Ionian Islands · Recommended: 3-4 nights
3 days in Kefalonia
How to spend the time
- Day 1 Arrive and settle in
- Day 2 Myrtos Beach
- Day 3 Onward ferry or flight home
Getting there
The main port at Sami sits 24 km from Argostoli, the capital, so factor in close to an hour's transfer after disembarking. Kefalonia has its own airport, mainly served by seasonal and charter flights in summer, which makes it a workable arrival point in high season. Overland travelers reach it via the mainland port of Kyllini, the same gateway used for Zakynthos, since there is no bridge here as there is at Lefkada.
Where to stay
Argostoli, the capital, is the practical base with the widest range of services, restaurants, and an easy walk along the seafront each evening. Fiskardo and Assos, in the north, are the postcard choice: Venetian-colored houses on a harbor, but a longer drive from the airport and the Sami ferry dock. Either works better with a rental car than without one.
When to go
May, June, and September are the named best months, giving warm days without the peak-season crush around Myrtos Beach and Fiskardo. July and August are busiest, especially on the coast road down to Myrtos, where parking fills early. The island is notably green for its latitude, a product of more shoulder-season rain than the Cyclades sees, so spring visits mean lusher hillsides but a real chance of showers.
Good to know
A car is close to essential on Kefalonia, given the 24 km gap between the Sami port and Argostoli and the spread-out sights, from Melissani cave to Myrtos Beach to Fiskardo. The island sits in a moderate seismic zone and was rebuilt substantially after the 1953 earthquake, which is part of why so much of the older Venetian-era architecture is gone from the south. Cash still helps outside the main towns.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Kefalonia?
Not quite. Kefalonia earns 3 to 4 nights, so 3 days means seeing the headline sights and skipping the rest. It works if this is one stop on a longer route, less so as the whole trip.
What is there to do in Kefalonia?
Myrtos Beach · Fiskardo · Assos · Melissani Cave · Argostoli seafront
How do you get to Kefalonia?
The main port at Sami sits 24 km from Argostoli, the capital, so factor in close to an hour's transfer after disembarking. Kefalonia has its own airport, mainly served by seasonal and charter flights in summer, which makes it a workable arrival point in high season. Overland travelers reach it via the mainland port of Kyllini, the same gateway used for Zakynthos, since there is no bridge here as there is at Lefkada.
Times, prices and frequencies are indicative and change by season and operator. Always confirm the live timetable before you book.