Geography

Kefalonia (Cephalonia)  is one of the most beautiful islands of Greece.

Located in the centre of the Ionian Sea, in the western part of the country and is the largest island of the Ionian Islands (or as they are also called Seven Islands).

Neighboring islands are  Ithaca, Zakynthos (Zante) , Lefkada (Lefkas) and a variety of smaller islands. The Seven Islands  also include Paxos and Corfu to the north and Kithira to the south.

The island covers  an area of ​​approximately 781 square km. and has a population of about 39,000 residents.

The natural terrain of the island is mainly mountainous and the highest mountain is Aenos with an altitude of 1628m.

Kefalonia ‘s  capital is Argostoli with about 9,000 residents. The main towns - ports of the island are  the capital, Lixouri, Sami and Poros.

The most important tourist resorts on the island apart from  the above are Skala, Lassi, Fiskardo, Assos, Agia Efimia, Katelios, Lourdata, Trapezaki, Svoronata and many others!

Brief History

Kefalonia  has been continuously inhabited since the Stone Age. The first known inhabitants were “Leleges” who inhabited the island around the 15th century. B.C. .

The island got its name from the mythical  Kefalos, who arrived on the island as a refugee from Athens or (according to others) from the Greek tribe of Kefalonians or Kefallanians.

In ancient times  four cities flourished , which were independent States. Their names were  “Krani”, “Pronnoi”, “Sami” and “Palli”. The island was later conquered by the Romans and during the Middle Ages was part of the Byzantine Empire.

During the 14^th century A.D. it was conquered by the Normans, Venetians and for a few years by the Ottomans. It returned to the sovereignty of Venice in 1500 AD until 1797 AD, when it was occupied by the French. A few years later it was occupied by  the British.

Britons invested in the island's infrastructure, roads, bridges and ports. They founded the Ionian State, retaining themselves in the role of supervisor. In 1864 the Ionian Islands were United with Greece. The Union's anniversary is celebrated every year on the 21^st of  May.

During the First World War the island was occupied for a short time by the French Naval Forces.

In World War II, the island was initially occupied by the Italians, who aimed at integrating the Ionian Islands with Italy by establishing a  monetary and economic Union. After the Italian capitulation in 1943, the Germans occupied Cephalonia.

In modern times the island enjoys its freedom and follows the destiny of Greece as a member of the European Union!

The People of Kefalonia

Kefalonians are social, active, spiritual and very intelligent people. They like art, education and they love dancing and singing.

Throughout their history they have been very much connected with the sea.Therefore, a lot of them are still traveling as sailors around the world.They are also very good Traders.

A lot of Kefalonians became very acclaimed  Scientists, Interlectuals, Politicians and very succesful Businessmen.

For those living on the island their main source of income was Farming and Agriculture. The last few years after a rapid Tourism growth , more and more people are involved in the tourist industry.

Kefalonia and earthquakes

The island of  Kefalonia is located in one of the  most seismic regions of Europe.

Over the centuries, there were many large and destructive earthquakes that marked both the history and demography of the island. The last destructive earthquakes were recorded in August 1953, when they leveled almost all the buildings on the island.

Nevertheless Kefalonians, have learned to coexist with earthquakes. The modern buildings now are  made with the the highest anti- earthquake standards and without any exaggeration they are  the strongest and safest in Europe!

Highlights & Beaches

The entire island of Kefalonia is beautiful. Its topography  is amazing and the constant changes of its landscape make the whole island a unique attraction.

Here are some of the island’s highlights and nice beaches, in each area.

A. In the area of ​​Argostoli, one could visit:

a) “Katavothres”, where an amazing  geological phenomenon takes place. With the same opportunity you can also visit the neighboring Lighthouse of  “Agioi Theodoroi”

b) The lagoon of “Koutavos” (Nature reserve at the borders of the town)

c) “The Bridge” (The stone bridge provides a pedestrian crossing that connects the sides of the gulf, aged more than 200 y.o.)

d) The Archaeological Museum, the Folk Museum and the Library, the Botanical garden, the Garden of Napier, etc.(all located  in town)

e) The Castle of St. George (the old capital of the island) with a great history and an amazing view (6 km from Argostoli)

f) The Mycenaean tombs in Mazarakata (6 km from Argostoli)

g) The monastery of St. Gerasimos (patron saint of the island) (12 km from Argostoli)

h) The National Park of mount. Aenos with the unique black pine trees (Abies Cephalonica)  (35 km. from Argostoli or 28 km. from Sami)

The visitor can enjoy swimming at one of the nearby beaches such as,

"Makris -Gialos" or “Platis Gialos” in the Lassi area,

"Ammes" "Ai Helis», «Avithos» and «Spasmata"  in the Svoronata area ,

"Trapezaki" , "Lourdas"  to the south or "Agia Kyriaki" as the nearest to the north

B. In ​​Poros/Skala and surrounding area one could visit,

a) The  ancient Mycenaean tomb in Tzanata (2 km. from Poros)

b) The ancient Roman Villa in Skala

c) The pre-earthquake settlement in Old Skala (2 km. from Skala)

d) The church of the Virgin Mary (Fidousa) with the little snakes , in Markopoulo (12 km. from Skala or Poros  or 28 km from Argostoli)

The visitor can enjoy swimming at one of the nearby beaches such as,

The beaches  of “Skala”,  “Katelios”, “Poros”,"Limenia","Potamakia" ,"Mounda" (the last two neighboring beaches are also known  as the “Turtle Beach”  because the turtles “Caretta-Caretta” lay their eggs in the sand here, every year during June).

C. In Sami/Agia Efimia  and surrounding area one could visit,

a) The famous Underground Lake  of “Melissani” (on the outskirts of Karavomylos village  just 2 km from Sami)

b) The imposing Cave  “Drogarati” (3 km. from Sami to the south)

c) The Acropolis of the Ancient Sami and the ruins of the monastery of “Agioi Fanentes” (3 km from Sami to the east)

d) The famous “Myrtos Beach” (8 km. from Agia. Efimia) for incredible photos

The visitor can enjoy swimming at one of the nearby beaches such as,

"Myrtos Beach", the most beautiful and famous beach of the island,

"Antisamos” a unique  beach near Sami (3km to the east) or at

“Sami “Beach, “Karavomilos” beach, “Agia Paraskevi” Beach,” Agia Efimia”, etc

D. In Northern Kefalonia  one could visit,

a) The cosmopolitan picturesque Fiscardo a traditional village  that survived the devastating  earthquake of 1953.

b) The traditional and enchanting village of Assos and its Venetian castle.

The visitor can enjoy swimming at one of the nearby beaches such as ,

"Emplisi", "Dafnoudi" ,”Foki”, "Agia Jerousalem" "Assos" beach etc.

E. In Lixouri area and the peninsula of Paliki one could visit,

a) The Iakovatos Library in the town of Lixouri.

b) The Monastery of Kipouria ,  at a breathtaking location at the  western part of the island. (15 km from Lixouri)

c) The Monastery of Koronato (5 km from Lixouri)

d) The famous “Kounopetra” (also known as the “moving rock”) (14 km from Lixouri)

The visitor can enjoy swimming at one of the nearby beaches like

"Lepeda" (3 km from Lixouri),

"Xi Beach", famous for the red colour sand (11 km from Lixouri)

"Megas Lakkos" (10 km from Lixouri)

"Petani" Beach which is probably the most beautiful beach in this area(about 18 km from Lixouri)

"Porto Atheras" a picturesque beach about 20 km to the north of Lixouri

“Platia Ammos “ For the more adventurous and those who have strength or  can combine walking and climbing  to and from the beach.(near Kipouria Monastery)

Traditional cuisine

In Kefalonia, one can enjoy the traditional Greek cuisine and also gourmet dishes from the International cuisine.

Before anyone leaves the island we suggest to taste  the “Kefalonian meat-pie” and drink “Robola” (the famous Kefalonian wine) . Also take with him "Mantoles" and "Mantolato" (Traditional Kefalonian sweets).

How to get to Kefalonia

A .   By Plane.

B.   By  Boat.