Island in Ionian Islands, Greece
Kefalonia
Large Ionian island of dramatic beaches, caves and mountain villages, easy for road trips and quiet solo breaks. Bus links are thin, so plan on renting a car; July–August is busy.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$2,140–3,150Comfortable, one person · €1,900–2,800Details
- Value for money37/100Better value than 36% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 29°CDetails
- Internet91 MbpsFixed broadband, Greece medianDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTap water varies by village; many residents drink bottled.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$45–79Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundRental carYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are widely accepted.Details
Where to stay in Kefalonia
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Argostoli | Capital: airport 10 min, restaurants, buses, lagoon walks |
| Lixouri | Quieter peninsula town, ferry to Argostoli, Xi beach |
| Fiskardo | Pretty harbour, upscale, north of the island |
| Sami | Ferry port, Melissani cave, Antisamos beach |
| Skala | Southern beach resort with cheaper stays |
Apps that work in Kefalonia
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: Viber and WhatsApp
- Ferryhopper: Compare and book ferries between islands
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis are scarce and costly; rent a car or ask your host to arrange transfers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Greece.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are widely accepted. Carry cash for village bakeries, beach canteens and small family tavernas. ATMs are in Argostoli, Lixouri and Sami.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Most Greek bank ATMs charge foreign cards a few euros; Euronet costs more. Decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Round up or leave 5–10% in tavernas and cafés, ideally in cash; card tips often can't be added.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay widely accepted; IRIS bank transfers are for locals with Greek accounts.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (fingerprints and photo) instead of passport stamps.
- ETIAS is not running yet; the EU will announce its start date months in advance.
- Ferries from Turkey and Albania cross the Schengen external border, so expect full passport checks there.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 166 · Fire 199 · Tourist police 1571 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from Telekom, Vodafone and Nova at Athens airport and phone shops; passport needed. EU SIMs roam at home rates. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Greece
Going to Kefalonia solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Kefalonia meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.