Ohh, Kefalonia! By the time I am writing this travel guide, I already wish to go back. This island has amazing landscapes, stunning beaches, and very friendly locals.
How to get there
The easiest way is to fly to Kefalonia Airport. After that, you will need to hire a car immediately, because there are no other options. You could catch a taxi, but unless your accommodation is in Argostoli, you would need to pay a lot.
If you are coming from the mainland or other islands, Kefalonia has 3 ports: Fiscardo for the FERRIES from Lefkada, Pessada for the ferries from Zakynthos, and Poros for the ferries from Mainland. The infrastructure of Kefalonia is way behind the other Ionian islands, so if you arrive to any of the Harbors, you won´t be able to rent a car there. We arrived at Fiscardo and the only place that rented cars was 15min away from the harbor and they charged us 30euros to deliver the car to the airport instead of going back to Fiscardo.
When to visit
The peak season is from 15th of June until the end of August. To skip the crowds but have great weather, the shoulder months (May, June, September) should be your choice. April and October are slightly colder than the summer month, but you can still enjoy a great holiday and it is an ideal time for hiking. From November until March the weather is not suitable to visit this island, and you are likely to find everything closed.
Getting around
As I mentioned, infrastructure is way behind on this island. Public transport barely exists on Kefalonia, you will need a car to move around, otherwise, you won’t see anything from the beauty of Kefalonia. Driving on the streets of Kefalonia can be challenging. Google map’s estimate time never reflect the truth. The roads are up- and down on hills and very curvy. Don’t be surprised to be stopped by 20goats running through the road. If you are not driving alone, I would suggest to ask your partner to check out for the goats. They are hiding everywhere near the road, behind bushes (especially on the north of the island).
As much as I love sunset missions, we skipped it on this island for our safety. Night-driving is difficult on the island. You barely see the line of the roads because of old painting, the grass and bushes cover the edge of the road and crazy local drivers. It can be a nightmare, so think twice before going so far from your accommodation in the evening.
Why this is the best of the Ionian islands
I know the things I’ve listed before doesn’t sound good. Besides the bad infrastructure, and difficulties to reach this place, it has one of the most spectacular views on earth. The Melissani cave is something out of this world. Fiscardo an Assos village have the prettiest houses ever. The view of Myrthos beach will take your breath away. The locals are one of the friendliest human beings and their English is excellent.
Where to stay
If you want to stay in the main hub, Argostoli is your best choice. The prices will be higher, but it is close to the airport and you have the AB and Lidl supermarket really close.
Another option is to make a map of the places you would like to visit. If you don’t have time, you can use my map below. Once you have the places you want to visit, you need accommodation close to all these places.
How many days you need
We stayed 3 days on the island, and it was enough to run through all the famous stops I have listed. If you prefer to discover more remote parts of the island, you would need a week to truly experience Kefalonia.
I hope I could encourage you to visit this beautiful island.
The Ionian Islands are in the “shadow” of Santorini or Mykonos, but it is a great value for money. There are less tourists and more beautiful places to visit. Check out my Blogs about LEFKADA and CORFU, the neighbor islands of Kefalonia in the Ionian Region.
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Be ready to explore!
Anita.-
