Where To Stay in Kefalonia | Finding Your Perfect Retreat

Welcome to the captivating island of Kefalonia, nestled in the heart of the Ionian Sea where crystal-clear blue waters meet lush landscapes. This Greek paradise entices travelers from around the world with its idyllic beaches, charming villages, and mesmerizing landscapes.

As you plan your journey here, the question inevitably arises: where is the best place to stay in Kefalonia? This guide takes you through the best locations to stay on the island, the pros and cons of each, and a curated selection of the best accommodation there, many with sea views.

Whether you seek a tranquil retreat, a vibrant seaside haven, or an authentic village experience, Kefalonia has a place for you. From luxurious villas that pamper your senses to cozy guesthouses steeped in local traditions, Kefalonia offers a diverse range of options.

Let’s explore the best places to stay in Kefalonia.

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Where To Stay In Kefalonia

Argostoli

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia. Set on the beautiful Bay of Argostoli, it’s vibrant and full of energy. A great place to wake up, watch boats on the bay and the view of the hills across it, and explore the many tavernas, cafes, shops, and sites here.

Argostoli is on the western side of the island. If you arrive in Kefalonia by air, it’s a 15-minute drive from the airport. You can also take the bus, which runs frequently between the two.

If you arrive by ferry, it’s about a 35-minute drive from the port of Sami, which is on the east side of the island. And while there is a bus from Sami, it does not run frequently enough to make it a good choice. You can take a taxi, but taxis are expensive on Kefalonia. It will cost about $50. Note that there is no Uber on the island and taxis usually do it use the meter here.

As far as getting to the top sites, Melissani Cave is about a 40-minute drive east of Argostoli and Myrtos Beach is about a 40-minute drive north. Assos Village and Fiskardo are both north of Myrtos, so will take longer.

Where To Stay In Argostoli, Kefalonia

• King A is where I stayed. It’s centrally located with beautiful views of the bay. It’s privately owned and run by family. The owner’s name is Argamemnon, which is how it gets the name “King A” (from Greek mythology). He was born on the island in 1953, when the big earthquake hit here. Now he’s the architect that designed this place and has many stories to tell. You’ll find him here often with his family that runs most of the day-to-day business. The rooms, most with sea views, are charming and well-kept. A delicious Greek-style breakfast is offered on the patio by the sea. I highly recommend it.
• Tourist Boutique Hotel is also nearby. It looks similar to King A, and also offers rooms with sea views.
• Elite Luxury Apartments are set back from the bay a few blocks, very close to Vallainou Square. They offer kitchenettes and balconies with mountain and city views.
• A&B Minimal Suite With Bay View of Argostoli offers accommodation with a balcony with sea views, just a short walk of Vallainou Square.

To learn more about Argostoli and all the things you can see and do here, see my post: Best Things To Do In Argostoli | Top Attractions & Hidden Gems.

Anomeria (By Myrtos Beach)

If you want to stay within walking distant of Myrtos Beach, these two apartments look amazing and both get stellar reviews. The northern viewpoint is just a 10 to 15-minute walk away, so it’s easy to wander down to see this mesmerizing beach during the day, and again at sunset.

The downside to staying here is that there are limited tavernas and cafes to choose from, and limited nightlife.

If you arrive by air, this area is a little less than an hour drive north of the airport. If you arrive at the port of Sami, it’s about a 30-minute drive from the southeast.

Where To Stay By Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia

• Myrtos View Apartments sit back behind Myrtos Beach and offers stunning views of the bay and pool. These 1 bedroom apartments have a kitchen, dining area, and ocean views.
• Myrtos Bay View Apartments are 1 bedroom apartments that also sit behind Myrtos Beach. There’s a kitchen, a pool and stunning views of the bay.

To learn more about Myrtos Beach and what to expect when visiting, see my post: Exploring The Enchanting Beauty Of Myrtos Beach & Its Stunning Viewpoints.

Assos Village

The small fishing village of Assos is another great option as a place to stay while exploring the island. The advantage of Assos is the beauty of the area and the close proximity to Myrtos Beach and Fiskardo, two of the top sites in Kefalonia. As it’s small, it will also be quiet and relaxing, with many places that offer sea views.

The downside of staying here is that there are a limited number of restaurants nearby, but if you have a car, you can head up to Fiskardo or down to Lixouri or Argostino. There is also limited nightlife here.

Assos Village is located about an hour drive from the airport and about a 45-minute drive from the port of Sami.

From Assos, it’s about a 25-minute drive south to Myrtos Beach, a 35-minute drive north to Fiskardo, and about a 35-minute drive southeast to Melissani Cave.

Where To Stay In Assos Village, Kefalonia

• Chrimata Assos Villas Kefalonia is just a few steps from Assos Beach and has exceptional reviews. This villa has a kitchenette and private plunge pool. Some villas offer balconies, some with sea views.
• Assos View villas are also steps from Assos Beach and get exceptional reviews. They offer amazing views of the sea and the village and includes a terrace, a well-equipped kitchen, and there is a pool.
• Kanakis Apartments are self-catering apartments with a balcony or veranda with sea views and a pool. These stylish apartments also get exceptional reviews.
• Braunis Horio Villas are luxury villas on a cliff with panoramic sea views and an infinity pool. Some villas offer a private pool. These villas are a splurge level, but look well worth it!

For more information on Assos Village and what to expect here, see my post: Colorful Assos Village, Its Castle & Turquoise Bay.

Fiskardo

Fiskardo, located in the northern tip of Kefalonia, is another great option. It’s the farthest from the airport and port of Sami, yet its remoteness gives it a special charm.

This vibrant harbor, lined with colorful houses and dotted with bougainville, is one of the most popular harbors in the Ionian Sea, so attracts many visitors by boat. This includes celebrity yachts and mega yachts. Because it’s such a busy and beautiful port, it’s promenade is lined with many fabulous seaside dining options and cute little boutique shops.

This area also has some lovely beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters tucked in secluded coves surrounded by lush pine. There are also hiking trails you can take to discover more. Or, you can hire a boat in the harbor to explore the coastline here by sea.

Fiskardo is about an hour and a half drive north of the airport and about an hour drive northwest of the port of Sami. It’s about a 40-minute drive north of Myrtos Beach and about a 50-minute drive northwest of Melissani Cave.

This area is very charming, yet also a bit quiet as it’s so far removed from the top sites of the island. This location is ideal is you want peace and quiet, great food options, and are interested in exoloring the delightful uncrowded beaches here.

Where To Stay In Fiskardo, Kefalonia

• Fiskardo Studios are affordable self-catering apartments with sea views a short walk from the harbor.
• KAMINAKIA Apartments & Studios – Adults only offers breathtaking sea views at an affordable price. Located between the harbor and Foki Beach, each apartment has a terrace or balcony with sea views.
• Emelisse Nature Hotel is a 10-minute walk to Emblisi Beach and a 20-minute walk to the port. It offers a kitchenette, pool, and a fitness center. Some rooms offer terraces with a view.
• North Point Houses are luxury 2-story villas with kitchenettes and balconies with views of the sea and mountains. It’s located just a few steps from the harbor.

To learn more about Fiskardo, see my post: Complete Guide To Charming Fiskardo.

Lixouri

Lixouri, just across the bay from Argostoli, is another choice. It offers similar, stunning views to Argostoli, but, as it’s smaller, it tends to be less expensive.

There are many seaside dining options here that capitalize on the beauty of the bay, as well as a square filled with more options. There are also many boutique shops to explore here. If you need more than this smaller town offers, there’s a ferry that crosses the bay to and from Argostoli frequently.

There are also beaches, wineries, and more to explore in Lixouri.

Where To Stay In Lixouri, Kefalonia

• The City Apartment is a very affordable 1-bedroom apartment that’s a 4-minute walk to Lixouri Port.
• Sunny Beutiful Apartment offers affordable accommodation with a kitchenette and balcony or terrace with sea views. It’s located a 4-minute walk from the port of Lixouri.
• Dolphins House is a recently renovated 2-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette and balcony or terrace with inner corridor views. This unit sleeps up to 6, making it very affordable if you have a group.
• Melitta is a 3-bedroom apartment that’s perfect for families. It has a balcony with mountain and sea views. It’s a little farther away than the others above, about a 10-minute walk to the port.

Sami

Sami is on the southeast side of Kefalonia. This is where the ferries arrive, so if you arrive on Kefalonia by ferry, you will not have far to go.

This seaside village is one of the places used as a set for the filming of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. It’s also close to Melissani Cave, which is just a 5- to 10-minute drive away. This is also where Antisamos Beach is, a tranquil beach surrounded by greenery, and the ruins of Sami Castle.

Myrtos is about a 30-minute drive northwest of Sami, Assos is about a 45-minute drive northwest, Fiskardo is about an hour away, and Argostoli is about a 35-minute drive.

Where To Stay In Sami, Kefalonia

• Memories is a lovely vacation home near the port of Sami and within walking distance of Valetta Beach.
• Maria’s Apartments are located about a 2-minute drive inland. This sustainable property offers environmentally friendly accommodation close to Karavomilos Beach. There is a kitchen and mountain and sea views.

Summary

The six locations above are all excellent choices. You really can’t go wrong with staying in any one of them to enjoy your stay and discover the treasures of Kefalonia. Where you choose to stay depends on what you’re looking for, since will you need a car to discover the islands anyway. Do you want to stay in a vibrant area full of places to eat and drink or someplace a little more removed and relaxing? Do you want luxury, or a sea view, or both?

If you don’t want to lock yourself into just one location, try mixing it up a little. Stay in Argostoli, Lixouri, or Sami for a few days when you first arrive, then move up north, to either Myrtos Beach, Assos or Fiskardo.

This gives you some time to soak up both the atmosphere of the more lively southern side and to relax in the quieter, more beautiful northern side of the Island.

Whatever you do, let me know what you decide. I’d love to hear where you chose to stay in Kefalonia and what you thought of it.

Want More Of Greece?

Greece is such an amazing destination. There’s so much to see and do here! I’ve visited 4 times and still have so much more I want to explore.

Below I’ve listed my favorite places, to help you discover what to see and do there. I’ve also added a few stories from along the way…

Mainland Greece

• Top 20 Things To Do In Amazing Athens | A Complete Guide Visiting
• The Clifftop Monasteries Of Meteora
• Teaching Yoga At A Refugee Camp In Serres Greece

Corfu Island

• Best Things To Do In Corfu Old Town
• Things To Do In Sidari: Must-See Canal d’ Amour and More
• Enchanting Cape Drastis, How To Get There And What To Expect
• Top Things To Do In Pretty Paleokastrista Top 12 Things To Do In Captivating Corfu

Crete Island

• Top Things To Do In Crete Balos Bay Beach And Gramvousa Island,
• Crete Day Trip To Elafonisi Island, Crete
• Hiking Samaria Gorge, Crete

Ios Island

• Top 15 Things To Do On Ios Island 

Kefalonia Island

• Exploring Enchanting Myrtos Beach & It’s Stunning Viewpoints
• Complete Guide To Charming Fiskardo
• How To Get To Melissani Cave & What To Expect
• Colorful Assos Village, It’s Castle & Turquoise Bay
• The Enigmatic Sinkholes Of Argostoli
• Best Things To Do In Argostoli | Top Attractions & Hidden Gems

Milos Island

• What To Do On The Cool Island Of Milos

Naxos Island

• Top 20 Things To Do In Naxos  

Paros Island

• 15 Fun Things To Do On Enchanting Paros 

Santorini Island

• Hiking From Fira To Oia On Santorini

Zakynthos Island

• How To Get To Stunning Shipwreck Beach on Zakynthos
• Spotting Turtles in Zakynthos And Visiting Turtle Island
• Myzithres Viewpoint & Beach | Hidden Gem of Zakynthos
• Visiting Zakynthos | What To Do & Where To Stay

Other

• Philotimo, The Highest Greek Virtue
• Gorgeous Old Doors Of Greece

For an overview of all the best places in Greece, as well as how to get around, safety, tips, and more, see my Greece Travel Guide.

Safe Travels!

Julie