Excellence Luxury Villas · Kefalonia
Luxury Villa Rentals in Kefalonia
Villas and pool apartments above the Ionian, from the olive groves of Livathos to the harbours of the north
As featured in
The largest Ionian island, and the one with a mountain
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands, and it feels it. Mount Ainos rises to 1,628 metres at its centre, dark with a fir that takes its Latin name from the island, and the coast falls away from it into white pebble bays, deep green water and fishing harbours. Readers of Captain Corelli's Mandolin will know it already, and the island is gracious about the attention.
Our Kefalonia collection runs to 110+ properties, most of them in Livathos, the district just south of Argostoli. They range from pool apartments in small villa complexes with sea views to private villas near Agia Efimia and Fiskardo, along with a handful across the water on Ithaca.
What follows takes the island area by area, with a word on Ithaca and on when to come.
Kefallonia at a glance
- Properties
- 110+ villas and apartments, with up to 11 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £3,200 to £6,000 a week, from around £2,500
- Best areas
- Livathos near Argostoli, Agia Efimia and Pylaros, Fiskardo in the north, and Ithaca
- Best time
- June to September for swimming; May and October for walking and quieter beaches
- Airport
- Kefalonia airport, around 8 km south of Argostoli and a few minutes from Livathos
Browse all 110+ villas in Kefallonia
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Kyanos Agios Nikolaos Pylaros: Luxury 5-Bedroom Villa with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Pylaros Kefallonia5 bedrooms
Villa Ionio Livathos: 11-Bedroom Luxury Villa with Infinity Pool – Livathos11 bedrooms
Villa Ostria Xi Beach Kefallonia: Luxury 2-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Gym near Beach – Kefallonia2 bedrooms
Villa Chrysos Mnimata Livathos: Opulent 8-Bedroom Apartment with Seaviews & Pool – Livathos8 bedroomsWhere to stay in Kefalonia
Livathos for coves, olive groves and a short drive to Argostoli and the airport, Agia Efimia and Pylaros for the east coast and Myrtos, and Ithaca for a quieter island next door.
Olive groves, small coves and a working capital
Livathos is the green, gently rolling district south of Argostoli, between the airport and the lower slopes of Mount Ainos, and most of our collection is here. Villages such as Svoronata, Lourdata and Trapezaki are set among olive groves. Below them the coast breaks into small coves: Avithos, Ai Helis and the long beach at Lourdas, which looks across the water to Zakynthos.
Argostoli, the island's capital, is a short drive away. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1953 and is a working town rather than a resort, with a pedestrian shopping street, a waterfront fish market and loggerhead turtles that come up in the harbour to see what the fishermen have left.
A cave lake, a famous beach and a Venetian harbour
On the east coast, Agia Efimia is a small fishing harbour in the Pylaros district. It has tavernas on the quay and clear water for swimming off the rocks. Melissani, the underground lake near Sami where boatmen row you across water lit blue by a hole in the cave roof, is close by.
Myrtos, the long white curve of beach below the cliffs on the west coast, is within easy reach. Further north are Assos, a village on an isthmus beneath a Venetian fortress, and Fiskardo, whose old harbour houses largely survived the 1953 earthquake. It is the prettiest harbour on the island, and has the yachts to prove it.
Odysseus's island, a ferry ride away
Ithaca lies just across a narrow channel from Kefalonia's east coast. It is smaller, steeper and quieter, with the harbour town of Vathy tucked into a deep bay, and it takes its Homeric connection seriously. Ferries cross from Sami, so it makes an easy day out from Kefalonia, but it also rewards a stay of its own, with walking paths between hill villages and swimming in coves you can often reach only by boat.
The two islands together form the Kefalonia and Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark, recognised for their caves, gorges and coastline.
Robola, meat pie and a long, warm autumn
Kefalonia makes its own white wine, Robola, from vines grown high on the slopes around the Omala valley. It goes very well with grilled fish. The island's best-known dish is kreatopita, a rich meat pie that is more filling than you would want before a swim. On 16 August, the feast of Saint Gerasimos, the island's patron saint, brings crowds to his monastery at Omala.
June to September is the swimming season, and the sea stays warm into October. May and autumn are best for walking on Ainos, where semi-wild horses graze among the firs. Our concierge can arrange car hire, boat days and tables in Fiskardo.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Kefallonia
Villa Mandraki Livathos: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Private Pool & Seaview – Livathos4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £8,883 a week
Villa Kyanos Agia Efimia Kefallonia: Luxury 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia5 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £8,463 a week
Villa Kyanos Agia Kyriaki Ithaca: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Ithaca3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £8,274 a week
Villa Prasinos Agia Efthymia Kefallonia: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £8,043 a week
Villa Kyanos Agios Thomas Kefallonia: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £7,644 a week
Villa Auge Mnimata Livathos: Luxury 3-Bedroom Apartment with Seaviews & Pool – Livathos3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £7,560 a week
Villa Kounopetra Livathos: Elegant 3-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Livathos3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £7,224 a week
Villa Kyanos Exandra Argostoli: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Pool & Sea Views – Argostoli Kefallonia3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £7,119 a weekWhy book your Kefalonia villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Kefalonia is bigger and more mountainous than most visitors expect, with slow, winding roads, so we know which villas put a good beach and a decent taverna within a short drive. With 110+ properties in Kefalonia, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Car hire and transfers from Kefalonia airport, boat days to Ithaca and the northern coves, a private chef, Robola wine tastings and table bookings in Fiskardo and Argostoli. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay in Kefalonia?
Livathos, south of Argostoli, is the most convenient base, with small beaches, village tavernas and the airport and capital close by. Agia Efimia and Pylaros suit those who want the east coast, Melissani and Myrtos, while Fiskardo is the choice for a harbour setting in the north.
When is the best time to visit Kefalonia?
June to September is best for swimming, and the sea usually stays warm well into October. May and early autumn are quieter, and better for walking on Mount Ainos and exploring the villages.
Can you see turtles in Kefalonia?
Yes. Loggerhead turtles are often seen in Argostoli harbour, especially near the fish market on the waterfront. They are wild animals, so look but do not feed or touch them.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Kefalonia?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Kefallonia cost?
Across our 110+ villas in Kefallonia, weekly rates typically range from £3,200 to £6,000, with the most affordable from around £2,500 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to Kefalonia?
Kefalonia airport lies around 8 km south of Argostoli, with direct summer flights from the UK. Villas in Livathos are only a few minutes away, and the north of the island is further on winding roads. Our concierge can arrange transfers and car hire.
Are there villas in Kefalonia for large groups?
Yes. Our Kefalonia collection includes properties with up to 11 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Kefalonia
110+ villas and apartments across Kefalonia and Ithaca, booked direct with our concierge on hand