Why I fell in Love With Kefalonia in the Greek Islands

I fell in love with Kefalonia some time ago now when I visited the island in my early twenties.

I’d been inspired by the film ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’ like many before me and what awaited me certainly didn’t disappoint. Subsequent holidays to the island have further cemented my infatuation with this beautiful holiday destination and I’d wholeheartedly recommend that everyone give it a try.

With beautiful beaches, turquoise water and a generally unspoilt feel, you’ll find that Kefalonia makes for an excellent alternative to the many Greek party islands, such as the neighbouring island of Zante – otherwise known as Zakynthos – which can be seen from Kefalonia on a clear day (you can also catch a ferry from the island capital Argostoli if you fancy a night partying).

On my first trip, I spent 2 weeks exploring everything the island had to offer in a tiny red Fiat Seicento (with no air-conditioning) at the start of August, when the average temperature hits 30°c and the Ionian sea warms up to around 26°c.

The crystal clear water and rocky bays make for some excellent snorkelling and scuba diving, and there are plenty of things to see and do if you get a hire car (there aren’t a great deal of taxis on the island so this is recommended).

The Greek favour a slow and relaxed lunch and dinner and it’s not unusual for either to take 2-3 hours – difficult at first when you’ve been used to an on-demand, fast-food lifestyle like me – and I’d definitely recommend trying grilled Haloumi or baked Feta, two of my favourite cheeses that taste so much nicer in Greece.

Here are 5 recommended sights in Kefalonia

1. Myrtos Beach

Situated to the north-west of the island, Myrtos Beach is one of the islands most popular beaches – be warned, it can get quite busy at high tourist season – and you’ll find a bright white beach with pristine sky-blue water.

It’s well worth watching the sun set over the bay too, as the colours reflected on the water are truly magical, but don’t’ forget your flip-flops as the pebbles can be a little tough on your feet.

2. Drogarati Cave

A spectacular cave with an abundance of stalactites and stalagmites which make for some amazing pictures – if you have a good flash on our camera – and an otherworldly experience as you walk around the sloping corridor which is around 45 metres long towards the main cave.

The Drogorati Cave has also played host to many concerts thanks to the near perfect acoustics to be found there (why not give it a go whilst you’re down there and see what you sound like…).

3. Argostoli

What trip to the island could be complete without visiting the vibrant and bustling capital of Argostoli, situated on a peninsula with a busy port offering ferry trips to mainland Greece, Zante and to Lixouri across the bay.

If you need to do some shopping whilst you’re on the island then this is the place to come to, you’ll find plenty of supermarkets along with speciality shops, jewellers, many tavernas and a market open every day selling fresh fruit and vegetables.

4. Melissani Cave & Lake

I really enjoyed visiting the fascinating Melissani Cave and found that it did live up to all the hype which included tales of a singing boatman and a lake of ultramarine water which seems to be lit from underneath.

Interesting fact: The cave was named after the nymph ‘Melissanthi’ due to the Minoan relics found in the cave in excavations carried out in 1962; many of which depicted nymphs (it’s also sometimes called the ‘Cave of the Nymphs’.

When you arrive you’ll be led down a sloping tunnel to the side of the lake situated in the first cave (the roof of which collapsed thousands of years ago giving it an open aspect) and you’ll then climb into a boat and be taken slowly round the first cavern with the open roof. You’ll then be slowly taken through to the sealed cavern with plenty of stalagmites and stalactites – if you’re lucky you might even be able to get the boatman to sing…

5. Fiscardo

Kefalonia was once covered with many excellent examples of Venetian architecture due to the island being under Venetian rule from the Middle Ages through to the dismantling of the Venetian Republic in 1797 when the French took control of the island.

Unfortunately, the Kefalonia was shaken by a series of terrible earthquakes in August 1953 which flattened much of the infrastructure on the island. Fiscardo to the north of the island was one of the only places where the buildings were left mostly undamaged; making it an excellent place to visit if you want to see excellent examples of the beautiful Venetian style architecture.

Whatever your reason for wanting to visit Kefalonia, one thing’s for sure, you won’t be disappointed!

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Author Bio: Chris Rowlands-Barber loves everything about travel and has been writing about his travel experiences for the past 5 years. He currently works with MoneySupermarket.com, the UK price comparison website, and his next planned trip is Paris in 2012.