Lakythra village in Livatho Region

Lakythra is a traditional Kefalonian village close to Argostoli which does not go into hibernation at the close of the summer season. Its bakery, kafeneion and some of the restaurants are open all year round. It is a village rather than a 'resort'. With its easy access to local beaches it has an influx of tourism in the summer months.

Very little is written about the village of Lakithra in the guidebooks of Kefalonia as it is a village known more as a residential area with some local points of interest. The village of Lakitha was completely rebuilt in 1887 with French funds after an earthquake. Due to the war and later earthquake in 1953 most of the inhabitants like other villagers on the island left Kefalonia for pastures new. Many families retained their land and returned to rebuild when times were not so hard.

Taking the road from Argostoli which climbs uphill past the villages of Spilia and Helmata with sweeping views across Krania and Argostoli town and the bay of Koutavos with its landmark bridge, you arrive into Lakithra village via a small one-way system in the Kalithea area. Kalithea is so called for its 'Lovely View' which is on the right across some Livatho villages, the airport and the sea. So the village of Lakithra offers completely different vistas from one side of the village to the other.

As you reach the end of the one way system you will see Byron Pizza restaurant on the right which is shortly before the sign of Lord Byron's Rock. If you turn sharply left at this point you will find the road to the local animal sanctury (more information can be found on the KATS section of Flora and Fauna). Lord Byron enjoyed the views across the Livatho villages but this was at a time when there was less development and of course no airport.

Lakithra sits above the villaages of Kourkoumelata and Metaxata which are above the villages of Sarlata, Domata and Svoronata, which form part of the Kato Livathos area which was once presided over by Lakithra as its capital. In Lakithra you will find native fir trees and oleander bushes with their red, pink and white flowers. Past the Byron's Pizza you will find some small tracks which lead to the church of Saint Nikolas close by the famous rock of Lord Byron as well as the Mycenaean tombs of Lakithra which date back to 1250 to 1150 BC. Most of the 400 items of pottery which were discovered in the tombs have been reconstructed and put on display in the Archaeological museum of Argosotli. Tucked away amongst some of the older houses of the district this is one more piece of evidence of the flourishing Mycenaean period which is not found in the other Ionian Islands.

The main church in Lakithra is Ayia Anna which cellebrates its feastday on the 25th July.

You will find a small Kafeneion, a local bakery and a selection of tavernas in the village. Some little lanes wend their way to the left of the main street and from here you can find some lovely views of the bay of Argostoli. A right turn at the restaurant Obelix will take you down to Sarlata and the airport. Continuing through Lakithra, a right turn will take you down to the illage of Kourkoumelata. A little further on you will find the right turn takes you into Metaxata and the site of Byron's house.

From Lakithra, travelling through Kourkoumelata and Sarlata you will come to Svoronata village which is the gateway to the beaches of Avithos, Ai Helis and Ammes. From Sarlata the beaches of Minies are close by and a little further on, en route to Argostoli you have a selection of beaches at Platis Yialos, Makris Yialos as well as the smaller beaches of Lassi. A ten to fifteen minute drive will bring you to any of the above beaches so you are spoilt for choice.