Villas
Kefalonia Villas: The North Is Two Hours From the Airport
A mountain in the middle, four coasts that barely talk to each other, and one village the 1953 earthquake left standing.
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Why distance is the whole story here#
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands and the least convenient to move around. Mount Ainos runs down the middle at over 1,600 metres, the coast roads wind, and the places people most want to stay are at the far end from where the planes land.
The 1953 earthquake is the other defining fact. It destroyed almost every building on the island, which is why most of Kefalonia is modern - comfortable, but without the old stone that Corfu has. The exceptions are Fiskardo and Assos at the northern tip, which survived, and which the entire northern villa market is built around.
So the decision splits cleanly. The north is the beautiful, expensive, inconvenient half. The south and the capital are the practical, cheaper, perfectly pleasant half. Very few people need both, and almost nobody enjoys commuting between them.
Five places to look#
Where to rent, by area
Fiskardo
Northern tip
The one village the earthquake spared - pastel Venetian houses around a harbour full of yachts, with the best restaurants on the island. Villa stock on the slopes around it is the strongest on Kefalonia and priced accordingly. The two-hour transfer is the price of admission.
Assos
North-west, below the Venetian fort
A tiny painted village on an isthmus beneath a ruined fortress, with a handful of houses on the slopes above. Smaller and quieter than Fiskardo, twenty minutes closer, and the single prettiest spot on the island. Very little stock, so look early.
Rate bandHigh
Couples and small groups who want the north without Fiskardo's prices.
See Assos villas
Lassi and Argostoli
West of the capital, near the airport
The practical base. Ten minutes from the airport, walking distance to sandy beaches at Makris Gialos, and the capital with its market, hospital and waterfront five minutes away. Not the Kefalonia of the photographs, and much the easiest week.
Lourdas
South coast, under Mount Ainos
A long south-facing sandy beach with the mountain rising straight behind it, and villas on the terraced slopes with big sea views toward Zakynthos. Warmer and more sheltered than the north, and considerably better value for a house with a view.
Skala and the south-east
South-eastern corner
The island's best long sandy beach, backed by pine woods, with a low-rise resort village and Roman mosaics in the middle of it. Flat, easy and family-oriented - the opposite of the north in every respect including the price.
Getting the decision right#
Choose your end of the island
Price the transfer into the north
Match the beach to the group
Book an automatic with decent clearance
Plan Myrtos as a viewpoint
Frequently asked questions
Is Fiskardo worth the two-hour transfer?
For a week, often yes - it is genuinely the most beautiful place on the island. For four or five nights, the drive eats too much of the trip.
Where should a family with young children stay?
Skala or Lassi. Long sandy beaches, short transfers and flat ground, none of which the north offers.
Can I visit Ithaca?
Easily - ferries run from Sami and Fiskardo, and it is a good day out. From the north it is a short crossing.
Is Myrtos safe to swim at?
On a calm day, yes, though it shelves steeply. When there is any swell the shore break is strong and it is not a beach for children.
How does Kefalonia compare with Corfu?
Kefalonia is bigger, wilder, more mountainous and much less built up, with far fewer old houses because of the earthquake. Corfu is greener, softer and has the deeper villa market.
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