Agia Efimia Village Kefalonia

Agia Efimia village, we find it in the Pilaros region in the north east of Kefalonia Island, surrounded by mountains right in the middle of the valley. It is about 35 kilometers from Argostoli and Lixuori therefore in an optimal position to explore the whole island.

Wedged in a beautiful natural bay, Agia Efimia was once an important commercial center with aristocratic houses and palaces but unfortunately the 1953 earthquake destroyed everything. Later, with the help of the French, the town was rebuilt which, to date, is modern with small internal streets and the main paved street where the port is docked for tourist boats and where you can leave if you want to visit. the neighboring Ithaca. Originally it was the classic fishing village, nowadays it has evolved and the main activity has become tourism.

With its 450 inhabitants, part of which is still dedicated to agriculture, livestock and fishing, it is a very quiet place, where nightlife, if it can be defined as such, is always very soft and never until morning. soon, where you can find many accommodation facilities ranging from apartments or guest houses to hotels, a beautiful promenade where you will find a wide choice of typical taverns and enjoy the classic Ionian or Mediterranean cuisine, restaurants, cafes and shops.

The whole area around Agia Efimia is very beautiful, made up of mountain villages where it will not be difficult to find parties or festivals based on good food, music and traditional dances. Numerous ruins are the testimony of the rural life of the past that give a particular charm to the whole territory. Let's not forget the wonderful beaches and coves where you can get lost and let yourself be pampered by the Ionian Sea.

A must visit if during your holidays in Greece you will be in Agia Efimia is at the monastery of Thematon or also called of Our Lady of Themata which is located in a mysterious forest on Mount Agia Dinati, about six hundred meters above sea level where you can admire breathtaking views. In Greek Thematon means "facts" and a legend tells that the inhabitants, when doubts about decisions to be made about the problems, came here to pray for inspiration and answers. Like all places of worship, the monastery of Thematon also has its festival which is held on Easter Tuesday and August 15th. Reaching it is not so easy or at least avoid getting there with a moped because the road in addition to being dirt at times is also very inclined, better to have a 4x4 or if you like to walk for a walk.

Let's say that the whole area, being also very close to the Sami village, offers idyllic beaches and bays such as the unmistakable Myrthos beach just six kilometers away, classified as the most beautiful of the entire archipelago of the Ionian Islands. White sand mixed with small stones, a bright turquoise sea embraced by high cliffs covered with Mediterranean scrub, a real picture that no one could have painted better than Mother Nature. In the shape of a half moon, it is of a shocking beauty especially when viewed from above. It is equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas and a snack bar where you can eat or drink something.

Then there is the Paradise Beach northbound at the end of the town, perhaps most famous for the tavern where you eat divinely overlooking the sea. We continue with Gorgota beach, a shoreline of pebbles (if you are delicate of feet we recommend the rock shoes) with needless to say a clear and blue sea. It is not equipped but there is natural shade, however remember to bring everything you need. The peculiarity of the beach of Gorgota or Horgota as you like to call it, is the fact that one of the scenes of the famous film “Captain Corelli's mandolin” was shot right here.

Below Agia Sofia beach where serenity reigns supreme. A narrow beach of stones of small and medium size, embraced by olive trees that almost touch the shore and only the sound of the sea. The waters that caress it are crystal clear and blue, perfect for a refreshing bath and don't think about anything. Snorkelers here will have fun discovering the underwater world. It is not equipped but if you arrive early you can find shelter under a large fig tree. In the summer, however, a small and genuine tavern offers sincere dishes with local products. Given its position in the afternoon it is shaded so it is better to visit it in the morning.

We continue and find Agia Paraskevi beach. In a small cove the beach is made up of small and medium white pebbles and the emerald sea with clear and transparent waters. It is not equipped but just above a restaurant with a beautiful garden that reaches the sea where you can lie down on sun loungers surrounded by greenery under the trees.

We finish with the city beach, Agia Efimia beach. Small with clean and shallow waters. On one side the seafront, in the center a pier and on the other side the port. Definitely not the most beautiful but it's ok if one day you want to laze around and not move.

As we said it is located on the east side in the northern part of the island of Kefalonia, keep the village of Sami as a reference and continue north after about ten kilometers following the road signs you will find the village. From Argostoli and Sami it is connected with a bus line every day but always consult the timetables first.

A quiet village where everything flows slowly just like the Greek mentality wants, where fantastic landscapes and the scents of nature will welcome and kidnap you and for this alone it deserves to be included in the things to see in Kefalonia.