Planning a trip to Kefalonia? This 5-day Kefalonia itinerary will help you organize your trip and make the most of your time on the island.
Kefalonia is part of the Ionian Islands, just like Zakynthos, and is known for its incredibly clear blue water, beaches, mountains, and small coastal towns. It is also a much bigger island than many people expect, which means there is a lot to explore and plenty of variety between different parts of the island.
Five days is enough to see a lot without rushing every day, but you could easily stay longer. There are plenty of beaches, villages, and different parts of the island to explore if you have more time.
In this guide, I’ll show you how I would plan 5 days in Kefalonia based on my own trip, including how to get there, where to stay, how to get around, and how to organize each day.
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What’s in This Guide
How to Get to Kefalonia
There are a few ways to reach Kefalonia, depending on where you’re coming from and whether you’re combining it with other parts of Greece.
Fly Directly to Kefalonia
The easiest option is to fly directly into Kefalonia International Airport (EFL), located near Argostoli.
If you’re visiting during the summer, you can find seasonal direct flights from several European cities. Once you arrive, I recommend picking up a rental car at the airport so you can start exploring the island right away.
Check rental car prices at Kefalonia Airport here.
Fly to Athens and Take the Ferry
Another option is to fly into Athens International Airport, rent a car, and make Kefalonia part of a larger Greece road trip.
From Athens, drive to Kyllini Port in western Greece and take the car ferry to Poros, Kefalonia. Levante Ferries operates this route throughout the year, and you can bring your rental car onto the ferry.
This is the route I would consider if you’re also exploring mainland Greece or visiting multiple Ionian Islands.
Check rental car prices at Athens Airport here.
Ferry schedules change throughout the year, so always check the latest departure times before planning your drive. You can check schedules and book your tickets directly with Levante Ferries.
Check ferry schedules and book tickets
Coming From Zakynthos?
Kefalonia and Zakynthos are very easy to combine during the summer. You can travel between Zakynthos and Kefalonia by ferry and bring your car with you, which makes it easy to combine both islands on the same trip.
This is also how I combined Kefalonia and Zakynthos on the same Greece trip. If you’re planning to visit both islands, check out my 5-Day Zakynthos Itinerary as well.
Do You Need a Rental Car in Kefalonia?
For this itinerary, I highly recommend one. Kefalonia is a large island, and many of its beaches, villages, and viewpoints are spread out. Having your own car gives you much more flexibility and makes following this 5-day itinerary considerably easier.
The roads can be narrow and winding in some areas, especially in the north, so take your time and avoid rushing between stops. If you’re visiting during the summer, I’d also recommend booking your rental car in advance. A smaller car can make driving and parking a little easier, especially in villages and on narrower roads.
You can pick up your car directly at Kefalonia Airport, or rent one in Athens if you’re following the ferry route and bringing the car with you.
Check rental car prices for your Kefalonia trip here.
Next up is Day 1, and I’d keep it simple since it’s an arrival day.
Day 1: Arrive, Settle In & Explore Argostoli
After arriving in Kefalonia, keep the first day relaxed. Check into your accommodation, pick up anything you need for the next few days, and take some time to settle in.
In the evening, head into Argostoli for dinner and a walk around the city.
For dinner, I recommend Melograno Restaurant. The service was amazing, the food was excellent, and I had the lobster linguini, which was delicious. After dinner, take a walk around the waterfront and central streets. It is a good way to get your first feel for the island without trying to fit too much into the day.
If you arrive early and still have some energy, you can spend a little more time exploring Argostoli, but I wouldn’t plan anything major. The next few days will be much more active.
This is also a good night to get some rest before the full-day boat trip on Day 2.
Day 2: Full-Day Boat Trip
Day 2 is all about seeing Kefalonia from the water.
I spent the day with Queen Bee Kefalonia, and it was one of my favorite experiences on the island. The trip takes you along the coast to secluded beaches, small coves, and caves that are much easier to reach by boat.
There was plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and use the paddleboards, and lunch and wine were included onboard. One of my favorite parts was the food, which was homemade by the captain’s mother. They served moussaka, and everything tasted fresh and delicious. It made the whole experience feel even more personal and authentic.
If you enjoy being on the water, I definitely recommend keeping one full day open for a boat trip like this.
Because boat trips depend on sea and weather conditions, it is also a good idea to keep the rest of your itinerary a little flexible in case you need to move this day around.
If you still have energy when you get back, head into Argostoli for dinner. Otherwise, this is a good night to keep things simple and rest before the road trip on Day 3.
Want to book the same boat trip? You can check the latest schedule, prices, and availability directly on the Queen Bee Kefalonia website.
Day 3: Assos, Fiskardo, Alati & Myrtos Beach Sunset
Day 3 is the big road trip day and one of the best ways to see the northern part of Kefalonia.
Start early and drive toward Assos. Take some time to walk around the village, enjoy the waterfront, and explore the small streets before it gets busier later in the day.
From there, continue north to Fiskardo. It is another beautiful coastal town and a great place to walk around the harbor, stop for a coffee, and enjoy the slower pace.
For lunch, stop at Alati Restaurant, located between Assos and Fiskardo. They have amazing options for fresh fish and seafood, so it is a great place to stop for a relaxed meal before continuing the road trip.
Later in the afternoon, make your way toward Myrtos Beach. Stop at the viewpoint above the beach first, then head down and spend the rest of the day by the water.
If the weather is good, stay for sunset. This was one of my favorite moments from the trip and a perfect way to finish the day.
Because this route includes a lot of winding roads, give yourself plenty of time and avoid rushing between stops.
Day 4: Southern Beaches + Wine Tasting
Day 4 is a slower beach day before finishing the afternoon with a wine tasting.
Spend the morning and early afternoon exploring some of the beaches around the southern part of Kefalonia. Makris Gialos Beach and White Rocks Beach are two good options, and there are plenty of other beaches and small coves around this side of the island if you want to keep things flexible.
Instead of trying to visit too many places, I would pick one or two beaches and take your time. After the longer road trip on Day 3, this is a good day to slow things down a little.
Later in the afternoon, head to Gentilini Winery for a wine tasting and tour. Kefalonia is known for Robola wine, and this is a nice way to experience something different from beaches and boat trips.
I recommend making a reservation in advance, especially during the summer when tastings can fill up. You can check the available options and book directly through the Gentilini Winery website.
If you would rather explore another part of the island, you could spend the day around Antisamos Beach on the eastern side of Kefalonia before heading to the winery later. I did not personally follow this route, but it is another option if you want to see a different side of the island.
I would still recommend keeping the afternoon free for Gentilini, since the wine tasting is a great way to end the day.
Day 5: Enjoy a Final Morning & Depart Kefalonia
Keep the final morning simple and flexible, depending on what time your flight or ferry leaves.
If you have a few hours, grab breakfast in Argostoli, take one last walk around town, or head back to a nearby beach for a final swim.
I wouldn’t try to fit in anything major on the last day. It is better to leave yourself enough time to check out, pack, return the rental car, and get to the airport or ferry without rushing.
If your departure is later in the day, this is also a good chance to revisit one of your favorite spots from the trip before leaving Kefalonia.
Best Time to Visit Kefalonia
The best time to visit Kefalonia is usually between May and October, when the weather is warm and most beaches, restaurants, boat tours, and seasonal businesses are open.
June and September are great months if you want warm weather and fewer crowds compared to the middle of summer.
July and August are the busiest months, with hotter temperatures, more visitors, and higher prices. I visited in August, and while it was definitely busy, it was still a great time to enjoy the beaches and spend most of the trip outdoors.
If you want a quieter trip, I would look at late May, June, or September. Just keep in mind that some seasonal boat tours and businesses may have more limited schedules outside the peak summer months.
Where to Stay in Kefalonia
For this 5-day itinerary, I would recommend staying around Argostoli or Lassi.
Both areas are convenient for reaching the airport, restaurants, beaches, and the main roads that take you toward the north and east of the island.
Argostoli is a good choice if you want to be close to restaurants, shops, and the waterfront, while Lassi is better if you want to stay closer to the beach.
If you prefer something quieter, you could also stay in Assos or Fiskardo, but keep in mind that you will be farther from the airport and some of the stops included in this itinerary.
Check accommodation options in Kefalonia here.
Wrapping Up This 5-Day Kefalonia Itinerary
Kefalonia is the kind of island where five days can go by very quickly.
There is enough variety to keep every day different, from beach days and boat trips to small villages, scenic drives, good food, and wine tasting. At the same time, it never felt like a place where you needed to rush from one attraction to the next.
For a first trip, I think five days works really well. You can see a lot of the island, but there is still plenty left if you decide to come back or stay longer.
If you are also visiting Zakynthos, the two islands work really well together and give you two different experiences within the Ionian Islands.
Planning both islands? Check out my 5-Day Zakynthos Itinerary to help organize the rest of your trip.