Try These Amazing Day Trips from Argostoli, Kefalonia

Amazing Day Trips from Argostoli

Argostoli is a great base for exploring the island of Kefalonia. There is plenty to do in the town itself, but there are also some amazing day trips from Argostoli. We take a look at a few of the best and detail how to make these trips, including our practical tips and local knowledge.

Day Trips from Argostoli – Myrtos Beach

One of the best day trips from Argostoli is a visit to the iconic Myrtos Beach. If you could imagine the most perfect, pristine, relaxing beach, this would probably be it.

Myrtos Beach is around a 40 minute drive from Argostoli making it perfect for a day trip. The journey is scenic as the road winds through the mountains before exposing an incredible vista over the blue waters and white cliffs.

It is also possible to take the bus from Argostoli to Myrtos Beach. You can check the times HERE. The bus to Fiskardo stops at Myrtos beach. However, in the off season, the buses do not run very frequently so make sure to plan ahead.

Take a Day Trip from Argostoli to Fiskardo

Fiskardo is a small town in the northern portion of the Greek Island of Kefalonia. The village is quaint, colourful and surprisingly lively in the summer months! As well as beautiful beaches, roman ruins and delicious eateries, there are many fascinating things to do in Fiskardo.

It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes to drive from Argostoli to Fiskardo. There is plenty of beautiful scenery on the way so you might want to save some time to stop off. The village of Asos is also close to Fiskardo and is worth visiting on the way.

You can find details for the bus from Argostoli to Fiskardo HERE. We took the bus during the summer and it took around 2 hours and cost €5.80 each way. Be aware of timetable limitations in the off season.

Visit the Town of Sami

Sami is another of Kefalonia’s larger towns. There are plenty of nice places to eat here as well as a beautiful beach and a gorgeous bay. Sami is on the east of the island and there are ferries departing for mainland Greece and Italy from here. To us, it did seem a little more “resorty” but it was still worth a visit.

The drive to Sami is roughly 35 minutes from Argostoli. The same bus that goes to Fiskardo also stops at Sami along the way.

Hop on the Ferry to Lixouri

From Argostoli, you can take a ferry to the town of Lixouri. Just across the water, this town offers nice beaches, fewer crowds and slightly lower prices than Argostoli.

We enjoyed sampling the restaurants in the square then lounging on the beach for a few hours. There are some nice views of the Kefalonian mountains from Fiaki Beach. We paid €5 to hire a parasol and two sun loungers.

We took the ferry from Argostoli port. There are two departures per hour over the summer months and tickets cost €3 each way – tickets are bought onboard. If you have a car, you can take it on the ferry too for around €10 each way.

Explore the Drogarati Caves and Melissani Lake

Discover some of Kefalonia’s dramatic, natural beauty! Drogarati caves and Melissani lake are usually visited together. If you have access to a car, you can reach them from Argostoli in around 35-40 minutes. Many people opt for the guided tour option that includes both sites in one day trip. Companies like GETYOURGUIDE and VIATOR offer decent packages. If you visit during peak season, there can be crowds so it may be better to go early in the morning if possible.

Day Trips from Argostoli – Svaronata and Ammes Beach

The peaceful village of Svaronata is just a few kilometres south of Argostoli. Spend a morning or afternoon exploring the village and enjoying a meal or a coffee near the coast. There are also several beaches near Svaronata and we spent some time relaxing on Ammes Beach. As this is so close to Argolstoli airport, it is a perfect place to spend time before a later flight.

Take a Cruise

There are plenty of different companies offering many types of cruises from Argostoli. Some of the ones that caught our eye were the sea life cruises and the sunset cruises. Check out a company like GETYOURGUIDE to see what’s on offer.

Go Hiking in the Local Area

Kefalonia is not a densely populated island, making it great for hiking! Take a trip up Mount Ainos or explore other parts of Mount Ainos national park. The drive to the national park is about 45 minutes. However, we couldn’t find a straight forward way to get there by bus. Of course, a taxi will be happy to take you there.

For a hike closer to Argostoli, explore the ancient city of Krane and walk the cyclopean walls. You can begin the hike from the centre of Argostoli or you can drive for around 5 minutes and park before beginning the hike.

What to Pack for your Day Trips from Argostoli

We have put together a convenient packing list for your day trips from Argostoli.

• Hiking boots or shoes
• Backpack
• Snacks for travel
• Mini handheld fan (buses get incredibly hot in the summer!)
• Book/audiobook/music
• Water bottle
• Weather appropriate clothing, such as windbreaker and fleece for hiking OR swimsuit and towel for hitting the beach
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
• Phone
• Charging pack if needed
• Decent camera (phone) with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
• Cash/cards
• Driving licence and passport – if hiring a car

Should I Rent a Car for my Day Trips from Argostoli?

This is a tricky one, and definitely down to personal preference. Kefalonia’s public transport is cheap and cheerful and most places are accessible by bus. However, the timetable can be a bit restrictive. If you can haggle, a taxi driver will take you anywhere! However, if you are short on time, hiring a car might help you make the most of your day trips from Argostoli.

If you decide to rent a car in Kefalonia, please make sure you take out the full insurance. Drivers in the Balkans have their own unique style…

Plan your journey in advance as there are many small roads that are not more than dirt tracks. However, this is improving all the time. Several mountain routes can be perilous if you do not plan ahead and take great care.

The Greek Language

Many Greeks speak a little English but it is useful to learn a few phrases in Greek. It is certainly not an easy language for English speakers, but any attempt is greatly appreciated by the locals. Here are a few words to try out:

Hello Γειά σου (YAH-soo)

Please Παρακαλώ (para-kah-LOE)

Thank you Ευχαριστώ (eff-kha-ri-STOE)

Yes Ναί (neh)

No όχι (OH-hee)

Goodbye Γειά σου (YAH-soo)

More information

• For Kefalonia tourist info click HERE

Where to go next

Ready for another adventure? Why not check out our guide the Best Things to Do in Argostoli? There is plenty of history and nature to discover in beautiful Argostoli.

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 anywhere else in Kefalonia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!

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Best day trips from Argostoli