Argostoli, Kefalonia

By dawnpratt4

Edit this page

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and sits on the banks of the Koutavos Lagoon. The earthquake of 1953 destroyed the pretty Venetian style town with its paved streets. The town has since been completely rebuilt using pre-stressed concrete which is earthquake resistant however much of the Venetian character was lost.

In Argostoli there are fruit and vegetable markets, bakeries and several supermarkets along the waterfront in Metaxata Street. Argostoli also offers an interesting variety of gift and tourist shops selling a wide range of handicrafts including hand woven tablecloths, pottery, gold and silver jewellery and icons. General shopping is available every morning Monday to Saturday and there are a few shops open on a Sunday.

The markets and bakeries generally open around 7.30 am; supermarkets, chemists and tourist shops open at about 8.30 am and close at approximately 1.30pm for siesta. They then re-open at about 5.30pm until 8.30pm. In low season the shops will only open in the afternoons on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. In high season they will open every afternoon. (Afternoon in Greece is from 5 pm.) Kiosks are open every day from 7am to midnight.

One of Kefalonia’s leading products of some renown is its wine. The local unbottled wine is referred to a Hima Krassi (loose wine) and it differs from taverna to taverna. This wine is normally very palatable and worth trying although the absence or limited use of preservatives shortens its shelf life to only 40 days. There is a small shop on the Argostoli waterfront, next to the Shell garage, which sells loose wine – take your own bottle!

Argostoli is a bustling town and a great meeting place with many coffee shops and is ideal for people watching – a favourite Greek pastime!


Getting to Kefalonia

There is a bus service from Athens to Kefalonia via Patras and the ferry to Sami. The bus then goes from Sami to Argostoli.

A daily train service also links Athens with Patras for the onward ferry.

There are regular flights all year round from Athens to Kefalonia; approximately 1 hour flight. The airport on Kefalonia (EFL) is about 9 kms from the town of Argostoli. There is no public transport serving the airport so a taxi or hire car would be needed.

From early May to the end of October there are regular charter flights to Kefalonia from the UK and Europe.

From Italy there are overnight ferries from Brindisi (Maritime Way), and Bari (Agoudimos Line). From Ancona and Venice there are ferries to Patras and the onward ferry to Kefalonia.




Edit this page