Sami Marina

The largest island of the Ionian Sea, Kefallonia is a very charming place that has become to be known over the last years as a family destination. Due to the large size of the island, the beaches of Kefallonia never get crowded so there is ample space for rejuvenation, unwinding and spending quality time with your loved ones.

The island is celebrated for its exotic beaches, including Myrtos, Antisamos, Lourdas and Skala, the last one being chosen for filming the Hollywood movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin.

Apart from swimming, Kefallonia Greece also has many places to see, from picturesque villages to medieval castles and breathtaking monasteries. Fiscardo is the most cosmopolitan place with a port that receives a lot of yachts during the summer. While here, you might consider paying a visit to the villages of Argostoli, Sami and Assos, for a pleasant afternoon.

The highest mountain on the island is Mount Ainos, with an altitude of 1628 m which watches majestically over Kefallonia. The top of Mount Ainos is covered with fir trees and is a wonderful natural park, waiting to enchant you. To the west-northwest are the Paliki mountains, where Lixouri is found, and other mountains including and Agia Dynati. Forestry is not that common on the island, but somehow the timber output from Kefallonia seems to be one of the highest in the Ionian Islands.

While here, one should also take note that Kefallonia is in the heart of an earthquake zone, and dozens of minor or unrecorded tremors occur each year. Back in 1953, a massive earthquake almost destroyed all settlement on the island, leaving only Fiscardo in the north untouched. That being said, the island’s exquisite beauty enchants tourists and makes them feel right at home.

Blessed with a rich biodiversity, on Kefallonia Island a substantial number of endemic and rare species can be encountered. Due to this one-of-a-kind feature, parts of the island have been declared a site in the European Union’s Natura 2000 network, making it an even more seductive holiday destination. Among important natural features are the Melissani Lake, the Drogarati caves, and the Koutavos Lagoon in Argostoli. As the island is gradually developing, things to do, admire and explore in Kefallonia are increasing.

Due to the interesting reefs and underwater caves at the coastline of Kefallonia, some diving centers have opened. These centers offer courses and diving trips in the Ionian Sea, for those passionate for adventure and exploration, while even diving trips to Melissani Sea Cave are organized to explore the magnificent lake bottom. Some breathtaking shorelines of Kefallonia island, including Antisamos and Xi, have water sports centers with fun games, appealing to a large number of guests. Windsurfing is also practiced in the peninsula of Lixouri, while the countryside of the island is great for hiking. Old footpaths have been signposted and lead to monasteries, Medieval castles, mountainous villages and secluded beaches.