8 Amazing Places To Stay In Kefalonia

With its charming villages, turquoise waters, and natural wonders, Kefalonia is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. 

Also known as Cephalonia, it’s the largest of the Ionian Islands and is the perfect getaway for couples, families, and friends alike. 

Some of the best things to do in Kefalonia include visiting Melissani Cave, relaxing on Myrtos Beach, and exploring the capital of Argostoli.

With so much on offer, you’ll want to spend at least a few days exploring the island, although preferably longer if possible. As such, you’ll need the perfect base!

This guide will take you through the best places to stay in Kefalonia, as well as some hotel recommendations. That means you can simply plan your trip, rather than spend hours researching! 

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The Best Places To Stay In Kefalonia

1. Argostoli

Argostoli is the island’s capital so it’s a great place to base yourself during your stay! Also referred to as Argostolion, this town is just a 15-minute drive from Kefalonia International Airport. It is one of the best places to stay in Kefalonia.

Argostoli is in a relatively central location and is known for its historic landmarks, coastal location, and charming restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of fantastic accommodation options, as it’s the capital. 

Another reason to stay here is the variety of things to do. First of all, you’ll want to wander around the harbor as sea turtles are known to frequent the waters here.

You’ll also want to visit Saint Theodore Lighthouse to admire the views and walk along De Bosset Bridge, which is the longest stone bridge on a body of seawater. Not only that but there are day cruises that you can take from Argostoli too.

As you can see, this charming town has a lot to offer travelers!

The Best Places To Stay In Argostoli 

• Aenos Hotel: A beautiful hotel that offers gorgeous rooms and suites, with some of them featuring a private balcony, outdoor hot tub, and panoramic sea views!
  
• Mouikis Hotel Kefalonia: This eco-friendly hotel is in a great location, and boasts charming sea-view rooms, a bar, and a fitness center.
  
• Kefalonia Grand: Located right on the beachfront, this boutique hotel has a lot to offer, with its modern rooms, on-site restaurant, and bar.

2. Sami

If you are looking for some great places to stay in Kefalonia, Sami is one of the best places to head to!

If you’d prefer to stay somewhere a bit quieter, then make sure you check out Sami. It’s a 35-minute drive from Argostoli and is located along the island’s East Coast. 

This beautiful coastal town offers the perfect relaxing getaway, so naturally, is one of the best places to stay in Kefalonia! 

As well as being located near ancient Sami (an important archaelogical site), you’ll find plenty of other places to visit nearby. This includes Melissani Cave and Lake, Drogarati Cave, and Antisamos Beach.

The great thing about Sami is that the accommodation options here are very affordable. Not only that, but many of them offer studio units and apartments, so you’ll be able to cook your own meals – perfect for budget travelers.

If you don’t want to cook for yourself, there are plenty of authentic eateries in Sami, many of which overlook the sea.

The Best Places To Stay In Sami 

• Ourania Studios: This is a very budget-friendly property that offers several apartments. They feature a private kitchen, bathroom, free WiFi, and an AC unit.
  
• Stalaktites Studios: Although located out of town, this place is a great option as it’s near Drogarati Cave. There’s an outdoor swimming pool and a bar on-site.

• Memories: This one-bedroom house sleeps four people and is just a short walk from the beach. You’ll benefit from free WiFi, a patio area, and private parking.

3. Assos 

The gorgeous coast and the colorful buildings is one of the reasons why everyone wants to stay in Kefalonia.

Assos is another great option if you’re wondering which are the best places to stay in Kefalonia. It’s one of the island’s most beautiful villages with its colorful houses, turquoise waters, and secluded bay. 

Assos is under a 30-minute drive from Agia Efimia and is known for its tranquility and scenery. Although only small, it’s a great place to base yourself if you’re after that authentic Greek vibe! 

While in the village, you can relax on Assos Beach, walk up to the Venetian Castle of Assos, or head to Myrtos Beach, with the latter being under half an hour’s drive away.

There isn’t much to do in Assos, as the village is only small. However, there are some gorgeous accommodation options (many of which offer sea views) and plenty of fantastic restaurants. 

If you’re planning a trip to Kefalonia, make sure you check this place out! It is one of the fun places to stay in Kefalonia.

The Best Places To Stay In Assos

• Cosis Inn: This is one of the most affordable places you’ll find in Kefalonia. Boasting sea views, cozy rooms, and a fab location, it’s a great option!
  
• Linardos Apartments: The apartments here sleep up to 5 people and feature sea views, a private balcony, a kitchenette, free WiFi, and air conditioning.
  
• Romanza Studios: These studio units are perfect for couples. You’ll be just a short walk from the beach and local tavernas, so this place has much to offer. 

4. Skala

Skala is another beautiful village and is a popular option if you’re looking to stay on the island. It’s located right on Kefalonia’s South Coast and is known for its natural beauty. In fact, Skala is the largest resort town in this part of the island. You can see why this is one of the best places to stay in Kefalonia.

The remains of ancient Skala can still be seen nearby, which was destroyed by an earthquake. Within the town, you’ll also find a Roman villa that dates back to the 2nd century BC, so this place has a lot of history. 

Offering ample tourist facilities, plenty of restaurants, water sports facilities, and lots of gorgeous accommodation options, it’s no wonder so many people choose to base themselves here. 

As well as simply relaxing, you’ll find plenty of things to do. Skala Beach is the area’s highlight, but there are lots of day trip opportunities too.

The Best Places To Stay In Skala

• Skala Hotel: This property is just a short walk from Skala Beach, and offers spacious rooms and suites, many of which offer a private balcony and sea views.
  
• Summer Sun: This is another property located near the seafront. You’ve got the choice of spacious rooms and an apartment that sleeps up to 4 people.

• Ktima Fabiatos: This place offers a variety of cozy apartments, some of which feature a private pool and an outdoor area for the ultimate luxury experience! 

5. Fiskardo

Fiskardo is a charming harbor village that’s located in the North of Kefalonia. It’s just a 45-minute drive from Agia Efimia, which will be discussed later on in this guide! 

Fiskardo is one of the best places to stay in Kefalonia as it’s incredibly picturesque and there are lots of accommodation options. You’ll also find plenty of authentic tavernas and bars in this village, so you won’t be short of amenities. 

Despite the earthquake of 1953, Fiskardo has managed to retain its traditional architecture, so you’ll get to experience the true charm of this island. Not only that, but it offers a laid-back atmosphere, compared to some of the other more touristy towns.

While in Fiskardo, you’ll want to visit the Venetian Lighthouse, wander around the port, and take a trip to Emplisi Beach. It’s also the perfect place to try some local cuisine!

The Best Places To Stay In Fiskardo 

• Fiscardo Studios: These spacious studios sleep between 2-4 people and feature lots of amenities. There’s also a restaurant on-site that specializes in seafood.
  
• Balhambra Suites: This adults-only property offers gorgeous suites, just perfect for couples. You’ll be in a great location as the beach is only a short walk away.

• Nicolas Rooms: Many of the rooms here feature a private balcony and striking sea views. There’s also an on-site restaurant that serves delicious local food.

6. Lassi 

Lassi is a relatively small village that’s located just a 5-minute drive from the capital of Argostoli. It’s one of the most popular places to stay on the island and for good reason!

Lassi is located right along the coast and is known for its beautiful beaches, epic sunsets, and tourist amenities, such as bars and restaurants.

Better yet, it’s just a 10-minute drive from Kefalonia International Airport so it’s easy to access. There’s also a public bus that runs between here and Argostoli, which makes it a great option for those who don’t have their own transport. 

During the summer, this place can get really busy so be prepared for some crowds. You may also want to book accommodation in advance to secure the best places!

There aren’t too many things to do in the village itself, but you’ll find plenty of other attractions nearby which is why it is one of the cool places to stay in Kefalonia.

The Best Places To Stay In Lassi 

• Thalassa Boutique Hotel: This adults-only hotel is just a short walk from the beach and is known for its gorgeous suites and excellent facilities.
  
• Studios Angeliki: There are a variety of studios and apartments to choose from. They sleep two people and offer sea views and plenty of amenities.
  
• The “L” Suites & Apartments: Boasting an outdoor pool with pool bar, panoramic sea views, and spacious suites and apartments, this place has so much to offer.

7. Agia Efimia

White sand, beautiful views and the Myrtos beach is one of those reasons why people head to Kefalonia.

If you’re looking for the best places to stay in Kefalonia then you’ll want to check out Agia Efimia. It’s a fishing village located on the island’s East Coast, just a 15-minute drive from Sami.

Although Agia Efimia is only small, it’s a great place to base yourself if you’re after a relaxing and authentic Greek stay.

Home to beautiful beaches, a small port, and plenty of traditional tavernas, this place offers the perfect getaway. You’ll also be close to some of the island’s most popular beaches including Myrtos Beach, Kapsolimionas Beach, and Antisamos Beach.

Agia Efimia is one of the quieter options when it comes to staying in Kefalonia, and there are plenty of studios/apartments available. This means you can cook your own food if you’re traveling on a budget. 

Of course, there are some more expensive options too, so it all depends on what you’re after! At the end of the day, it is one of the good places to stay in Kefalonia.

The Best Places To Stay In Agia Efimia

• The Seasons of Nickolas: This gorgeous property offers a variety of rooms and studios, some of which sleep up to 4 people – perfect for families!
  
• Poseidon Apartments: This place offers beautiful sea-view apartments, which come with a kitchenette, private bathroom, free WiFi, and a balcony.
  
• Kefalonia Bay Palace: With a swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar, this is a great option if you’re looking to stay in Agia Efimia.

8. Lixouri 

The coast of Lixouri is one of the best places to stay in Kefalonia because there is a lot to do in the area.

Last but certainly not least there’s Lixouri, which is located across the bay from the capital of Argostoli. It’s the second-largest town on the island and offers spectacular views of the capital. 

Better yet, you can take a 20-minute ferry between the two rather than driving the long way around. So if you stay here, you’ll have easy access to the two largest settlements on Kefalonia. 

Interestingly, Lixouri was built where the ancient city of Pali used to sit before it was destroyed in the 1953 earthquake, so it’s got a lot of history. It’s also extremely beautiful with its turquoise waters and Greek architecture. 

As Lixouri is home to so many popular eateries and bars, as well as accommodation options, you’ll find that this town gets very busy during the summer months. Just something to keep in mind if you’re after a more relaxing getaway! It is one of the cool places to stay in Kefalonia.

The Best Places To Stay In Lixouri

• Belleza Villa: Some of the studios and apartments sleep up to 6 people making this a great option for families and groups. This place is very affordable too!
  
• Alkestis Studios: All of the rooms here feature beautiful decor, a kitchenette, free WiFi, and a private bathroom. Some even offer a balcony with sea views.
  
• Ionian Village: One of the most luxurious options in the area, this place offers breathtaking views, a swimming pool, a garden, and BBQ facilities. 

As you can see, there are so many awesome places to stay in Kefalonia. Whether you want to base yourself in the capital or stay in an authentic Greek village, this island has so much to offer.

If you’ve only got a short amount of time, then you’ll want to base yourself near some of Kefalonia’s most popular attractions. For the best experience, you’ll also want to hire a car, as you’ll have the ultimate flexibility when it comes to creating an itinerary.

You will find that these are some of the best places to stay in Kefalonia. So make sure that you bookmark and keep this post! If you have any suggestions on other places to stay in Kefalonia then drop us a note in the comments below.