ASSOS

The tiny, secluded village of Assos is romantic setting and perhaps the most beautiful location on the island of Kefalonia. The Assos peninsula is on the west coast of the island with the village nestling in its horse-shoe shaped harbour. The whole area is surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery of dramatic white rocks and cobalt sea with hillsides covered in forests of cypress and pine.
Dominating the entire area are the remains of a Venetian fortress high up on the imposing peninsula.

Assos is a simple and even rustic village with about 100 inhabitants. It has its own national heritage fortress and contains some fine examples of Venetian architecture commonly found on Kefalonia before the 1953 earthquake.

Alongside these you will find an attractive collection of private houses, a small selection of villas and apartments, four or five tavernas and a mini-market.

As you enter the village there is a small, shady, pebble beach offering clear waters and views across the bay.

The town beach is in the centre of Assos. Along the shoreline is a selection of cafes and tavernas.

In Assos village most of the tavernas are to be found lining the harbour and on the small main street of Assos. A couple are just off the main street on the road leading up to the hillsides and out of Assos. On the hillsides, dining with a super sunset can be very romantic.

Sea-Side Cafe is right on the water's edge in Assos. Great location for drinks and snacks any time of the day.

Under the shade of the Platanos (plane) tree, the Platanos serves traditional Greek meals.

Nefeli has a great waterfront location for traditional food in Assos.

Assos taverna is in a side street in Assos village but is easy to find - just follow the smell of home cooking.

North is a restaurant and bar high up on the northern hillsides. Best sunsets guaranteed.

Molos Taverna has a great harbourfront position.
There is also a first floor level where you get a better view. It also operates as a bar and ouzerie - with the ouzo and mezes recommended.

Centrally situated in the picturesque harbour of Assos, Assos motor-boats are fully equipped with all you need for gentle cruising in idyllic setting. Contact Dimitris at the Sea-Side Snack Bar in Assos Harbour to Book your boat in advance.
Tel:++30 26740 51883 and mobile ++30 6977 708342

For those staying in Assos, the evenings are very special. After admiring incredible sunsets, there is a choice of local tavernas where you can spend your evening. The atmosphere is very safe and friendly and many people return to Assos every year to meet up again with the friendly locals.

There are no discos, nightclubs or noisy bars in Assos but there are cafe/bars where you can enjoy a drink in the company of fellow travellers and locals alike.

The local bus runs about once a week from Assos into Argostoli, Kefalonia's capital town and there is a local taxi service, but car hire is recommended if you are staying in Assos and wish to see any other parts of the island.

Boat hire is available localy for visiting secluded bays.

The taxi rank is to be found in the village square.

A stay in Assos will appeal to people who are interested in walking, rambling, photography, painting, bird-watching and those who love rugged coastal and mountain scenery or who just want to while away the days doing nothing but relaxing. If you have an overstretched life, then the slow and relaxed pace of life in Assos can provide an ideal place to unwind. Breathe in the heady scent of herbs, listen to the sound of crashing waves against the steep cliffs and start to write that book!

You will soon feel like part of the village as you watch the visiting flotillas come and go and you can also enjoy some magnificent sunsets

Accommodation in Assos tends to be booked very early as there is a limited supply. For a selection of properties available for direct bookings contact Agni Travel.

The history of the castle of Assos began in 1584 when the rocky promontory of Assos, a naturally impregnable location, was selected and 2000 metres of walls were built to follow the contours of the terrain forming one of the most famous landmarks on Kefalonia. The remains of the castle within, still remain abandoned and uninhabited in a place of scenic beauty, well worth exploring.

There is a long, steep and winding track which takes you up to the castle so you are advised to walk in the cool of the day and take water with you. Jeeps can make the journey but should not go through the castle gateway.

Within the castle walls a new project was started a few years ago with EU funding. The conference centre was designed and partially built using local stone and marble.

However it remains unfinished and there is very little information about its future.......

The village of Assos is a joy to explore as most of the lanes are pedestrianised, but some of the remains of the Venetian buildings are architecturally beautiful but structurally unsafe for closer exploration!

The church of the Virgin Mary in Plakoula is situated about half way up the road towards the fortress (as the crow flies) and is an ideal spot to rest and from which to capture the pretty scenic Assos harbour on film or canvas.

The pretty pink church in Assos is Agios Giorgios originally dating back to 1871 with its picturesque cammpanile a short walk from the village sqaure.

Another small church in a narrow lane in Assos is called the Madonna of the Sand. The church has not moved from a beachside location - in fact the beach used to extend much further back from its present position before the 1953 earthquake. The church has been partially rebuilt since the earthquake.

The village square is situated near the waterfront where you will find the village war memorial as well as an anchor and old cannon.

Afer the 1953 earthquake, the French came to the aid of the people of Assos and helped to rebuild the village. The square is dedicated to the French and known as Paris Square with a commemorative plaque dedicated to the French.

Honey is on sale in Assos and one of the locals can regularly be seen selling his wares at a scenic picnic spot by Assos beach.

Fresh fish is caught daily.

Before the war and the 1953 earthquake, the locals produced wine and cereals and a testament to their hard work and productivity can be seen in the abandoned vineyards on the terraced hillsides which slope down towards Assos.

Nowadays the income in the area comes mainly from tourism and real estate.