Argostoli Kefalonia
What's Argostoli like?
Because there are always a couple of cruise liners docked in the harbour, the town of Argostoli, which is also occasionally spelt Argostolion, is frequently very crowded. Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia and its primary port.
At the end of the major pedestrian street that runs parallel to the harbour is Center Square, which is surrounded by open-air restaurants and bars. This street runs parallel to the harbour and features bars and shops throughout its length.
In Argostoli, you won't have any trouble finding other conveniences; there are plenty of grocery stores, gift shops, and souvenir shops, in addition to bakeries and other types of snack businesses. There are a few ATMs and car rental places all over town.
Those who are interested in taking in some culture should go to one of the city's museums, and they should also be on the lookout for the statues that are dispersed throughout the city.
The majority of the hotels in Argostoli are fairly modest in size, and the majority of them do not have swimming pools. However, there is a public swimming pool near the cruise ship harbour, so staying there is an alternative for those who want to be in town but still have access to a pool at some point.
Due to the fact that the streets are fairly narrow, parking and driving around the town might be a little bit challenging. Because of this, if you are getting a rental car, you should probably attempt to find somewhere on the outskirts of the city. You can walk to Argostoli from Lassi, especially from the northern end of Lassi. This gives you another option if you don't want to stay in the centre of town.
The capital of the beautiful and laid-back island of Kefalonia is Argostoli. Enjoy the peace as you walk along the quiet cobblestone streets of this harbour town. You can then take in some culture, go shopping, or stretch out on the beaches. You can enjoy the lively nightlife in the evenings.
When you book a package vacation to Argostoli, you can stay in the middle of a busy, modern Greek island capital.
Kefalonia's main town, Argostoli, is a great place to spend a fun-filled vacation. The city has a long history, and it used to be full of beautiful Venetian buildings. Even though an earthquake destroyed most of it in 1953, it still has a lot of charm in the form of the busy Plateia Valianou, a beautiful waterfront, and many historical sites.
A trip to Argostoli is great for rest and relaxation as well as for its cultural attractions and many museums. You're only three kilometres from Lassi, one of Kefalonia's most popular beach resorts, and in a good spot for day trips to old castles and pretty vineyards.
Quiet, relaxed pace,
and selection of beaches
If you want a vacation on a Greek island, Argostoli is a good choice because it is friendly and easygoing, and you can find your own quiet spot to relax with friends or family. There are also lots of things to see and do when you're not at the beach.
You can learn about the culture, go shopping, take a ferry from the busy harbour, or go hiking in the wooded mountains nearby. There is also a good selection of restaurants where you can eat tasty food. In the evenings, you can have a lot of fun at the bars and in the nightlife.
- Currency: Euro
- Language: Greek
- Time Difference: GMT + 3
- Religion: Greek Orthodox
Argostoli breaks are just a stone's throw from Lassi and have many sandy beaches where you can relax.
- Makris Gialos Beach is probably one of Lassi's most well-known beaches. It has a lot to offer, like water sports centres and beach bars that serve snacks and drinks.
- Gradakia Beach is just a little bit closer to Argostoli. It's more of a local beach with free parking and water that's as clear as glass. Gradakia is also a great place to snorkel, and there is even a cave to explore under the water!
- Koutavos Lagoon is more of a nature reserve than a beach. It is on the road to Drapano. The area is protected, and sea turtles often swim around in the shallow water.
- Paliostafida Beach, which is 3 kilometres west of Argostoli, is also a great place to snorkel. It is a well-run beach, so you have to pay to use the sunbeds. The water is calm enough for small children to paddle, and a friendly taverna is close by.
- Platis Gialos Beach is the little sister of Makri Gialos Beach. It is a beautiful cove with dramatic rock formations and soft sand. It is almost completely undeveloped and quieter than its neighbour.
Farther-flung beaches in Argostoli
Willing to go a little farther to find paradise? You can rent a car and drive to other beautiful beaches all along the coast of Kefalonia.
- When on vacation in Argostoli, Wild Minies Beach is a great place to get some peace and quiet. Fourteen minutes south of the city, there are no hotels or restaurants there.
- The next beach after Makri Gialos is White Rocks Beach, which is known for its chalk cliffs. The water is bright blue, and you can only get there by boat or kayak, so it's never too busy.
- Minies Beach is right next to Spasmata Beach, which is a bit more organized. You can rent sunbeds, try out different water sports, and even use the free WiFi.
- On the south coast of Kefalonia, Avithos Beach is a great place to spend the afternoon. It has golden sand that is soft to the touch, shallow water, and a few places to eat.
- Visit Ammes Beach if you like to watch planes. The popular spot is just south of the runway at Kefalonia Airport and is full of useful things. Ammes is a great place to see the sunset as well as watch planes land.
Shopping and sightseeing opportunities
The town is quiet and friendly, with many of its original narrow, cobbled streets and traditional buildings still in place. Some of the older buildings were destroyed by an earthquake in 1953, but there are still many beautiful examples of Venetian architecture to look at. Since the harbour is still in use, a lot of people come to visit and take day trips from the ferry port.
You can climb the bell tower in Kanabas Square to get a great view of the area and the coast. You can also stop by the cafe to buy food and sweets made in the area. There are a lot of shops that are open late three nights a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, where you can buy things you need, gifts, and souvenirs. So you can look around when it's a little cooler, like the people who live there.
Argostoli nightlife
It should come as no surprise that the nightlife in Argostoli is fairly diverse. There is a seemingly limitless supply of bars and restaurants where one may enjoy a straightforward evening meal accompanied by a drink or glass of wine.
There are a few nightclubs for people who want to party until the early hours of the morning, and there are a few cocktail bars for people who enjoy an evening that is a little more exciting.
If you want to watch a singer or band perform live, you should check out the performance schedules when you first arrive at the location because there are several live music venues.
Argostoli is where most of the nightlife in Kefalonia is, so you'll have a lot of options to keep you busy and have a great time when you go out. Check out the list below to see some of the best places in town. Many of them are near the busy Plateia Valianou square. On a Greek island vacation in Argostoli, you can have a drink or listen to live music in a bar, then go to a busy club for DJs and dancing.
Plateia Valianou Square is where most of the fun things to do at night in Argostoli happen. Locals come here to have fun in the evenings, so it's always lively and fun.
There are a lot of pubs, bars, and clubs where you can have a few quiet drinks or a loud, fun night out. Some of them even have live music, so you can sit and listen or get up and dance the night away.
Argostoli's nightlife is great, whether you want a big night out or just a few cool bars to grab a drink before dinner.
- In the middle of Argostoli, there are a lot of bars with great wine lists. Near Plateia Valianou, you can try some local wines at the stylish Oίνοψ Wine Bar or the Baroque Le Bistrot.
- Are you thinking of taking a cheap trip to Argostoli in August? Make sure you get tickets for the Argostoli International Music Festival. It usually happens at the end of the month, and artists from Greece and around the world put on lively shows.
- There are a lot of great nightclubs in Argostoli if you want to party until dawn. Most are within walking distance of Plateia Valianou, and the popular My Way Club is one of those places.
- In Argostoli, there's a bar for every two steps. Sip expertly made drinks at the Seafront Compass Cafe Cocktail Bar, or relax in the cool Bee's Knees.
- When you're on vacation in Argostoli during the summer, you can hear romantic kantades. This traditional Kefalonian folk music is often played by street musicians during the warmer months. It is often used to woo lovers.
Partying at the Bass Club until the early hours
This is a big, cool place close to the centre of town. Bass Club is a posh club that plays dance music and ensures you have a good time all night. It has a mix of Greek and other kinds of music from around the world, as well as special guests, DJs, and live music.
Join us at Bass Cafe for some pre-party libations!
The Bass Club and the Bass Cafe are two different places, but they both have the same cool vibe. It's a place to meet up with friends before going out to the clubs, where you can have a few drinks and maybe a snack.
Oivow Wine
Bar's Devoted Clientele
This is a relatively new place with a stylish wine bar for people who really like grape juice. It has a focus on Greek wines, and you can try some of the best wines that Greece has to offer. It also serves food, and you can be sure to find a drink that goes well with it.
So Simple is a great place
to go for some tunes and sports.
So Simple is in the town of Lassi, which is right next to Argostoli. At this cute place, you're greeted by a flower and palm tree arch, and you can cool off outside. It has two huge plasma screens that are tuned to Sky, so you won't miss a thing, and DJs who play everything from grooves from the 1970s to hard rock and blues.
Here is a compilation of the finest dining establishments in Argostoli.
People often talk about how great the restaurants in Argostoli are. When you go on vacation to Kefalonia, you can choose from a wide range of foods, both local and from around the world. You're sure to find something tasty for laid-back lunches, snacks during the day, and long, relaxed dinners in the evening.
The food in Argostoli is known to be very good, and many restaurants are known for their delicious menus. You can get food from all over the world as well as really tasty traditional Greek dishes like kleftiko, souvlaki, and moussaka.
Around the town's squares and harbour, there are many interesting places to eat.
Daytime activities
When you're in Argostoli, there are lots of things to see and do during the day. There are a number of beaches along the town's seafront and further along the coast. Here, you can bring your beach towel and sunblock and relax while listening to the waves.
You can take a short ferry ride to Lixouri, where you can look back at the harbour in Argostoli and see how beautiful it is with the wooded mountains in the background. You can also visit the well-known waterwheel, Drapano Bridge, and lighthouse in Lixouri.
If you're interested in the ancient world, you can go to Argostoli's Korgialeneios Library, which has been open since the 16th century and look at their collection of rare books and documents. There is also a folklore museum there. You can learn a lot about the history and culture of the town and the island here. Look at traditional housewares, such as embroidery and linens, and buy copies to take home as souvenirs.
Around a local lagoon, there is a bird sanctuary. The town is surrounded by mountains, so there are trails and walks where you can explore and get a closer look at the local scenery. Along the way, there are great spots to take photos and stop to take in the big views. When you go on a cheap vacation to Kefalonia, you don't have to miss out on any of the fun. There are many beautiful sights and sounds in nature that you can enjoy for free.
Outdoor attractions in Argostoli
Even though Argostoli is a city, the best things to do there are outside. You can eat outside in cobblestone squares and walk along the water's edge every day. Those who are more daring can look for turtles in Argostoli Bay or drive a short distance to Sami to see the amazing Drogarati Caves.
All year-round warmth
Argostoli has sunny days and warm weather all year, making it a great place to go on vacation in the winter, spring, and summer. From June to September, the temperature is usually around 30 °C. The rest of the year, the temperature rarely drops below 20 °C.
Things to do
When you go on vacation to Argostoli, you can look forward to great beaches, great museums, and some of the best places to eat in all of Kefalonia.
- Plateia Valianou is the main square in Argostoli, and it's a great place to watch people. It has a lot of restaurants and bars, which makes it one of the best places to eat in the city.
- Want to do some shopping while you're on a Greek island vacation? Your destination is Lithostroto. It is the main shopping street in Argostoli. It has a cobblestone road that is only open to pedestrians and is lined with small stores and clothing shops.
- You can learn about the history of the city at the Korgialenios History and Folklore Museum. It is near Plateia Valianou and shows the history of Kefalonia through a number of visual displays.
- This structure in the harbour of Argostoli is called Drapano Bridge by the locals and De Bosset Bridge on maps. It was built in the 1800s and can only be reached on foot. It has beautiful views of the city.
- Kefalonia has a lot of beaches. As well as being close to Lassia, Argostoli is also close to a number of other beautiful places that are easy to get to by car. This includes Myrtos Beach, which has white sand and became well-known because of the movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Heritage sites in Argostoli
Learn about the long history of this Ionian island by going to historic sites in Argostoli and other places.
- The Korgialenios Museum is right next door to the Korgialenios Library, which is a must-see for book lovers! It opened in 1924 and has over 60,000 books in it, some of which are from the 16th century.
- The Lighthouse of Saint Theodoroi is to the northwest of the city centre. The classical building, which has a ring of Doric columns, was built in 1828 when the British ruled the island for a short time.
- You'll find several museums in Argostoli. The Archaeological Museum of Kefalonia has artefacts that are hundreds of years old, and the tiny Italian "Divisione Acqui" War Museum tells the story of how Kefalonia was ruled by Italy during World War II.
- Go to the Castle of Assos for a different kind of day trip. It is an hour south of Argostoli and is what's left of a Venetian fortress. It looks out over the bay of Agia Kyriaki.
- If you like to look at old, beautiful churches, Argostoli has a lot of them. Saint Spiridon is a beautiful landmark on Lithostroto, and the inside is very well done.
Argostoli couples holidays
Argostoli has quickly become one of the most romantic places in Kefalonia because it has a lot of history and some amazing beaches.
- Walk around Cephalonia Botanica hand in hand. The island's lush botanic gardens are south of the city centre. They have many plants and animals that are native to Kefalonia.
- Kefalonia is getting better at making wine, and there are many vineyards close to Argostoli. Book a tasting tour at Gentilini Winery & Vineyards, which is outside of Lassi, or go to Robola Winery, which is further inland.
- Plan a day trip to Myrtos Beach if you are a hopeless romantic or if you like beautiful beaches. The white-sand paradise from Captain Corelli's Mandolin is thought to be one of Kefalonia's most beautiful coves.
- Have a special event to mark? There are several high-end restaurants in Argostoli where you can treat yourself. West of the city centre, at Oskar's Creative Cuisine, you can try Greek dishes that are made in a unique way.
- On a trip to Argostoli with your partner, you can stay in boutique hotels or rent an apartment with a view of the ocean. Choose a place in the middle of the city or one with high-end features like a spa, rooftop bar, or pool.
