Travel Eye on Argostoli (Kefalonia)

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Overview:

Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia (the largest on the island), is not primarily a tourist resort but an attractively laid-out, authentic working Greek town, with small squares and courtyards, and some steep, narrow side streets. At its centre is a main square lined with cafes and tavernas which is quiet by day but comes alive at night with locals taking their evening stroll. Popular excursions include the upmarket fishing village of Fiskardo, the dramatic caves at Drogarati, the amazingly blue underground lake at Mellisani and pretty Assos village. The town also boasts a small port and marina as well as an attractive waterfront with a palm-lined promenade and views of Drapanos Bridge, which links the town to the opposite coast.

Locality:

Situated on a small peninsula jutting N off the SW coast of the island, 1½ mls NE of Lassi and 19 mls SW of Sami (9 mls N of the airport). The town faces Argostoli Bay and the main island, in a natural harbour, on the E coast of the peninsula. Most of the town is flat, but many steep paths lead uphill towards the road into Lassi.

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

Those looking for an authentic Greek experience will enjoy this town. It is mostly popular with budget to middlemarket independent or mature travellers looking for a convenient base from which to explore the island. Not really suitable for families as the beach is some distance from town, and hotels in town don't have pools. Attractions consist of: the impressive archaeological museum; a small cultural museum; glass-bottomed boat rides; sports centre; swimming pool; Katavothres sinkholes to the N of the peninsula. By night there are plenty of tasteful bars and a few tacky offerings; a couple of bouzouki clubs; occasional performances by the local music school or traditional dancers; a few discos in and slightly outside town, but serious clubbers are on the wrong island. Local excursions consist of half day: barbecue boat trips to the red-sand beach of Xi on the largely undeveloped Lixouri peninsula; turtle-spotting at the lagoon, a local breeding ground for loggerheads; "Greek night" at a local bouzouki club. For a full day there are is an island tour, including Drogarati Cave, Melissani lake grotto and Fiskardo; cultural tour, including winery, church of St Gerasimos (island's patron) and monastery of St Andreas; coach and ferry excursion to Ithaca or to the classical site and museum at Olympia on the mainland; boat trips to nearby islands of Lefkas or Zante. 2 days: Athens by coach and ferry from Poros.