Kefalonia highlights

Kefalonia or Cephalonia is one of the most amazing Greek islands and one of my favourite too. It’s hard to find in Europe places so untouched by people. Here you step in natural beauty with amazingly lush mountains, a sea so blue that you only get to see in the Caribbean on the Maldives. In Kefalonia nature will spoil you with some of the most beautiful landscapes and the main attraction of the island are the turtles. You can actually see them coming at the harbour waiting for the fisher mans to feed them. It was super funny to see them like puppies waiting to receive their favourite food.

I had an amazing time on the island, I visited twice and I have so much to share and talk about. Kefalonia is not very famous and I don’t know why, this island is incredibly beautiful with so many things to offer. Here you can spend weeks and still there are things to do or to discover.

how to move around

Moving around Kefalonia is not as bad as in Zakynthos, the public transport works way better, it still needs some improvements but it will take you to many places of the island. At my first visit I used public transport and I got to visit some of the most famous spots on the island.

At my second visit I came with my boyfriend and we rented a car. Of course by car you have access to many more places where you normally can’t reach by bus. After testing both ways I can say both are good options, it depend on what you prefer to.

MYRTOS BEACH

At my first visit I couldn’t get to Myrtos because the beach can only be reached by car. But that’s the magic of coming back. It’s located on the foot of a steep cliff and it has impressive views. The road to get down to the beach was destroyed by the cyclone that hit Greece last year in September. Actually the north of the island was completely destroyed as well as the beautiful village of Assos.

The beach was completely empty, there were no people, only a few boats approaching the beach but nobody was getting down from the boat. It was weird to see the beach like this but was still very beautiful. Myrtos has been named one of the best beaches in Greece more than 12 times and I can see why. All you can see is a long white sand beach and turquoise water lapping gently at the shore dotted with a few boats. Simply fantastic!

ARGOSTOLI AND TURTLES

Argostoli is the capital of the island and the best place to see turtles in Greece, it’s very well communicated with the other parts of the island and you can get here by car or by bus. In the lagoon you can see swimming many adult turtles among many friendly fish. They swim here during all summer and sometimes they stay in winter too. Every morning they come on the harbour to be fed by the fisher mans. They’re super cute, with the head out of the water waiting to receive fish. But they can be seen all day swimming in the lagoon. It’s a wonderful experience that I highly recommend.

VISIT MELISSANI LAKE

Not too far from the town of Sami it’s Melissani. Melissani Cave, also called Melissani Lake, is an underground lake that makes me think of the cenotes of Yucatán in Mexico. This underground lake is 20 meters below the Earth’s surface and offers breathtaking views and a mystical experience making you think that you are into another world.

You can buy a ticket for 6 €, then you have to go down on a set of stairs that leads into the cave where you get to see an impressive view of the hole in the ground above you. Then just hop on one of the boats and take a nice, short boat tour across the lake where you can see the caves and admire the beauty of the stalactites as well as the water changes colour. Well this place is touristy but it definitely worth the visit. The water is dazzling and crystal clear, it actually invites you to swim but swimming in here is prohibited so you have to only look at.

ASSOS VILLAGE

Assos is a picture perfect village with Venetian style houses sitting on the water’s edge. Assos has a few beaches, a Venetian castle’s ruins with some incredible viewpoints over this picturesque town and a few cute greek restaurants. I visited Assos when I first came to Kefalonia, because this time I came after the cyclone that hit Greece and it seems that this super cute village has been destroyed and also the road to get to the village wasn’t in good condition nighter. I really hope they will be able to rebuilt the village. So, I will share with you my experience from the last time.

I arrived by bus, from the bus station you’ll have to walk for 2 minutes only. Once here I took a delicious lunch and then I took a little wander around the pretty streets, then I stopped to see the colourful house famous all over the internet. It’s a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.

swimming

If you are in a mood for a swim, Assos has beaches where you can have a nice bath. Lots of people swim here and the water is perfect for swimming, actually the super hot days are inviting you for a swim. So bring your swimsuit and the towel and enjoy a nice beach day in such an amazing scenery.

From Assos village you can reach the castle following the path up to the ruins. The route will take you through stunning olive trees, colourful flowers and greenery. During summer the days are super hot, so bring lots of water. .