Agia Efimia, Sami & Karavomilos - Transfer time 1 hour
Friendly Agia Efimia has, over the years, developed from a sleepy backwater into the colourful little port it is today. It has, however, lost none of its welcoming village feel, and enjoys an authentically Greek atmosphere. It is at the northern end of Sami Bay, and looks across to Ithaca.
To either side of the village are a number of dazzlingly white pebble coves which shelve into the clearest of water, making for fine swimming and snorkelling.
The village has plenty of other restaurants and several café-bars lining the long quayside. There is often a flotilla in, adding to the convivial evening atmosphere. Small shops, mini-markets and the village bakery provide most things you should need. Motorboats can be hired and there is a diving school.
Between Agia Efimia and Sami, some 9 kms to the south, is a further string of pristine beaches. Sami is larger and the port from which ferries will take you to Ithaca in as little as 20 minutes. Near Sami is the hamlet of Karavomilos with its pair of friendly tavernas, a cafe and a good bakery. Nearby are the caves of Melissani and Drogarati, one of which is famed for its stalagtites, the other for an underground lake (fun to be rowed across by a local boatman).
Agia Efimia and Karavomilos are fine bases from which to explore the whole of the north. Good road links mean that Argostoli can be reached in under an hour, and the north-west coast in around 20 minutes. Local exploration is enjoyable on foot and our representative will be pleased to give further information. One popular trail takes you across the island from Agia Efimia in the east to stunning Myrtos beach on the west coast - one of the most photographed beaches in Greece.
There is also the opportunity to visit Palia Vlachata, which is above Karavomilos where the original village lies in ruins, after the 1953 earthquake the residents of this village abandoned their homes and re-built their homes further down towards the sea which is now Karavomilos. You can explore this village, which is a 3km walk from Karavomilos centre and experience it has a quiet and eerie atmosphere. During the first weekend of Augusts there is an annual music & arts festival in this old abandoned village which is worth visiting. There are live Greek, rock, indie and dance music, with projection art onto the walls of the old buildings and art displaced inside the many rooms of the old abandoned houses and a small market which sells handmade items and street food.
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