7-day itinerary in Kefalonia

Go wine tasting in the Robola Zone

It takes just 20 minutes to reach the heart of Kefalonia as you head to Valsamata village. It’s famous for its church dedicated to Kefalonia’s patron saint, Gerasimos, and for being surrounded by the island’s largest concentration of Robola grape production. Just outside Valsamata is Orealios Gaea, one of the vineyards of the Agricultural Wine Cooperative of Kefalonia, a collection of around 300 winemakers in the Omalos Plateau (80% of the so-called Robola Zone). It offers vineyard tours and wine tasting, teaching you all about Kefalonia’s famous white Robola grape, introduced by the Venetians and now a Protected Designation of Origin product.

Take a vineyard and wine tour in Kefalonia

“Locals insist that no visit to the island is complete without tasting the local wine, robola. The mountainous terroir is ideal for the many vineyards, particularly in Kefalonia the Omala Valley.”

Kelli Armstrong, Escape Magazine (online article)

Enjoy a nighttime stroll in Argostoli

Your day ends day back in Argostoli, where you have the chance to explore Kefalonia’s capital by night. A naturally deep bay, Argostoli has a lively atmosphere throughout the day, especially at the cafes, bars and restaurants around the main square (Vallianos). Before sitting down to dinner, take a stroll along the waterfront and Lithostroto (a pedestrianised street), at the end of which is the Voskopoula confectionery store, established in 1910 and selling traditional local products. You can also visit the Lighthouse of Theodore, around 3km outside Argostoli. It was originally built by the British in 1828 and is an archaeological landmark of Kefalonia. People visit just for the sunset.

Explore the prehistoric Drogarati Cave

You can skip to the next stop if you like, but it’s definitely worth visiting another Kefalonian cave, famous for its remarkable stalagmites and stalactites and its acoustics. The Drogarati Cave is close to the Melissani Cave but this time you discover it on foot, more than 90 metres below ground. It is thought to be around 150 million years old and was uncovered after an earthquake revealed an opening. The cage is divided into two parts, including a hall measuring 65 x 40 metres, resembling a large natural amphitheatre, where summer concerts and events are held. The temperature inside the cave is around 18 degrees Celsius all year round.

Enjoy Antisamos beach… till sunset

The day continues at nearby Antisamos beach, famous for its white pebbles, clear waters and surrounding greenery. It is one of Kefalonia’s most memorable beaches (which is saying something) and perfect for snorkelling or water sports… or for simply sunbathing long into the afternoon. On the road to Sami, stop at the Monastery of Theotokou Agrilion to admire the views over the beach and towards neighbouring Ithaca island … fantastic at any time of day but especially at sunset.

Discover the best beaches of Kefalonia

A romantic dinner in Sami

Dinner today is in the cosmopolitan seaside settlement of Sami. One of Kefalonia’s three ports, Sami is also an important historical spot, with an ancient citadel above the village dating to the 3^rd century BC and an Archaeological Collection worth visiting. But your focus now is walking along the waterfront or in the backstreets of Sami and picking your bar for a drink. Or you can head straight to a taverna or restaurant. Alternatively, you can have dinner in a nearby village, such as Poulata or Koulourata, which have a handful of excellent tavernas serving local dishes.

Bonus: The summer Saristra Festival takes place in Palia Vlahata village, near Sami, which was abandoned after the 1953 earthquake that required much of Kefalonia to be reconstructed. Among the music & arts events are visual art exhibitions, film screenings, seminars and lectures in the ruined houses.

Horse-riding by the beach or inland

Next, you experience Kefalonia in a very different way. There are a few horse-riding options on the island, including a couple of stables near Sami, on the east coast. They offer beach rides and short or longer excursions on the footpaths through forests and olive groves in the surrounding countryside. There are also horse rides with views of Agii Fanentes castle. Please ensure that the conditions are right for the horses, especially avoiding the midday heat.

Photo by: @yota_gala

Feel the majesty of Myrtos beach

Your reward for such an active day so far is to spend the next few hours on the beach. And what a beach! Myrtos is Kefalonia’s poster beach, which means it gets busy in the summer months, when it's worth visiting in the morning or afternoon. Just arriving at the almost vertical limestone cliffs and looking out over the green-blue waters and sheltered bay is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The 800m semi-circular beach of white sand and pebbles is divided into organised and unorganised sections, which are worth seeking out. You’ll have no trouble spending the rest of the day here and be rewarded with one of the best sunsets in Kefalonia. You might also witness the occasional paraglider drifting overhead.

Tip: Divarata village, on the road above Myrtos, has some great traditional tavernas.

Discover the wild beauty of Myrtos beach

Dinner in Agia Efimia village

Around 9km from Sami is the picturesque fishing village of Agia Efimia. It's the perfect spot for a sundowner and dinner. Find yourself a taverna, either on the waterfront or in the backstreets, and the setting will do the rest. In the summer months, the marina fills with sailing boats and yachts.

Photo by: @albertorgueza

Dinner in beautiful Fiskardo

Whether you opt for a boat trip to Ithaca or a day on the beach, your day ends in charming Fiskardo. It's considered by many to be the prettiest village in Kefalonia, with sailboats bobbing in the bay, green slopes surrounding it and tiled roofs right down to the water's edge. It's also got a cosmopolitan side, with fine-dining options alongside tavernas. But before you eat, find a bar for a sundowner and soak up the atmosphere.

Tip: If you prefer a mountain village for your evening meal, nearby Maganos, Vasilikiades and Mesovounia all have traditional tavernas with excellent local dishes.

Explore Kefalonia’s Venetian past

Leaving Mount Ainos, you head to the hilltop Castle of St George, just above Peratata. A fortress built in the 12th century by the Byzantines, it was further developed by the Venetians and the settlement remained the capital of Kefalonia until 1757. The walls are from the turn of the 16^th century and you can visit the Church of Annunciation within the fortress. It has wonderful views towards Mount Ainos and the sea.

Tip: Just below the castle, in Mazarakata, you can view works of art of Kefalonia-born sculptor Memas Kalogeratos, whose home has been turned into a museum.

Photo by: @kefalonia_island_greece

Dinner with a sea view in Skala

Continuing to the south coast, you reach Skala, one of the biggest and most popular beaches in Kefalonia. Skala beach is an incredible 5km long, with clear blue water and sand and pockets of sunbeds and other facilities to keep you satisfied all day long. As well as tanking up on another dose of sun and sea, you can enjoy an array of eating and drinking options to end your day in style.

Dinner with sunset view by Petani beach

Returning from your boat trip, you move on to Petani beach (17km from Agia Kyriaki), another dramatic cliffside setting with a killer sunset. The colour of the water will tell you that this is a prime snorkelling spot, but you’re here for the sunset and tavernas.

Experience Lixouri by night

You could drive straight back to Argostoli but this is your opportunity to visit Lixouri, the second-largest settlement in Kefalonia. It was one of the main cities of the island in both antiquity and Venetian times and was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake. Today, it has a vibrant nightlife scene, with good food & drink options, especially by the waterfront. Across the bay, you can see Argostoli, which can be reach in just a handful of minutes on one of the car ferries that run through the day.

Swim at Kefalonia’s ‘red’ beach

Crossing back to Lixouri by ferry, you continue down to the southeastern tip of Kefalonia, to one of the island's most distinctive beaches. Xi has sand that ranges from yellow to red depending on the light and, despite being fully equipped, manages to retain a boho feel. The shallow waters make it a popular spot for families and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy … although you’ll be tearing yourself away for one last activity.

Photo by: @edelweiss.on.the.road

Take a cooking class with a local

A cooking class with Chef Viva, in the village of Metaxata, south of Argostoli, is the perfect way to spend your last afternoon in Kefalonia. You’ll learn all the secrets of Kefalonian cuisine, including where the local products are sourced and all the ingredients and authentic touches needed to create local favourites like as kreatopita (meat pie) and Greek classics like moussaka. After preparing your dishes, you sit down with your host for your last meal in Kefalonia.

Discover the food & drink of Kefalonia