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Kefalonia, known as Cephallenia, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia is part of the Ionian Islands. It is the largest island of this group and is also known as “island with a head”.

The island is named after the mythological figure Cephalus (Ciphalis), although some hold its name literally means “island with a head”, referring to the island’s shape; the name “Ciphalis” is derived from the Greek word for “head”.

kefalonia

The capital of the Kefalonia prefecture is Argostoli. The island’s population is nearly 45,000; it previously was home to the fastest growing population in Greece, with a growth rate of 35% to 40% during the 1990s. It was officially 36,404 at the census of 2001. The size of the island is ca. 800 km² (300 mi²), and the present population density is 55 people per km² (140/mi²), with Argostoli home to one-third of the island’s habitants. Lixouri is the second major settlement, and the two towns together account for almost two-thirds of the prefecture’s population.

Kefalonia is located in the heart of an earthquake zone, and dozens of minor or unrecorded tremors occur each year. In 1953, a massive earthquake almost destroyed settlement on the island, leaving only Fiscardo in the north untouched.

Harbours and ports

There are five harbours and ports in the prefecture: four main harbours on the island, Same or Sami, and a major port with links to Patras and Ithaca. Poros, in the south, has ferry routes to Kyllini; Argostoli, in the west, is the largest port, for local boats and ferries to Zante and regularly to Lixouri; Fiscardo, in the north, has links to Lefkas and Ithaca. There is room for about 100 small boats in Argostoli, where the port stretches 1 kilometre around the bay, while Lixouri is situated 4 km across the bay from Argostoli, on the Lixouri peninsula. There is a road connection to the rest of the island, but driving from Lixouri to Argostoli involves a 30 km detour.

Towns

Since 1997 the island is divided into 8 communities or towns. These are:

Flights:

Kefalonia can be reached by plane from many international airports via Athens. Daily flights are effectuated to and from Athens and the flight time is about 45 minutes.

kefalonia

There are also some charter flights from and to European cities in summer.

Ferries

Being one of the top three destinations of the Ionian Islands, the island of Kefalonia is linked with various ports.

Daily ferries connect the harbour of Patras, in the centre of Greece, to Sami, 22 km to the east of Argostoli, and the trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There are also ferries from Killini, on the western Pelopenessian coast, to Argostoli (4 hours), Poros (1 hour and 30 minutes) and Lixuri (2 hours and 30 minutes).

There aren’t ferries to connect directly Kefalonia to Piraeus.

Kefalonia ferries also offer regular connections to Patras, Ithaca and Corfu as well as to some harbours of Italy (Venice, Ancona, Bari, Brindisi).

Moreover, there are ferries connecting Kefalonia to the Ionian islands of Lefkada and Ithaca. These ferries are handled directly by:
NAUTILUS TRAVEL, Fiscardo Kefalonia
tel. (+30) 26740 41440/ fax. (+30) 26740 41471

If you want to see the schedules of the two ferries of Nautilus Travel that run the itineraries between Ithaca, Kefalonia and Lefkada click here http://www.greeka.com/ionian/kefalonia/island/kefalonia-nautilus-schedule.htm

Airport

The Kefalonia airport is situated in the area of Minies, about 9 kilometres from Argostoli, the capital of the island. It receives domestic flights from Athens and some charter flights in summer. The flight from Athens takes about 45 minutes.

The transfer time between the airport and the capital is only a few minutes by car. No public buses are available from or to the airport but cars can be rented there to help you explore the island. Taxis also wait outside the terminal to serve the visitors.

map of kefalonia

Buses
The network of roads of Kefalonia is of quite good quality and covers the entire island. Regular buses are available for numerous destinations.

The central station is located in Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, nearby the bridge of Trapano.

The daily buses leave from the town of Argostoli and serve : Fanari- Minia- Svoronata- Domata- Kaligata- Sarlata- Kourkoumelata- Metaxata- Lakithra- Spilie- Kombothekrata- Peratata- Moussata- Vlahata- Lourdata- Simotata- Platies- Valriano- Hionata- Mavrata- Kato Katelios- Markopoulo- Ratzakli- Skala- Poros- Razata- Sami- Poulata- Haliotata- Karavomilos- Agia Evfimia- Makriotika- Ferendinata- Potamianata- Divarata- Assos- Messovounia- Markoulata- Fiskardo- Vari- Plagia- Karia- Komitata- Patrikata- Neohorio- Karavados- Pessada- Keramies- Spartia- Lixouri- Mihalitsata- Vouns- Mantzavinata- Havriata- Havdata- Favetata- Kaminarata- Damoulianata- Agios Vassilios- Skinea- Loukerata- Kouvalata- Agios Dimitrios- Kontogenada- Atheras- Valsamata- Mihata- Epanohorio- Faraklata- Dilinata- Davgata.

Taxis
The taxi centre is located in the capital of Kefalonia, Argostoli, nearby the central square called Plateia Valianou. Rates are given by metre but, for popular destinations, there is usually a standard rate given by the driver.

A Radio Taxi service is also available at this telephone number: 226710 28545.