Being the largest island in the Ionian Sea, it makes sense that there are countless things to do in Kefalonia. Whether you’re on a family holiday or escaping from everything and everyone, there’s dozens of attractions to visit, beaches to lounge on, and festivities to get stuck into. While you’re always sure for a good time on the island, there are some unmissable things to do in Kefalonia that need to make it onto your itinerary. Here are Orbzii’s top ten.
Kefalonia family holidays are among the best if you’re looking for child-friendly trips abroad, thanks to the Ionian island’s plethora of attractions, stunning scenery, and numerous amenities. If you’re searching for the perfect place to whisk the family away to, then look no further: our guide to Kefalonia family holidays will tell you everything you need to know.
Greek people love good food, good wine, and good friends, so it’s no surprise that eating out in Kefalonia is one of the major pleasures of a trip to this Ionian island. Although most places serve up traditional Greek fare, the high numbers of international visitors to the landmass means there’s plenty of top-quality international cuisine on offer too. With that said, most would agree the best restaurants in Kefalonia are generally where you can order mountains of feta, indulge in crispy spanakopita, and sip on local wines. If you’re ready to eat your way around this slice of paradise then look no further: here’s Orbzii’s ultimate guide to breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Kefalonia.
Getting out onto the serene, aquamarine waters surrounding Kefalonia is the perfect way to really switch off. The sea around the island is also teeming with vibrant marine life, and throughout most of the year is calm and warm enough to dive right in. Plus, the best way to see the lush, mountainous landmass in all its glory is with a Kefalonia boat trip. If you’re keen to sail your way to an unforgettable experience, then read ahead for our guide to boat tripping in Kefalonia.
Kefalonia beaches are among some of the most varied and idyllic in the world. There are massive sections of sandy shoreline that are perfect for reading a thriller while sipping on a beer, hidden coves where the intrepid can explore caves and other secret treasures, and paradisical bays where you can enjoy fresh seafood while staring out onto the sparkling sea. While a list of the best beaches in Kefalonia will vary depending on who you ask, there’s no doubt that some stand out even among the embarrassment of seaside riches that this island has to offer.
Turtles and paint parties are an unlikely pairing. But, Zante is the island of choice for both the loggerhead turtle and freshers looking to party their summers away. And, from there, it would be easy to dismiss this Ionian isle – if you’re not particularly fond of hedonism or sea creatures. But, there’s a whole island of idyllic escapes, tree-topped wilderness and stunning beaches just waiting for you to land in. Though, beautifully, Zante lets you quite happily flump down on a sun lounger for a fortnight and do little except enjoy the Greek hospitality. A rare treat in these times of explorative Insta stories. Equally, you can skip away from your beach towel to find intriguing ruins, underwater worlds of seagrass meadows and marine life, vine-filled wine estates and wildlife peppered salt flats.
Sure, there are jeep safaris, rusty shipwrecks, private boat charters, sea kayaking tours and quirky little museums to mooch through. But, ultimately, a day page flipping through your holiday novel will never feel like a day wasted. Yes, you’ll likely hear murmurs of turtle spotting echoing around the hotel pool, but if there’s one thing Zante’s turtles could do with? It’s a little peace and quiet.
Turtle island in Zante sits right at the heart of the most important loggerhead turtle breeding ground in the Mediterranean. A mecca for both loggerhead turtles and wildlife spotters in nesting season, the protected waters here get pretty boat-logged once a turtle is spotted. Which isn’t necessarily a good thing for the turtles – or the people paying to spot them. Happily, there are plenty of ways to see Zante’s turtles in a green and low impact way. We’ve got the where, when, and how all sorted…
For some, there’s only one Zante beach. Yes, Shipwreck Cove gets most of the limelight, but this island has much more than a rusty bulkhead and some alluring cliffs to wow you with. By all means cruise into the famous cove for an afternoon, but if you love your beaches, don’t miss the facility packed shorelines Zante has to offer. As you’d expect, the best beaches in Zante come with watersports, beach bars and plenty of sun loungers. But some come with fjords to explore and more than a few turtle nests too…
The best restaurants in Zante take some snuffling out. Sure, you’ll never be more than a few feet away from a baked bean and bacon combo on the island’s party strip, but discerning palates will be looking for something a little more Mediterranean. We’ve swerved the fry-ups and found the foodie gems on this island. And boy are your taste buds in for some Greek treats. Rove up into the mountains for sunsets to feast in front of, find fine dining on the beach or relax in front of a plate of traditional, home-cooking…
We could just point you towards a well-curated list of beaches and declare our guide on things to do in Zante complete. Such is their allure. But, that’s not the Orbzii way. These shores have enough marketing and word of mouth heft behind them to see that you’ll gravitate there without any help from us. We have of course, covered a couple of essential shoreline must-sees, but we’ve also snuffled out some of Zante’s hidden gems. Head into the mountains for sunsets, wine-tasting and sparkling views, dive down to an octopus nest or pack your binoculars for a glimpse of a squacco heron…
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