Kefalonia Guide: Excursions & Sightseeing's...

Choose destination: Virgin Mary Lagouvarda | Fiskardo | Myrtos | Argostoli | Drogaratis & Melissani Cave | Ithaca | Saint Gerasimos | Saint George's Castle | Ainos | Assos | Lixouri

Saint Gerasimos

Saint Gerasimos - is the protector of the island. The church which is located in the area of Omalos, the relic of saint is found un spoilt. In honor of Saint Gerasimos 2 large outdoor festivals are held on the island on the 16th and 20th October. Various worshipers from all over Greece come here to worship the Saint as many traditions talk about the various miracles he has performed. Next to the monastery there is  another smaller monastery were the saint resided. The visitor can see some of the utensils that the saint used to use himself and also a large plane tree and a well that he had dug with his hands. Near to the Saint’s village, is the village of Rombola was a visitor can buy some of the local wines, as Keffalonia is famous for its vast range.

The Church of the Virgin Mary Lagouvarda

On the 15th of August, the strong sounds from the church bells make the snakes come out from their nests and what is very characteristic is that they allow the people to touch them.
Scientists have tried to explain this phenomenon by saying that the church is situated lengthwise of the natural migration route of the small snakes.
Nevertheless the believers of the island say that the snakes appear when the island is foregoing difficult times. Characteristic example is that during the war of 1940 and 1953  when the destructive earthquake hit the island.  Tradition says, that the icon of the Virgin Mary, was finding in a bush after the sighting of a burning flame. At that exact position, the locals built a church and later a women’s monastery was built. When at some point pirates came to the island the snakes saved the monastery, by turning them to flee. Thus the women monks were saved.

ITHACA

In your one day excursions you can also include to visit the island of Ithaca, as it has ferry-boat connection daily from Sami. Ithaca is a small island which is believed those centuries ago was connected to the mainland of the island of Kefalonia. It is believed by many historians the homeland of Odysseus, as referred in Homers books. It is an evergreen small island that can be toured through is small alleys and beaches, in a very short time. It has nothing to be jealous of from the rest of the beauties and traditions of the other Ionian Islands. At Ithaca you will also see the stone house of George Karaiskakis who lived there until the revolution of 1821 and some other ancient temples.
The best and most beautiful beaches on Ithaca are: Philiatro, Gidaki, Sarakiniko, Skinos, Minymata, Dexa, Aetos in the south-eastern part of the island; Piso Aetos, Ai Giannis (St. John), Polls as well as Aphales in the north-western part and Kioni, Mavronas and Courvoulia in the north-eastern part of the island. 

AINOS

It is the tallest mountain of the island. According to the Italians is was the black island (Montenero) as it stood out by its rare kind of black fir that can be found on its top. You can also see the wild horses that live free there in their natural inhabitants. It is one of the 10 national parks of Greece.

ASOS

You will see Asos on you way to Fiskardo.
You will come across the Ancient Castle and the traditional village which is built on the sea side filled with pine and cypress trees.

LIXOURI

Lixouri is located across from Agrostoli. It can be easily reached by ferry-boat from Argostoli, the trip is 15 minutes long or for those who love to trek they can follow the route through the rock sand the panoramic view from the sea from Gyra. At Lixouri you can visit the beach of Xi with the red sand and Kounopetra one of the most paradox geological phenomenon of Kefalonia. It is a rock in the sea which moves. Some time ago its movement was more intense but is stopped due to the earthquake of 1953, due to the reinstatement of its base.

CAVES

Two of the most known Kefalonia Island caves  are :

a) The cave of Drogaratis. This cave can be found on the road towards Sami. Its age is believed to be approximately 150 million years. It is composed from rare red stalactites and stalagmites.

b) The cave of Melissani- can be found on the road towards the village of Sami. It is a cave with a lake of rare beauty which can only be toured by small boats

SAINT GEORGE’S CASTLE

It can be found on the road towards the village of Patti. It was built by the Venetians in the beginning of the 16th century and it comprised of the first capital of the island. It is built at 305 meters altitude and it stretches out 39 acres.