"Kefalonia: an island of contrasts" Top 5 Page for this destination Cefalonia Island by chazgilbert

Cefalonia Island Travel Guide: 135 reviews and 316 photos

One beach close to Lassi. - Cefalonia Island

An introduction

Kefalonia (or Cefalonia, Kefallinia, Kephalonia... there are so many ways of spelling the island's name) is the largest of the Ionian islands, and is one of stark contrasts.

The island has had a turbulent recent history - from being occupied by Italian and German forces during the Second World War (which gave rise to Louis de Bernieres novel, Captain Corelli's Mandolin) to the devastating 1953 earthquake.

The contrasts begin with the make-up of the island. Unlike other Ionian islands, there are real towns as well as resorts. It's fair to say the resorts get a fairly bad press. I stayed in Lassi, five minutes drive away from the capital, Argostoli. Granted, it's purpose-built and full of holiday-makers. But it's also full of independent, family-run tavernas, which serve some of the best food on the island. Lassi is also home to a selection of some of Kefalonia's best beaches.

The main towns, including the capital, were destroyed by the '53 earthquake. Fiscardo, in the far north, is the exception. Don't expect to see much Greek architecture here though - all buildings are Venetian. The capital, by and large, is nothing to write home about. The harbour front is attractive, as is the main square. The atmosphere in Argostoli in the evenings is its main draw - find a bar, order an Amstel, and watch the world go by.

Good beaches are easy to find. The famous Myrtos Bay is half-an-hour from Argostoli, and is pretty spectacular. Lassi is home to five or six excellent beaches - my favourite being Makris Gialos, or 'long beach'.

Kefalonia is easily reached from the UK, and is approxiamtely a three-hour flight from Gatwick

Pros and Cons

Pros:The beaches, the people, the landscape.
Cons:Il Gabiano Bar, Lassi. Plays the same song over and over and over...
In a nutshell:Sirtaki Garden, Lassi, after dinner. Paradise.

Last visit to Cefalonia Island: Jul 2007
Intro Updated Aug 5, 2007
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Reviews (32)

Local tipples Local Customs (2)

Beer is pretty big across Kefalonia - mainly down to a healthy tourist industry. The most popular are Amstel (which... more travel advice

Boat hire on Makris Yialos - Cefalonia Island

Boat hire Transportation (3)

Now I didn't actually hire a boat - I spent all my money on food. But hey, no regrets! Boat hire is pretty expensive, a... more travel advice

A picture tells a thousand words - Cefalonia Island

The magic of... Lassi Favorites (1)

If you go on a package holiday to Kefalonia, chances are you'll end up staying in Lassi. Lassi is a purpose-built... more travel advice

Bat n' Ball Sports & Outdoors (2)

This is the mother of all beach sports - bat n' ball. Far more people do this than go water-skiing or doughnuting. Best... more travel advice

Warnings and Dangers (3)
See All The sun
Restaurants (4)
See All Just about Authentic
Things to Do (13)
See All Kefalonian Food
Nightlife (1)
Argostoli's main night spot

Shopping (1)
Kefalonia's finest supermarket
Tourist Traps (1)
Myrtos Beach
Hotels (1)
Basic Lassi Accommodation
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Comments (2)

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zizkov Aug 11, 2007 at 4:43 PM

Liked your pages - wish I was back there. Nice mudpack!

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slothtraveller Aug 16, 2007 at 2:32 PM

Funny pages. That Antonia woman looks a bit formidable... :-)