Where to Stay in Kefalonia — Our Hotel Tips & Best Areas

The Best Places to Stay in Kefalonia

Kefalonia isn’t huge, so you can stay in any corner of the island and reach all the major sights and beaches on Kefalonia from there. From north to south, it’s about 70 kilometers by car.

Depending on what matters most to you for your vacation on Kefalonia, some areas are better suited than others.

• Lassi: Perfect for a mix of beach time and day trips.
• Argostoli: The island’s capital is a great base for exploring everything Kefalonia has to offer.
• Skala: Ideal if you want to stay right on a long sandy beach.
• Sami: Great if you’re looking for affordable lodging.
• Fiskardo: Perfect if you want to stay in an authentic village.

Our map with the best places to stay in Kefalonia

Lassi

Lassi is the perfect base if you want to combine beach time with sightseeing — especially if it’s your first visit to Kefalonia.

Lassi is a small resort right next to Kefalonia’s capital, Argostoli, which makes it a fantastic launching pad for day trips around the island.

On top of that, Lassi has gorgeous beaches right on its doorstep, and in the evenings you can watch stunning sunsets from here.

The town is largely geared toward tourism, and you’ll find a wide selection of hotels and apartments. Along the main road, there are plenty of good restaurants.

Advantages of staying in Lassi

• Great base for day trips
• Many beautiful beaches within easy reach
• Right next to the capital, Argostoli
• Several very good restaurants in town

Disadvantages of staying in Lassi

• The town is very heavily focused on tourism
• Prices tend to be higher here

Our hotel recommendations for Lassi

The Lassi Hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from two beaches, and Argostoli is only a few kilometers away. The hotel features an outdoor pool and tastefully furnished rooms — most with a balcony overlooking the sea or pool.

Argostoli

Argostoli is ideal if you want to explore as many corners and beaches of Kefalonia as possible while keeping your accommodation costs down.

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and the only town with solid public transit connections to the whole island. By car, you can also get from Argostoli to all the highlights of Kefalonia quickly.

In Argostoli, you’ll mostly find vacation apartments and small hotels. You’ll be living among locals here, and the city feels much more authentic than Lassi.

Argostoli also offers the widest selection of restaurants and nightlife on the island. The city sits on the harbor, so there’s no beach directly in town — but the beaches of Lassi are just a short drive away.

Also read our full guide with all our tips for Argostoli
Advantages of staying in Argostoli

• Well connected to all the sights and beaches on Kefalonia
• Many good restaurants and bars in town
• Great views from almost every place to stay
• Easy journey to Kefalonia
• Lower prices than most other areas

Disadvantages of staying in Argostoli

• No beach directly in Argostoli

Our hotel recommendations for Argostoli

The King A is a small, cozy hotel in the center of Argostoli. From the rooms, you get a lovely view of the harbor. The service is excellent and breakfast is seriously delicious.

Skala

Skala is the best place to stay in Kefalonia if your trip is primarily about beach time.

Skala has a beautiful long sandy beach — which is actually quite rare on Kefalonia. You can spend the whole day soaking up the sun without having to go far.

Skala is a classic resort town with many hotels and great restaurants, catered primarily to tourists. That said, neither the beach nor the town gets uncomfortably crowded.

If you want to take day trips to the highlights in the north of the island, you’ll need to factor in a longer drive.

Advantages of staying in Skala

• Right on a long sandy beach
• Excellent tourist infrastructure with restaurants and nightlife

Disadvantages of staying in Skala

• Long drive to the sights in the north of the island
• Very heavily focused on tourism

Our hotel recommendations for Skala

The Skala Hotel is just a short walk from the beach and the center of Skala. The hotel is wonderfully modern and stylishly decorated. The rooms with a balcony and sea view are especially stunning — and a delicious breakfast is included in the price.

Sami

Sami is ideal if you don’t want to spend a lot on accommodation and are mainly after an active vacation in Kefalonia.

Sami is a small town on the eastern side of the island. Some of Kefalonia’s most famous attractions are right on your doorstep here, including Melissani Lake and Drogarati Cave. Mount Enos and the stunning Antisamos Beach are also close by.

Accommodation in Sami is more affordable than in most parts of Kefalonia — the town is less touristy and the beaches here are mostly pebbly, which keeps prices down.

Sami is somewhat off the beaten path, surrounded by high mountains — but you can still reach all corners of the island with ease.

Advantages of staying in Sami

• Many top sights right around the corner
• Great for an active vacation on Kefalonia
• Lower prices than most other areas

Disadvantages of staying in Sami

• Evenings are pretty quiet — not much going on in town
• Not ideal for a pure beach vacation

Our hotel recommendations for Sami

At Mary’s Studios & Apartment you can stay for a really great price — even during high season. The vacation apartments are well-equipped and centrally located in Sami. The large balconies are a real highlight!

Fiskardo

Fiskardo is the ideal choice if you want to stay in an authentic village with lovely tavernas and small cove beaches.

Fiskardo sits in the far north of Kefalonia and is one of the island’s most popular day-trip destinations. It’s one of the few places that wasn’t destroyed in the 1953 earthquake, which means many historic buildings still stand here — giving the village a truly unique atmosphere.

Around Fiskardo you’ll find many beautiful beaches tucked away in small natural coves.

Accommodation in Fiskardo tends to be pricey, but in return you’ll find mainly small, personal hotels and vacation apartments. Fiskardo is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels on Kefalonia.

Advantages of staying in Fiskardo

• You’re right in an authentic village with colorful historic houses
• Many beautiful beaches nearby

Disadvantages of staying in Fiskardo

• Long drive to the south of the island and many of the major sights
• Higher prices than most other areas

Our hotel recommendations for Fiskardo

For a truly special stay, check out the Emelisse Nature Resort. From the breathtaking views to the gorgeous pool and beach proximity, everything is just right. The décor is beautiful, the rooms are stylishly designed, and extras like morning yoga make it even more special.

Extra Tip: The Most Beautiful Hotels on Kefalonia

Would you rather stay in nature or with a view of a dream beach than in a town? Here are our top picks for stunning hotels on Kefalonia with the most incredible locations.