Kefalonia (Cephalonia), the largest of Greece’s Ionian Islands, is a place of dramatic contrasts: limestone peaks and black fir forests plunge into teal bays, while pastel villages ring harbors where fishermen still mend nets at dawn. Venetians ruled for centuries, leaving bell towers and recipes behind; an earthquake in 1953 reshaped much of the island, yet Kefalonia’s spirit—and its beaches—remain legendary.

Travelers come for Myrtos Beach’s cliff-framed arc, the fluorescent waters of Melissani Cave, and lazy lunches under bougainvillea in Assos and Fiskardo. Robola wines pair with Kefalonian kreatopita (slow-braised meat pie), grilled octopus, and almond “mandoles” sweets; sea turtles surface in Argostoli’s harbor on calm mornings. Boat hire days are a local secret—no license needed—to slip into coves you’ll have to yourself by 10 a.m.

Practical notes: Renting a car is highly recommended; roads are good but winding—drive unhurried, especially at dusk. Summer is peak season (late June–early September) with warm seas and lively tavernas; spring and fall bring quieter trails and lower rates. Fly into Kefalonia Airport (EFL) via Athens or seasonal European routes; ferries connect the island to Kyllini on the Peloponnese and to Ithaca and Lefkada.

Argostoli

Argostoli, Kefalonia’s lively capital, curves around a sheltered bay with a long stone causeway—the De Bosset Bridge—and a palm-lined promenade where loggerhead turtles often patrol near the fishing boats. It’s the best base for the island’s south and east: Lassi’s golden beaches, Mount Ainos National Park, the Robola wine valley, and the caves near Sami.

• Top sights & vibes: De Bosset Bridge sunset strolls, Koutavos Lagoon birdlife, the Archaeological Collection, and café culture around Vallianos Square.
• Where to stay: Browse central apartments and sea-view villas via VRBO Argostoli or hotels on Hotels.com Argostoli.
• Food & drink highlights: Casa Grec for modern Ionian plates and Kefalonian meat pie; Kalafatis on the quay for just-landed seafood; Ladokolla stin Plagia for grilled lamb chops; Oinops Wine Bar for Greek labels and meze.
• Fun fact: The 19th-century De Bosset Bridge is one of Europe’s longest stone bridges over the sea—perfect for a golden-hour walk.

How to get there: From many European cities, fly into Athens, then connect to Kefalonia (EFL)—~50–55 minutes, often $55–$120 one-way in season. Search and compare options on Omio (flights in Europe). Ferries run Kyllini–Poros (~1h20; foot passenger ~€16–20); check Omio (ferries in Europe) for schedules if you’re road-tripping.

Fiskardo

Pastel mansions, polished cobbles, and yachts gliding in at dusk—Fiskardo is a rare Ionian harbor that survived the 1953 quake intact. It’s your north-island base for boat-hire coves, cypress-shaded trails, and easy hops to Ithaca.

• Top sights & vibes: Emblisi Beach’s snorkeling shelves, Foki’s olive-fringed bay, Venetian lighthouse walks, and long lunches on the quay.
• Where to stay: Reserve harborside apartments and stone villas via VRBO Fiskardo or boutique stays on Hotels.com Fiskardo.
• Food & drink highlights: Tassia (island institution for lobster pasta and creative Kefalonian dishes), Elli’s (romantic waterfront seafood), Vasso’s (classic grilled fish), and Theodora’s Café Bar for Negronis at sunset.
• Fun fact: From spring to early fall, small motorboats (no license required) can be hired in the harbor—an islander-approved way to slip into pocket beaches like Dafnoudi and Kimilia.

Getting between bases: Argostoli to Fiskardo is ~50 miles/80 km—about 1.5–2 hours by car along a scenic coastal mountain road. Plan a leisurely transfer with photo stops at Myrtos Beach and Assos village.

Day 1: Arrival in Kefalonia (Argostoli)

Afternoon: Land at EFL, pick up your rental car, and check into your Argostoli stay. Stretch your legs along the De Bosset Bridge and the palm promenade; pop into the Korgialenio Historic & Folklore Museum for an easy primer on life before and after the 1953 quake.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Grec—order the baked feta with sesame and honey, then the Kefalonian kreatopita or seafood kritharoto. For a nightcap, try Oinops Wine Bar for Robola by the glass and meze like smoked aubergine dip.

Optional if you have a long Athens layover en route: Join a guided Acropolis visit to make the most of your stop. Athens All Included: Acropolis and Museum Guided Tour with Ticket saves time with priority entry.

Day 2: Lassi Beaches, Turtles, and Argostoli by Night

Morning: Aim for Argostoli harbor around 8:00–10:00 a.m. where loggerhead turtles often circle the fishing boats. Coffee and koulouri at Espresso House or Café Aroma on Vallianos Square, then head to Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos in nearby Lassi—golden sand, clear entry, and easy sunbed service.

Afternoon: Try stand-up paddleboarding or a guided sea-kayak route along Lassi’s craggy coves. Lunch beachside at Blue Paradise (fresh salads, grilled prawns) or Butlers House in Lassi (casual Greek comfort food). On the way back, stop at Lighthouse of Saint Theodoroi for a breezy photo stop.

Evening: Grab a seaside table at Kalafatis in Argostoli for whole grilled sea bream, horta (wild greens), and taramosalata. Gelato at Gelato Fresco in Lassi, then a leisurely bridge walk under the stars.

Day 3: Melissani Cave, Drogarati Cave, and Antisamos Beach

Morning: Drive ~45 minutes to Karavomilos for Melissani Cave. The short boat ride (about 15 minutes; entry + boat typically ~€10–€12) reveals a collapsed cavern where midday light turns the lake electric blue. Continue 10 minutes to Drogarati Cave (staggered stalactites; entry ~€8).

Afternoon: Lunch by the water at Karavomilos Taverna (grilled sardines, lemon potatoes) or Il Familia in Sami (hearty moussaka). Then settle in at Antisamos Beach—great snorkeling along the rocky edges, and handy beach bars for iced freddo cappuccinos.

Evening: Return to Argostoli. For dinner, Ladokolla stin Plagia serves juicy souvlaki and chops on parchment “ladokolla” paper; pair with a village salad and fried courgette chips. Nightcap at BeeRaki for craft beer and raki flights.

Day 4: Scenic Transfer to the North—Myrtos and Assos to Fiskardo

Morning: Check out and drive north. First stop: the Myrtos viewpoint for that famous turquoise sweep; if conditions are calm, descend for a quick swim (the slope can be pebbly—water shoes help).

Afternoon: Continue 20 minutes to Assos, a photogenic hamlet wrapped around a double bay. Hike up (30–40 minutes) to the Venetian Fortress for panoramic views. Lunch at Platanos for slow-braised goat or at Nefeli-Anait for seafood and thick-cut fries with kefalograviera.

Evening: Roll into Fiskardo, check in, then dine on the quay. Book ahead at Tassia: start with marinated anchovies, then lobster pasta or sun-dried octopus. For dessert, almond “mandola” from Melina’s Patisserie.

Day 5: Fiskardo Boat Day—Coves You Can Only Reach by Sea

Morning: Hire a 30–40hp motorboat in Fiskardo (no license required; typical day rates €90–€160 plus fuel—bring cash and passport). Skipper along to Dafnoudi and Kimilia beaches; be early for glassy water and solitude.

Afternoon: Drop anchor at Foki Bay for a picnic under olives, then snorkel Emblisi’s rocky shelves where wrasse and bream hover in the seagrass. If winds pick up, hug the leeward coves for calm water.

Evening: Sundowners at Theodora’s Café Bar (try the basil gin smash), then dinner at Elli’s on the water—order saganaki shrimp, vine leaves, and the catch of the day baked with lemon and herbs.

Day 6: Day Trip to Ithaca (or a North-East Coast Cruise)

Morning: Drive ~35 minutes to Sami or Agia Efimia for a small-boat cruise to Ithaca (seasonal; typically €40–€60). Typical stops include Vathy’s harbor, the pastel village of Kioni, and swim breaks in hidden coves like Gidaki.

Afternoon: Long, lazy lunch on Ithaca—octopus stifado or chickpea salad with herb-flecked riganada (tomato-topped barley rusk). Back on board for one more swim stop before the return crossing.

Evening: Back in Fiskardo, keep dinner casual at Vasso’s: grilled squid, horiatiki salad, and ouzo over ice as the harbor lights sparkle.

Day 7: North Kefalonia Finale—Assos (Again), Lighthouse Walk, or Winery Stop

Morning: If you missed it, an early return to Myrtos for calm water and fewer crowds. Alternatively, take the coastal path to Fiskardo’s Venetian lighthouse, looping by the basilica ruins.

Afternoon: Start the drive south toward the airport (allow 1.5–2 hours from Fiskardo). If time permits, detour to the Robola Cooperative Winery in the Omala Valley for a tasting flight of citrusy, mineral Robola; nearby Saint George’s Castle offers breezy views and a lovely coffee stop at Kastro Café.

Evening: Flight out in the late afternoon. If you have an Athens overnight, consider a sunset capstone at Cape Sounion: Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Half-Day Small-Group Tour is a classic.

Where to Book Transport

• Flights within Europe (to Athens or direct to EFL): Compare routes and prices on Omio (flights in Europe). Athens–Kefalonia is ~50–55 minutes and often $55–$120 one-way in summer.
• Ferries: For Kyllini–Poros and regional island connections, check options via Omio (ferries in Europe). Kyllini–Poros typically ~1h20; car + driver from roughly €50–€60 total.

Optional Athens Stopover Ideas (If You Add a Day Before/After)

• Athens: Acropolis, Parthenon and Acropolis Museum Guided Tour for a deep dive into classical Athens.

  

• Greek Food Walking Tour in Athens to taste loukoumades, koulouri, cheeses, and market-fresh bites.

  

Eat & Drink Cheat Sheet by Area

• Argostoli & Lassi: Casa Grec (modern Greek), Kalafatis (seafood on the quay), Ladokolla stin Plagia (grill), Butlers House (casual comfort), Blue Paradise (beach bar bites), Oinops Wine Bar (Greek labels).
• Sami & Karavomilos: Il Familia (bakes and pastas), Karavomilos Taverna (lakeside seafood), beach bars at Antisamos for smoothies and salads.
• Assos: Platanos (stews, local goat), Nefeli-Anait (seafood and pies), Lemon Garden for iced coffees under citrus trees.
• Fiskardo: Tassia (signature pastas and island dishes), Elli’s (romantic seafood), Vasso’s (classic taverna), Theodora’s (cocktails), Melina’s Patisserie (mandoles and pastries).

Summary: In one enchanted week, you’ll see Kefalonia’s greatest hits—Myrtos’ impossible blues, Melissani’s luminous lake, Assos’ pastel arc, and the coves of Fiskardo—while eating and drinking like a local. With a car, a flexible plan, and a couple of smart bookings, the Ionian dream is effortless.