Kafelonia, Kefalonia or Cephalonia is a Greek island situated on the western side of Greece and it is the biggest island in the Ionian Sea. In my personal opinion, Kafelonia is the most underrated place I have ever visited. It does not get the attention it deserves. Kafelonia is an incredibly beautiful and serene place and it is a dreamland for those who love to enjoy nature in quietness.
1. A Walk to De Bosset Bridge for Perfect Scenic Shots
Bridges, in general, are an epitome of architectural artistry and this bridge is no different. Complemented by magnificent surroundings, this place provides a perfect setting for Insta worthy photos. A romantic evening walk with your partner will make you fall in love with this place. Hence, a visit to this bridge should definitely be on your list of things to do in Kafelonia.
2. Ferry Excursion to Lixouri Beach
Nothing relaxes you more than a sight of a calm sea. Lixouri beach offers you exactly this. You can take a quick ferry from Argostoli to Lixouri to spend a day at Lixouri Beach. You can sunbathe on the beach or explore the surroundings on foot. Two Kilometers south of Lixouri you will find shallow water beach called Lepada. It is one of the hidden beaches that is not quite famous but a must-visit.
3. Boat Tour of Melissani Cave
I bet you must have seen the Melissani cave's photo as a wallpaper or google photos at least once before. Melissani cave is the most popular touristic spot in Kefalonia. It is home to an underground cave, which is 3.5m long and 36m high. The center part of the cave's roof has fallen which allows sunrays to fall onto the waters of the underground lake and illuminate it to magnificent colors; blue, green, turquoise. The best time to visit this cave is around noon when the sun is directly overhead. The entry fee for Melissani cave is around 7 euro per person.
4. Enjoy the View from Your Apartment
Well, this one is a no-brainer. However, it deserves a special mention here as generally, the price of a hotel room or an apartment with a beautiful view is too high and we have to settle for a mediocre city facing room. In Kafelonia, renting a beautiful apartment with amazing views is very affordable. The prices, of course, are subject to the inflow of tourists so we advise to book well in advance to avoid last-minute price surge. From our experience, we rented an apartment that had two huge balconies giving a panoramic view of Argostoli town with its red roofs houses, vast ocean, and a bridge.
5. Listen to the Ocean Waves at Sami Beach
Listening to natural sounds is considered to induce relaxation. Just walking distance from Melissani cave, you can find one of the quietest and pristine beach called Sami beach. Water here is crystal clear and listen to the ocean waves making relaxing sounds as water hits this pebbled beach.
6. Get a Little Sporty at Ammes Beach
This beach is located close to the airport, so we visited this beach to gather our share of last-minute fun. Even though it is near an airport, this beach has a peaceful vibe. With clean water and soft sand, you can get a little sporty here.
7. Visit Argostoli Market
Argostoli's market is full of life and very interesting. Along with myriads of taverns to eat and drink from, this market offers artistic local crafts and unique souvenir shops. You are bound to be overwhelmed with the exhibitions of colors at this place. Make sure to pay it a visit as it will be totally worth your time.
8. Try Local Cuisine
Give your taste buds an unforgettable experience by devouring a diet-enemy meal at a local restaurant. With a confusing number of places to choose from, we suggest relying on google reviews to pick a highly rated restaurant.
Tips:
1. Kafelonia can get crowded in peak tourist season (May-August), so in our opinion April and September are good months to make a visit in order to avoid the crowd. The other plus points during these months are pleasant weather and you can also save a lot of money on stays during off seasons.
2. Kafelonia's public transport is not that great, so plan to rent a car.
Please note Kafelonia is not a place known for urban architectural masterpieces but serene natural magnificence. We hope our list will help you plan your trip better. Do share your experience with us!
