Greek Islands... Kefalonia?

[PaulWoof]

Planning a week escape sometime the end of july.

Partner really wants to go to greece for a laid back holiday but no specific location. Looking through past threads, Kefalonia seems to get recommended a lot and could seem to be the ideal location as its a bit quieter/less party island.

Does anyone have any recent experience and reccomendations for places to stay etc? or alternatives as it seems various greek islands go in and out of favour going by previous threads.

[and31]

I’m going to kefalonia on Thursday-can’t tell you anything because it’ll be the first time there
I chose it due to its reputation for being nice and laid back

[Somebody]

We went to Skala in 2016. Nice place. Would go again.

[wolfie28]

Also went to Skala in 2018. Loved it. Quite a small resort but enough places to eat and drink for a week. We hired a car for a day, which I’d recommend to explore the island. We said we’d go back again.

[craig1912]

Been to Lassi a couple of times and that’s decent.

Been to many Greek islands but tend to go to Agia Pelagia in Crete twice a year. Small friendly village around a bay. 30 mins from Heraklion and not many British (a good thing!).

[MarkJS]

I’ve stayed at the White Rocks Hotel and it was pretty good.

Kefalonia is a lovely island. There was a thread very recently which gave other various pieces of advice on the place.

[Tyre Smoke]

Don't discount Zante or Kos. We went to Kos last year and it's easy to get away from the scum. We hired a quad (car or buggy readily available) and went exploring. Not difficult to find a taverna in the hills for a cold beer and some Tzatsiki.

Year before we went to Zante, again rented a quad a disappeared all round the island. Just steer clear of the obvious - big beaches, waterparks, etc and you'll be fine.

Also, easy to find quiet sef catering away from Chantelle, Dave and their five screaming children. Plenty of cheap places to eat at which is why we went SC.

[justin220]

Kefalonia is fantastic. We stayed in a budget hotel but toured the whole island when we were there.

Argostoli, Fiskardo are both worth a visit.

I'd also go to Melissani lake (underground, very cool!) And Drogarati Cave is worth half a day.

You can also do the standard tourist visit to where captain corelli's mandolin was filmed. Near Sami

[lrdisco]

We love Kefalonia.
Going again late August.
So laid back.

[stevethegreek]

I'm from Kefalonia, ask away...

[some bloke]

Lovely spot steve We were there a few years ago and stayed in a resort north of Skala - there was a shuttle to take you to Skala which was useful, a nice swimming spot over the road too. We hired a car a couple of days and explored a little, saw turtles and some great beaches. I liked it more than Zante which seemed more of a party spot. I liked the wee town of Poros too.

[MarkJS]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[generationx]

I used this company on my four visits

https://www.gicthevillacollection.com/

Very good.

[Harleyboy]

stevethegreek said:

I'm from Kefalonia, ask away...

Excellent and please forgive the thread hijack! We are coming to Kefalonia on 11th for a week staying in a villa just outside Fiscardo.

What would be your top 3 must see things? We only have a week and a lovely villa so don’t intend to be out every day but also want to see some of the island. I really wanted to rent a decently powered RIB but there are only smaller boats available locally.

Any tips from a local would be gratefully received

Thanks

[stevethegreek]

Harleyboy said:

Excellent and please forgive the thread hijack! We are coming to Kefalonia on 11th for a week staying in a villa just outside Fiscardo.

What would be your top 3 must see things? We only have a week and a lovely villa so don’t intend to be out every day but also want to see some of the island. I really wanted to rent a decently powered RIB but there are only smaller boats available locally.

Any tips from a local would be gratefully received

Thanks

You will struggle to hire a RIB (bareboat) anywhere on the Island but might be worth doing a google search for 'boat hire agia efimia'.

In terms of must see places.. tricky unless you're hiring a car, which I would strongly recommend (especially as you're staying in the far North). If you're staying up near Fiskardo, then head down to Assos, stunning village with a nice old Venetian fortress. From there, along the coast road past Myrtos Beach and across (East) to Agia Efimia (great spot for lunch is Paradise Beach restaurant, one of my favourites for a lazy lunch). Head down from there to Melisani Lake and Drogarati Cave, well worth checking out. You could then head around the coast to Antisamos beach, which is also a lovely spot and then the coast road from there towards Poros, which takes you through some lovely forest scenery and gorges.

An alternative would be to head down past Myrtos (as above) and take the mountain road down to Argostoli, the capital for a wander around. Bear in mind that it is incredibly hard to park anywhere in town, but worth a look around and a nice wander along the front where you'll easily spot some turtles coming in to the bay after the fishing boats. From Argostoli, a good drive heading south around the coast road past the airport and through some quaint villages and along some fantastic sandy beaches.

The above is just a quick snippet, probably a couple of separate days depending on how long you want to be out for.

Most importantly - RENT A CAR and get out and about

PM if you want any more info.

eta - there's also some recommended things to see/do in the link in MarkJS post above...

Edited by stevethegreek on Tuesday 31st May 16:12

[pidsy]

Lourdas and trapezaki on the south coast are smaller villages - quiet with nice bars and restaurants to visit for lunch.

Great island to drive round.

[croyde]

I'll second Lourdas. We went Sept 2019. Hot and quiet. No yobby Brits.

Hoping to return again this year.

[Dsdans]

Lovely island.

I went nearly 10 years ago now, on my first holiday abroad, and stayed in a place called Karavomilos for a couple of weeks. We booked a small sister hotel next door to the Ionion Emerald and were well looked after by a chap called Makis throughout our stay.

There was a few nice Tavernas there for a good evening meal (goat pie was superb) and a beer. Sami was a short walk away and a bit more "hustle and bustle" with plenty establishments.
We found our favourite place to go in the evening was Agia Effimia. Lots of lovely restaurants by the harbour made for many relaxing evenings.

The locals were very friendly. One chap owned a small airfield and invited us over for a chai in his hut. Very interesting. On another day I remember the locals had access to the hotels sports facilities and invited us to join them for a game of football. This did not end well for me as those Greek's can play a bit better than they let on ????

Plenty of places to travel to on the island, although I would definately recommend hiring a car to get about.


Edit: Almost forgot to mention - be sure to pack you Snorkel!

Edited by Dsdans on Tuesday 31st May 16:58

[Paule2359]

I have been there many times and should be going back next month, we nearly always stay in a small hotel in Lixori which is a 20 minute ferry ride from the capital Argostoli.
At first I couldn't see why my wife's family kept going back but now I love the place, just spending yours days chilling.
As others have said Assos is lovely, very relaxed, Fiskardo is also a very nice place to go too also.
My brother in law lived out there for about 10 years so we would get too see and eat out in places where the tourists don't normally go.
Just enjoy yourselves while out there and as others have said hire a car for a couple of days and find some stunning beaches.

[Harleyboy]

stevethegreek said:

You will struggle to hire a RIB (bareboat) anywhere on the Island but might be worth doing a google search for 'boat hire agia efimia'.

In terms of must see places.. tricky unless you're hiring a car, which I would strongly recommend (especially as you're staying in the far North). If you're staying up near Fiskardo, then head down to Assos, stunning village with a nice old Venetian fortress. From there, along the coast road past Myrtos Beach and across (East) to Agia Efimia (great spot for lunch is Paradise Beach restaurant, one of my favourites for a lazy lunch). Head down from there to Melisani Lake and Drogarati Cave, well worth checking out. You could then head around the coast to Antisamos beach, which is also a lovely spot and then the coast road from there towards Poros, which takes you through some lovely forest scenery and gorges.

An alternative would be to head down past Myrtos (as above) and take the mountain road down to Argostoli, the capital for a wander around. Bear in mind that it is incredibly hard to park anywhere in town, but worth a look around and a nice wander along the front where you'll easily spot some turtles coming in to the bay after the fishing boats. From Argostoli, a good drive heading south around the coast road past the airport and through some quaint villages and along some fantastic sandy beaches.

The above is just a quick snippet, probably a couple of separate days depending on how long you want to be out for.

Most importantly - RENT A CAR and get out and about

PM if you want any more info.

eta - there's also some recommended things to see/do in the link in MarkJS post above...

Edited by stevethegreek on Tuesday 31st May 16:12

Thanks a lot. We have a car booked so will definitely get mobile. Great recommendations and thanks for the comments on bareboat charter. At least I won’t be thinking I’m missing out whilst chugging about with 30hp! Just being in the water will be amazing. The local rental place has snorkels too. I appreciate the offer of more advice.