How to Explore the Cyclopean Walls of Argostoli, Kefalonia
The small town of Argostoli is the main urban area on the Greek Island of Kefalonia. Argostoli may be small, but overlooking the town are some truly enormous stones. These stones make up the Cyclopean walls of Argostoli. In this post we will detail what these behemoth boulders actually are, why they are there and how you can see them. As always, we have included some useful, practical tips for your trip.
What Are the Cyclopean Walls of Argostoli
These walls are made up of rocks so huge that the people on the island assumed that giants had built them. After all, the cyclops is a giant, one eyed creature of Greek Mythology, and who else would be capable of building such impressive walls? The walls are actually the remains of the ancient city of Krane (Krani) and are thought to date all the way back to the 7th century BC, that’s almost 3,000 years ago!
The city of Krani belonged to the ancient Kingdom of Sami which ruled the island of Kefalonia for around 3,000 years. These walls are a fantastic example of the engineering of this period.
Much of the ruins are still in good condition. However, other parts have suffered damage over the millennia, including a detrimental effect from acid rain.
Where are the Cyclopean Walls of Argostoli
The remains of the Cyclopean Walls of Argostoli sit to the east of Argostoli’s natural bay – Koutavos Bay. The walls climb the dry hillside and further up the mountain you can also see ruins of the ancient town of Krani itself. The entrance to the trail is just off the main road from Argostoli to Sami – two of Kefalonia’s largest towns.
Why Visit the Ancient Walls
So you have a trip to Kefalonia planned and you are spending some time in Argostoli. Is it worth visiting the Cyclopean Walls? Absolutely! We had a day in Argostoli and dedicated a few hours to exploring the ancient site. It was extremely worthwhile as it is a very “off the beaten track” location in Argostoli, even in the peak seasons. We were the only people around for miles when we visited.
The walk from the town centre was straight forward (more on that below) and it is possible to avoid walking along the main road (which can get busy). After locating the small entrance, we began a short walk up the mountain to the beginning of the ruins. The path is well marked but quite rugged and rocky and there are plenty of prickly plants on the way up.
After 5 minutes or so we found the first boulders. You can’t miss them! They are truly gigantic and it is difficult to envisage how they were constructed 9,000 years ago, could it really have been giants…? We spend some time wandering around the site and imagining the ancient people that might have lived here thousands of years ago.
How to get to the Walls from Argostoli
It is quite possible to walk to the ancient walls from the centre of Argostoli. It took us about 40 minutes and it was a beautiful, easy stroll along the side of the bay. We followed this route HERE. Google maps doesn’t show it, but the path continues through what is likely some kind of truck stop. Then you can cross the road and enter the beginning of the trail. The road can be busy and the entrance is on a sharp bend so please be careful when crossing!
Once you start on the marked path, it is really easy to follow the signs to the cyclopean walls.
If you are short on time, you could take a taxi from Argostoli. Always agree a price before you get in the cab.
If you have a car on the Island, it is a very short drive from Argostoli. It should take around 5 – 10 minutes from the centre, depending on traffic. There is a small area to park up, just opposite the entrance to the trail.
How Much Time Will I Need?
The amount of time that you will need to visit the Cyclopean walls of Argostoli really depends on what you want to take from the experience. The time of year you visit will also be a factor. We visited in the height of summer when the sun was scorching hot. It would have been nice to spend longer exploring the ruins. However, there is little to no shade and we had finished all the water we had brought, so we had to head back.
About 45 minutes was our limit on the exposed mountain. As pale Scots, not used to heat above 20°C (about 70°F), the sun is not our friend. However, we also had a pleasant 40-minute walk there and the same on the way back.
During the cooler months, you could definitely spend and hour or more at the site. You may even want to turn it into an afternoon or day hike to take in all the other remains of the ancient city of Krani – including the ruins of the fortress further up the mountain.
If you are just looking for a quick scout around and an awesome photo opportunity, you can get there form the centre of Argostoli and back in about 2 hours if you walk. If you drive or take a taxi, the whole trip could be done in around an hour – if you’re in a hurry.
Wildlife Around the Walls
The boulders sit on the side of a dry rugged mountain. The plant life is short and coarse, and often very spikey. There are animals sharing this space as well but they are shy and will stay out of you way. You will hear many of the insects. If you’re lucky you might spot a friendly neighbourhood lizard out enjoying the sun.
Other animals in the area include foxes and hares. The only one to be careful of is the Viper. However, it will try to avoid humans at all costs – quite sensible really. We also saw some beautiful birds, including a large heron by the bay.
When to Visit
As we alluded to earlier, there is no shade or shelter on the mountain side. For this reason, we would recommend visiting Cyclopean Walls of Argostoli in the early morning during summer months as it should be much cooler. If you are visiting Kefalonia outside of the hot weather season, then any time of day will be a great time to visit the ruins.
Is there an Entrance Fee to the Cyclopean Walls
Nope, it is absolutely free! There is nothing official around the site – other than a very worn sign at the entrance and some painted rocks to mark the route. Keep in mind that there are no staff or facilities nearby so plan your trip around this if necessary.
What to Pack for Your Trip
So you have decided to explore the ancient Cyclopean walls of Argostoli! Here is a suggestion of what you might pack for a trip to the ancient city.
- Take plenty of water, maybe some snacks. There is nothing nearby
- Wear good shoes for the rocky route
- Bring a hat and keep covered to avoid the strong sun
- Don’t forget sun cream and sunglasses
- Wear long trousers to fend off the spikey shrubs
- Take loads of photos of this amazing area
- An extra layer in case the temperature drops
Where to go next
Ready for another Balkan adventure? Can’t get enough of ancient history? Check out Butrint National Park in southern Albania
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Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Argostoli or Kefalonia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
Hi, thanks for your comment. That is supposed to say 3,000 years, I have now updated it. Thanks for letting me know. I hope you enjoyed your visit.
7th century BC means it was built between 700 BC and 601 BC. While still plenty old, that’s not 9000 years old. I think there is confusion between 7th century BC and 7th millennia BC in the article. Nonetheless thank you for the write-up, it helped us enjoy this amazing site!
This is so fascinating, I hadn’t heard of the walls until now, it’s definitely my kinda off-the-beaten- track kinda day trip, thanks for the great info.
What a beautiful landscape! Always love seeing recommendations for new hikes when traveling. I think the goat on the scooter might be my favourite shot haha
I think this would be an amazing place to explore. Your photos are gorgeous.