Kefalonia: The Greek Gem in the Ionian Sea

Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian islands, with its emerald-colored mountains, secluded coves and underground lakes, has recently been crowned the best Greek island by Which? magazine.

Abundant sandy beaches, scenery uninterrupted by high-rise buildings and access to much-sought-after solitude sealed the deal for the island, off the west coast of mainland Greece, in the consumer body’s annual survey.

Which? asked more than 1,000 visitors to rate the 10 main Greek islands on factors including beaches, attractions, scenery and value for money.

Kefalonia, the setting for Louis de Bernières’ novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and a major location for the 2001 film starring Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz, was the only island to score five stars in the peace and quiet category, gaining an overall 85%.

The Greek island has a rich history and a long cultural tradition. The green of its mountains blends with the blue of the water making it truly unique and a beloved destination. Pine, cypress, and olive trees cover Mt. Ainos’ peak, while at its foot you’ll come across vineyards where the popular Kefalonian Robola wine variety is produced.

The biggest town and capital of the island is Argostoli. It is a town built around a hill, with a city-like life, filled with various types of entertainment: shops for you shopping lovers, cafes to sit back and relax, bars and beaches nearby. Although Argostoli was totally ruined by the earthquake in 1953, there are still sites that depict the old Venetian architecture.

Lixouri is the second biggest town of the island. It is a peaceful town that is ideal for those who love peace and quiet. You can enjoy your coffee, your pastry sweets and the local cuisine at the port and at the square with the famous ficus plant.

Fiscardo survived the destructive earthquake of 1953. Most of the buildings preserve their traditional local color that transports you back in time: the grand mansions with their elegant balconies, the old two-storey houses, the dark red-tiled rooftops, the green mountainsides, the blue of the sea and the overall scenery is enchanting.

In the north of the island, the picturesque Assos village is built above cliffs, among pine trees and cypresses. Sparsely built with traditional color, in an impressive landscape, Assos fascinates with its peace and simplicity.

Apart from the wonderful waters of Assos, at a nearby distance don’t miss Myrtos beach as well as many other picturesque small bays that wait to be discovered.

The beaches of Kefalonia

Kefalonia has some of the best beaches in Greece, with the likes of Myrtos regularly cracking top lists worldwide for their crystal-clear, blue-green water and dramatic settings.

There are so many, in fact, that choosing one can seem daunting. Some are long and sandy, others have crunchy, fine pebbles; some are fully organized with facilities and tavernas and others are totally remote; and some are easy to get to and others more challenging.

The Cave Lake of Melissani

The cave lake of Melissani is a wonder of nature and one of the most impressive sights on Kefalonia. It is located in Karavomylos, an area close to Sami town.

Melissani was discovered in 1951 and following construction works in order to make it accessible, it has become one of the most famous tourist attractions.

The magic of the landscape is partly because the roof of the cave has collapsed opening up a view of the sky. If you visit during the day when the sun is high, it shines down on the lake and makes the light blue waters luminesce, giving off a magical soothing feeling.

Ainos National Park

The highest mountain in Kefalonia is Ainos, whose peak reaches 1.628 meters, and is the only national park to be found on a Greek Island.

The fir tree grows natively on this mountain on Kefalonia. The black needles of the Kefalonian fir tree give an impressive dark color to the mountain. On the cliffs of the mountain, you might also be lucky enough to see small wild horses. The mountain is ideal for excursions and hiking amid verdant nature, with paths that vary in difficulty.

Gastronomy of Kefalonia

Kefalonian cuisine is renowned. The island produces yellow cheese, feta cheese, olive oil, honey and local meats. It is also home to a large number of delicious recipes; native cookbooks that were passed down from one generation to the next.

Kefalonian meat pie is a perennial favorite for its rich, well-spiced flavors, using bay leaf, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg and marjoram. Usually, it’s prepared with a mixture of veal and lamb, which are cooked in a tomato wine sauce with vegetables like carrots, potato, and leeks, then it’s all baked into a pie.

Chicken tserepa is another local favorite. The tserepa is a traditional clay cooking vessel used over charcoal. Customarily the chicken for the dish is marinated overnight in a heady brew of oregano, smashed garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Then it’s baked in the tserepa with tomato sauce, wine, lemon juice and potatoes, and comes out tender and delicious.