Generously endowed by nature, a place rare geological phenomena, mysterious cal interesting subsoil, therapeutic springs and s terranean water, with superb beaches, traditional villages and rich archaeological finds, Kefalonia is an island of unique experiences. In 2001 R Madden shot the film Captain Corelli's Mandolin on location in Kefalonia. The largest island in the Ionian Sea, 786 sq. k in area and with 254 km. of coastline, Kefalonia lies opposite the west coast of the Peloponnese. To its northeast is Ithaca, from which it is separated by a narrow sound, the Straits of Ithaca. The two islands comprise the Prefecture of Kefalonia

Its terrain is basically mountainous with Amos - a national forest park - as its highest peak, in the southwest (1,628 m. a.s.l.). The island essentially comprises four interconnected peninsulas and has a highly indented coastline with deep bays. The rich woodlands and the extensive vineyards, which produce the delicious Kefalonian wine, were renowned from Antiquity. The Kefalonians, kind-hearted and welcoming, have the reputation of being the most-travelled Greeks, since for centuries they have been ploughing the seas as mariners and merchants, or voyaging as migrants to all corners of the earth. The island also has a flourishing tradition in Arts and Letters, boasting a number of eminent creative spirits.

Its name is possibly due to the mythical king Kefalos, while the first mention of the name of the 'Kefallanians' is in Homer. The island was first inhabited in prehistoric times and around the sixth century BC it was divided into four kingdoms, at war with one another: Krane, Same, Pronnoi and Pale.
By the time the Romans gained power in Greece, Kefalonia became a Roman province, while during the Byzantine Age it was plundered repeatedly by pirates. The pillage continued throughout the eleventh and twelfth centuries, at the hands of the Normans and the Crusaders. Kefalonia was subsequently conquered by the Ottomans, the Venetians and the French.

The Towns of Kefalonia
On the small peninsula of Fanari, in the inner recess of a sheltered bay, is the island's capital and main harbour, Argostoli, in the territory of the ancient kingdom of Krane (or Kranaia). It was declared capital in 1757 and is now a modern town - it was rebuilt from scratch after the catastrophic earthquake in 1953 - with handsome buildings, many of which preserve their former grandeur, large squares and picpictureque neighbouhoods. Recent studies identify the area with ancient Melite, referred to in the Acts of the Apostles.

The Lithostroto (lit. paved street), the main commercial thoroughfare of the town, Vallianou Square and the historical Kampanas Square with its distinctive clocktower, are the venues where locals and visitors alike congregate. Buildings of particular interest are the Prefectural Headquarters, the Law Courts, the Conservatory, the 'Kefalos' Theatre, the Korgialenios Library and the Kosmetatos Mansion, the Drapanos Bridge with the characteristic arches, built by British engineers in 1813, and the Sts Theodores Lighthouse (Fanari area) which was toppled by the 1953 earthquakes and rebuilt according to the original architectural plans of the British (1820).

The Katavothres (lit. sink holes) at the entrance to the harbour should not be missed. This is a rare geological phenomenon in which the seawater disappears in clefts in the rock and reappears outside Karavomylos (Sami area) and in the Koutavos Lagoon, where there are remains of ancient Kranaia.

The Greek Orthodox cathedral of the Evangelistria was built in 1957 and has an important iconostasis and icons by the significant later painter Th. Poulakis. Other notable churches in the town are of St Spyridon with its magnificent gilded iconostasis, of the Archangels, the Roman Catholic church of St Nicholas with the renowned icon of the Virgin Preveziana (of Preveza), and others.
Three kilometres south of the town is the cave of Aghios Gerasimos where the island's patron saint dwelt as a hermit, while in the Omala Valley, at the foot of densely forested Mt Ainos, is the monastery of St Gerasimos where his relic is housed.
The second town on Kefalonia is Lixouri, a port built on the Paliki peninsula, northwest of the Kefalonia's capital.

It has an important archaeological collection and public libraries (Jacobatian and Petritsian). A short distance away is Palaiokastro where remains of the ancient city have been revealed, while at Kontogenada there are Mycenaean tombs as well as churches with Postbyzantine icons. In this area there are also noteworthy monasteries with wood-carved iconostasis and precious icons (Virgin Koronatos 17th c., Virgin Kehrionos, Kipouraion and Taphion). At the southernmost tip of the peninsula, near the village of Mantzavinata, is the 'Kounopetra', a rock in the sea, which rocked (Gr. kouno) in a weird way until the 1953 earthquakes, after which it was stabilised.
Lovely beaches for swimming and watersports near Argostoli are Platys and Makrys Yalos (at Lassi), Gradakia and Kamaroules, while at Lixouri the beaches at Lepeda, Xi (with red sand), Megas Lakkos, as well as Petani and Atheras, farther north, offer good swimming

Louis Apostolata
Skala Kefalonia, Kefalonia
Situated on the south east coast of the island of Kefalonia, in Greece the Louis Apostolata Hotels is set on a hillside sloping gently to the Mediterranean Sea, allowing an ideal panoramic view. More…

Limanaki Hotel
Lassi Agioi Theodoroi, Argostoli
Limanaki Hotel is situated on the charming bay of Argostoli, along the Fanari scenic route and at walking distance from the stunning sandy beaches Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos. More…

Hotel Summery
5 Grigoriou Labraki, Lixouri (Kefalonia)
Summery Hotel boasts a unique location, right on the beach but just a short walk from the town center. More…