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How many days in Kefalonia? 4 days: Myrtos, Melissani, Fiskardo and Ithaca
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Kefalonia is the largest Ionian island and its big, mountainous shape means driving: from Argostoli to Fiskardo in the north takes about 1h15 on winding roads. Four days covers the essentials: the capital Argostoli and the south-west, the famous north-west coast of Myrtos, Assos and Fiskardo, the caves and beaches around Sami, and a boat to Odysseus's island of Ithaca. The 1953 earthquake destroyed most villages, which is why Fiskardo, the one that survived, is so precious.
Short answer
Three days covers Argostoli, the north-west coast and the caves. The fourth adds Ithaca or Mount Ainos and a slower beach day.
The 4-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Argostoli and the south-west
Morning. Walk Argostoli's waterfront early in the morning, when loggerhead turtles often surface by the fishing boats as fishermen clean their catch. Cross the De Bosset bridge (1813), and visit the Korgialenios Historic and Folklore Museum.
Afternoon. Drive 10 minutes to the lighthouse of Agioi Theodoroi and the Katavothres, where seawater disappears into the ground. Then swim at Makris Gialos or Platis Gialos, sandy beaches 5 km from town.
Evening. Drive 15 minutes to Kastro Agios Georgios, the Venetian hilltop castle, for the sunset over the south, then dinner in the village of Peratata or back in Argostoli.
Please do not touch or feed the turtles in Argostoli harbour. They are wild and protected.
Day 2: Myrtos, Assos and Fiskardo
Morning. Drive north (about 40 minutes) to the viewpoint above Myrtos, the white-pebble beach between cliffs, often called the most beautiful in Greece, then down the hairpin road to swim. The beach shelves steeply and the waves can be strong.
Afternoon. Continue 15 minutes to Assos, a pastel village on a narrow isthmus below a ruined Venetian castle; walk up to the castle (about 40 minutes). Then drive on to Fiskardo (about 45 minutes), whose 18th-century Venetian houses survived the 1953 earthquake.
Evening. Dinner by the water in Fiskardo, with yachts moored and the island of Ithaca opposite. Drive back carefully: the road is winding and dark.
Buy water and snacks in Argostoli: there are few shops between Myrtos and Fiskardo.
Day 3: Melissani, Drogarati and Antisamos
Morning. Drive to Sami (about 30 minutes from Argostoli). At the Melissani Cave, a rowing boat takes you across an underground lake whose roof has collapsed, letting in sunlight that turns the water blue (about €10-15). The light is best between 11:00 and 14:00.
Afternoon. Visit Drogarati, a cave of stalactites with a great hall that has hosted concerts (small fee), then swim at Antisamos, a pebble beach in a green bay where Captain Corelli's Mandolin was filmed.
Evening. Have dinner in Agia Efimia, a small harbour north of Sami, known for its relaxed fish tavernas.
The queue at Melissani is long at midday in August; arrive at opening and wait for the sun, or accept a shadier visit.
Day 4: Ithaca (or Mount Ainos)
Morning. Take the ferry from Sami to Ithaca (about 30-45 minutes; check timetables). Ithaca is the island of Odysseus: visit Vathy, its capital on a deep bay, and the Cave of the Nymphs.
Afternoon. Drive or take a taxi north to Stavros and the harbour villages of Kioni and Frikes, and swim in small, clear coves.
Evening. Take the ferry back to Kefalonia. If you stay on Kefalonia instead, drive up Mount Ainos (1,628 m), a national park of Kefalonian fir, where wild horses live, for the view over the Ionian; then dinner in a mountain village.
For Ithaca, a car is useful; you can take a rental car on the ferry if your contract allows it.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Days 1, 2 and 3. You lose Ithaca and Mount Ainos.
Got extra days?
With more time, take the 30-minute ferry from Argostoli to Lixouri for the red-sand beach of Xi and the wild west coast at Petani, or visit the Robola wine cooperative in the Omala valley.
Where to stay in Kefalonia
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Argostoli / Lassi | Capital, near the airport, cheaper rooms, good beaches. | €55-95 |
| Mid-range | Sami / Agia Efimia | Central for caves, Myrtos and the Ithaca ferry. | €80-150 |
| Mid-range | Fiskardo / Assos | The most beautiful villages, far from the airport. | €110-200 |
| Comfort | Villas near Fiskardo and Lourdata | Pool villas with sea views. | €200-500 |
Getting around
A rental car is essential (from about €35-50 a day in summer); the island is big and mountainous. KTEL buses connect Argostoli with Sami, Fiskardo and the main villages, but infrequently. The airport is about 10 km from Argostoli. Ferries go from Sami to Ithaca and Patras, from Poros to Kyllini, and from Fiskardo to Lefkada.
What to eat in Kefalonia
Kefalonia has strong local dishes. Kreatopita is a meat pie of beef, pork and lamb with rice, served at festivals; aliada is a garlic potato purée served with fried salt cod; riganada is bread with tomato, oregano and feta. Robola, a crisp white wine from the Omala valley, is the island's pride. Mandoles (red-coated almonds) and pastelli are the local sweets. Fish tavernas in Fiskardo and Agia Efimia cost €25-40 per person; village tavernas €15-25.
Best time to visit
June and September are best, with warm sea, highs of 26-30°C and fewer visitors. July and August are busy and hot. On 15 August, the village of Markopoulo holds a festival when small snakes appear in the church, a local tradition. Many hotels close from November to April.
Month-by-month weather for Kefalonia →
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | €35 | €70 | €180 |
| Food & drink | €20 | €35 | €70 |
| Caves, boats & ferries | €10 | €30 | €60 |
| Car (share) & fuel | €15 | €25 | €45 |
| Total per person, per day | about €80 | about €160 | about €355 |
Approximate 2026 high-season prices. Greece adds a per-room climate resilience fee each night, highest from April to October.
Before you go
Common questions
Where should I stay in Kefalonia?
Sami or Agia Efimia for a central base; Argostoli for the airport and the capital; Fiskardo or Assos for beauty, at the cost of long drives.
Is Myrtos beach worth it?
Yes, but it is steep and exposed. Go in the morning, when the sea is calmest and before the cliffs shade the beach in the afternoon.
Can I visit Ithaca on a day trip?
Yes, from Sami or Fiskardo in about 30-45 minutes. Check ferry times the day before.
Is Kefalonia good for families?
Yes: sandy beaches near Argostoli and Lourdata, caves and gentle boat trips. Myrtos is less suitable for small children because of its steep shelf.
What happened in the 1953 earthquake?
A series of strong earthquakes in August 1953 destroyed almost every village on Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos. Most of the island was rebuilt in the following years, which is why its towns look newer than other Greek islands. Fiskardo, in the north, was spared, and the Kefalonia Museum in Argostoli shows photographs of the island before and after.
How this guide was made
Written by hand, without AI, by a travel-agency planner based in Greece. Prices, cave hours and ferry times are approximate for 2026; confirm with KTEL Kefalonia, the cave operators and ferry companies before travelling.