Anemos Escape Villas sits in Karavados, a peaceful hillside village on Kefalonia’s southern coast, surrounded by olive groves, traditional villages, mountain views, and the blue waters of the Ionian Sea.
From here, some of the island’s most beautiful beaches are only a short drive away, while Kefalonia’s famous villages, caves, mountains, and hidden coves are waiting to be explored farther afield.
A car is the easiest way to discover the island—but there is something equally special about slowing down, staying close to home, and experiencing the quieter side of Kefalonian life.
Nearby Beaches
One of the pleasures of staying in Karavados is having several beautiful beaches within easy reach of the villa.
- Agios Thomas Beach — Our closest beach and a local favorite. A small, sheltered bay with clear, calm water that is wonderful for swimming.
- Trapezaki Beach — A peaceful stretch of coastline surrounded by greenery, with shallow water and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Lourdas Beach — A longer beach beneath the slopes of Mount Ainos, with plenty of room to swim and several tavernas and cafés nearby.
- Spartia Beach — A quieter coastal escape with clear Ionian water and an intimate, local feel.
- Pessada Beach — A small and picturesque beach near the port of Pessada, where seasonal ferries connect Kefalonia with Zakynthos.
Discover Kefalonia
Kefalonia is an island made for exploring. Dramatic cliffs give way to brilliant blue coves, mountain roads wind through tiny villages, and colorful harbors seem almost untouched by time.
Argostoli
Kefalonia’s capital is the island’s lively center, with waterfront cafés, restaurants, shops, bakeries, and a long harbor promenade. Walk along the waterfront in the morning and you may even spot the loggerhead sea turtles that frequent the harbor.
Myrtos Beach
Perhaps Kefalonia’s most recognizable landscape, Myrtos Beach lies beneath towering cliffs on the island’s northwest coast. The view from above is one of the classic images of Kefalonia—and one worth stopping for before making your way down to the beach.
Assos
One of the island’s most picturesque villages. Colorful houses gather around a small horseshoe-shaped bay, while the ruins of a Venetian fortress rise above the village. Stay for lunch by the water and give yourself time to wander.
Fiskardo
At Kefalonia’s northern tip, Fiskardo combines Venetian architecture with a beautiful harbor lined with restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and sailing boats. It is farther from the villa, but the journey north makes for one of the island’s best full-day adventures.
Melissani Lake
A remarkable underground lake near Sami, where sunlight enters through an opening in the cave and illuminates the water below. Small boats carry visitors through the cavern.
Drogarati Cave
Not far from Melissani, Drogarati descends beneath the island into an impressive chamber filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The two attractions work perfectly together during a day exploring eastern Kefalonia.
Mount Ainos National Park
Rising above southern Kefalonia, Mount Ainos is the island’s highest mountain and one of its defining landmarks. Explore its distinctive Kefalonian fir forest, hiking routes, and panoramic viewpoints across the island and Ionian Sea.
Village Life
Some of the most memorable moments in Kefalonia happen away from its famous sights.
Karavados and the surrounding villages offer a glimpse of a quieter island—stone churches, small squares, family-run tavernas, olive groves, gardens, and roads that wind between the mountains and sea.
Take the long way home. Stop at a village bakery. Find a small taverna for lunch. Watch the evening light settle over the mountains.
Kefalonia is an island that rewards slowing down.
A Taste of Kefalonia
Food here is meant to be enjoyed slowly and shared.
Look for local specialties such as Kefalonian meat pie, fresh seafood, local cheeses, thyme honey, olive oil, and seasonal produce. And be sure to try Robola, Kefalonia’s distinctive white wine made from grapes grown on the island.
A visit to a local winery is an excellent way to discover another side of Kefalonia and the landscape that shapes its food and wine.
Things to Do
There is much more to Kefalonia than simply finding a beautiful beach.
Spend a day on the water exploring hidden coves by boat. Snorkel in the clear Ionian Sea. Hike through Mount Ainos National Park. Visit a local winery. Explore the caves near Sami. Wander the waterfront in Argostoli or spend an afternoon discovering one of the island’s traditional villages.
And some days, the best plan is no plan at all.
Our Favorite Day Trip
Assos • Myrtos • Fiskardo
For a full day exploring northern Kefalonia, combine three of the island’s most memorable destinations.
Begin with Myrtos Beach, stopping at the viewpoint above the bay before continuing toward Assos. Wander the village, enjoy a coffee by the water, and take in the view toward the Venetian fortress.
Continue north to Fiskardo for lunch or an afternoon walk along the harbor before making your way back south.
It is a longer day—but one that captures some of the very best of Kefalonia.
A Perfect Day Close to Home
Not every adventure needs to take you across the island.
Start the morning slowly at the villa before heading down to Agios Thomas Beach for a swim. Stop for lunch near Trapezaki or Lourdas, then spend the afternoon back at the villa enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
As evening approaches, head into Argostoli for a waterfront stroll and dinner—or simply stay close to home and watch the light fade over Kefalonia.
Sometimes the quieter days become the ones you remember most.
Getting Around
We recommend having a rental car during your stay at Anemos Escape Villas.
Kefalonia is a large and mountainous island, and having your own car gives you the freedom to discover beaches, villages, restaurants, and viewpoints at your own pace.
The roads themselves are part of the experience—winding between mountains, olive groves, villages, and the Ionian coastline.
The villa’s private driveway provides parking for up to four vehicles behind an electric gate.
When to Visit
Kefalonia has something different to offer throughout the warmer months.
May & June bring warm days, green landscapes, blooming countryside, and a quieter atmosphere before the height of summer.
July & August are the warmest and liveliest months, when beaches, villages, and waterfront restaurants are at their most active.
September is one of our favorite times on the island. The sea remains warm, the summer crowds begin to thin, and the days are still beautifully suited to swimming and exploring.
October brings a slower rhythm to Kefalonia and can be wonderful for guests looking for a peaceful island escape, although some seasonal businesses begin reducing their hours.
Our Kefalonia
There are famous places in Kefalonia that deserve to be seen.
But there is another side of the island that cannot be found on a checklist.
It is the sound of the cicadas in the afternoon. The scent of olive trees and wild herbs. A quiet village road. Dinner that lasts longer than expected. The mountains meeting the sea. And the warm evening breeze that arrives after the sun begins to disappear.
That is the Kefalonia we hope you discover.
The Anemos Guide
Our personal collection of favorite beaches, tavernas, villages, experiences, and hidden corners of Kefalonia—chosen to help you experience the island the way we love it.