The Southern Excursion

It is well worth getting out of your car hire here to get a look at the lighthouse, the views across the gulf of Argostoli to the Lixouri peninsula and the nearby sea mill. After a short distance you will come to Kefalonia’s largest resort, Lassi. Drive your car hire straight through the resort, through the village of Svoronata following the signposts for Spartia.

Spartia

You will pass through the pretty, well-kept village of Spartia but there is also a resort of the same name, some 2 kilometers off the main route. There is a small beach, a couple of tavernas and a sailing club, which is mostly what tourists come to Spartia for. Pass straight through the village, or taking a short detour to the resort and beach if you want to get out of your hire car and stretch your legs. If so, return to the main route and continue the drive east.

After a few kilometres, the towering baulk of Mount Aenos national park will come into view on your left. Mount Aenos is the highest peak on Kefalonia and home to the Kefalonian pine tree and a small population of wild horses, although this region was hit badly by forest fires in the heatwave of 2007. As Mount Aenos itself comes into view, take the right fork, signposted Trapezaki and follow it down in your car hire.

Trapezaki

Trapezaki is probably the newest resort on Kefalonia and has only really come into being in the last decade. Although Trapezaki does have a small centre with a handful of shops and tavernas, the resort is mostly spread out across a hillside amidst olive and citrus groves.

It is an ideal area for walking, in fact if you are staying at the top of the hill you will have to really like walking to get to the beach as it is a steep climb. Alternatively you can book a car hire, which could be delivered to you in Trapezaki. Follow the road down in your car hire to the tiny harbour and beach of Trapezaki, with its dramatic backdrop of limestone cliffs and then retrace your route back to the main easterly road and after a couple of kilometres you will see a road to your right signposted Lourdas.

Lourdas

Lourdas, or Lourdata, is a tiny village turned resort right next to an amazing 2 kilometer long beach of tiny white limestone pebbles that turn the sea to bright aqua-marine. Lourdas is a small but well-established resort on Kefalonia with a loyal following that is growing every year. There are numerous tavernas so Lourdas makes for a good place to park up your hire car for a cooling dip in the sea and a bite to eat. Returning to your hire car, follow the main route on to the village and resort of Katelios.

Katelios

There are two distinct parts to Katelios, the region around the sandy beach which has a row of small tavernas and a couple of bars and the village and resort, about half a kilometre inland. The village of Katelios is set in a fertile valley surrounded by olive and citrus groves. It is a relaxed village and resort with a pleasantly uncommercial feel, is renowned for being one of the friendliest places on Kefalonia.
Passing through Katelios in your Kefalonia car hire, you will pass Kefalonia’s major turtle nesting beach, Mounda (or Kaminia) with nearly three kilometres of soft sand and gently shelving beach, though not all visible from the road. Just along the coastline starts the 2 kilometre long sandy beach of Skala and you will soon come to the resort and village of Skala.

Skala

This region of Kefalonia has been settled for millennia and Skala has still got the remains of a Roman villa to prove it. There is a pretty centre to the village of Skala with its little road of post-earthquake wooden houses and cool pine trees.

The 21st century has seen some serious development in Skala and today it is one of the biggest resorts on Kefalonia, stretching out from the main village along the coast. You can pick up a car hire in Skala. Following the road east, you will pass through a magnificent gorge just before you reach Poros. Legend has it that the indents in the rock are huge footprints of Hercules.

Southern Kefalonia excursion

This route is designed to help you get the most out of your Kefalonia car hire by exploring the southern region of Kefalonia.

Taking the south Kefalonia coast road, this route will take you through some of Kefalonia’s most popular resorts in your hire car, such as Lassi, Lourdas, Trapezaki, Katelios and Skala before bringing you to the port of Poros on the east coast of Kefalonia.

Heading out of Kefalonia’s capital on the main southern road, follow the signposts for Lassi. You will pass through Fanari, a small area named after the tiny British built lighthouse on the headland. Cont. below.

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

Lourdas beach

Roman mosaics in Skala

Poros

Poros is the major resort on the south west coast of Kefalonia and is a popular resort as well as home to some 1,500 Kefalonians. Ferries leave from Poros to go to the port of Kilini on mainland Greece. With its amphitheatrical harbour and kitsch main square and 1970’s style apartment blocks, Poros has a pleasant retro feel to it.

From Poros, you can either retrace the southern coast road in your car hire and head back towards Argostoli or loop back through the inland route, past the ancient Tzanata tombs.

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