where is the best place to stay in kefalonia, greece?

Where is the best place to stay in Kefalonia?

By Olga Kousi. February 17, 2025

Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands. It is often referred to as “the jewel of the Ionian” - and with good reason. While the island is perhaps most famous for being the setting of the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, it boasts many more claims to fame. From the geological wonder of the Melissani Cave to the much-photographed Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia promises travellers natural wonders at every turn. Add to that the island’s rich history and exceptional gastronomy, which includes some of Greece’s finest delicacies, and you’ve got the makings of the holiday of a lifetime.

Many visitors to Kefalonia choose to stay in the island’s capital, Argostoli, a beautiful amphitheatrically-built city. A bustling, modern hub, Argostoli makes for a great base to explore the island, but is far from the only choice of place to stay there. Lixouri, Kefalonia’s second-biggest town, offers a calmer alternative that is just as interesting and perfect for families. Resort towns like Skala, on the southernmost part of the island, are also popular and known for their large, comfortable beaches.

On the north side, Fiskardo, a playground for VIPs and sailors alike, is also a special place to overnight, as is Sami, given its proximity to most of the island’s major natural attractions.If you are interested in where to stay in Kefalonia, you may also be interested in where to stay in Lefkada, where to stay in Zakynthos, where to stay Corfu and  where to stay in Rodhes.

Best places to stay in Kefalonia

Argostoli

Culture / Authenticity / Sightseeing

Argostoli is best suited for travellers seeking a real Greek town rather than a tourist resort. As the capital of the island, it is a lively commercial hub where most locals work and spend time running their errands, giving the city a feel of authenticity.

Make no mistake, though, this real local flavour does not detract from the beauty of Argostoli. With stunning Venetian architecture, top-notch museums, and large, manicured squares, Argostoli is a delight to stroll around. The city also has two great beaches, Makris and Platis Gialos, which are well-organized and popular thanks to their excellent facilities, including some of the best water sports centres on the island.

While in Argostoli, travellers must not miss walking across the De Bosset Bridge, which is Europe’s longest stone bridge across the sea, to catch a glimpse of the giant Caretta Caretta turtles swimming past!

Hotels in Argostoli

Lixouri

Family / Beach / Wellness

Lixouri is the perfect family destination in Kefalonia. A 40-minute drive west of Argostoli, Lixouri is the island’s second-largest town. Its distance from the capital coupled with its size means it strikes a perfect balance: it is calmer than Argostoli but still offers a great variety of things to do.

While the town of Lixouri was destroyed in the 1953 earthquake that ravaged Kefalonia, it was rebuilt meticulously with great attention to detail and today charms visitors with its elegant architecture and picturesque streets. Lixouri’s main attraction is Xi Beach, famous for its red sand and clay cliffs.

Not only do these give the beach an otherworldly, awe-inspiring appearance, but they are also said to have powerful cleansing properties the locals swear by! The water on Xi Beach also stays shallow for ages, making it a favourite for parents with young children.

Hotels in Lixouri

Sami

Nature / Adventure / Beach

Sami, in northeast Kefalonia, is a great place to stay if you’re into nature. Just a short distance from the village is the famous Melissani Cave where you can take a boat trip across the crystal clear water, one of the island’s premier attractions. Also nearby is Drogarati, an intricate limestone cave system where visitors can take in spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Sami’s main beach is Antisamos, which most people will recognize from the Hollywood movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” and is regarded by locals as the most beautiful one on the island. Beyond the area’s natural attractions, Sami itself is a lively town with a pretty seafront, great facilities, and a wide choice of tavernas, shops, and cafés.

Just outside it is a modern harbour where the ferry to the mainland port of Patras departs from, making it a convenient place to stay if you are driving around Greece.

Hotels in Sami

Skala

Beaches / Archaeology / History

Skala is an ideal location for beach lovers. Situated on the southernmost part of Kefalonia, it is one of the largest tourist resorts on the island thanks to its long, sandy beach that stretches over 3 kilometres.

Fringed by shady pine trees that separate the main town from the sea, Skala’s beach is a firm favourite with travellers, as it is exceptionally organized, and peppered with convenient facilities throughout its length. Beyond spending time on the beach, visitors staying in this part of Kefalonia find that there is a lot to do in the area, as there is great historical interest in it too.

Just a short walk inland from the town are the ruins of a Roman villa with spectacular mosaics. And as if that wasn’t enough, day trip boats depart from Skala’s harbour frequently, bound for Fiskardo, Ithaca, and Zakynthos.

Hotels in Skala

Fiskardo

Boats / Picturesque / Architecture

Fiskardo is a boat enthusiast’s paradise. Packed with yachts in the summer, it is an elegant village on the northern tip of Kefalonia famous for its beautiful seafront promenade with picture-perfect colourful houses.

As one of the few places in the Ionian to have survived the 1953 earthquake intact, Fiskardo’s old buildings are some of the best examples of Venetian architecture in the area. An ancient lighthouse stands guard on a headland at the entrance to the harbour, making a beautiful backdrop for the seafront cafés and sophisticated restaurants. A 10-minute walk along the seafront is the bay of Foki with its small pretty beach, cave, and clear blue water, surrounded by olive and cypress trees.

To the north of this buzzing resort lies the stunning Emplisi beach, surrounded by small rocky coves, once home to monk seals, with great snorkelling.

Hotels in Fiskardo