Kefalonia

Wild Beauty of the Ionian Sea

Kefalonia is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea known for its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. The landscape includes lush green hills, olive groves and small fishing villages with colorful houses. Local cuisine features fresh seafood, traditional cheeses and locally grown fruits. Visitors can explore historic sites like medieval castles and ancient ruins while enjoying boat trips to nearby coves. The island’s relaxed pace makes it appealing for travelers seeking both relaxation and cultural experiences without crowded tourist spots.

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Island in Greece

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 9.2

General Safety:	10
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and attractions across Kefalonia. Most locals working in tourism have good English skills, though in more remote villages, communication might be more limited but still manageable.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Kefalonia Summary

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Excellent for beaches and coastal scenery. Swim in turquoise bays, explore sea caves, visit mountain villages and enjoy relaxed seaside dining.

Place score

8.6

Best at:

Sea

Beaches

Islands

Natural sites

Boating

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 9

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

Greece – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in urban areas. However, many small shops and rural locations still prefer cash payments. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Greece. In restaurants, 5-10% is typical, though rounding up is also common. Tipping taxi drivers is customary, and small tips for hotel staff are appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Greece, especially in designated areas or during festivals. However, it’s prohibited in some areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places. There are designated outdoor smoking areas in most restaurants and public buildings.

Easter (March/April)	Easter is a significant religious holiday, and many businesses close. Popular for family gatherings and church services.
Assumption of Mary (August)	A national holiday with parades and festivities. Expect crowded tourist areas and higher accommodation prices.
Christmas (December)	Christmas celebrations take place in many towns and cities, with lively events, though many businesses close for the holiday.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Beat, TaxiBeat, Uber
Other:	Greece is a popular tourist destination, particularly in summer, so be prepared for high demand for accommodation and services during peak months.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Kefalonia, Greece

🌦️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

🌦️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	June - Sep.
Shoulder season:	May, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Most hotels, restaurants and boat trips close November to March, main season May to October

Ferries from the mainland and nearby islands run much less often outside summer

Don't miss

🏖️ Swim in the turquoise waters of Myrtos Beach
🛶 Sail to Melissani Cave and see the blue-lit lake
🍷 Taste local Robola wine at a mountain winery
🏘️ Explore Assos village’s pastel houses and seaside charm
🌲 Drive through Mount Ainos National Park’s lush pine forest

You've been here?

Why travel to Kefalonia?

Kefalonia offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, rich history and authentic Greek culture without the overwhelming crowds found on more popular islands. The island boasts some of Greece's most stunning beaches, including the iconic Myrtos Beach with its dramatic white cliffs and vibrant blue waters and the unique red sands of Xi Beach. Underground wonders like Melissani Cave with its striking turquoise waters and Drogarati Cave with 150-million-year-old formations provide unforgettable experiences. Picturesque villages such as Fiskardo with its colorful harbor and Assos with its Venetian fortress create postcard-perfect settings for relaxed exploration. However, Kefalonia does have some drawbacks to consider. The island's mountainous terrain means winding roads that can be challenging to navigate, especially for inexperienced drivers. Public transportation is limited, making a rental car almost essential for properly exploring the island. Some areas still show evidence of the devastating 1953 earthquake that destroyed much of the island's historical architecture. Unlike party-focused islands, Kefalonia offers a more laid-back atmosphere that might not appeal to those seeking vibrant nightlife. The island's infrastructure is also slightly different from more frequently visited Greek islands, which can mean fewer amenities in some of the more remote areas.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Fiskardo
2 Argostoli
3 Assos
4 Mount Ainos National Park
5 Robola winery

🎡Places for activities

1 Skala
2 Sami
3 Lourdata
4 Kormoranon Bay Beach

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Myrtos Beach
2 Mount Ainos National Park
3 Melissani lake cave
4 Drogarati Cave
5 Xi

🎈Events

Saint Gerasimos celebrations
Summer cultural festivals
Local village feasts
Wine festivals

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rent a car. Essential for exploring remote beaches and villages.
Visit Myrtos Beach early morning to avoid crowds and capture stunning views before heat peaks.
Book Melissani Cave boat tour in advance, best in late afternoon when sunlight creates magical reflections.
Taste Robola wine at local wineries like Gentilini; harvest season late summer offers immersive vineyard experiences and authentic pairings.

How to travel to Kefalonia

Kefalonia International Airport (EFL) receives direct flights from major European cities during summer months, including London, Amsterdam and Milan. If you're already in Greece, ferries connect Kefalonia to the mainland and neighboring islands. The most common route is from Patras (about 210 km west of Athens), with ferries taking approximately 3 hours to reach Sami, one of Kefalonia's main ports. Alternatively, you can drive from Athens to Patras in about 2.5 hours and then take the ferry to Kefalonia.

Access summary

From Kefalonia Airport (EFL): Taxi or bus to Argostoli, about 15–30 minutes.
From Athens: Direct flight about 1 hour; or bus–ferry via Kyllini port.
From Zakynthos: Seasonal ferry between islands, roughly 1–1.5 hours sailing.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Kefalonia

Kefalonia offers accommodations to suit various preferences, from beachfront resorts to charming village guesthouses and rural retreats. For beach lovers, Skala and Lourdata offer sandy shores and organized facilities. Culture seekers might prefer Argostoli, Sami or Assos for their historical charm. Foodies should consider Fiskardo, Lixouri or Argostoli for their culinary scenes. Those seeking tranquility can opt for rural accommodations in the mountains, though this will require longer drives to beaches and attractions. Book well in advance for the summer season, especially for the most desirable locations.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Mouikis Hotel Kefalonia

Thalassa Boutique Hotel - Adults Only

9.1

Emelisse Nature Resort

8.9

Stalaktites Studios

9.6

Elisso apartment with seaview garden

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Kefalonia

Having a car is almost essential for exploring Kefalonia properly, as public transportation is limited and many of the island's most beautiful spots are spread out. The mountainous terrain means roads can be winding and sometimes challenging, but the views are worth it. If you prefer not to drive, taxis are available in major towns and some organized tours can take you to popular attractions. Alternatively, you could hire a boat for the day to explore the stunning coastline and discover hidden coves only accessible by sea.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-33 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 33% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Agrinio, Greece - 81 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£65	£143	£348
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£90	£188
🍝 Food per day	£22	£46	£140
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£7	£20

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£13
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£9
🍟 Fast food combo	£6
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.15
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£12
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£5.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£31
🤧 Cold medication	£5.50
💇 Basic haircut	£7.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Kefalonia is generally very safe for tourists with low crime rates. The main concerns are related to road safety on winding mountain roads and water safety at some beaches where currents can be strong. Always follow local advice regarding swimming conditions.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities are available in major towns, with the main hospital in Argostoli. Smaller villages have limited healthcare access. Travel insurance is recommended. Pharmacies are well-stocked, but bring any specific medications you might need.

Accessibility

Kefalonia's mountainous terrain and historical sites present challenges for those with mobility issues. Many beaches, caves and villages involve steps or uneven surfaces. Major towns have better accessibility, but overall, the island is not ideal for wheelchair users.

Tap water

Tap water is generally safe to drink in Kefalonia, though it may have a mineral taste in some areas. Many visitors prefer bottled water, which is widely available. Staying hydrated is important, especially during summer months.