5 Reasons why you should visit Kefalonia, Greece

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There are a lot of places on my bucket list and many of them have ended up there after I’ve watched a movie that featured the location. This is what happens with Kefalonia in Greece, which is my latest addition. It’s an amazing destination that was featured in the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. If you are looking for some travel inspiration check out this list of film locations and here are 5 reasons why you should visit Kefalonia on your next summer trip.

1. Exciting history

There are a lot of great things to do in Kefalonia and some of the most interesting ones are visiting the archeological sites that can be found on the island. With its history dating back thousands of years, it is no surprise that your Greece itinerary will have beautiful islands with amazing archaeological attractions.

One of the best sites is the ancient city of Sami near the modern city of Sami. The site was mentioned in the writings of Homer and it boasts ruins from the Hellenistic period, Roman occupations, and every historical period until the present moment. With the remains of a theater, baths and even an acropolis, the town is fascinating and it is easy to explore it.

Other ruins include a 4000 years old grave complex, a full Roman villa, and kings’ tombs. Anyone interested in history will find a lot of entertaining places to visit on Kefalonia. If you want to discover more about ancient Greek history, you must plan a trip to Greece and explore beyond Kefalonia.

 

2. Secluded beaches waiting for you

Greece is known for having stunning beaches, but many of them are full of visitors mainly from Europe and sometimes hard to enjoy. This isn’t the case in Kefalonia, in fact, the beaches in Kefalonia might be the most beautiful ones in all of Greece and they are not so packed with tourists. Myrtos is regularly called one of the most pristine beaches and it’s famous for its turquoise water and the huge cliff that protects it from the wind.

Many beaches on the island can only be accessed either via narrow footpaths or by boat. Some of the best beaches that fall within this category are Platia Ammos – accessed by a boat or by climbing over 250 steps, Kato Lagadi – isolated and tucked between giant rocks, and Koroni – surrounded by cliffs, usually quite empty and far from most of the people.

You may also like to visit some of the best beaches in Zakynthos which is the neighboring island to Kefalonia and totally worth a visit. 

 

3. Great Caves to explore

Melissani Cave is one of the most popular and it can only be accessed by boat. Be ready for different shades of blue as the sun hits the water inside the cave.

Drogarati Cave features a large number of stalactites and stalagmites, and while much of the cave is still inaccessible, the area that can be explored is big enough even to hold concerts. Spend a few hours exploring it and you will be amazed by its mysteries. Greece is known for its caves and blue caves, and you won’t be disappointed by what Kefalonia has.

4. Spot amazing wildlife

The secludedness of some beaches make them a safe home to a variety of animals and some of them are endangered species. The Loggerhead Sea Turtles choose the beaches in  Kefalonia for their nesting grounds, especially the Skala beach and Argostoli, a small harbor famous for its caves.

Wild horses have also been spotted on the sides of the mountain, although few are able to approach these magnificent beasts. On the other side of the island, hidden among the cliff faces, endangered seals hide and mate. It’s one of a few self-sustaining colonies of Monk Seals that are not threatened in any way.

 

5. A feast of delicious food

Greece is known for its amazing food so be prepared to eat well. There are many Greek recipes worth tasting and Kefalonia is an area that has long preserved the tradition of home cooking, ensuring that all of the food served on the island is unique and delicious.

One of the best foods on the island is a fritter made of salt cod. There are several different variations of this dish, but the most common includes potatoes or bread crumbs along with olive oil, lemon juice, and some boiled salt cod of course.

As the name suggests, Kefalotiri, a hard cheese that has the texture of a paste is made on the island. Kefalonia also produces its own feta cheese and the recipe has remained unchanged and heavily guarded for over 1000 years.

Finally, the Robola and Mavrodaphne wines are well aged and made of local grapes on the island. Robola is originally from the region, and it’s been produced exactly the same way for hundreds of years. Not to mention that tasting the local food is also an excellent way to keep your Greek travel budget under control.

Now it’s time to book your flights and visit Kefalonia, pristine beaches, wildlife, delicious food and Greek wine are waiting for you. If you have time add Aegina Island to your itinerary, it’s another Greek paradise worth visiting.