Having settled on the neighbouring island of Corfu a few months ago, we decided to spend a week on Kefalonia_. A look back in pictures at our Greek adventure, discovering the island’s most beautiful beaches and a few of its other gems…_
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands, west of Greece. Its distinctive geology, shaped by alpine formations and karst phenomena, has sculpted landscapes of exceptional beauty, from rocky cliffs overlooking the sea to pebble and sandy beaches. The island is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, whether they enjoy hiking, cycling or swimming in its crystal-clear waters. At Grand Angle, we consider Kefalonia a favourite destination for our trips to the Ionian Islands, offering a perfect balance between active exploration and relaxation.
Myrtos Beach
We chose to spend the whole week in the village of Divarata, ideally located for exploring the island. Myrtos Beach is one of Kefalonia’s iconic sights. Its white pebbles, polished by the sea, contrast beautifully with the intense blue of the water, creating shades of turquoise and sapphire. Seeing this wonder with your own eyes is a memorable experience. To fully appreciate its beauty, we recommend viewing Myrtos from above, where designated viewpoints offer striking panoramas, especially at sunset. A winding road leads down to the beach, with spectacular glimpses along the way.
Agia Effimia and Paradise Beach
As we explored the east of the island, our first stop was the charming fishing port of Agia Effimia. This traditional village, nestled amid lush greenery and surrounded by wooded hills, makes an excellent base for walks in the surrounding countryside. There are plenty of gentle hiking routes, offering stunning views of the coast. Paradise Beach, true to its name, won us over with its calm, clear waters, perfect for swimming and exploring the underwater world while snorkelling. It is the ideal place for a refreshing break after a morning of exploration.
Paradise Beach in Kefalonia © Juliette Vuillecard
Melissani Lake and Antisamos Beach
After stopping for a delicious meal at a local taverna, we continued towards Sami, one of the island’s four ports. Our first enchanting discovery was the underground lake of Melissani. This spectacular natural site is the result of a unique karst phenomenon, where seawater seeps underground to form a remarkably deep lake. A tunnel provides access to the lake, where sunlight entering through a natural opening in the cave roof creates otherworldly reflections on the striking blue water. The sight is truly breathtaking, transforming the place into a dreamlike world.
Melissani Lake and Cave in Kefalonia © Daliu AdobeStock
To round off the afternoon beautifully, we chose Antisamos Beach. This pebble beach, fringed by lush vegetation, is known for its clear waters and tranquillity. Its natural setting, with green hills sweeping down to the sea, makes it a popular spot for relaxation and gentle water activities.
Antisamos Beach © Adobe Stock
Mount Ainos: Kefalonia’s highest peak
Our adventure then took us up into the heights of Kefalonia, to Mount Ainos, which rises to 1628 metres. This peak is more than just the highest point on the island: it is also a protected national park, home to remarkable biodiversity.
For hiking enthusiasts, Mount Ainos offers a network of trails ranging from easy walks to more demanding treks, winding through these lush forests and offering 360° panoramic views of the island and the Ionian Sea. Climbing Mount Ainos, whether partly by car or entirely on foot, is an essential experience for appreciating the scale and wild beauty of Kefalonia.
Mount Ainos, Kefalonia © Juliette Vuillecard
View from Mount Ainos © Juliette Vuillecard
Argostoli: Kefalonia’s capital
Our lunch break took us west to Argostoli, Kefalonia’s lively capital. This town is a cultural and economic hub, with museums and historic sites such as the Lighthouse of Saint Theodore. But part of Argostoli’s charm also lies in its Koutavos Lagoon, a rich natural environment where you can spot Caretta caretta sea turtles, a protected species. It is also an excellent place to enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many waterfront restaurants, as we did.
Argostoli Lighthouse © Adobe Stock - Daliu
The charming village of Assos
Continuing our journey north, we discovered Assos, undoubtedly one of Kefalonia’s most picturesque villages. This small fishing port, with its colourful houses and vibrant bougainvillea, offers an idyllic setting. Exploring the village includes a lovely walk along a paved path that winds up the hillside to the ruins of the Venetian castle. From up there, the view over Assos Bay is simply spectacular, a symphony of blues and greens. It is an ideal place for a relaxing lunch break at a waterfront taverna, soaking up the serene atmosphere of the Ionian Islands.
Assos Harbour, Kefalonia © Juliette Vuillecard
We follow a beautiful paved path winding up the hillside to the castle to admire the view over the bay. Back in the fishing village, among colourful houses and ever-present bougainvillea, we stop for lunch at a small seaside taverna.
Walk in Assos, Kefalonia © Juliette Vuillecard
Bougainvillea in Assos © valantis minogiannis - Adobe Stock
Emplisi Beach and the village of Fiskardo
Continuing our exploration of the north, we reached Fiskardo, a village of unique historical and architectural importance. Spared by the great earthquake of 1953 that devastated much of Kefalonia, Fiskardo has retained its original Venetian architecture, giving it a distinctive character. It is a charming, lively village, with lovely shops, cafés and traditional tavernas lining the harbour.
Fiskardo village © Gatsi - AdobeStock
Near Fiskardo, Emplisi beach is a beautiful cove, easily reached on foot from the village and ideal for swimming and exploring beneath the surface. A lovely walk through the pine woods also leads to the Venetian lighthouse, offering further views of the coast. For fans of bike and boat trips, this region is a perfect example of how exploring by sea and on land can complement each other beautifully.
Emplisi © AdobeStock
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Gidaki Beach on Ithaca
Discovering Ithaca, the legendary homeland of Odysseus, was a personal dream. Just a thirty-minute ferry ride separates Kefalonia from this majestic island, with its steep mountains and mystical atmosphere. We chose to explore Ithaca on foot, believing it to be the best way to immerse ourselves in its wild character. After a five-hour hike through unspoilt countryside, our perseverance was rewarded with the stunning Gidaki beach. We did not find Penelope, but a true haven of peace where we could plunge into incredibly clear turquoise water, a welcome reward for our efforts. Returning to the port of Vathy in a small fishing boat added a touch of authenticity to this memorable day before we headed back to Kefalonia. Ithaca offers plenty of opportunities for trekking in Greece, with trails through varied landscapes steeped in history.
Gidaki beach © Jankost - AdobeStock.
Xi Beach
We spent our last day exploring the south-west of the island, heading towards Xi beach. What makes this place so striking is its colour: distinctive ochre sand bordered by chalk and clay cliffs.
Xi beach © AdobeStock
Epilogue to a Trip to Kefalonia
Our trip to Kefalonia was a complete change of scenery, full of surprises and magic. It is an elegant island, still largely untouched by tourism, and we loved discovering it day by day. We found everything we love about Greece: the warm welcome of its people, their eagerness to share their rich and unique culture, and the relaxed pace of life. We discovered varied and exceptional landscapes, always against a backdrop of blue so intense it hardly seemed real.
We left certain of one thing: we will return to this enchanting island.
Travel to Greece with Grand Angle
Kefalonia is a destination that truly reveals itself to travellers who love active exploration. At Grand Angle, drawing on our expertise in cycling holidays and hiking holidays since 1983, we invite you to experience your own adventure on this magical island. Our #8-day cycling holiday exploring this jewel of the Ionian Islands is designed to help you discover its most beautiful sides with complete freedom and peace of mind, with personalised advice from our experts. You can also explore our #other holidays in the Ionian Islands or our full range of cycling tours in Greece for ever-bluer horizons.
