KEFALONIA

General Information

The largest among the islands of the Ionian Sea, its landscape alternates between varying forms of natural beauty, including long sandy beaches, picturesque anchorages with green-blue waters, impressive caves, and rare geological formations, all of which ensnare the visitor. The region, as well as its people, are associated with the ?bizarre?, since the numerous geological reclassifications have created truly bizarre phenomena which, though  possessing valid scientific explanations, still remain strange and attract interest and admiration for the landscape of Kefalonia. The presence of man through the ages is depicted by his numerous impressive creations, such as archaeological sites, castles, churches, traditional hamlets and picturesque offshore villages, all masterfully harmonious with the natural environment of the island. Its population numbers some 32.000 residents, while its extent covers 937 sq.km.    

History - Culture

Archaeological findings place the beginning of Civilization during prehistoric years, while the first peak is dated at the dusk of the Bronze era (13th - 11th century BC), a period where the island was densely populated. During this time, four of its cities prospered: Krani, Sami, Palli and Pronoi. Coursing through history, the island successively came under the rule of Romans, Byzantines, Normans (1082, 1185), Turks (1479), Venetians (1500), French and English, while the island was finally incorporated into the Greek State in 1863. Kefalonia has been the birthplace of great figures in the fields of intellect, literature and art. Unfortunately, the island has been regularly struck by earthquakes, with the ones of 1867 and 1953 being the most devastating of recent times.

Sights

Kefalonia is rich in sights, possessing archaeological sites, Venetian castles, monasteries, caves, churches, imposing mountains, evergreen landscapes and unimaginably beautiful beaches. Visitors fall in love with the island instantly, but they usually need some time in order to get to see its beauties. Some of the most significant sights on the island are presented, but many more can be found if one takes the time to do so, and he will be richly rewarded for his effort. In the region of Assos and Svoronata, visitors can find impressive castles, while the caves in Argostoli, Sami and Fiskardo are awe-inspiring. Significant ancient ruins in Lixouri, Sami, Skala and Fiskardo, bespeak of a glorious past, lost deep into the ages. In Lixouri, there are also the ruins of the medieval Venetian castle (Palaiokastro) and the ruins of the ancient Palli. In Sami, apart from the ruins of the ancient city and the Roman mosaic, visitors can admire the rare geological phenomena of the region, which is abound with underground lakes and swallow-holes (holes in which sea waters flow and disappear underground), with Melissani -both a lake and a swallow-hole- being of spectacular interest. Fiskardo is a sight in itself, since it is the only village that was not destroyed in the earthquake of 1953, and therefore retains much of its traditional architecture. There, visitors can also see a stone sarcophagus and a throne carved on the rock. There is also an abundance of churches in every settlement, and many monasteries, the most important being the ones of Aghios Andreas of Milapidas in Svoronata and Aghios Gerasimos in Vlachata. In Argostoli, there are more impressive swallow-holes in the area of Lassi, just 2,5km away. Evidently, the waters go NE and reappear in the village of Karavomylos, opposite to Sami. Another place of interest is the Koutavos lagoon, the place where ancient Krani was once situated. As for the beaches of the island, the visitor cannot simply have enough of them; there are amazing beaches all over Kefalonia, spread with sand of silver or dark gold. Endless beauty lies in every direction, that being either fascinating nature or picturesque villages.

Entertainment-Sports-Shopping

As perhaps expected of an island of this size and population, with so many natural beauties and historical aspects, Kefalonia is far from lacking in these fields. The services provided in the areas of Argostoli, Lixouri and Sami meet every visitor"s need for entertainment, shopping and accommodations within facilities of high standards. As for the rest of the island, including the small villages, travellers can also find fine accommodations, shopping places and entertainment. As a very popular tourist destination, Kefalonia has a fine road network, frequent transportation services, and a wide variety of sporting facilities. Thus, in Argostoli, there are basketball fields and tennis courts while in Platy Ghialos, Aghia Efthymia, Skala, Poros, Lourdata and Sami there are water sports centres; hotel units also provide water sports activities for their visitors. As for the local festivities, the most important are the ones dedicated to Aghios Gerasimos, the patron saint of the island, whose relics are kept in the Monastery of Aghios Gerasimos; the festivals are held on August 16th and October 20th. Some of the local traditional products are honey, wine, skin-milk cheese, must-rolls and white goat cheese. Visitors should not leave the island without having tried some of the local specialities such as meat-pie, garlic sauce, braised rabbit, nougat (sweet) and quince-paste. 

Access

All year round there is a dense flight service from Athens. There also is a daily bus service from Athens to Kylini and Patras in the Peloponnese from where ferry boats sail to Argostoli, Lixouri and Sami.

Connections

Ferry boats link Sami, Ithaca and Patras all year round. Throughout the year, ferries also link: Aghia Efthymia, Ithaca and Astakos (Aetoloacarnania), Sami, Fiskardo, Pisaetos and Stavros (Ithaca), Pesada (Cephalonia) and Skinari (Zakynthos), Fiskardo, Vasiliki, Nydri (Leucas) and Frikes (Ithaca).

Museums

In Argostoli, there is an Archaeological Museum, a Nautical and natural History Museum, the Korgialenios Library and a collection of Byzantine icons. In Lixouri, there is a Public Library.

Alternative Tourism

Trekking, water sports, gastronomy, ecotourism, historical, spiritual, ecclesiastical, educational, exploratory. 

Usefull telephones:

ARGOSTOLI AREA CODE:  26710-

POLICE STATION: 26710-22200, 22300

TOURIST POLICE: 26710-22314, 22815

TRAFFIC POLICE: 26710-23226

PORT POLICE: 26710-22224, 22202, 94100

MUNICIPALITY: 26710-22488, 22230

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORG.: 26710-29200, 23399

POST OFFICE: 26710-22312, 91206

NATIONAL TOURISM ORG.: 26710-22248

BUS STATION: 26710-22281

TAXI STATION: 26710-28545, 28505, 22700

HOPSITAL: 26710-24641-6, 91233, 22222

AIRPORT: 26710-24618, 41511