Great Things to Do Near Rabia
Visit Ithaca for the day - home to Odysseus and Penelope
We would recommend that you do some swatting up before you go, as the Iliad is littered with references to Ithaca, it was where Odysseus was trying to return to for 10 years! Much more easily, you could visit the cave of Nymphs, or why not simply relax, have a nice lunch in one of the waterfront cafes in Vathi and then drop into one of the many delightful coves for a swim or a nap.
Spend the day down in Assos on the way from Fiscardo to Argostoli
What a delightful little village. It has a terrific Venetian castle to explore (be warned, it's a bit of a hike up to it, but the views are worth it), a beautiful little harbour, bay and some lovely waterfront tavernas serving freshly caught fish. Remember your camera!
Go to Olympia for the day
What a wonderful experience, to see the fabulous venue where the very first ancient Olympics were held. You will have to take the ferry boat over to either Patras or Kylini on the mainland to visit Olympia and, although it's a long day out, it's worth it - and the ferry trip over to the mainland and back is very pleasant indeed with plenty of sun bathing space on deck
Visit the Mazarkarta tombs
Between the villages of Lakythra and Metaxata visit the eerie Mazarakata tombs and wander among the ancient graves where wildflowers bloom in colourful abundance. Excavated mainly by Kefalonian archaeologist Panayotis Kavvadias in 1908, the burial chambers had been filled with decorative clay pots, tiles, glassware and gold plates, which are now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli. Today all that remains are the tombs themselves, where you can clamber and explore as you choose. It's a remarkably tranquil area, and the ideal place to spend a few hours with a sketchpad imagining the ancient civilisation that created it.
Journey back in time
Korgialenios museum No trip to Argostoli would be complete without visiting this excellent museum of Kefalonia's turbulent and varied past. As you may know, Kefalonia has been through many wars and under many dominions, namely the Normands, Venetians, Turks, Russians, French and the English, before becoming reunited with mother Greece back in 1864. This excellent museum unravels the past and is well worth a visit.
Snake Festival - 15th August
On the biggest festival day of the year in Greece, the festival ofSaint Maria, the most bizarre goings on take place in a village called Markopoulo. The story goes that Nuns once begged the Virgin Mary to turn them into snakes during a raid, and ever since, snakes are brought out to slither around the icons of the church in Markopoulo on this day, and many people consider this festival as a good luck festival and by touching or kissing the snakes, you are going to have a lucky year!
Spend the day in Fiscardo
In the north of the island, Fiscardo has something for everyone:Roman ruins, an extremely pretty harbour front, great tavernas and restaurants, excellent boutiques and a couple of delightful small bays nearby for an afternoon dip.
To the ends of the world??
The Monastery of Kipouria (Moni Kipoureon) on the Paliki peninsula, near Lixouri has unforgettable sunsets. The magnificent position of the monastery itself is located at the western side of the island of Kefalonia, overhanging a cliff that crashes into the Ionian, and makes you feel as if the end of the world was beneath your feet. Dating from the far away times, it is also known as the veranda of the Ionian. There is a tour given by a solitary monk who still lives there, an unforgettable experience!
Spend the afternoon at Myrtos beach
We suggest afternoon, because this is when the sun is shining fully on the beach, and you'll enjoy the amazing experience of bathing at one of the most glorious beaches. Myrtos has regularly been voted amongst the top 5 beaches in Europe over the past few years, and we are sure that you will endorse this bold claim.
Visit another Island for the day - Zakynthos
Another island, not so far away from Kefalonia, but it could be at the other end of the world, such is the contrast between these beautiful islands. Take the daily ferry over from the port of Pessada for the 90 minute crossing to Skinari, in the north of Zakynthos, and from there you could take another boat trip to the amazing ship-wreck beach, or go for a sightseeing tour before catching the evening ferry back.
Take a trip...
to the aquamarine waters of Melissani Lake. We should entitle this 'not to be missed'. Melissani Lake is simply stunning: the colours and eerie atmosphere is something you will never forget.
If the weather is too hot...
...then seek refuge in the Caves of Drogarati. These wonderful caves can be found a couple of kilometres south of Sami, and the stalagmites and stalactites here are truly amazing. The cave is actually quite big, and makes for some wonderful photographs - take a jacket though, as it can be quite cool down there
Argostoli back streets - explore a little
For retail therapy, the pedestrian Lithostrato offers a wonderful selection of shops offering everything from local produce to stylish leather shoes. Plenty of local cafes for refreshment and the Orthodox church of St. Spiridon and Catholic church always have their doors open. (Make it Tuesday, Thursday or Fridays in the evenings when all the shops are open!)
Try Kefalonia Meat Pie
The Greeks love their pies, and the Kefalonians have taken it one step further in producing this nourishing dish. Everyone has their own 'secret' recipe, so we are unable to tell you exactly what's in it, but it is filo pastry stuffed with minced pork meat and rice - along with an undisclosed mixture of spices and sauce. Delicious!
Try Horse Riding
There is an excellent established riding school located in the village of Zervata, 4km south of Sami. A truly wonderful experience, their team offer everything from 1-5 hours trips, to camping overnight with barbecue and campfire. For horse riding enthusiasts, this has to be high up on your list of things to do.
Wine lovers rejoice!
With 8 different wineries to choose from - Kefalonia is a wine conossieurs delight. Spend an afternoon stocking up for the holiday and then decide which ones to take home! Compare them with the other famous wineries such as Gentilini and Robola Co-operative!
The King of the Castle!
St Georges Castle is the historic capital of Kefalonia. A great place to wander and explore. There are many alleyways, along with a wonderful old church and monastery with ancient icons on display. Afterwards, why not stop for a coffee or lunch there.
A bit of a mouthful in both senses...
Visit any Zaxaroplastio for a sweet pastry! This complicated word denotes popular pastry shops that have a large array of tiny, sticky, confections, using filo pastry, nuts, honey, figs and raisins, some cakes ooze chocolate - – naughty but nice….
Lixouri
Famous for its wonderful and varied beaches and some superb locally produced wines, “Orgia” in particular. You can also go on the ferryboat for a mini-cruise, which takes about 20 minutes from Argostoli.
