In a nutshell
- Kefalonia is one of Greece’s most underrated islands — and it’s packed with genuinely impressive things to see and do.
- From breathtakingly beautiful beaches and towering mountains to glittering caves and historic monasteries, the island is seriously diverse — perfect for a vacation in Greece.
- In this article, we walk you through our 10 top highlights on Kefalonia, with honest personal tips for each one so you don’t miss a thing.
The 10 Most Beautiful Things to Do in Kefalonia
Kefalonia has so many great highlights to offer, spread out all across the island.
Since Kefalonia isn’t huge, you can explore the entire island by rental car in just a few days. For the top ten sights, we’d plan on about four days.
The 10 Best Things to Do in Kefalonia — on a Map
To give you a better sense of where everything is, we’ve marked all the highlights on a map for you.
Myrtos Beach
What do you need to know? Myrtos is the most famous beach on Kefalonia — and honestly, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Greece. It’s located in the north of the island, and stopping here for photos is simply a must on any Kefalonia vacation. You can also spend a great beach day here. Just keep in mind that Myrtos is a pebble beach.
Our tip for visiting Myrtos: The currents at Myrtos Beach can be strong, so don’t swim too far out. We’d also recommend bringing water shoes.
Besides Myrtos, there are plenty more stunning beaches on Kefalonia. That’s why we’ve put together a dedicated article about the ten most beautiful beaches on the island.
Read our tips for the most beautiful beaches on Kefalonia
Melissani Cave
What do you need to know? Melissani is a stunning cave with a lake inside — it’s a bit like the cenotes in Mexico. When the sun is high in the sky, the light pours through the opening in the ceiling and makes the water shimmer in the most incredible turquoise blue.
Tickets: Admission is 10 euros for adults and includes a short boat ride on the lake. For 13 euros you can get a combo ticket with the Drogarati Cave — absolutely worth it if you’re visiting both.
Our tip for visiting Melissani: The light is at its best around midday. That’s also the busiest time, though, so go early or late if you want fewer crowds.
Drogarati Cave
What do you need to know? Drogarati is a stalactite cave near Sami and one of the top things to do in Kefalonia. The interior is impressively large, with countless stalactites and stalagmites that are seriously worth seeing.
Tickets: Admission is 6 euros for adults. For 13 euros you can grab a combo ticket with Melissani Cave — great value if you’re doing both.
Mount Enos
What do you need to know? Enos is the highest mountain on Kefalonia at 1,628 meters and a really popular hiking area. There are several trails leading to the summit, and on a clear day the panoramic views over Kefalonia and the surrounding islands are fantastic.
Hiking on Enos: You can drive almost all the way to the top and hike the final stretch to the summit from there. For more ambitious hikers, there’s also a longer route starting from Lourdata at the bottom. We recommend downloading a hiking app to find the trails — we used MapsMe.
Our tip for visiting Enos: The summit clouds over quickly, often by midday. Head up in the morning for the best chance of clear views.
Assos
What do you need to know? Assos is one of the most beautiful villages on Kefalonia — and honestly our personal favorite. The charming colorful houses sit along a gorgeous blue bay, with the dramatic mountains of Kefalonia rising up behind them. It’s a seriously pretty spot.
Our tip for visiting Assos: The best view of the village is from the old fortress on the peninsula right in front of Assos. Don’t skip it.
Our hotel tip for Assos: Kanikis Apartments
Agios Gerasimos Monastery
What do you need to know? Saint Gerasimos is the patron saint of Kefalonia, and the monastery named after him is the most important sacred site on the island. It’s located inland, and entry is free.
Tips for visiting the Agios Gerasimos Monastery: The interiors are incredibly impressive. Also well worth a look is the cave beneath the grounds, where the saint is said to have once lived.
Important note: You’ll need clothing that covers your knees and shoulders to enter the buildings. Wraps are available to borrow on-site if needed.
Fishing Village of Fiskardo
What do you need to know? Fiskardo is a small, pretty village in the north of Kefalonia and one of the best things to see on the island. It’s one of the few villages that survived the devastating 1953 earthquake, so many of its old buildings are still standing — the atmosphere here is really lovely. Around Fiskardo you’ll also find some gorgeous little coves with dream beaches.
Our tip for visiting Fiskardo: Make sure to check out the beaches at Foki and Emplisi while you’re there — both are stunning.
Our hotel tip for Fiskardo: Agnantia Bed & Breakfast
St. George's Castle
What do you need to know? The ruins of St. George’s Castle sit on a hill above the village of Peratata. It’s not the most well-preserved castle you’ll ever see, but the views from the top are fantastic and it’s a great spot for a relaxed wander. Admission is 5 euros.
Our tip for visiting St. George’s Castle: Right next door is Taverne Kastro Café — the food there is absolutely delicious. A real local favorite on Kefalonia.
Saint Theodore Lighthouse
What do you need to know? With its 20 columns, Saint Theodore looks nothing like a typical lighthouse — it’s a seriously striking photo subject. From here you get a sweeping panorama of the sea and the island. The lighthouse is located near Argostoli, Kefalonia’s capital.
Our tip for visiting Saint Theodore: Come at sunset — the lighthouse looks spectacular in the golden light.
Staying near the lighthouse: Near Saint Theodore there’s a swimming beach and several places to stay. Our pick: Egialion Iquia Argostoli.
Read our tips for Argostoli too:
Sea Turtles in Argostoli
What do you need to know? Yep, you can actually spot sea turtles on Kefalonia without even getting in the water. A walk along the harbor basin in Argostoli and across the De Bosset Bridge gives you a real chance of seeing them — if you’re lucky.
Tips for watching sea turtles: Head to the spot near the harbor where the fishermen sell their catch. They sometimes feed the turtles, and watching that up close is really cool.
Practical Tips for Sightseeing on Kefalonia
Here are a few useful things to know before you head out to explore the best things to do in Kefalonia.
How do you get to the sights on Kefalonia?
Your best bet is to rent a car. It’s by far the most convenient and flexible way to reach all of the island’s highlights, and there’s parking available at every attraction we’ve featured.
Compare rental car deals for Kefalonia on Discovercars
Alternatively, you can get around by public bus. Most connections run from the capital Argostoli, and from there buses will get you to many of the key attractions.
You can find bus schedules at ktelkefalonias.gr.
Note: In the off-season from October to April, bus services are very limited.
Also read our tips on the best way to get to Kefalonia:
What is the best base for staying on Kefalonia?
The capital Argostoli and the nearby beach resort of Lassi are the best bases for exploring Kefalonia’s attractions. From either, you can easily reach everywhere on the island.
Read our tips on where to stay in Kefalonia
High season and off-season on Kefalonia
The high season runs from May to October. During this time, all hotels and attractions are open and the island is at its liveliest. Accommodation prices peak in July and August.
In the off-season from November to April, tourism on Kefalonia is virtually nonexistent. Many restaurants, hotels, and some attractions — including the caves — are often closed.
