The prettiest villages in Kefalonia

One of the best things about Kefalonia is that it has that laid-back island feel but with a few small towns and villages when you’re in the mood for a little more life and activity. Top of the pretty-list are Fiskardo, which is one of just a few places that survived the 1953 earthquake without significant damage, and Assos, a cluster of pastel-coloured buildings that curve around a picture-perfect cove on the west coast. Come for lunch, laze on the beach and then wander up to the little castle for the views.

Top turtle territory in the capital

Argostoli is the island capital and a bustling, working fishing harbour and ferry port. The daily catch lands between around 8 and 11am, and you can watch the fishermen cleaning their fish directly on the quayside. The good stuff finds its way to restaurants on the island, while the discarded scraps feed a colony of endangered Loggerhead turtles, which you can see bobbing around in the harbour – you don’t even need to go out in a boat. It’s a perfect place to wander and stop for a coffee, a beer or an ice cream, and if you do want to get out on the water, there are plenty of trips running from the harbour.

Be with the bees

Greek honey is wonderful stuff, and on Kefalonia you can enjoy the special experience of viewing bees in a glass hive, and visit the honey ‘lab’ to see and taste the finished product. If you like, you can even get suited up (all kit is provided) and step inside an apiary with a guide who will show you the active hives.

Walk through history

Combine a dash of history with beautiful views on a guided walk around Old Farsa, a hillside village that is slowly being reclaimed by wild nature. Your local expert can tell you the story of the old buildings and the people who lived there as you follow ancient pathways first walked in Venetian times.

Climb Mount Ainos

At 1628 metres, Mount Ainos is the highest peak not just on Kefalonia but in all the Ionian islands. Its forested slopes are part of the Mount Ainos national park, clad in Abies Cephalonica fir trees which are found only on Kefalonia and mountainous regions of mainland Greece. There are lots of different trails to follow, from shorter walks to the 4hr 30 min hike from sea level up to the peak known as Megas Soros. When it’s hot or you just don’t fancy the climb, you can also drive part of the way up to enjoy the far-reaching views and the pine-scented mountain air for a fresh contrast to the coast.

Salty sunsets

Evenings are magical in Greece, and one of the best places to capture golden hour is the tiny bay of Alaties (meaning salt in Greek) in the north west of the island near to Fiskardo. The small pebble cove is bounded by rocks on either side, with perfectly clear water ideal for snorkelling. Bring something soft to sit on and perhaps a drink to enjoy as you watch the sun dip below the horizon on another idyllic day.

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