Holidays to Kefalonia

Sunday day flight from Gatwick, Manchester and a range of regional airports to Kefalonia. Then 30 - 90 mins by coach or taxi. Other flight days and odd durations are possible to much of our accommodation and we are very happy to quote for bespoke holidays.

Why not combine a holiday in Kefalonia with Ithaca or combine a break in South Kefalonia with North Kefalonia?

A regular ferry service connects the Ionian Islands from Corfu in the north to Zakynthos in the south. Ports of call, in order, are: Corfu, Paxos, Lefkas, Meganissi, Ithaca, Kefalonia, Zakynthos. North and Southbound sailings are on alternate days and can be used as part of an island hopping itinerary.

Summer Festivals in Kefalonia 2019

The height of summer is a very special time in Kefalonia as many villages organise festivals to celebrate religious ceremonies and for everyone to socialise and have fun. There are many around the island and they are a unique experience and not to be missed.

Thursday 11th July from 8:00pm – Agia Efimia annual festival
There are celebrations in the village, including music and dancing that take place on the harbour. There is also a procession (usually accompanied by a local band) and a market with small stalls. There is a lovely atmosphere for this event.

Thursday 25th July – Agia Paraskevi evening festivals
You will find in the villages on Poros, Lourdata, Troianata, Farkalata and Lixouri, evening festivals with music and food dedicated to Saint Friday.

Saturday 27th July from 8:30pm – The Kefalonian festival in Fragata
This was organized for the first time in 1996 for the promotion of Kefalonia Gastronomy.  Here you have the opportunity to taste the traditional meat pie and other Kefalonian recipes. Traditional dancing and live music into the night.

Thursday 1st August from 9:00pm - Musical evening in Sami
A local band will perform Kantades (Serenades) of traditional Kefalonian folklore music with mandolins and guitars, they will sing about the Ionian Islands and the seas on Sami beach.

Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd & Sunday 6th August from 7pm – “Saristra Festival” at Palia Vlahata
This is a modern Greek music and art festival which takes place each year at Old Vlachata near Karavomilos, Sami. Old Vlachata was destroyed in the 1953 earthquake and now only the ruins of the pre-earthquake buildings remain. This is the setting for contemporary cultural art and live bands and DJ’s performing Greek rock, indie and dance music.  

Tuesday 6th August from 9:15pm – Traditional Kefalonia music in Argostoli
A local band will perform Kantades (Serenades) of traditional Kefalonian folklore music with mandolins and guitars, they will sing about the Ionian Islands and the seas. They will start from Kambanas Square (where the bell tower is) and continue through the Litostroto.

Friday 9th August from 7:00pm – Colour festival at Lourdas Beach
There will be live DJ sets and bars set up along Lourdas Beach for the biggest beach party of the year. Many young locals from all across the island will attend for a night of dancing on the beach with colourful paints. Modern, popular dance and R&B music will be played until early hours of the morning.

Friday 9th & Saturday 10th August from 9:0pm – Robola Festival at Valsamata
In the village of Valsamata near to the Saint Gerasimos Monastery is an annual wine festival organised by the Robola Cooperative. Here you can sample free wine, enjoy traditional Greek appetizers and enjoy live music and dancing during the evening and into the night.

Saturday 10th August from 9:00pm – Mantzavinata Wine Festival (near Lixouri)
Live music, wine and dancing.

Wednesday 14th August – Assumption Day, the festival of the Virgin Mary
Each year, during the religious service in the village of Markopoulos which is on the road to Poros, small snakes with black crosses on their heads appear near the church with the bell tower. Legend says that when the village was invaded by the pirates of Barbarossa, the terrified nuns prayed to the Virgin Mary to help them to avoid capture.  Their prayers were answered and they were turned into snakes to escape and scare off the pirates! There will be a small feast during the evening to celebrate this event.

Thursday 15th August – Saint Gerasimos Evening Event
The religious ceremony celebrating the Name Day of the island’s Patron Saint takes place this evening and is also the biggest celebration of the year for Kefalonians.  Pilgrims from all over Greece travel to St. Gerasimos Monastery to receive a blessing from the Saint, by kissing the feet of his mummified remains. There is also a lively street market and Greek food for sale.

Friday 16th August – Saint Gerasimos Day Parade
During the parade, the body of Saint Gerasimos is taken along the street connecting the Saint Gerasimos Nunnery and the Monastery.
The Greek people believe that if they let his body pass over them they will be cured of all illnesses.  The street market is also open throughout the day.

Friday 16th August from 9:30pm – “Shut the Sails” at Argostoli bridge
A live band will play on a wooden boat the “Queen Bee” and you can listen to the traditional sea themed music.

Friday 16th August from 9:30pm – St Gerasimos festival in Skala
A live music and traditional dancing in Skala centre  

Saturday 17th August from 9:00pm – Annual festival at Dilinata
At the courtyard of Dilinata which is a village on the main road from Argostoli to Agia Efimia, there will be a festival with lots of Greek foods, wine, dancing and traditional Greek music.

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August – The Robola Wine Festival
In the village of Fragata, close to the Monastery, an annual wine festival takes place, where visitors can take part in some wine tasting, sample mouth-watering appetizers and enjoy live music during the evening and into the night.

Friday 23rd  and Saturday 24th August – Agios Kosmas celebration
A swimming race will take place in Assos bay at 12:30pm Friday and an all day festival on Saturday continuing into the night with candles in the sea, live music, food and drinks.

Friday 23rd August from 8:00pm – Festival of Virgin Mary of Loutriotissa in Sami
This festival includes a religious procession at the town’s monastery, followed by a big party featuring traditional music and modern Greek rock, dancing, food and wine.

Visitors are welcome to join in with all the festivities. Please be advised that these days are very busy with commuters and a lot of traffic is to be expected.

There are many more small events in lots of different villages throughout the summer, ask your representative for more details.

We can arrange prebooked car hire in Kefalonia and motorboats from Fiscardo.  Please note that due to high delivery charges, we recommend car hire for Fiscardo and Assos is booked from/to the airport. If required for only part of your holiday then it is best to book locally through our representative.

Our resident representatives are based in Argostoli, Sami and Fiscardo - they visit all our resort areas.

Holiday Tips from local representative, Carole Fortune:

• St George's Castle area: Kastro / Agios Yiorgios (The Castle of St George) provided a safe haven against pirate attacks and was the Venetian capital of Kefalonia until 1757.  Re-opened in 2002 after several years of substantial renovation, it’s well worth a visit.  Although the remains are only ruins they are largely Venetian it is almost certain that they dates back to the Byzantine era and maybe before that. Natural growth has been allowed throughout the ruins making a beautiful sight, especially when the wild flowers are in season.   The views from the Kastro down to the now capital Argostoli and across to the Lixouri peninsula are fantastic. Another special treat is the small taverna just outside the gates of the castle.   Called Kastro after the castle itself it is a true gem of a find.  The hosts Nicky and her husband Spiros are truly charming and they fully appreciate that you may need a glass of water after walking around the castle in the heat of the day and that is what they will present you with on your arrival before anything else.  A local family run business, where I have to say the homemade cakes are to die for!!  Even Spiros’ mum is involved, she sells lace that she has made in the taverna as well.

• Mount Enos: The 3rd highest mountain in Greece.  Standing 1623m above sea level the mountain, sprawling the south of Kefalonia is amazing.  The width often distracts from the height and until you visit the top of the mountain it is hard to visualize how tall it actually is.   The area of Mount Enos is National Parkland and therefore protected and maintained.  A picnic area can be found amongst the woodland.  Driving to the submit you may be lucky enough to pass the wild horses that live on the mountain.  The views from the peak are second to none, views down onto the south of Kefalonia and also views across to the eastern side of the island.  The air is also completely different at the top, very clean and fresh, ideal when it just gets too hot down on the beach!! In the winter the mountain is always covered in snow, again hard to imagine when you are there in the heat of the summer.