15 best things to do in Kefalonia

From quiet fishing villages to the cinematic charm of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, set right here on Kefalonia, this Ionian island feels almost too good to be true. It’s the kind of old-school Greece you thought had vanished: laid-back beaches, impossibly blue water, and villages in faded shades of pink and yellow. Here are some of the best things to do in Kefalonia.

The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Greece, your essential guide for visiting Greece.

1. Soak up some literary romance

Kefalonia set the scene for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernières’ bestselling wartime novel. The 2001 film adaptation – with Nicolas Cage, Penélope Cruz, and Christian Bale – brought the island to the big screen, but you wouldn’t know it walking around. There are no plaques or film-set cafés here. Most locals don’t mention it, and visitors tend to stay closer to the beach resorts around Lassi and Skala.

The island’s literary roots go deeper. Lord Byron spent time writing in Leivathos in 1823. A marble inscription still marks the spot known as Byron’s Rock: “If I am a poet, I owe it to the air of Greece.”

2. Wind down on Kefalonia’s wild beaches

Exploring the coastline is one of the best things to do in Kefalonia – especially if you’re chasing remote shores and don’t mind a few hairpin bends to get there. Myrtos and Agia Jerusalem are headliners, but getting to them means navigating cliff-hugging roads that feel more Top Gear than island getaway.

Want something quieter? Platia Ammos, near Argostoli, is boat-only. So are the tucked-away beaches of Xilomata and Kutsupia. A bit more effort, a lot fewer people.

Up in the mountainous Anogí region, Petaní steals the show – a curve of pebbles backed by sheer cliffs, and easily one of the best beaches in Greece.

On the east coast, the road plunges past Xýngi and winds around a sea-cave-dotted headland to Makris Gialós. There are camping, tavernas, and caves you can swim into straight from the shore.

3. Don't miss Assos Village

Northern Kefalonia feels like it’s stuck in another century – in the best way. No chain stores, no fast food, and often, no one else on the road except the occasional goat. Fishing boats still dock right outside taverna kitchens, and many beaches up here remain gloriously free of sun loungers.

Assos is one of the most photogenic spots on the island. The village has kept much of its traditional architecture, thanks in part to post-earthquake help from the City of Paris (there’s a plaque in Platía Parísion). In spring and early summer, it’s covered in flowers.

The beach in the harbor is small but clean, and just around the headland are coves you can only reach by boat – peaceful, isolated, and well worth the effort.

One of the best Greece travel tips? Rent a car. Buses won’t get you to places like Assos, and half the joy of Kefalonia is the drive.

4. Wander through the Venetian charm of Fiscardo

Sipping strong Greek coffee with a few cats for company, overlooking Assos Beach, is easily one of the best things to do in Kefalonia. Stock up on picnic supplies from Magganos’ delis and Picnic Café, then swing by Foki Fiskardo for a swim – there’s a sea cave just off the beach you can paddle into without much effort. In summer, yachts anchor here en route to Ithaca, giving the place a flash of Riviera glamour.

Unlike most of Kefalonia, Fiscardo village dodged the devastation of the 1953 earthquake. It shows. The old Venetian-style buildings are still standing, now home to boutique shops, glossy cafés, and pricey waterfront restaurants. The harbor’s a magnet for yachts, and in peak season, it can feel more polished than peaceful.

Too crowded? Head north to Emplisi Beach – no facilities, just flat stone slabs and space to sprawl. For sunset drinks and meze, backtrack south to Acqua Alaties Beach. It’s tiny, tucked away, and hits just right at golden hour.

5. Hike through Kefalonia’s only national park

As tempting as it is to spend every day on one of Kefalonia’s 50-odd beaches, you’ll want to leave room in your Greece itinerary for Mount Ainos National Park. It’s the only protected reserve on a Greek island – a wild, pine-scented escape from the coast.

Climb Mount Ainos (1,628 meters) through dense black pine and fir forest, keeping an eye out for semi-wild ponies along the way. The trail starts at a quarry on the east coast road between Sami and Poros and leads to sweeping views of Ithaca and the Peloponnese.

Nearby, Drogarati Cave adds some underground drama – jagged with stalactites and moody enough to pass for a Bond villain’s lair. Together, these spots show a different side of the island – and are easily among the best places to visit in Greece if you want more than just beaches.

6. Head underground at Drogarati Cave

North of Sámi, Drogarati Cave plunges 60m below sea level and opens into a massive chamber of stalactites, flowstone, and cool, echoing silence. It was discovered around 300 years ago when an earthquake cracked open the entrance, and it’s been drawing visitors (and bats) ever since.

A steep flight of steps takes you down to a concrete viewing platform overlooking the main chamber. Locals once came here to escape the summer heat; these days, the cave occasionally hosts concerts, thanks to its natural acoustics.

Not all of the formations have survived – a few stalactites were snapped off by souvenir hunters in years past – but there’s still plenty of surreal beauty to explore. From the platform, head down to the chamber floor and duck into side passages that feel like another planet.

7. Drift across the underground lake at Melissani Cave

A visit to Melissani Cave – just west of Sámi – easily ranks among the best things to do in Kefalonia. A short tunnel brings you to the edge of an underground lake, half-roofed by the remains of a collapsed cavern. When the sun’s out, the light hits the water just right, turning it an unreal shade of glowing blue.

Boatmen row visitors across the lake, gliding past jagged limestone walls and floating above a submerged world. The water’s brackish – a mix of seawater and freshwater – thanks to a strange natural quirk that connects it to the sinkholes (katavóthres) near Argostóli.

Formed during the last ice age, with a collapsed roof that dates back thousands of years, the cave’s beauty lies not just in its age but in its atmosphere – still, echoey, and a little otherworldly.

8. Spot sea turtles (and a lot more)

Loggerheads. Green turtles. Monk seals. Basking sharks. Pine martens. And goats – lots of goats (around 10,000, if you’re counting). Kefalonia is full of wildlife, both on land and offshore, and you don’t have to trek far to see it.

One of the most memorable spots? Argostoli harbour, around 11 am. That’s when the fishing boats return, tossing fish scraps into the water – and attracting endangered loggerhead turtles that circle the boats for an easy meal. It’s one of the only places in the Mediterranean where you can see this up close.

Traveling in Greece with kids? This is a crowd-pleaser. Turtles surfacing just meters from the quay – no museum or screen can beat that. If you're staying longer, check out Wildlife Sense, a local charity offering hands-on volunteer programs focused on turtle conservation.

9. Dig into real Greek food – with an island twist

Sure, you’ve had tzatziki, gyros, and moussaka. But spend time in a Kefalonian taverna – anything from a no-frills estiatório in Lixouri to a harborfront spot in Agrostoli – and you’ll see there’s more to Greek food than the usual hits.

The twist? Venetian rule. The Ionian Islands spent nearly 400 years under Venice, and it left a mark on the local kitchen. Expect dishes that feel more enoteca than souvlaki joint – like sofrito, veal braised in wine, or pastitsada, a rich, tomato-heavy meat stew packed with spice and depth.

For something special, book a table at Tassia in Fiskardo or Palia Plaka in Agrostoli. Order the seafood platter – think layers of grilled octopus, squid, swordfish, and shellfish – and a bottle of Robola, the island’s crisp white wine. Want to taste it at the source? Visit Orealios Gaea, formerly the Robola Cooperative, for a vineyard tour and tasting.

10. Step back in time in ancient Sami

Sami might seem like just a busy ferry port, but it sits on the site of ancient Sami, once the island’s capital and a key player in Ithaca’s kingdom back in Homer’s day. These days, the roles are reversed: Kefalonia is the main act, and Ithaki’s the sleepy sidekick.

The town also doubled as a film set for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and it’s worth wandering through with that in mind. The beach here is fine – long, sandy, and stretches to Karavómylos – but if you want something wilder, head 2km east to Andísamis. It's a pebble beach tucked into a perfect horseshoe-shaped bay, with fewer crowds and better scenery.

The real standout is the Sami Acropolis. You can hike up scenic trails to the ruins and spot Roman remains along the way – crumbling walls, weathered columns, and views that haven't changed much in centuries.

11. Take to the water on a boat tour

Booking a boat – or better yet, piloting your own – is one of the best things to do in Kefalonia if you want to explore hidden coves and quiet beaches you can’t reach by road. Small motorboats are easy to rent through local travel agents for around €50-100 a day, plus fuel. Most come with a fold-down ladder, so you can drop anchor, jump in, and climb back on with minimal effort.

The waters around Kefalonia are calm, clear, and ideal for boating. No wonder it’s a magnet for yachties and charter companies running flotilla holidays. Fiskárdo, up north, is the main hub – beautiful, yes, but often packed in summer, with newbie sailors getting shouted at by group leaders over loudhailers.

Want somewhere quieter? Try Agía Efimía on the east coast, or head west to the picturesque harbour at Ássos. Both offer a gentler vibe, and just as many spots to dive into the Ionian.

12. Try sea kayaking, diving, or other water sports

If you're into underwater action, exploring the coasts around Kefalonia and Zákynthos is one of the best things to do in Greece. The rocky shoreline hides a surprising amount of marine life, and the calm, crystal-clear waters offer visibility up to 50m – ideal for both beginners and experienced divers.

All local dive schools provide qualified instructors who’ll pick your dive site based on experience. Certified divers can join extended boat trips or rent gear to explore solo – just be ready to show your certificate.

Prefer to stay above the surface? You’ll find plenty of options: windsurfing, parasailing, and jet-skiing are available at several beaches, with lessons on offer if you're new. Sea kayaking is another standout – a peaceful way to paddle into sea caves, explore hidden beaches, or just drift along the island’s wild coastline.

13. Escape to Fteri Beach for serious downtime

If you're after peace, Fteri Beach delivers. Tucked away on Kefalonia’s wild coastline, this remote spot has gained a quiet following for its raw beauty and total lack of development. No loungers, no beach bars, no crowds – just white pebbles, turquoise water, and dramatic cliffs.

Getting there usually means hopping on a boat from Zola, but the effort pays off. Bring everything you’ll need – water, snacks, shade – because there’s nothing there except nature. If you're looking to properly switch off, spending a day at Fteri is one of the best things to do in Kefalonia.

14. Walk across De Bosset Bridge and spot the Obelisk

Argostoli, Kefalonia’s capital and largest town, was flattened by the 1953 earthquake and rebuilt with little concern for charm. But don’t write it off – it's setting, surrounded by mountains and perched on a lagoon, makes it a great base for exploring the island. Plus, there’s more to it than first impressions suggest.

One of the town’s standout features is the De Bosset Bridge. Built in 1813 by Swiss engineer Charles de Bosset during British rule, it stretches across the Koutavos Lagoon and is one of the longest stone bridges in Europe. It’s now pedestrian-only – ideal for a sunset stroll or some quiet turtle-spotting in the shallows below.

At the bridge entrance stands a tall stone obelisk, also built in 1813. It commemorates the bridge’s completion and honors Sir Charles Napier, the British commissioner involved in its construction.

15. Sip Robola wine where it’s made

Take the turn-off near Valsamáta to reach the Cephalonian Robola Producers Cooperative, the island’s main winery. Grown in high-altitude limestone soil, the Robola grape produces Kefalonia’s signature crisp white wine. At the visitors’ center, you can sample two house-made Robolas and pick up a bottle (or three) to take home.

Just beyond the winery lies Moní Agíou Gerasímou, the island’s most important pilgrimage site. Founded in the 16th century by Saint Gerasimos – Kefalonia’s patron saint – the convent still houses relics and draws a steady stream of local worshippers. The saint established a female religious order here in 1554 and was canonized in 1622.

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