Excellence Luxury Villas · Kefalonia
Luxury Villa Rentals in Kefalonia
Villas with private pools on the largest of the Ionian Islands, from the Venetian harbours of the north to the quiet southern coast
As featured in
A mountain in the sea, and a coastline to match
Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and one of the greenest. Mount Ainos rises to 1,628 metres at its heart, dark with the fir trees that carry the island's name, and below it lie white pebble coves, a lake inside a cave and harbours that Louis de Bernières made famous in Captain Corelli's Mandolin. It is a big island with plenty of room, which is part of its appeal.
Our Kefalonia collection runs to 70+ villas, from small houses for two in the southern villages to family villas with infinity pools above the sea at Agia Efimia, Sami and Skala, and a handful of homes looking down on the bay at Assos. Most have private pools, and many are set among olive groves with long views over the water.
Here is a guide to the island's coasts, what to see and when to come.
Kefalonia at a glance
- Villas
- 70+ across the island, with up to 8 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £1,700 to £4,200 a week, from around £1,300
- Best areas
- Assos in the north, Sami and Agia Efimia on the east coast, and Skala and the Lourdas coast in the south
- Best time
- June to September for swimming; May and October for walking and quieter beaches
- Airport
- Kefalonia airport, just south of Argostoli, with summer flights from the UK
Browse all 70+ villas in Kefaloniaor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Sparta Greece4 bedrooms
Olive Mill Villa | 5-Bedroom Villa in Cephalonia (Kefalonia) Kefalonia5 bedrooms
Spartia Wine Estate Greece8 bedrooms
Villa Kyanos Agia Efimia Kefallonia: Luxury 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia5 bedroomsWhere to stay in Kefalonia
Assos and the north for Venetian harbours and Myrtos, Sami and Agia Efimia for the caves and the ferry to Ithaca, and Moussata, Lourdas and Skala in the south for sandy beaches and quick airport transfers.
Venetian walls and the island's most photographed beach
The north is Kefalonia at its most dramatic. The road from Argostoli climbs along cliffs to the bend above Myrtos, a sweep of white pebbles and very blue water far below, which Greeks regularly vote among the best beaches in the country.
A little further on, Assos sits on a narrow isthmus beneath a ruined Venetian fortress, with pastel houses and a few tavernas on its small harbour. At the northern tip, Fiskardo was largely spared by the 1953 earthquake that flattened most of the island, so its harbourfront still has the older Ionian houses lost elsewhere. It is a long drive from the airport, but the reward is worth it.
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Caves, Corelli and a short hop to Ithaca
Sami and Agia Efimia face Ithaca across a narrow channel, and the coast between them is a good base for families. The film of Captain Corelli's Mandolin was shot around Sami, and the pale cove of Antisamos, over the hill, is one of the loveliest swims on the island.
Close by is Melissani, an underground lake whose roof fell in long ago: a boatman rows you across water that turns a startling blue when the midday sun comes through the opening. The Drogarati cave, with its stalactites, is a few minutes away. From Sami, ferries cross to Ithaca, Odysseus's island, for a day among its quiet harbours.
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Sandy bays beneath Mount Ainos
The south coast is gentler and sandier, and close to the airport. Villages such as Moussata, Svoronata and Pessada look down over Lourdas Bay and the small cove of Trapezaki, and further east Skala has a long beach and the remains of a Roman villa with mosaic floors.
Behind it all rises Mount Ainos, a national park where semi-wild horses graze in the fir forest and the summit views reach Zakynthos on a clear day. Argostoli, the capital, has a lively square and a waterfront where loggerhead turtles often surface beside the fishing boats. Across the gulf, the Paliki peninsula around Lixouri has red-sand beaches such as Xi.
Browse villas in Moussata
Robola, meat pie and two saint's days
Kefalonia has its own cooking. Look for kreatopita, the island's meat pie, and drink Robola, the crisp white wine grown on the high Omala valley. The Omala valley is also home to the monastery of Agios Gerasimos, the island's patron saint, whose feasts on 16 August and 20 October bring pilgrims from all over Greece.
The season runs from May to October. July and August are hot and busy, the sea is warmest in September, and late spring is ideal for walking on Ainos. Our concierge can book a boat for the day, wine tastings, restaurant tables in Fiskardo and Assos, and transfers from the airport.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Kefalonia
Villa Nero Greece2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £5,046 a week
Villa Karydi Kefallonia: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £4,977 a week
Villa Dellas Greece5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £4,745 a week
Villa Kyanos Mavrata Kefallonia: Luxury 2-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £4,655 a week
Villa Kyanos Agios Thomas Kefallonia: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £4,494 a week
Villa Drosoula | 2-Bedroom Villa in Kefalonia Fiskardo2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £4,467 a week
Villa Mandras | 2-Bedroom Villa in Kefalonia Fiskardo2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £4,467 a week
Villa Pelagia | 2-Bedroom Villa in Kefalonia Fiskardo2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £4,467 a weekWhy book your Kefalonia villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Kefalonia is a large, mountainous island where the north can be well over an hour from the airport, and we know which villas suit those who want to be close to a beach, a harbour taverna or an easy arrival. With 70+ 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
Airport transfers and car hire, private boat days to Ithaca and the northern coves, Robola wine tastings, restaurant reservations in Assos and Fiskardo, and a private chef. 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?
Assos and the north suit those who want Venetian harbours and the views over Myrtos. Sami and Agia Efimia are good for families and for the caves and Ithaca. The south, around Moussata, Lourdas and Skala, has sandy beaches and is closest to the airport.
When is the best time to visit Kefalonia?
June to September is best for swimming, with the warmest sea in September. May and October are quieter and pleasant for walking, and the October feast of Agios Gerasimos is well worth seeing.
Can you visit Ithaca from Kefalonia?
Yes. Ferries run from Sami to Ithaca, a short crossing that makes an easy day out. Our concierge can also arrange a private boat for the day.
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 Kefalonia cost?
Across our 70+ villas in Kefalonia, weekly rates typically range from £1,700 to £4,200, with the most affordable from around £1,300 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 just south of Argostoli, with direct flights from the UK in summer. Villas in the south are a short drive away, while Assos and the north take over an hour. Our concierge can arrange transfers or car hire.
Are there villas in Kefalonia for large groups?
Yes. Our Kefalonia collection includes properties with up to 8 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
70+ villas across Kefalonia, from Assos to the Lourdas coast, booked direct with our concierge on hand