Kefalonia is the largest of all the Ionian Islands and an ideal destination for those who love to relax in Greece. This island got its name from the mythical hero Kefalus (Cephalus) - the founder of the family from which the famous king Odysseus comes.
Archaeological finds made in Kefalonia indicate that the first settlements appeared here in the 15th century. BC. For the first time, the inhabitants of the island are mentioned by Homer, the Iliad also contains information about Kefalonia's belonging to the state of Odysseus. Today the island has a developed tourist infrastructure, and most of the beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag. At the same time, the prices for vacations remain affordable.
There are small, but very colorful towns on the island. However, the majority of tourists are attracted here by the natural attractions and beaches. At the same time, all the settlements of Kefalonia are connected by a network of roads, so that the journey around the island will take place without unnecessary difficulties.
The main excursion opportunities open up in the capital of the island - the city of Argostoli. Among the city attractions that 2yachts recommends to visit:
Also noteworthy are the sights of the main port of the island - the resort town of Sami. These include:
The city is picturesquely spread out near the foot of the mountains, and from the coast a beautiful view of the bay and the island of Ithaca, glorified in legends, opens up. We recommend visiting the Enos National Reserve, located on the territory of the mountain range with the highest point on the island. Many of the plants growing here are in the Red Book, including rare species of orchids, and bird lovers can see eagles, hawks, vultures and woodpeckers in the reserve.
The small village of Skala in the southeast of the island is popular among tourists who want to relax in silence, far from civilization. While staying in Skala, travelers can get in touch with nature and be in a secluded atmosphere, however, it should be borne in mind that due to the mountainous terrain, leaving the city can be difficult.
Travelers will also be interested in visiting the picturesque village of Fiskardo in the northeastern tip of the island - this is the only place on the island where examples of Venetian architecture have been preserved from the 18th century. Fiskardo is located close to a secluded bay and is very popular with yachtsmen who moor here during the warmer months.
The beaches of Kefalonia are rightfully considered one of the best in Greece. The pebbly beach of Antisamos is one of the most popular and picturesque, surrounded by hills covered with coniferous forests. The sea is clean here, so the place is great for diving. Also popular is Xi Beach with its orange sand, surrounded by white rocky hills. There is a beach bar and a water sports center, and there are restaurants and shops nearby.
The world famous beach Myrtos, located in an ecologically clean area on the west coast - in 2006 it was included in the prestigious Forbes list. At 4 km from the beach of Myrtos, there is a 19th century Venetian fortification - the castle of Castro tis Assou, with beautiful architecture and attracting tourists with picturesque views opening from its hill. If you want to relax in silence and solitude, you should go to Dafundu Beach, and you can even take therapeutic mud baths on Xi Beach.
The climate on the island is typical Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The hottest period is from July to August, when the sea warms up to + 28 ° С. To avoid crowds of tourists, it is better to visit the island in June or September, so you can relax in peace.
Kefalonia has a lot of options for organizing outdoor activities. Despite the fact that the main type of entertainment among tourists here is beach holidays and excursion tourism, active types of spending time are also of interest to travelers. For example, on Xi Beach you can rent water skis or jet skis for riding, ride a horse, play tennis or take part in fishing.
Also, vacationers on the island have the opportunity to scuba dive into the clear, clear waters of the Ionian Sea to explore the beauty of the underwater world, rent a boat or yacht to visit interesting places accessible only from the sea and explore amazing caves and grottoes. Those who wish are available skydiving, canoeing and a variety of excursions, in which you can visit the amazingly beautiful Melissani cave lake, the monastery of St. Gerasimos hidden in the mountains and other attractions of the island.
The best place to stay on the island is the Argostoli yacht marina in the west of the island. The marina is well protected in all winds, but there are no amenities at all. In the north of the island there is a well-protected small yacht marina in the fishing port of Fiskardo, but it is almost always crowded. The port of Poros on the east coast has several dozen berths for yachts; there are taverns, bars and shops on the shore.
If you are interested in buying or yacht charter in Greece, then you can always turn to 2yachts specialists for help. Our clients get access to the freshest and most profitable offers, as well as support in closing the deal.