Kefalonia villages range from the capital's busy waterfront to fishing harbours with a dozen tavernas. Each guide below covers what the place is like, the beaches nearby, eating, parking and who it suits; to compare them side by side, read where to stay in Kefalonia.
Argostoli Kefalonia's capital: the Lithostroto, the Drapano bridge, loggerhead turtles in the harbour, museums and Lassi's beaches next door. 
Fiskardo Kefalonia's northern harbour, spared by the 1953 earthquake: Venetian-era houses, yachts, boats to Ithaca and Lefkada and pebble coves. 
Skala Kefalonia's south-east beach resort: a long sand-and-shingle beach, Roman mosaics, nesting turtles and easy family holidays. 
Assos A tiny village on an isthmus below a huge Venetian castle: the walk up, the viewpoint, the pebble beach and the parking. 
Sami The east-coast port for Ithaca and the best base for Melissani, Drogarati and Antisamos, with a long pebble beach and a real town feel. 
Lassi The resort next to Argostoli: Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos beaches, a walk into town, the lighthouse path and the planes overhead. 
Lourdas A long south-coast beach under Mount Ainos, a small resort and the village of Lourdata above, 20–25 minutes from the airport. 
Agia Efimia A small harbour village on the east coast: boat hire, pebble coves, tavernas on the quay and Melissani and Myrtos within easy reach. 
Lixouri The quiet town of the Paliki peninsula, a short ferry ride from Argostoli, close to the red sand of Xi and the cove of Petani. Argostoli is the capital and the island's only real town, with the Lithostroto shopping street, the De Bosset bridge and loggerhead turtles in the harbour. Just south, Lassi is the main resort strip, with sandy beaches, hotels and bars a short walk from town and close to the airport. Across the gulf, reached by a short ferry ride, Lixouri is the relaxed town of the Paliki peninsula, near the red sand of Xi.
Lourdas has a long beach at the foot of Mount Ainos and a small, quiet resort. Katelios is a fishing village with a handful of tavernas next to Mounda bay, the island's main loggerhead nesting beach. In the south-east corner, Skala is the classic family resort, with a long beach, a flat village centre and plenty of places to eat, and Poros is a low-key harbour town with ferries to the mainland.
Sami is a working port with ferries to Ithaca, the cove of Antisamos over the hill and the caves of Melissani and Drogarati close by: the most central base for sightseeing. Further north, Agia Efimia is a small harbour village with boat hire and a short drive to Myrtos.
Assos is a tiny village on an isthmus below a Venetian castle, with a pebble beach and quiet evenings. At the northern tip, Fiskardo is the only village that came through the 1953 earthquake largely undamaged, with an elegant harbour full of yachts and boats to Ithaca and Lefkada. Both are a long drive from the airport, so they suit a slower stay. For the beaches in between, see Kefalonia's beaches.
Fiskardo and Assos are the most photographed: Fiskardo kept its pre-1953 harbour houses, and Assos sits on an isthmus below a Venetian castle.
Argostoli, the capital since 1757 and by far the largest town. Lixouri, on the Paliki peninsula, is the second town.
Skala and Lassi are the most popular, with long beaches, restaurants within walking distance and family-friendly hotels. Lourdas is a quieter alternative.
A compact half-day for visitors who want the island's two best-known caves without planning the route. It starts in Argostoli and takes about four hours.
from €65 per person
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A relaxed way to see Argostoli's streets, the De Bosset bridge and the Lassi coastline without walking far. Includes free time at Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos beaches before returning to Argostoli.
from €45 per person
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A long day suited to first-time visitors who want a wide look at the island, from a cave lake to a famous beach and a harbour village, plus a wine tasting. Allow about nine hours.
from €48 per person
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A full island circuit for visitors who want variety: Robola winery tasting, Agios Gerasimos monastery, Drogarati and Melissani caves, time in Fiscardo and a photo stop at Myrtos.
from €40 per person
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A scenic full day for families and all ages: a guided stroll in Assos, free time in Fiskardo with an optional swim nearby, and a final stop at the Myrtos viewpoint.
from €40 per person
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A full-day outing for families and mixed ages, with a walk through Assos, free time in Fiskardo and a stop at the Myrtos viewpoint. A swim near Fiskardo is optional.
from €45 per person
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Designed for cruise passengers with limited time ashore: Melissani's underground lake, free time at Antisamos beach, the town of Sami and the Myrtos viewpoint, all in a private five-hour tour.
from €160 per person
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A full day on a traditional boat with three swim stops, each of roughly one to two hours. Suits families and groups wanting beach time without driving; Greek food and wine are served on board.
from €65 per person
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Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 17, 2026.
