Greece - Korina Miller [572]
Bookmark ( 26710 27616; 4 Lithostrotou) A bibliophile’s corner, just off busy Lithostrotou, Bookmark has a menu of new and used English-language books, for sale or, indeed, for rent.
EOT (Greek National Tourist Organisation; 26710 22248; 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm Sat Jul-Aug, 8am-2.30pm Mon-Fri Sep-Jun) The tourist office is on the northern waterfront beside the port police.
Excelixis ( 26710 25530; cnr Minoos & Asklipiou; per hr €3) Well-run internet, including wi-fi, is available upstairs at this computer shop.
Post office (Lithostrotou)
Sights & Activities
The Korgialenio History & Folklore Museum ( 26710 28835; Ilia Zervou 12; admission €4; 9am-2pm Mon-Sat) and Focas-Kosmetatos Foundation ( 26710 26595; Vallianou; admission €3; 9.30am-1pm & 7-10pm Mon-Sat) provide interesting insights into Argostoli’s cultural and political history. The Focas-Kosmetatos Foundation museum also manages the Cephalonia Botanica ( 26710 26595; 8.30am-2.30pm Tue-Sat), a lovely garden, about 2km from the centre of town, full of native flora and shrubs. The Cephalonia Botanica carries out much research into resources and climate change. Entrance to the gardens is included in the Focas-Kosmetatos Foundation ticket and you can get a leaflet with directions at the foundation’s museum. Argostoli’s Archaeological Museum ( 26710 28300; Rokou Vergoti; admission €3; 8.30am-3pm Tue-Sun) has a collection of island relics, including Mycenaean finds.
Six kilometres from Argostoli in Davgata is the Museum of Natural History ( 26710 84400; admission €2.50; 9am-3pm), with fascinating exhibits on the geological and natural phenomena of the island, and an excellent topographical model of the island in relief.
The town’s closest and largest sandy beaches are Makrys Gialos and Platys Gialos, 5km south. Regular buses serve the area.
Lourdata, 16km from Argostoli on the Argostoli–Poros road, has an attractive long beach set against a mountainous green backdrop.
To get closer to Kefallonia’s coast and sea contact Monte Nero Activities ( 69340 10400, 69329 04360; www.monte-nero-activities.com) for well-organised sea kayaking. Day tours are €55 with lunch and snorkelling gear and there are multi-day options and instructional courses. They also organise cycling and hiking tours in the island’s coastal regions. At the time of writing the company was planning a name change to Sea Kayaking Kefalonia.
Tours
KTEL Tours ( 26710 23364) runs excellent-value tours of Kefallonia (€18) on Wednesdays and Sundays, visiting several towns and villages around the island. It also takes tours to Ithaki every Friday (€35). Bookings can be made at the KTEL bus station building.
Sleeping
Argostoli has a fair number of standard hotels, although there are several places with character. KTEL Tours ( 26710 23364) has a selection of apartments and hotel options available and will organise these via email.
Argostoli Beach Camping ( 26710 23487; www.argostolibeach.gr; camp sites per adult/car/tent €7.50/3.50/4.50) This pleasant and quiet camping spot is near the lighthouse on the northernmost point of the peninsula.
Kyknos Studios ( 26710 23398; p-krousos@otenet.gr; M Geroulanou 4; d/tr €55/60) An old well in a quirky little garden sits in front of these seven attractive, if a little faded, studios, each with a small verandah and in a quiet part of town
Marina Studios ( 26710 26455; maristel@hol.gr; Agnis Metaxa 1; r €55, studio €65-75; ) Located in a quiet street right at the northern end of the waterfront and just across from the Naval College, the rooms here are spacious and comfy and the studios have lovely beamed angle ceilings. Subtle prints and paintings enhance the mood.
Vivian Villa ( 26710 23396; www.kefalonia-vivianvilla.gr; Deladetsima 9; s/d/tr €55/70/85, apt €120; ) Highly recommended for its big, bright rooms and friendly owners. There are tea-making facilities in each room, and some have kitchens. The top-floor apartment is