If you’re wondering where to stay in Kefalonia, Greece, and you’ve already formed some kind of bucket list that includes places like Assos and Myrtos, I suggest basing yourself in the central and northern regions for at least a few days.
What’s the ideal town for you to stay in? Let’s find out!
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables. I share my personal experience and cannot guarantee yours.
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Why Should You Stay in Central and Northern Kefalonia?
While I’d add at least one more location as a base for exploring Kefalonia (I also stayed at Evita Studios near the airport to enjoy a small part of the south of the island for about a day and a half), quite a lot of visit-worthy places are situated in central and northern Kefalonia.
If on your radar are spots like Assos village, Myrtos Beach, Melissani Cave, Antisamos Beach, Fteri Beach, and Fiskardo/Fiscardo village, this would be the best area to base yourself in.
That’s not to say that other parts of Kefalonia aren’t worth it. Still, if these places are high on your wishlist, you should definitely stay in the central and northern regions, at least for a few days.
Map + Quick Recommendations
See this map to better understand where each town is located.
I’d love for you to dive into this detailed post with the pros and cons of each town to see where you should or shouldn’t stay.
Still, if you want my top recommendation, I absolutely think you should choose Agia Effimia as your base.
It has the perfect location for taking day trips by car to all the places I mentioned above, and it’s laid-back with a cute harbor, waterfront, and plenty of places to eat, so it feels like the ideal place to start your morning and come back to.
And I cannot stop gushing over the adorable holiday home (which has become my dream home) where I stayed in Agia Effimia – Nerea. It still has a perfect rating of 10, and for a good reason.
It’s idyllically located on a quiet hill (but close enough to all the amenities) with gorgeous sea & mountain views and has modern yet cozy decor, the best hosts, and everything you’ll need from snacks and local wine to a washing machine and a dishwasher.
Book your stay at Nerea! Other highly rated accommodations in Agia Effimia include Nicole Studios, Sunrise Bay Apts, and La Casa di Zia Anna.
Towns to Stay in Kefalonia’s Central and Northern Regions
Agia Effimia
This town is my top choice. After staying there and exploring all of these areas, I’m 100% think it’s the best base for a few days in central and northern Kefalonia.
The town itself is small but has everything you need, from a variety of places to eat (good ones!) and a supermarket to a little harbor and a waterfront you can stroll along to a tiny hidden beach.
You can even take a day cruise to the nearby island of Ithaca from here.
The overall atmosphere is exactly what you crave when looking for serenity, and its location right between all the visit-worthy villages and beaches in this part of the island is just ideal.
Pros of staying in Agia Effimia: Location (it’s easy to reach other beautiful places in this area), overall vibe of a small harbor town, a variety of restaurants & cafes to enjoy (my favorites were Amalia and Sea-Rock-ws).
Cons of staying in Agia Effimia: Honestly? None.
In Agia Effimia, I stayed at Nerea and could not recommend it enough.
The host was exceptionally welcoming, meeting me on arrival to show me around the property and even surprising me with a thoughtful bag of local souvenirs before I left.
Despite its compact size, the house is modern, comfortable, and equipped with everything needed for a relaxing stay, including local wine, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, jams, eggs, a dishwasher, and a washing machine.
The property consists of two neighboring houses, each offering plenty of privacy, so you don’t feel overlooked even if other travelers are staying nearby. It’s an incredibly cozy place to start and end the day, with peaceful sea views and a tranquil atmosphere.
At the same time, you’re just minutes from the harbor, restaurants, and a supermarket, making it an ideal base for exploring the area.
One thing to keep in mind is that the house sits slightly uphill from town. However, if you’re traveling by car, the drive up or down takes less than a minute, so I found it to be a non-issue.
Book your stay at Nerea! Other highly rated accommodations in Agia Effimia include Nicole Studios, Sunrise Bay Apts, and La Casa di Zia Anna.
If you’re still unsure, here’s my full Agia Effimia travel guide.
Assos
Probably the most famous village in Kefalonia, Assos is a small but truly adorable and charming spot. Between its pastel-colored houses, its 16th-century Venetian Castle, and even a couple of tiny beaches, it’s more than worth a visit.
On paper, I would have loved to stay here because I fell in love with the village itself. The thing is its location, on and near an isthmus, which you reach via a very zigzag-y road.
That’s why I think it’s only convenient to stay in Assos if you’re planning on spending a couple of lazy days there (even though you can technically see Assos in a couple of hours, it’s such a lovely place to unwind), rather than using it as a base for day trips.
It’s not that it’s impossible to drive this road a couple of times per day, so it really comes down to your personal preference, but I wouldn’t want to do that for several days.
Other things to note are the limited parking spots and the local restaurants – there are a few places to try, although ratings vary (I opted for savory pastries at Rotsis Family Bakery instead and did not regret it).
Pros of staying in Assos: The village itself is serene and beautiful, so if you’re only staying there, it’s a wonderful spot to soak in the Mediterranean island vibe and do nothing. There are also a handful of places to eat.
Cons of staying in Assos: On the map, it seems like it has a good location as a base for exploring this part of the island, but the steep zigzag road leading to/from it isn’t the most convenient to drive (again, it’s not impossible, just a preference not to do that least twice a day during multiple days).
Highly rated accommodations in Assos include Kanakis Apartments and Chromata Assos Villas.
Divarata
Ok, so the thing with this location is that it’s not much of a town. There’s no actual area to wander, but it does have a main road with a supermarket and restaurants & cafes, and there’s a variety of accommodations.
It’s also situated within easy reach of the villages and beaches I mentioned above, the closest being the famous Myrtos Beach.
It’s not coastal, although the surrounding mountain scenery is beautiful, and some accommodations do have sea views.
Pros of staying in Divarata: Location (it’s easy to reach other beautiful places in this area), a variety of restaurants & cafes to enjoy (I loved Myrtillo Cafe and Myrtos Tavern).
Cons of staying in Divarata: It’s not really an ordinary town in terms of its layout, so you don’t have that specific area to roam (like a waterfront or old town).
Highly rated accommodations in Divarata include Minas Apartments, Myrtia Apartments, and Cephalonian Countryside Villa.
Fiskardo
Another super famous village, it’s one of the few that haven’t been destroyed by the earthquake that took place in Kefalonia in 1953. It boasts a small port, a promenade lined with lots of restaurants & shops, and even a small beach.
Leaving Kefalonia’s capital out, it’s probably the place with the most touristy vibe I visited in Kefalonia (although that didn’t bother me too much – it was still lovely to wander), thanks to the fact that it’s one of the bigger villages here (not very big but still bigger than many others) with more “action” in the village itself.
It’s also located up north, so it can be great to stay here if you’re spending time in Fiskardo and its surroundings (there are some famous beaches in this area, like Paralia Emplisi).
But you’ll have some added travel time if you want to use it as a base for day trips around central Kefalonia. The island isn’t that big, so that might not be a deal breaker for you.
Pros of staying in Fiskardo: It’s a good-sized village with a wander-worthy promenade and lots of places to eat.
Cons of staying in Fiskardo: It does feel more touristy than other places, and lots of restaurants don’t have good ratings because they’re probably just tourist traps (I preferred eating outside Fiskardo at Alia’s Yard). It doesn’t have to be a deal breaker, but due to its northern location, you’ll also have to drive more to reach other visit-worthy places in this part of the island.
Highly rated accommodations in Fiskardo include Nafsika Apartments and Studios and FiscardoStudios, and Balhambra Suites.
Sami
Sami is coastal town near Agia Effimia, but with a much bigger and more significant port.
It has quite a good location as a base for exploring this area (but not as good as Agia Effimia in my opinion), being especially close to Melissani Cave Lake and Antisamos Beach.
There’s also a good number of places to eat here (and other amenities). That said, the overall vibe here might not be for everyone.
I’m not sure how to accurately describe it, but even with its waterfront and surrounding scenery, it feels part residential, part touristy, part industrial, meaning it doesn’t feel like a charming Greek harbor town you enjoy wandering.
Pros of staying in Sami: Location (it’s easy to reach other beautiful places in this area), a variety of restaurants to enjoy (I loved the food at Mediterrano).
Cons of staying in Sami: Doesn’t have that quintessential wander-worthy Greek Harbor town vibe.
Highly rated accommodations in Sami include Alancia Suites and Cavaliere Seafront House.
I Personally Wouldn’t Stay in…
Karavomylos
This town is a stone’s throw away from Sami.
It’s where you’ll find places to visit like Melissani Cave and Karavomylos Lake, and similarly to Sami, its location is convenient for exploring this part of the island, but that’s where it stops for me.
It’s just a quiet town with nothing much going on and only a couple of places to eat. I didn’t see any reason to choose it as a base for your trip.
Things to Notice When Choosing Where to Stay in Kefalonia, Greece
- Parking: Depending on the town or the specific location of your accommodation, there’s a good chance you’ll only have public parking available rather than a private spot.
- Cancellation: Even properties that offer free cancellation are not always that flexible. A lot of accommodations only allow you to cancel up to 2-4 weeks before your arrival date.
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* I haven’t stayed at every hotel I mention in this post, but each one is well-researched (by me) and has high ratings of 9+ on Booking.com. That said, you should always read the reviews and all the details about the facilities and services to see if they match your needs.
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