Things to do in Argostoli

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia. It sits on a sheltered bay on the island's west coast. German bombing in 1943 and the earthquake of 1953 took most of the old buildings, so the centre is largely rebuilt.

It is a base more than a sight. Things to do in Argostoli are boats from the quay and day trips across the island.

The town and the bay

• The quay. Day cruises and sunset boats leave from the harbour.
• Koutavos lagoon. A nature reserve beside the town, where loggerhead turtles feed.
• Vardiani. A small uninhabited island at the tip of the Paliki peninsula. The sunset cruise leaves at 6.30 pm with wine and snacks.

Across the island and by sea

• Melissani and Drogarati. Melissani is a cave lake crossed by boat, lit through an open roof. Drogarati is a cave of stalactites.
• Wine and a monastery. The Robola winery, and the monastery of Agios Gerasimos, a major pilgrimage site.
• Sami, Assos and Fiskardo. Sami was the film location for Captain Corelli's Mandolin. Assos and Fiskardo are villages on the water, and Myrtos beach gets a photo stop from above.
• Ithaca. A boat from Agia Efimia visits Gidaki beach, reachable only by sea, then Vathy and Kioni.
• The all-day cruise. White Rocks beach, Vardiani and Xi beach, with lunch and wine on board, from 10 am.

The group bus loop takes eight hours. A private car with a driver does four to six, on a route you shape yourself. Cruise passengers can book a five to six hour shore trip from the port.

Practical

• Weather. Summer afternoons reach 30 to 31C, with nights near 22C. January runs 9 to 14C. Roughly 800 mm falls in a year, mostly between October and April. December is the wettest month, at around 190 mm.
• Pick-ups. Group tours confirm the time and place the day before. Drivers wait about ten minutes.
• Boats. Arrive at the port ten minutes early. Bring a towel and swimwear, as most cruises include a swim.
• Cancellations. Some trips need good weather, and a cancelled one is rebooked or refunded.