Where to Stay in Kefalonia: The Best Areas and Hotels

Stay in Argostoli for restaurants and shops, Lassi for beaches, and give the north (Fiscardo, Assos or Agia Effimia) a few nights if your trip allows. Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian Sea and has about 365 villages, so the area you choose shapes every day of the trip. Plan on a rental car for most of it.

Which area of Kefalonia should you stay in?

Four areas stand out. Argostoli is the capital and the island's urban hub. The north is the postcard: Fiscardo's colorful Venetian buildings, pastel Assos, and the small harbor town of Agia Effimia. The south coast is the retreat, with secluded villa hotels and wellness resorts that give you little reason to leave.

Is Argostoli a good base?

Yes, if you want a town around you. Argostoli feels like a capital: cosmopolitan, eclectic and active, with a lively waterfront promenade, busy markets and plenty of shops and restaurants. Boutique hotels, guesthouses and apartments sit within walking distance of the main sights, including the Corgialenios Museum of Folklore and Cultural History at 12 Zervou Street.

Kefalonia Grand Hotel looks out over Argostoli's harbor and sits just 15 minutes from the airport, a spot that suits families, couples and anyone short on time. Casaly Hotel & Spa brings sleek, modern design and a serious spa to the center.

Argostoli is also the hub of the bus network, with routes to the airport, the ports of Sami and Poros and the major villages. The catch is the beaches: many of them are easiest to reach by car or a short taxi ride.

Where should you stay in Kefalonia for beaches?

Lassi

Lassi is about a five-minute taxi ride from Argostoli, with a more local feel. Water sports, beach bars and tavernas are close at hand. Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos are its popular beaches, and the beachfront resorts and apartments along the coast offer sea views and direct beach access.

White Rocks, a third-generation family hotel on Platis Gialos, has 160 rooms and still keeps a friendly, boutique feel. Guests get a private beach, a yoga deck among the pines and a small museum about the hotel's own history. Ask for a sea-facing room, since the hotel backs onto a busy road. Mediterranee Hotel sits on an elevated spot by the water with direct access to a sandy bay, and Argostoli is close by.

Kefalonian Buses runs an Argostoli to Lassi to airport route daily, and the company can share the current timetable. Buses leave Argostoli at 8:30, 10:00, 11:30 and 16:00, and the airport at 9:00, 10:30, 12:00 and 16:30. The airport stop is on the left side of the main entrance to the departures building. That makes Lassi workable if you'd prefer not to drive on day one.

Svoronata and the southwest coast

Svoronata, on the southwest coast, is home to a few resorts, including Astra Village and Electra, set on a hillside within reach of Ammes Beach, and Avithos Resort, set among olive groves and cypress trees close to Avithos Beach and Argostoli. Avithos Resort suits families especially well. It has studios, apartments, maisonettes and suites, plus a big pool and a separate children's pool. Astra Village Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of Ammes Beach, and Electra Kefalonia Hotel & Spa, a five-star boutique retreat, overlooks it.

Lixouri and the Paliki peninsula

Lixouri is a peaceful hamlet with traditional architecture, reached by a short boat ride from Argostoli or by car. Nearby Xi Beach is known for its soft red sand. Argile Resort has direct access to the beach. Apollonion Asterias Resort & Spa, a five-star resort with family-friendly amenities, is a short walk away.

Where should you stay in southern Kefalonia for a quiet retreat?

Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa has 12 villas facing the sea, each with its own saltwater pool or hot tub. Few amenities are within easy reach, which is exactly why people come. The team arranges taxis, and the hotel has its own restaurant.

F Zeen sits on sandy, sheltered Lourdas bay beneath pine-forested Mount Ainos. Days revolve around yoga, mountain hikes, workouts in the outdoor gym and a small spa. There are three pools, and the sea is steps away.

Where should you stay in northern Kefalonia?

If Assos, Myrtos, Melissani, Antisamos and Fiscardo are on your list, base yourself in the north for at least a few days.

Agia Effimia

For a base in the center-north, Agia Effimia is hard to beat. This small harbor town has a waterfront for strolling, a supermarket, good places to eat and a tiny beach. It is also an easy drive from Assos, Myrtos, Melissani and Antisamos. Day cruises to nearby Ithaca leave from here, and ancient amphorae lie on the seabed. Highly rated stays include Nicole Studios, Sunrise Bay Apts and Nerea, a holiday home on a hill just above town, with a drive of under a minute to reach it.

Fiscardo

Fiscardo has colorful Venetian buildings, a busy harbor, waterfront cafes and fresh seafood, and yachts arrive from all over the world. Emplisi Beach and hiking trails are close by.

The village feels more touristy than many other villages on the island, and quite a few restaurants have weak ratings, so reading reviews first or eating outside the village can pay off. Because Fiscardo sits at the northern tip, 24 miles (38 km) from Sami, day trips to central Kefalonia mean extra driving.

In the village itself, try Nafsika Apartments and Studios or Balhambra Suites.

Assos

Assos is probably the most famous village on the island. It is a quiet fishing village of pastel houses and a couple of tiny beaches, crowned by an impressive 16th-century Venetian castle.

The road in is steep and zigzagging, and parking is limited. Assos is best for a couple of lazy days, and less suited to daily sightseeing trips. Restaurant ratings vary, so savory pastries from Rotsis Family Bakery make a safe lunch. Chromata Assos Villas, which has a honeymoon villa with a private plunge pool, and Kanakis Apartments are both highly rated.

Divarata, Sami and Karavomylos

Divarata is barely a town, just a main road with a supermarket, restaurants and cafes and a range of lodging. It is close to Myrtos Beach and surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Sami is a coastal town with a much bigger port, close to Melissani and to Antisamos, about 3 miles (5 km) away. Buses run from Sami to Argostoli, Lixouri, Agia Effimia and Divarata, though the town feels part residential, part industrial. Karavomylos, next to Lake Melissani, is a quiet town with just a couple of places to eat.

Which area suits which traveler?

• Families: Avithos Resort in Svoronata or Apollonion Asterias near Xi Beach.
• Day-trippers: Agia Effimia, central to the north's top beaches and villages.
• Wellness seekers: F Zeen on Lourdas bay.
• Without a car: Argostoli, with Lassi a close second. Taxis, buses and sea buses run on the island, but exploring beyond your base really takes a car.

What should you check before booking?

Start with parking. Depending on the town and the property, you may find that public parking is all that's available, with no private spot. If you plan to go car-free, remember that buses link the major towns and beaches but service may be limited outside summer. Get current timetables from Kefalonian Buses at Antoni Tritsi 5 in Argostoli, or call +30 26710 22281.