them.

Kefalonia guide
Melissani lake, crowd on the water

This was my gondolier, a Greek candy 🙂

Kefalonia guide
A legend about Melissani

We heard a legend about how the Lake Melissani got its name on that occasion. According to this legend, there was a shepherd named Melisante who was in love with a boy from the town of Sami. However, that love was unrequited, and that was why she decided to drown in the lake.

Kefalonia guide
A photo for a memory, mom and me

Kefalonia guide to the

3rd DAY

South of the island. This is when we spent most time swimming and drinking coffee.

Kefalonia guide
Lourdata beach – Kaminia restaurant

On the way from Lassi to Lourdata, you can stop by a village Metaxata, Kourkoumelata, and even Svornata. Those are all small villages, where the English influence is very noticeable.

Kefalonia guide
English gardens
Kefalonia guide
Orthodox church in Metaxata village

In case you didn’t know what Kefalonia bananas looked like, now is the chance to see them 🙂 .

Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Metaxata

Beautifully decorated houses and even prettier back yards.

Kefalonia guide, Greek Islands
Unusual cactus in one of the gardens

You couldn’t even guess Lord Byron loved visiting Kefalonia. Remember Lord Byron from the post about the Chillon castle?

There is even a garden made in his memory.

This is Lord Byron and me.

Kefalonia guide
Metaxata, Lord Bayron’s bust
Kefalonia guide
Old house

Farther from Lourdata, all the way to Poros, there are mostly beaches you shouldn’t fail to see. They are all long and sandy, but I am going to write more about it in the following post.

Skala

Skala is for me one of the accommodation options. Most of the holiday houses and hotels are along the beach, meaning that the beach is right in front across the street. There are both sandy, and beaches with small pebbles in that region. If you are worried about the size of the pebbles, I am just going to say that it’s not a problem to walk barefoot.

Kefalonia guide
Skala

There are a lot of restaurants along the promenade, as well as some shops so that you’re going to be completely satisfied.

Poros

Poros is second in significance harbor in Kefalonia. However, although it is such an important spot in Kefalonian map, it is not so populated. What I was disappointed with was that there are lots of abandoned building in the center of Poros. That is also a place for sailors, you can get your spot in the marine, drinking water, go to the nearby shop to get some food, and you can even charge the electricity in some spots.

That is also a place for sailors, you can get your spot in the marine, drinking water, go to the nearby shop to get some food, and you can even charge the electricity in some spots.

Kefalonia guide
Poros port

I remember Poros by some great pancakes, ice cream, and waffles. However, there is also some great gyros and souvlaki in traditional Greek restaurants with checked tablecloths.

But, we are going to discuss food in Kefalonia in some of the following posts.

Kefalonia guide to the

4th DAY

Modern North

There are two options when traveling to the north of the island if you’re going from Lassi. One is through Argostoli and Farsa, and then towards Myrtos, i.e. Divarata. Another option is not to travel by Farsa, but to turn north earlier through Davgata and then to Divarata. If you’re traveling from Skala, Poros, and Sami, and coming to Ag. Efimia, then your turning point is also Divertata.

Kefalonija, Fiskardo
Fiskardo

All roads lead to Divertata 🙂

On the way north, there is the famous Myrtos beach, but more about it later.

It is a two-hour ride from Lassi to Fiskardo, approx. 60 kilometers.

Kefalonija
Road to Fiskardo, beautiful view

My route was from Lassi, first to Fiskardo and then, on the way back to Asos and Myrtos beach, and then home. On that way back, if you’re still in the mood, you can also visit Argostoli, which we did.

Fiskardo

The most expensive town in Kefalonia. A place where sailors and all who love sailing stop by. Place in which all ancient ferries from Lefkada and Ithaka anchor, filled with tourist.

Kefalonia guide
Fiskardo, center
Kefalonia guide, Greek islands
The view from above
Kefalonia guide
The view on Fiskardo from the opposite side

Kefalonia guide, Greek islands

Kefalonia guide

Kefalonia guide
Traditional Greek restaurants

A great number of souvenir shops, pastries and merchant shops which can be found in this town. There are also some of the best equipped nautical shops for all sailing lovers.

Fancy prices for a fancy town. 🙂

You are here to see, and to be seen.

Kefalonia guide
Kefalonia, Fiskardo

Asos

On our way back, we made a pause in Asos. Asos is in the middle, look at the picture.

Kefalonia guide
Assos

A beautiful village with traditional Greek-Mediterranean architecture.

Kefalonia guide
Asos

Asos shore is mostly rocky, but there is also a small beach where you can go for a quick swim if you can’t handle the heat.

letovanje u Grčkoj
Asosa shore

On the peninsula, there is second largest fort build as an offensive mechanism in some historical times. You can walk around the fortress, and there is a nicely decorated park which I would recommend if you’ve already come this far.

Kefalonia guide
Asos fortress

After Asos, you should visit some of the beaches. For example, you can visit Myrtos, the best beach for swimming. Afterward, you can head home.

I hope you enjoyed this trip through Kefalonia 🙂

Next posts will be:

  1. Kefalonia guide to the beaches
  2. Kefalonia guide to do markets, food, and restaurants

KEFALONIAkefalonia

Hi, I'm Suzana!

Rođena u Beogradu. Diplomirala na Mašinskom Fakultetu Univerziteta u Beogradu (smer Vazduhoplovstvo). Majka, supruga, putujući kulinarski hedonista. Istraživač, sportista i organizator.

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