Location and Sights

The beauty of Kefalonia

Kefalonia (or Cephalonia) is the largest island in the Ionian Sea and sixth in size in Greece. It has 786km2 surface area and a population of about 37000 people.

The island is located south of the island Lefkada and northeast of the island Zakynthos.

Kefalonia is renowned for its magical crystal-water beaches and the famous Mountain Ainos, the only place in the world where the Greek Fir (Black pine) of Kefalonia (Abies cephalonica) grows. The island is well known for many geological phenomena, its wonderful caves, the local cuisine, the tasty cheese varieties, honey and meat, as well as for the amazing wine “Robola”.

Many species of the marine kingdom have found shelter in the island, such as the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta and the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus.

Sami (or Same) is the main harbour of Kefalonia and constitutes the tourist centre. It contains a bank, organized market and medical centre.

Its position is benefited by both the natural surrounding beauty – a combination of an overgrown mountain with marvelous shores – and the easy access to every remarkable location and beach of the island, such as:

30 min to Argostoli
30 min to Poros
45 min to Lixouri
40 min to Skala
20 min to Myrtos beach
30 min to Assos
10 min to Agia Evfimia
60 min to Fiskardo

The famous cave of Melissani lake and the renowned for its stalagmites and stalactites underground cave of Drogarati are located in Sami.
In addition, the picturesque monastery of Theotokos Agrilia is found on the top of a cliff in Sami, overlooking the Ionian Sea and the islands of Lefkada and Ithaca.

The Sami port is connected to the liner traffic to Patras and Ithaca (2 trips daily) and provides direct access to Italy.

Sami also offers an organized marina for sailing boats and yachts.