Kefalonia attractions and a 3-day route
Kefalonia's caves, mountain, villages and beaches in one table, with a three-day route and travel tips.
- The famous sights: Melissani Cave, Drogarati Cave and Myrtos Beach.
- Mount Ainos is the only national park on a Greek island.
- Hire a car: the island is large and public transport is limited.
Split the island into three areas: Argostoli and the south, Sami and the caves, and the north with Assos and Fiskardo. That covers the highlights in three days.
What is there to see in Kefalonia?
Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian Sea, and it offers much more than beaches: underground caves, a high mountain protected as a national park, fishing villages and monasteries. The island is big and distances are longer than they look on the map, so hire a car and plan by area. Attraction details are mainly from Greeka.
Kefalonia's main attractions
| Attraction | Where | What's special |
|---|---|---|
| Melissani Cave | about 3 km from Sami | an underground lake explored by boat, with finds from the 4th and 3rd centuries BC |
| Drogarati Cave | about 5 km south of Sami | a stalagmite cave with a large chamber and excellent acoustics, nicknamed the "Concert Cave" |
| Mount Ainos | centre of the island | the only national park on a Greek island, with a 1,628 m summit |
| Agios Gerasimos Monastery | near Valsamata | relics of the island's patron saint |
| Assos Castle | above Assos village | ruins on a peninsula with sea views |
| Argostoli | the capital | the paved Lithostroto Street, about 800 m long, with shops and cafés, and the De Bosset Bridge from 1813 |
| Myrtos Beach | north-west | the island's famous pebble beach, below white cliffs |
| Fiskardo | northern tip | a pretty harbour village with restaurants and boat trips |
Suggested route: 3 days in Kefalonia
Day 1: Argostoli and the south. Walk Lithostroto Street and the seafront. In the morning you can sometimes see sea turtles near the harbour. Spend the afternoon at a south-coast beach.
Day 2: Sami and the caves. Melissani in the morning (the lake looks best when the sun shines through the roof opening, usually around midday), then Drogarati. Continue to Antisamos, the beach near Sami.
Day 3: the north. Take in the Myrtos viewpoint from the road, go down to the beach, continue to Assos and its castle, and finish with dinner in Fiskardo.
With an extra day, head up Mount Ainos. The road gets close to the summit, and there are walking trails through the fir forest.
Practical tips
- Car: there is public transport, but it's limited. Northern roads are winding, so drive slowly.
- Season: the caves open mainly in the tourist season. Outside summer, check hours and prices before you go.
- Shoes: bring water shoes for pebble beaches and walking shoes for trails.
- Shabbat and kosher food: Kefalonia has no active Jewish community. See kosher food and Shabbat in Kefalonia.
More on the island: Kefalonia guide, Kefalonia's best beaches, where to stay in Kefalonia, Kefalonia with kids, Kefalonia weather and flights to Kefalonia.
FAQ
What is Kefalonia's most famous attraction? Melissani Cave, the underground lake you explore by boat, and Myrtos Beach.
How many days do you need in Kefalonia? At least three to see the highlights: Argostoli, the caves near Sami and the north. A week leaves time for beaches and rest.
Do you need a car in Kefalonia? It's strongly recommended. The island is large and public transport is limited.
When is Melissani Cave at its best? Around midday, when the sun shines through the opening and lights up the water.
