By plane: Kefalonia airport (EFL) during the summer season has direct flights to many different countries across Europe and of course multiple flights to/from Athens with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express. The latter one accommodates flights from Corfu (via Preveza) 3 times per week, as well. From the UK, you can come to Kefalonia with daily flights from London (Easyjet, Ryanair), and from Manchester with Jet2. Transavia has direct flights from Amsterdam to Kefalonia every Friday and from Paris (Orly) to the island every Wednesday and Saturday. Between Italy and Kefalonia there are very good routes as well; from Rome (Fiumicino) with Ryanair or Wizzair every Tuesday & Saturday, from Milan with Easyjet every Wednesday and from Bergamo with Ryanair every Wednesday & Saturday. And from Pisa with Ryanair every Monday & Friday, also. Finally, Vienna is connected to Kefalonia with Ryanair every Tuesday & Saturday and Prague with SmartWings and Czech Airlines 3 times pers week, as well.
By Boat: Given the size of Kefalonia, there are several ports in the island that connect it with the mainland or other islands. The most important ports are the port of Sami and the port of Poros, both in the west side of Kefalonia. Levante Ferries connects Sami with Patras (the 3rd biggest city in Greece) and Poros with Killini port. Ionion Pelagos connects Astakos with Sami, as well. And there are ferry boats that connect Vasiliki port in Lefkada with Fiskardo as well as Zakynthos with Pessada port in Kefalonia. All these options can accommodate transportation not only of passengers, but also of cars. Ferryscanner.com and directferries.gr should help you find the best solution for your trip.
The truth is that Kefalonia is a beautiful island with amazing landscapes, cute little villages, and extraordinary spots to swim. However, it is a big island, and it requires a bit of research to find where to stay. Our wedding will take place near the capital, Argostoli, which is in the center/ south of the island. The areas of Argostoli, Lassi, and Airport area (villages of Minia, Svoronata etc) are the best places you can stay at to explore the island but at the same time to be able to enjoy the nightlife of Argostoli as well as the wedding events (welcome part, ceremony, and reception). You can always look for accommodation at Booking, Air BnB but also at https://atskefalonia.gr/ for some good deals.
There are different types of accommodation, such as hotels, studios, apartments, villas, depending on where you want to stay and how many people you will be in total. Recommendations for a town hotel: Mouikis Hotel, Ionian Plaza, Tourist Boutique Hotel and Kefalonia Grand. At the same category more affordable options are Mirabel Hotel and King A. For hotels by the sea check out Astra Village Resort, Thalassa Boutique Hotel, Leivatho Hotel, and for a more affordable option, Dendrolivano. Check out also Eglina Villas and for apartments Liostasi Retreat.
Kefalonia is a big island and if you want to explore a big part of it, we suggest that you stay at least a week. In this case you could stay at a hotel in Lassi or airport area and you will need a car ( https://acerentacarkefalonia.com/ ). However, if you will be staying for a long weekend (or a bit more than that) we suggest that you find accommodation in the town of Argostoli where you can easily find taxis to take you to the nearest (but beautiful) beaches of Lassi. You could also make use of the shuttle that we are planning for the day of the wedding, from Argostoli to the church (ceremony) and from there to the villa of the reception; you can reach out to us for more information!
Argostoli area: an evening stroll by the central square, the main shopping street and the port is a must during the summer. If you head to the harbor early enough (between 8am‑11am), the fishing boats return and feed the famous Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta species). It’s a fantastic sight and well worth seeing. Other sites of Argostoli: the Bell town Square, the De-Bosset bridge, the lighthouse as well as the geological phenomenon of Katavothres (sinkholes). Best beaches in the area are: Makris Gialos, Platis Gialos, Kalamia beach and Gradakia (all can be reached by taxi or car within 5-10 minutes from the central square of Argostoli). Something you should not miss is the White Rocks Beach, which is not accessible by land; you can only reach by boat. You can plan a cruise from Argostoli harbor (https://www.dreamycruises.gr/ ) or even a sea kayaking adventure to reach White Rocks (https://outdoorkefalonia.com/ ). You could also explore the island (or even Ithaca and Zakynthos) on day trip with a group and a guide with https://atskefalonia.gr/excursions . Lastly, Gentilini winery is an option https://gentilini.gr/
Lixouri area: it is the 2nd biggest settlement of the island, and it is famous about the rivalry with Argostoli. You can reach it by car or even by ferry from Argostoli. Things to do: visit Haritatos estate https://www.haritatosvineyard.com/ , Kipouria monastery, Xi beach for some spa with clay as well, Vatsa bay to eat at Spiaggia Vatsa taverna during the day. Finally, Petani beach to swim in the blue waters of Ionian, eat lunch at Erasmia’s and view the sunset. Another beautiful beach thus accessible only by sea is Platia Ammos.
North Kefalonia: the most beautiful area of the island. To begin with, the earthquake of 1953 destroyed almost all the settlements of the island, leaving only the north untouched. Cosmopolitan Fiskardo and picturesque Asos are the most worth visiting villages of the area with countless of spectacular beaches around them. Start your exploration from Myrtos beach, one of the most famous beaches in Mediterranean and then head to Asos for lunch (either at Platanos or Nefeli) and to visit the Asos castle. Continue your journey towards Fiskardo, where you can find Emplisi beach – like a big natural pool – as well as Dafnoudi and Foki. Eat dinner at Tasia’s restaurant or Vasso’s and go for desert at Melina’s. Another day, head to Agia Kiriaki beach where you can eat at the notorious ‘Fisherman’s Hut’ or take a swim at Vouti beach and then take the water taxis towards the spectacular Fteri beach (you will not regret it!).
Sami area: it is the 3rd biggest settlement of the island and the location where Captain Correli’s Mandolin was shoot back in 2000. Visit Afrala Restaurant Cocktail Bar for a nice brunch before heading to Drogarati Cave and Melissani Lake Cave. Melissani (the cave of the nymphs) is one of the landmarks of the island, alongside Myrtos beach. Due to a rare geological phenomenon, the sea water enters the sink holes of Katavothres in Argostoli and flows inland below sea level to arrive in Melissani, which is the most magical place to visit on the island. You can continue your exploration towards Antisamos beach, one of Kefalonia’s most beautiful beaches, and eat dinner at Paradise Beach Restaurant (or ‘Dendrinos’ as the locals call it) in Agia Effimia.
Leivathos area: is the closest one to Argostoli and has plenty of accommodations, restaurants and nice beaches. Pessada beach (nearby our reception venue) and Agios Thomas are the two best beaches of the area. In Agios Thomas, you can eat and drink at Tratamento beach bar. Ai Helis beach, Avithos (where Avithos Preview taverna is located as well) and Spartia beach are few more of the cute countless beaches of the area. The area (as well as Lassi) has plenty of beaches with swallow waters suitable for families. Within Leivathos you will come across picturesque villages with beautiful views and churches, such as Kourkoumelata and Karavados. In the same area you will find the Venetian Castle of Saint George which is the first capital of Kefalonia and the location of our wedding ceremony.
Center of the island: Kefalonia is a mountainous island and that’s how we get these spectacular views. At Ainos mountain or Monte Nero, you will find the smallest natural park of Greece and is worthy visiting not only for the famous Cephalonian fir (Abies cephalonica) but also for the wild horses. A nice way to visit the highest mountain of Ionian islands is to take a Jeep Safari tour https://outdoorkefalonia.com . Nearby, you will find the famous Robola Winery https://www.orealios.gr/ and the monastery of St Gerasimus.
Places worth visiting in the east: Koroni Beach with Sesto Koroni Hill Bar, Mounda beach, Skala village and beautiful beach – a quite important touristic village of the island, Kateleios fish village where the homonymous beach and cute little tavernas are located by the sea, Kako Lagadi beach and Koutsoupia beach which is accessible only by sea.
Most of the cafes, bars, restaurants, and stores of Argostoli are located either around the central square or in the paved pedestrian street or by the port. For brunch you can visit Oenops Wine bar, Baroque, Melograno or Kefalonia Grand. You can enjoy a lunch full of fresh fish at Aristofanis restaurant by the bridge, or at Vinaries restaurant. Other places for lunch are Palia Plaka and Kyani Akti. Most popular places for coffee during the day and early evening are Antico Café del Corso, De Bosset Coffee & Cocktails, Polo Café, Libretto, Ristretto and K63. For dinner consider Oenops Wine Bar, the Italian Paparazzi, Sepia Sushi bar, Casa Grec, Katavothres restaurant and Steakhouse ‘O Spiros’ for Greek souvlaki. The hotspots for drinks are Baroque le bistrot, Bees Knees, Via Vallianou and for later Katavothres and My Way Club Restaurant.