Agia Efimia, Kefalonia: harbour village and boat-hire base

What Agia Efimia is like

Agia Efimia (often written Ag. Efimia or Ayia Efimia) is a working fishing village turned low-key resort at the head of a sheltered bay on the east coast of Kefalonia. Its small harbour, with fishing boats, rental motorboats and visiting yachts, is the centre of everything: a waterfront of cafés, tavernas and a few shops, with houses climbing the hill behind and Ithaca across the water.

It is quieter than Argostoli or Skala and less polished than Fiskardo. Many visitors return year after year, and the crowd is on the older side and fond of boats. Like almost everywhere on the island, the village was rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, so its charm lies in the setting rather than old architecture.

Boat hire and boat trips from Agia Efimia

Hiring a small motorboat is the main reason to choose Agia Efimia. Several rental firms on the harbour offer boats you can drive without a licence, and the coast north and south of the village is full of coves and sea caves that you cannot reach by road. On a calm morning you can potter along to secluded pebble bays, swim off the boat and be back for lunch. Fuel is usually extra, you need to be 18 or over, and the renter will show you the boat and the limits of the area you may use.

The sea here is usually calmer than on the west coast, but the wind often picks up in the afternoon. Ask the rental company about the forecast, wear the life jackets and come back early if the water gets choppy. Our boat trips and boat hire guide explains the licence rules and what to check before you sign.

If you would rather be driven, day cruises leave the harbour in season for the north coast and Ithaca, and there are fishing trips on traditional boats. Book a day or two ahead in August.

Agia Efimia beaches

Do not come for a long sandy beach: there is none. The village beach by the harbour is a narrow strip of pebbles and shingle, fine for a quick swim. A short walk along the coast brings you to smaller spots such as Elies, a rocky swimming place, and Lithovatis, a tiny white-pebble cove with turquoise water. Watch for sea urchins on the rocks and bring water shoes.

With a car, more Agia Efimia beaches open up: Agia Paraskevi, roughly halfway to Sami, and wilder coves to the north such as Kapsolimionas. The most famous beach of the area, Antisamos, is about 20 minutes' drive away beyond Sami. For the full picture, see our guide to Kefalonia's beaches.

Melissani, Myrtos and the sights nearby

Agia Efimia's location is its other strength. The underground lake of Melissani Cave lies about ten minutes south, near Karavomylos, and Drogarati Cave is a little further on, south-west of Sami. Midday brings the best light in the lake but also the longest queues, so choose between the two. Sami, with its long beach and the ferry to Ithaca, is about 9 km away.

Over the mountain to the west, the road climbs to Divarata and drops to Myrtos, the island's most photographed beach, about 9 km and 15 to 20 minutes away. Continue north for Assos and Fiskardo, which makes a good full-day loop.

Restaurants in Agia Efimia

The restaurants in Agia Efimia are almost all on or just off the harbour: traditional tavernas with grilled fish and Kefalonian meat pie, a few pizzerias and cafés, and gelato in the evening. Quality is generally good and prices are fairer than in Fiskardo. Evenings are relaxed, with dinner by the boats and a drink on the quay rather than nightlife; for bars and clubs look at Argostoli or Lassi.

Staying in Agia Efimia

Accommodation in Agia Efimia is mostly small hotels, apartments and villas with pools on the hillsides around the bay, many with views of Ithaca. Agia Efimia villas are popular with families and groups who are happy to drive; a pool matters here because the village beaches are small.

It suits couples, boat lovers and anyone who wants a quiet, central base for the north and the caves. It suits beach-first holidays less well: for sand on the doorstep, look at Katelios or Lourdas in the south. The village sits at the bottom of a winding road and buses are rare, so plan on a car. Compare the options in where to stay in Kefalonia.

The weather in Agia Efimia follows the island pattern: hot and almost rainless in July and August, with highs around 30 °C and the sea at 26–27 °C, and pleasant swimming from June to early October. Many tavernas and boat-hire firms close from late October until spring. See Kefalonia weather and the best time to visit.

Getting there and parking

From Argostoli, the drive is about 31 km and takes roughly 40 to 45 minutes; from the airport allow about 45 minutes to an hour. Coming from Sami, it is a 15-minute drive north along the coast road. KTEL buses are infrequent, often one or two a day in summer and fewer in winter, so a hire car makes life far easier.

Parking is easier than in Fiskardo or Assos. Most hotels and villas have their own spaces, and there is roadside parking around the harbour, which gets tight on August evenings: if you are staying within walking distance, leave the car behind for dinner.