Exploring By Car

Once voted 10th in a world scenic beauty league, Kefalonia is an island to be explored by car. Kefalonia is a large island and if you prefer to spend your holiday exploring your surroundings, rather than staying on the beach, a car or jeep is essential. If you need some ideas to get started for a day's touring, the island can be divided easily into five regions.

Before setting off with your hired car, here are some important things that you should consider:

Always keep you driving licence, passport and car hire contract with you. Make sure you have details of who to contact (who you hired your car from) in the event of a break down or accident.

Fasten your Car Hire seat belts, as in the EU the wearing of seat belts is compulsory and remember that you are driving on the right.

Speed limits throughout Greece are 50km per hour in built up areas, 70km on main roads and 90km on the highways and others when stated.

Check that your destination is along fairly good roads because the undercarriage of the car, and usually the tyres as well, will not be covered by the car hire insurance. Check the map that should be supplied with the hire car and stay on the main roads.

Take extra care after rain. The road surfaces are constructed using marble dust and when it rains the roads are more slippery than those you will be used to in the UK.

If you are considering leaving Kefalonia, you may need to inform the hire car company that you wish to drive to another island, using a car ferry. You may find the insurance does not extend further than Kefalonia or the breakdown service is operated only on Kefalonia.

Take extra care when driving through villages and generally be aware of hazards such as shepherds moving their flocks of goats and sheep, donkeys and stray cats and dogs.

Roundabouts and road junctions should be approached with caution. In Greece, priority is always given to the car approaching from the right. The exception to the rule is when you are on a major road where you have priority. However, if the road you are on does not have priority at a roundabout this is usually indicated by a stop sign.

Road signs in Greek are usually followed a few metres along the road by a road sign in English.

Parking restrictions apply in major towns and resorts. You will see the yellow lines or no parking sign. In some resorts along a busy road - such as Lassi - there is an alternate-month parking system, so cars park along the same side of the road, then swap to the other side of the road, when the month changes. A single line with a cross through tells you not to park on that road in a month with an uneven number (1,3,5,7,9,11) and two single lines crossed through tells you not to park in the even months (2,4,6,8,10,12)

Petrol stations are easily available all over Kefalonia. They are very rarely self-service and some stay open 7 days a week.

Breakdown Services
EXPRESS Tel. 26710 28520 and 26710 28154
ELPA Tel. 26710 2831 and 26710 69734
POLICE Tel 26710 22300

For the village of Fiscardo, the Assos peninsula and the bay of Myrtos

Kefalonia was devastated by an earthquake in 1953 and many of its attractive old buildings were lost. Fiscardo alone remained intact with some of its beautiful two-storey houses surviving. Many date from the period of the Venetian and English Protectorates. The Venetian style is seen in features such as the decorated balconies and sculpted stone supports. New buildings have followed the traditional pattern. Today Fiscardo draws thousands of visitors and hundreds of sail boats each year to its pretty harbour which is lined with many cafes, restaurants, souvenir and craft shops.

The pretty village of Assos lies at the base of the Assos peninsula, a few kilometres north of Myrtos Bay on the west coast. The village nestles around a small bay and the traditional Venetian style of building has been maintained. A short walk up the side of the peninsular on a narrow dirt road brings you to the old Venetian fortress, whose towering walls circle the top. The fortress was built in 1593 to protect the area from pirates and within its walls are the deserted buildings of a prison farm, used during the post war period.

Myrtos is one of the most photographed beaches in the whole of Greece. A long stretch of white pebble beach shelves very deeply into the clear azure water. This makes it unsuitable for small children and it is recommended that swimmers stay close to the beach as if you swim far out it is possible to encounter undercurrents. The track down to Myrtos is a twisting and precipitous descent so take it slowly and carefully.

For the harbours of Aghia Efimia and Sami with views over to the neighbouring island of Ithaca. The town of Sami is in easy reach of both Melisani Lake and the caves of Drogarati.
The road from Argostoli to Sami is the longest and highest road on the island. Along this road you will pass signs pointing to Saint Gerassimos nunnery in the Omala valley and the caves of Drogarati. Sami town itself has some very quaint shops and tavernas and a picturesque quayside. It is an important port with ferries to the mainland and Italy as well as the island of Ithaca. The bay of Sami is the biggest bay on the island.

Situated 7 kms north of Sami on the east coast, Aghia Efimia is a very pretty fishing village with a well sheltered harbour making it a popular stop for the yachting flotillas which cruise the Ionian islands. It has a few waterside cafes and restaurants and nearby there are many small pebble beaches.

Situated 2 kms from Sami on the road to Aghia Efimia in the village of Karavomilos, Melissani is a huge underground lake and one of the beauty spots on the island. Natural light floods the lake and its surrounding chamber giving it an air of unreality. After paying an entry fee you approach the lake down a sloping concrete ramp. The crystal clear water undergoes a series of colour changes during the day giving a variety of different shades of blue. The main chamber is 160 metres long and a small rowboat takes you around the lake and into the adjoining cavern.

A few kms out of Sami are the caves of Drogarati which consist of a large underground chamber 37 metres below ground with an internal area of 30 X 40 metres. The caves are lit from within and are approached by some steep steps after paying an entry fee. The temperature stays at 18 degrees centigrade all year round so it's a cool place for exploring the wonderful stalagmites and stalactites. The speleologists reckon the caves to be 150 million years old and the range of colours are the result of moisture seeping through the minerals above over the years. After you've climbed back up you may need a coffee and toasted sandwich at the caf￿n site.

Saint Gerassimos died on 16th August 1579 and his beatification was two years later on 20th October . It is said that his body had undergone no changes and emitted a pleasant odour. Pilgrims from all over Greece flock to see St Gerassimos and his feast days are commemorated with processions and services. His relics are kept in the monastery's smaller church in a silver sarcophagus which is opened during services for the congregation to kiss his feet. Set in the Omala valley the monastery is the island's largest and most majestic, with a splendid bell-tower built in the architectural style peculiar to the Ionian islands. A small hole in the church floor leads down to an underground chamber where the saint lived as a hermit. The larger church has been completed recently with funds from pilgrims' donations. As a sign of respect visitors should ensure they wear suitable clothes for visiting the church - a sarong is ideal to cover up arms and legs.

For charming villages, castle of St George, Monasteries of Saint Gerasimos and Saint Andreas, and the southern road to Lourdas bay, Scala and Poros.

Don't miss the view from the hilltop castle of Saint George . The castle originally dates back to Byzantine times but the remains you see today, are from the beginning of the 16th century when it was rebuilt by the Venetians. You can explore the castle (open 10.00 to 15.00, closed Mondays; no entry fees) as the interior is littered with the ruins of various buildings including the guard's quarters, munitions magazine, several churches and the dungeons which are located deep within the castle cellar. There is also an old escape tunnel which runs 7 km beneath the ground to Argostoli bay although during the 1953 earthquake part of the tunnel collapsed.

South of the castle, near the village of Peratata, is Saint Andreas nunnery. In a secluded setting, you will find the church of Saint Andreas with the relic of the sole of the Saint's foot lovingly protected in a glass shrine within the church.

Spartia is a peaceful traditional village on the south coast. Little known as a tourist resort. There is a small beach and a few tavernas also in the village.

Saint Thomas beach is a favourite with the locals and anyone who enjoys snorkelling. There are plenty of rocks to explore under-water and a couple of traditional tavernas for lunch.

From the main southern coastal road, turn right at the village of Vlachata and a 3kms winding road will take you down to Lourdas - the second largest bay on the island. The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle and there are sunbeds and beach umbrellas for hire. The clear water and wonderful views of Mount Ainos as a backdrop provides an excellent spot for swimming. Have lunch in one of the beachside tavernas where you will find fresh vegetables from the local traditionally cultivated vegetable-gardens.

This small fishing port has a sand and shingle beach and some beachside tavernas recommended for their fresh fish. There are wonderful views over to Zakynthos island south of Kefalonia.

On the tip of the south-east coast is the long sandy beach resort of Scala, popular with British tourists. You will find shops, tavernas and beach facilities. For a long walk (about one hour) visit the old village at the top of the hill starting at the end of the high street. From the top you can see over to the mainland and across to the island of Zakynthos. Opposite the Hotel Skala there are the remains of the Roman villa with excellent Roman mosaics and a Roman bath. If you take the beach road past the Tara Beach Hotel you will eventually come to the ruins of the 7th century B.C. Temple of Apollo.

The town of Poros is not only the largest in south-eastern Kefalonia but also the main port for the ferry service which links Kefalonia with mainland Greece. Poros is situated in a picturesque area with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. Along the coastline south of Poros towards Scala there are some pretty little coves and beaches. The town is divided into two by a river with the beach resort area on one side and the port on the other. Just outside Poros in the village of Tzanata there is an important excavation of a large Mycenaean Royal tomb. Following recent archaeological findings, a theory has been put forward that Poros is in fact the ancient city of Odysseus and the centre of Homeric Ithaka.

Is the Pali peninsula which is reached by driving around the bay of Argostoli or by ferry from Argostoli to Lixouri.

The Pali peninsula takes you around from Argostoli to the second largest town on the island - Lixouri. Lixouri is an attractive town which can also be reached by the twice an hour ferry that departs from Argostoli. The Lixouri ferry sets off from the harbour opposite the Kefalonia Star Hotel and takes about twenty minutes to reach Lixouri town. Lixouri may not look anything like the larger town of Argostoli, but it boasts several important churches, lovely buildings, small traditional houses and flower-filled squares with picturesque coffee-shops. There are tavernas and nightclubs and some long sandy beaches.

This monastery is situated near the village of Havdata on the Pali Peninsula, on an unsurfaced road. It was built 90 metres above the sea by the archbishop of Paxi - Chrisanthos Petropoulos - in 1759. The monastery has its feast days on 25 March and 14 September. There are wonderful views of the surrounding scenery, especially the sea view from the courtyard.

Some of the villages on the Pali peninsula have remain unchanged for years, reflecting a more traditional Greece. Visit Kaminarata village where you can try a local taverna for mezes, home-made wine, wonderful views and laid back hospitality. The pretty village of Rifi is great for photos and each of the villages in this area has its own character. In the south of the peninsula, the village of Mantzavinata is home of the Vitoratos winery.

Aghios Spiridon beach has shallow water and is safe for small children. South of Lixouri is Lepeda with reddish sand and a dark-coloured rock in the middle. Lepeda is a good place for snorkelling and from here you can walk to the monastery/cave of Aghia Paraskevi. The beach at Petani has white pebbles and incredibly blue water. On the southern part of the peninsular are the beaches of Mega Lakos and Xi - two adjoining beaches 7 km long with fine red sand and shallow sea.<

For the airport, the main beach resort of Lassi, the capital of Argostoli and some interesting villages.

Since 1757, Argostoli has been the capital of Kefalonia with the town having been rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake. The stone bridge, which joins the two sides of Argostoli bay, is a monument to the period of British rule (1809-1864). The main shopping area is the pedestrian-only road called Lithostrato, where some shops are open 7 days a week. If you want to shop in the evening - Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays are best with all the shops open from 17.00 to 21.00 hrs. The main town square is best visited at night when the surrounding bars, caf￿and restaurants liven up. The archaeological museum open 0900-1400, contains important finds from all over the island, including Mycenean pottery, bronze weapons and other small items from the Trojan war. A separate room contains gold Mycenean jewellery, seals, beads and bronze swords. The folklore museum open 0900-1400, aims to keep alive the memories of historic and social conditions in Kefalonia before the 1953 earthquake, with exhibits reflecting its history from the 15th century to 1840. Costumes and jewellery are displayed and you will find the original designs of some of the embroidery patterns to be found in the craft shops today. Photos reflect Kefallonia before the earthquake and show the devastation it caused.

Lassi is the most famous beach resort on the island. As well as some smaller beaches, other well known ones are Makris Yialos and Platis Yialos. The former is the longer sandy beach, the latter is the sandy beach in front of the White Rocks Hotel. Snorkellers will enjoy swimming at Gradakia beach, where there are many tavernas, bars, souvenir shops and supermarkets in nearby Lassi. The coastal road from Lassi to Argostoli is called Fanari, named after the lighthouse. Along this road you will find a unique geological phenomenon 1 km out of Argostoli at Katavothres, where the sea flows towards the land in large crevices and vanishes. The water follows along an unknown underground route and re-appears a couple of weeks later 15 km away in the bay of Sami near Karavomilos.

On the road from the airport are several interesting villages. Passing through the village of SVORONATA, you will find some small coves and nearby sandy beaches of AVITHOS. Through the village of DOMATA with its quaint little church, and CALIGATA - once famous for its wine factory you will come to KOURKOUMELATA. This is a modern village with its own library and sports stadium, which were built with donations from the Vergotis family after the earthquake. Lord Byron spent four months in METAXATA before setting off for Messolongi in 1823. He liked to walk into LAKYTHRA for its inspirational views. In Metaxata you can see the site of Lord Byron's villa with his statue nearby.

Usual sights around Greece are the small monument type constructions at the sides of the roads; almost like a small church. These are memorials for people killed in an accident at the exact spot where they are located. They are made by the family of the deceased and religious objects can be found inside, sometimes with a photograph of their beloved one killed. These shrines are visited often to be cleaned.