Sami

If you fancy a dip, just before you reach Sami, a fork to the right takes you to the stunning beach of Antisamos. Sami is a modern town and the largest port in the north of Kefalonia. Although there is a number of hotels and apartments in Sami, it is better known as a town than a resort. Sami was the base for several of the sets for the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Its from here that you can travel across the water to Kefalonia’s nearest neighbour, Ithaca. Most Kefalonia car hire companies have restrictions on taking cars on ferries so do check this before you take off!

Sami was one of the four ancient capitals of Kefalonia and the ruins of the ancient city can still be seen up on the hillside to the south of Sami. You can drive part of the way up the hill but you’ll have to get out of your hire car and walk the last bit. Ruined walls and buildings can be seen from many periods, dating as far back as 1000 years BC.

Heading north out of Sami, you will pass close by to the underground caves of Drogati and Melissani with their underground lakes and thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. Although dramatic, they are a bit of a tourist trap but there are parking spots if you want to get out of your car hire and explore some of Kefalonia’s geological wonders.

Karivomilos

Continuing north along the road towards Agia Efimia, you will come to a small town on the east coast of Kefalonia called Karavomilos. The town itself is unexceptional but the seafront area is very pretty and worth getting our of your car hire for. There is a pleasant park and walk behind the beach and at its northerly end is a small lake and sea mill. The mill is powered as Kefalonia’s Katavothres resurfaces; this is sea water that is sucked the entire width of Kefalonia, disappearing under the island close to Argostoli, also forming the underground caverns of Drogerati and Melisani. The sea mill that harnesses the water gushing out from under the island still turns with some force.

Returning to your hire car, continue north along the main north east Kefalonia coast road and after a few kilometres you will come to the harbour town and resort of Agia Efimia.

Agia Efimia

The village turned resort of Agia Efimia is centred around a small harbour and was originally a fishing village. Although there has been a harbour here for centuries, most of the population of this part of Kefalonia would once have lived in the hills of Pilaros which offered some protection from pirate raids.

The pretty harbourfront is lined with tavernas, bars and shops and makes for a very pleasant place to stop for a drink or meal. The first thing you will notice about Agia Efimia is how friendly it is, many passers by will stop to greet you. FoI has a self-guided trail for Agia Efimia which is a pretty village to explore with its pretty gardens and cobbled backstreets.

Returning to your hire car, head north out of Agia Efimia and follow the road as it cuts back across rugged Erissos to the west coast of Kefalonia. Coming around the windy precipitous road you will catch a glimpse of the most famous beach on Kefalonia, Myrtos. In fact the best place to see the beach is from the small car park and viewing point just to the north of the beach.

Myrtos beach

Myrtos beach is undoubtedly the most famous on Kefalonia and has appeared in the top ten beaches of Europe. Set a kilometre down from the main north east coastal road of Kefalonia, the huge sweep of limestone pebbles and aqua-marine sea is spectacular. The road down to Myrtos is a hair raising kilometre of switchbacks but worth it to see one of the most beautiful spots on Kefalonia.

If you go right down to Myrtos beach, drive your car hire back up to the main coastal road and follow the road back towards the capital of Kefalonia, Argostoli.

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Planning to hire a car on Kefalonia, check out the gallery for more photos from around the island

Lagoon at Karavomilos

Agia Efimia harbour

Eastern Kefalonia Excursion

This route will help you explore the north east region of Kefalonia in your car hire. Heading up through the centre of the island, this route will take you to the pretty resort of Agia Efimia, the lesser-known village of Karavomilos, the busy port town of Sami and to the most famous beach on Kefalonia, magnificent Myrtos.

Heading out of Argostoli, follow the main central easterly road sign-posted for Sami. You will pass through some dramatic countryside, terraced hillsides and the small villages of Razata, Chaliotata and Grizata before you reach the major port town of Sami on the east coast of Kefalonia in your hire car.

Car Hire Menu

Car Hire for Kefalonia

An introduction to an epic island

Lassi & Livathos

Into the market garden of Kefalonia

Skala & Poros

Travels along the southern coast

Sami & Efimia

Beaches & coves in the east

Fiscardo & Assos

Explore the wild northern shore

Paliki

Voyage to the intimate west of Kefalonia

Car Hire Tips

Driving tips & Links

Photo Gallery

Photos to whet your appetite