Is Kefalonia Worth Visiting? 15 Reasons to Love the Greek Island (or Not)

Is Kefalonia worth visiting? My short and sweet answer is YES. I fell head over heels for it even before I actually set foot there, and in real life, it exceeded my expectations.

I don’t want to be dramatically positive because I try to give an honest opinion on the places I visit, and that includes their imperfect sides, but I just have to gush over this island. Here’s why it’s worth your time, and some essential things to consider before actually booking a flight.

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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.

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Reasons to Visit Kefalonia

Heavenly Beaches

Greek islands are automatically associated with beautiful beaches, and Kefalonia, the biggest Ionian island (and the 6th largest in Greece), is no different, boasting an unbelievable coastline.

Some sandy and some pebbly, some turquoise and some intensely blue, yet all with crystal-clear water – the beaches here have won me over, a few of which had me pinching myself as they were such a paradise.

I spent most of my time in central and northern Kefalonia (though the rest of the island is not too shabby either), and I couldn’t get enough of places like Antisamos Beach, the infamous Myrtos Beach, and the pristine Fteri Beach (which can only be reached by boat).

There are dozens more, but if those are not enough, you can also find little hidden beaches scattered along the road. If you’re craving utter tranquility under the sun, this is the island for you.

Essential tip: You’ll mainly find sandy beaches in the south and east and pebbly beaches in the north, and the pebbles here can be quite big, so water shoes are a must-have!

Fteri Beach in Kefalonia, Greece — Fteri Beach

Viewpoint over Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia, Greece — Myrtos Beach

Antisamos Beach in Kefalonia, Greece — Antisamos Beach

Gorgeous Green Scenery

On a lush mountainous island like Kefalonia, you’re bound to see a whole lot of natural landscapes.

While Mount Ainos National Park is the first spot that pops up when searching for places to enjoy nature here, you don’t have to go there specifically, as the stunning scenery accompanies you everywhere you go throughout the island.

Even just by taking a road trip and not hiking at all, I got to see so much beauty and so many shades of green. Along with the color of the sea and a clear sky, that’s absolute magic.

Viewpoint over Antisamos Beach in Kefalonia, Greece — Viewpoint over Antisamos Beach

Adorable Villages

Most villages in Kefalonia are very small and don’t have an old town or a center you can leisurely stroll through, but there are a few places that are definitely worth exploring.

The first is Assos, a colorful village known for its unique location on and near an isthmus overlooked by an imposing Venetian castle.

Another one is Fiscardo, one of the few that weren’t destroyed in the disastrous earthquake that occurred in 1953 in Kefalonia and Zakynthos. It is more touristy but still beautiful, and its promenade lined with shops and restaurants is a delight to wander.

Other towns either offer a lovely promenade and port to see or make for a nice place to drive through on your daily road trip route.

Views over the houses in Assos, Kefalonia, Greece — Assos

Houses and boats in Fiscardo, Kefalonia, Greece — Fiscardo

Yummy Food

Greek cuisine is one of my favorites, and while I was looking for the best places to eat in Kefalonia, I knew I was in for a treat.

Now, of course, some restaurants are not so authentic and only try to please tourists by adding countless non-Greek yet internationally beloved dishes to their menus.

But on the contrary, you can find some amazing spots that offer a mix of famous Greek delicacies (like saganaki, fava, souvlaki, etc.), fresh fish and seafood, and some Kefalonian specialties like the vegetarian riganada and briam, pies, stifado, and more.

My favorite restaurant has to be Amalia in Agia Effimia as it incorporates a lot of local ingredients in the food (like local cheeses), offers several creative dishes I haven’t seen anywhere else, and the food is delicious.

Let us also not forget about sweet and savory baked goods, so bakeries here cannot be skipped out on.

Diverse Types of Activities

By now, you probably understand that your Kefalonia itinerary would include soaking up the sun on the beach, driving or hiking to enjoy the green scenery, visiting some villages, and gorging on Greek food.

And while it’s not an island with endless attractions to tick off the bucket list (maybe that’s why I like it so much), let me introduce you to a few other exciting activities.

Kefalonia is known as a destination for diving, snorkeling, and even sea turtle watching. If you love boat rides, you can book sailing tours, rent your own boat, go on fishing tours, or take cruises to nearby islands like Ithaca or Zakynthos.

To get to know the local culture and produce, I visited a honey farm, and it’s also possible to tour a few olive oil mills and a handful of wineries. Southern Kefalonia is packed with vineyards and is famous for its Robola wine, so you might want to book a tour & tasting.

In terms of landmarks, it’s not a destination where you can hop from site to site, but there are still some noteworthy places to see like the Castle of Saint George, Saint Theodore Lighthouse, Monastery of Agios Gerasimos, and the infamous Melissani Cave, where you take a short boat ride in its lake.

Bee hives in Kefalonia, Greece — Honey farm

Views from the boat in Melissani Cave Lake in Kefalonia, Greece — Melissani Cave

It’s Still Quite Underrated

I can’t say that you’re going to be the only person traveling through Kefalonia (though sometimes it feels like it), but in comparison to hotspots like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and others, this island is still under the radar of most travelers craving a Greek vacation.

Some beaches and villages might feel a bit touristy, mainly because they’re small, but overall, you definitely won’t find the hordes of crowds you find in other Mediterranean destinations.

Port of Agia Effimia in Kefalonia, Greece — Agia Effimia

It’s All About Peace and Quiet

When I booked my flight to Kefalonia, I was desperate for utter serenity, and that’s exactly what I got.

It’s not a party island. It’s not a casino island. People on the beaches are quiet and not drunk and loud.

Most of the nightlife scene is found in the capital, Argostoli, and other areas, at least the ones I visited, are idyllically tranquil.

Waterfront of Fiscardo, Kefalonia, Greece

Friendliest Locals

I really do feel that the way the locals welcome you can make a big difference in terms of how much you like a destination and have good memories of it, and Kefalonia ticks that box too.

From people just going about their everyday lives to service providers, with whom you can make a conversation beyond the polite small talk, every person I encountered was incredibly friendly and inviting.

Can be Suitable for Different Groups of Travelers

Considering all of the above, I see Kefalonia as ideal for couples, families, groups of friends, and even solo travelers. As long as you’re searching for a laid-back trip, this island should totally be one of your top options.

Venetian Castle of Assos in Kefalonia Greece

Other Things to Consider

Let me start by saying that I don’t have any actual reasons NOT to visit the island, but these are some aspects you do need to think about to decide whether it’s the right destination for you and how to plan your trip.

It’s More Convenient to Explore by Car

If you’re not keen on driving or making that car and gas expense, it’ll be hard to plan your itinerary. You can *technically* get from Argostoli (the capital) to some of Kefalonia’s highlights like Fiscardo and Myrtos Beach.

That said, it wouldn’t be the best option to explore this island by public transportation due to the buses’ extremely limited timetables, which don’t really make any sense to me.

Plus, many places are not reachable by bus at all, and the lack of flexibility to go wherever you want whenever you want to wouldn’t allow you to make the most of your time here.

My only car-free suggestion is to base yourself in one of the famous seaside towns and focus on that very specific area, using taxis to visit nearby beaches or attractions (maybe even choose 2-3 towns to stay throughout the week), though I don’t know exactly how much that’ll cost.

Mountain and village views in Kefalonia, Greece

Weather

While you might think that this Mediterranean island boasts ideal weather 24/7, 365, or at least throughout the tourist season, let me tell you that Kefalonia is no stranger to rainy, cloudy, and windy days.

I got to enjoy perfect late summer temperatures and sunny days (in September) 99.9% of the time, though the initial forecast showed at least 2-3 days with some showers.

It can rain for an hour and then brighten up or “lock you up” for a full day as there aren’t many indoor activities here.

There’s obviously nothing you can do about it, but it’s something to be aware of, as weather can change throughout the day and week even in the peak season.

When to Visit

The official tourist season is from May to the end of September. Some choose to visit in April or October, but note that a good amount of restaurants, hotels, and other services (like the water taxi to Fteri Beach) are closed.

I visited in mid to late September when the weather wasn’t overly hot and there were few crowds. Late May and June will probably offer similar conditions.

Prices

I can see how you can find ways to minimize your expenses like cooking for yourself, booking budget-friendly places to stay, and not renting a car, but overall, it seems like you’ll have to make too many compromises to plan your perfect trip on a very tight budget.

As a mid-range traveler, I myself managed to spend less than I thought I would by:

Making my own meals at times when I didn’t feel like eating at a restaurant.
Choosing a local car rental company (which usually provides great service yet is slightly cheaper than international ones).
Finding budget-friendly accommodation for the beginning of my trip – Evita Studios, a lovely place near the airport with spacious rooms and a cute pool area, for which I only paid 60 euros per night for a room suitable for up to 4 people.

But the rest of the time, I stayed at a house that cost 100+ euros per night and went to whichever restaurant I wanted (usually the average price of a main course ranges between 10-25 euros).

So when you add up the prices of accommodation, food, and car rental, we’re still talking about a mid-range trip in terms of budget. Of course, you can also splurge and plan a more luxurious vacation.

How Much Time to Spend There

Whether you only have a weekend or two full weeks, this island is for you.

While I’d be bummed to spend only 3 days in Kefalonia, it’s easy to make the most of them.

I was there for a week and could stay longer, so if you have 10-14 days, there’s still plenty to keep you busy, especially if you don’t mind hopping from beach to beach.

Poros town and surrounding mountains and coastline in Kefalonia, Greece

Getting to Kefalonia

The Kefalonia International Airport Anna Pollatou is situated close to the capital Argostoli and gets only a handful of direct flights from other destinations in Europe (see them here), so you’ll have to book a flight with transit via Athens, Rome, Vienna, London, or other cities on this list.

Is Kefalonia Worth Visiting? The Verdict

I would rate Kefalonia 1000 out of 10, so I wholeheartedly believe you should travel to this island. The beaches, the views, the quiet, and everything else make it such a remarkable spot in the Mediterranean.

With all of the things I mentioned that you need to consider, it might mean that this is not the destination for you, or at least not right now, and that’s ok too.

But if they’re a non-issue, I think you’re going to absolutely love Kefalonia! If there’s anything else you want to know about it, let me know in the comments.