Luxury Kefalonia Holidays

Upmarket harbour towns and white-pebble beaches

Known as Captain Corelli’s Island, Kefalonia is a treasure chest of secret beaches, hidden coves, majestic mountains, and picturesque countryside with a laid-back charm. There is something for all tastes and needs with exciting watersports and outdoor pursuits for adrenaline junkies, sand and pebble beaches for family swimming and paddling, and hideaway beach gems doted along the coastline for couples. Add to this year-round sunshine, holidays in Kefalonia provide the ideal opportunity to relax, unwind and get away from it all.

Enjoy a picnic in the poppy fields, or head to Fiskardo to experience a quaint fishing village with a main square, and a few tavernas offering Greek specialities including Kefalonia Meat Pie and the fresh catch of the day. Popular Lassi attracts visitors to its golden sands and is also within easy reach of the island's southern capital Argostoli. Here there are underground lakes to be discovered, and Skala offers a pine-backed sand and shingle beach, and lively nightlife with clubs and bars open into the early hours.

Luxury Holidays in Kefalonia

The largest of the Ionian islands, Kefalonia is renowned for providing the stunning backdrop in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin thanks to its powdery sands, azure waters, and never-ending vineyards. Be sure not to miss the pristine white beach at Myrtos Bay, and step back in time into the mesmerising Drogorati Caves. Sami and Lassi are a mecca for shopaholics, while Fiskardo provides an oasis of luxury and sophistication. Stylish waterfront bars and eateries border a beautiful harbour full of priceless yachts, and from there you can either take a boat or stroll to uncover secret, tranquil coves where you can relax and watch the sunset.

If you fancy a spot of island hopping then neighbouring Ithaca, the home of Odysseus, is accessible from Fiskardo, where you can gain an insight into inspiring history and sample the sprinkling of local tavernas and shops. Our collection of luxury hotels in Kefalonia are fully equipped with stylish rooms, infinity pools, deluxe spas, and landscaped gardens offering exceptional views of this beautiful island, in addition to warm Greek charm and hospitality.

Your plans, our expertise

Start planning your Sovereign holiday by getting in touch with one of our Personal Travel Planners.

Lines open: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 17:30 (Wednesdays from 9:30), Bank Holidays 10:00 to 16:00.

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Our pick of the top hotels in Kefalonia

Every one of our hotels is handpicked and personally visited by our team.

Kefalonia, Skala

Villa Costa

An authentic, adult-only Greek getaway
Eight individually-designed traditional rooms and a pool
Exclusive to Sovereign: Free upgrade to Half Board and 20% Early booking discount

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Things to do in KefaloniaFloat across Melissani Lake

Melissani Lake isn’t what you’d expect of a lake – it’s set in a cave with a collapsed roof, so the sunlight floods in and turns the water bright turquoise. The best way to get there? On a rowing boat that can take you to its most secluded corners. If that isn’t atmospheric enough for you, then ask your tour guide about the history of the lake: a couple of archaeological digs turned up Minoan treasures that date back to the Bronze Age. You’ll find Melissani Lake near the north-east coast of Kefalonia, just north of Sami.

Things to do in KefaloniaPhotograph Myrtos Bay

You might recognise Myrtos Bay – it played a supporting role in the film Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and pops up all over the covers of travel magazines. You can get there via a steep cliffside road that rolls out of the forested hills, giving out postcard panoramas of the white pebbles and aquamarine sea along the way. Myrtos Bay sits on the north-west coast of Kefalonia, so time your trip for the end of the day to catch a Technicolor sunset.

Things to do in KefaloniaSpend a day in Assos

You’ll get a taste of village life in Assos, on the north-west coast of Kefalonia. It clusters colourful houses and waterside tavernas around a natural bay with a pair of tiny pebble beaches. The Castle of Assos roosts high above the town. The fort is mostly in ruins, but it was once a Venetian stronghold that defended Kefalonia against marauding pirates. St. Nicholas Church and the High Commissioner’s House remains – along with cinematic views over Assos and the hilly Kefalonian coastline.

Destinations in Kefalonia

Skala

Skala sits in the south-east of Kefalonia. The sand-side hotels and bars of the beach are the main event, but there’s also an old town tucked away in the hills.

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Enjoy the best of Greece with our mini destination guide. Find out more about the Greek islands and our favourite hotels by clicking here.

Flight Information

Flight time from the UK to Kefalonia is around 3 hours.

If you're planning a trip to Kefalonia (EFL) from the UK, the following airports have direct flights:
Birmingham (BHX), Bournemouth (BOH), Bristol (BRS), Cardiff (CWL), East Midlands (EMA), London Gatwick (LGW), London Luton (LTN), London Stansted (STN), Manchester (MAN) and Newcastle (NCL).

When to go

Like the rest of the Greek islands, Kefalonia promises near-perfect beach weather. July and August are when the mercury reaches its peak, with temperatures often reaching the low 30s. For something a little cooler, you can still enjoy plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the early to mid-20s in May and October.

Visa Information

Currently visas are not required for UK citizens travelling to Greece.

Tipping

In Greece, a service charge will be included in the bill at restaurants and bars. Much like the UK, an additional tip is not required, although is appreciated for particularly good service. It is common to round off the amount when paying cash, particularly with wait staff and taxi drivers.

Introduction to languages

The official language of Greece is Greek. English is widely spoken, too, so getting by is easy.

Kefalonia Specialities Kefalonia’s culinary offerings are dominated by fresh local fish, meat, olive oil, vegetables and cheese. Specialities include riganada – roasted bread topped with oregano and olive oil, and sometimes feta and tomatoes. Surprisingly, the island is also big on pies. Homemade crusts are filled with rice, meat and vegetables, while fish variations use cod and octopus. Wash it down with Kefalonia’s most famous home-grown wine, the dry white robola.

Frequently Asked Questions

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