Headed to Agia Effimia, Kefalonia? Greece’s largest Ionian Island quickly became one of my favorite Mediterranean destinations, and this coastal town was definitely one of the reasons I had such a memorable trip. Let’s see how you can make the most of it.
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*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.
Where to Stay in Agia Effimia, Kefalonia
Why Stay in This Town
If you want to explore central and northern Kefalonia (as I mainly did), Agia Effimia is a wonderful town to base yourself in.
It isn’t full of attractions, nor should it be for you to adore it. It is in a fantastic location within reasonable driving distance from many beautiful places, offers a variety of restaurants, boasts a cute harbor and promenade, and has a lovely Mediterranean vibe.
Highly-Rated (9.5+) Accommodation Options
Nerea: This is the house where I stayed, and I will forever gush over it (I’m seriously dreaming of owning it).
The host is amazing, not only equipping the property with fruit, eggs, local wine, jams, coffee, and whatnot but also leaving some gifts before your check out.
Compact yet modern, the house has everything you need, especially gorgeous sea and mountain views that provide the perfect setting to enjoy cozy Mediterranean mornings and evenings.
It is important to note that the property is situated slightly up a hill, but with a car, the ascent and descent only take about 30 seconds, meaning you have your tranquil spot, but the harbor, restaurants, and supermarket are within quick and easy reach. Book your stay at Nerea!
La Casa di Zia Anna: This is the house I originally considered booking. Accommodating up to 5 people, it looks like it provides perfect bay views when you sit outside and seems super cozy on the inside.
Sunrise Bay Apts: Situated right on the waterfront are these apartment-style rooms and suites. The highlight here seems to be the terrace with sea views, as they’re directly overlooking the bay!
Nicole Studios: A stone’s throw from the waterfront, a supermarket, and a few cafes, you’ll find these studio-like double and triple rooms. Each unit has a small kitchen and dining area, and the overall design seems modern yet comfy.
Palm Mansion: If you’re searching for something more upscale and don’t mind the splurge, check out this super central fully-equipped private villa that boasts 4 rooms, a private pool, and harbor views.
Where to Eat in Agia Effimia
Amalia: This was my favorite restaurant throughout the trip!
Not only do they serve many dishes I haven’t seen in other spots, but they also use a lot of unique local ingredients (like Kefalonian cheeses and Greek pasta varieties), which makes the experience feel more authentic.
I tried the grilled calamari with Greek trachanoto pasta, and there are no words to describe how delicious it was.
Sea-Rock-ws: What stands out to me is this restaurant’s incredibly welcoming staff, though I also greatly enjoyed the food. The menu includes fish, seafood, and Greek and non-Greek dishes, and portions are generous.
Fior D’Amore: I only had coffee and cake at this cafe, but it also serves breakfast, salads, lunch, cocktails, and more.
Cielo: While it feels more touristy as it’s practically open from morning to midnight, and its menu seems to cater to anyone looking to grab a bite or a drink throughout the day, I did enjoy the coffee and breakfast here.
Other places I wanted to try were Palazzo Al Mare and Pergola.
Things to Do in Agia Effimia
There are only a few things to see and do here, but that’s exactly what’s so great about this town. It’s about enjoying the atmosphere, not about ticking items off the bucket list.
If this is where you choose to stay to explore the island by car, you’re likely to travel to other places throughout the day, but you can also decide to spend a couple of slow-paced hours in Agia Effimia, (not that the rest of the island isn’t all about relaxation and slowing down).
Stroll Along the Promenade and Harbor
Although this is a small town, it takes about 15-20 minutes to leisurely stroll along the waterfront, from the Church of Agia Effimia, through the harbor, all the way to the hotel of Kefalonia Bay Palace.
The port is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, and souvenir shops, and it’s also a fantastic place to marvel at the colorful boats and yachts while soaking in the mountainous backdrop of the bay.
Take a Day Cruise to Ithaca Island
This activity is still on my bucket list, and I probably could have included it on my itinerary, but I only realized it in hindsight.
From my accommodation, I could actually see part of the island of Ithaca, a popular day trip from Kefalonia, which supposedly has some amazing beaches and a few adorable towns.
You can book a day tour to Ithaca from Agia Effimia or Sami, which usually also includes lunch, snacks, and drinks.
Unwind at Lithovatis Beach
If you adore hidden beaches as much as I do, no matter their size, you’ll appreciate a spot like Lithovatis Beach.
Accessed by stairs located right next to the Paradise Beach Restaurant, it’s a tiny (and amenity-free) yet peaceful place to enjoy Kefalonia’s coastline.
Rent a Boat
Another thing I haven’t tried myself in Agia Effimia is to explore the area by renting a boat.
Traveling does force me to step outside my comfort zone, but I also believe in trusting my gut, and my gut told me I shouldn’t drive a boat on my own, even though the local companies don’t require a license or experience.
If it isn’t your first rodeo, or maybe you’re just ready to take on this challenge, you can rent a boat at Boulevard Boat Hire or Yellow Boats.
Places to Visit Nearby
I highly recommend diving into my detailed Kefalonia road trip travel guide, but if you’re looking for the gist, here it is.
Within a drive of 30 minutes or less, you can get to stunning and famous places like Melissani Cave, Antisamos Beach, Myrtos Beach, and the village of Assos.
A slightly longer drive will also get you to the village of Fiskardo or the harbor of Zola, from which it’s a must-have experience to take a water taxi to Fteri Beach.
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