Excellence Luxury Villas · Livathos
Luxury Villa Rentals in Livathos
Sea-view villas and apartments with pools on Kefalonia's gentle south coast, between Mount Ainos and the Ionian
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Kefalonia's garden country, between the mountain and the sea
Livathos is the green, gently sloping country south of Argostoli, where villages of pastel houses and walled gardens run from the slopes of Mount Ainos down to a string of sandy beaches. For centuries this was the heart of Kefalonia: the island's capital sat in the Castle of St George above Peratata until 1757, and Lord Byron spent part of 1823 in Metaxata before leaving for Missolonghi.
Our Livathos collection runs to 60+ villas and apartments, most with pools and sea views. They range from one-bedroom hideaways for two to apartments in small hillside developments with infinity pools, and up to a house with 11 bedrooms for a whole family gathering.
Here is a guide to the villages, the beaches and the best time to come.
Livathos at a glance
- Villas
- 60+ villas and apartments, with up to 11 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £3,100 to £5,500 a week, from around £2,400
- Best areas
- Lourdas and Trapezaki on the south coast; Svoronata and Pessada near the airport; Metaxata and Lakithra inland
- Best time
- June to September for the beach; May and October for walking and quieter days
- Getting there
- Kefalonia airport lies within Livathos, a short drive from most villas
Browse all 60+ villas in Livathos
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Villa Ionio Livathos: 11-Bedroom Luxury Villa with Infinity Pool – Livathos11 bedrooms
Villa Chrysos Mnimata Livathos: Opulent 8-Bedroom Apartment with Seaviews & Pool – Livathos8 bedrooms
Villa Lysias Kambos Livathos: 5-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Livathos5 bedrooms
Villa Zephyros Oleandro Poros: Luxury 1-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia1 bedroomsExplore Kefalonia
Lourdas and Trapezaki for long sandy beaches beneath Mount Ainos, Svoronata and Pessada for quiet coves close to the airport, and Metaxata and Lakithra for village life and views towards Zakynthos.
Byron, shipowners and neoclassical gardens
Much of Livathos was flattened by the 1953 earthquake. The villages were rebuilt with money from shipping families, and that is why they look so tended. Kourkoumelata was rebuilt with help from the Vergotis family, who asked that its neoclassical style and gardens be kept.
At Metaxata there is a statue of Byron in the square, close to the house where he stayed. Up the hill in Lakithra, Byron's Rock looks out over the south coast to the islet of Dias and, on a clear day, to Zakynthos. It is a good place to watch the evening come in.
Explore Kefalonia
Sandy beaches with a mountain behind them
The Livathos coast has some of Kefalonia's best sandy beaches, and many shelve gently, which suits small children. Lourdas is the longest, with tavernas along the sand and Mount Ainos rising behind it. Trapezaki and Agios Thomas, just along the coast, are smaller and calmer.
Nearer the airport, Ammes, Avythos and Ai Helis sit below the village of Svoronata, and all three are within easy reach of a morning swim. From the little port of Pessada, a ferry crosses to Zakynthos in summer, which makes a day on a second island very easy to arrange.
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A Venetian capital and a lively harbour town
The Castle of St George stands on a hill above Peratata. It was the seat of the island's Venetian governors, and its outer walls date from the early sixteenth century. Walk the ramparts in the late afternoon and you see most of Livathos laid out below you. The Mycenaean tombs at Mazarakata are close by.
Argostoli, the island's capital, is a short drive north. It has a long pedestrian street, cafés on the main square and a fish market on the waterfront, where loggerhead turtles often surface beside the quay.
Browse villas in Argostoli
Meat pie, Robola and a long, warm summer
Kefalonian cooking is hearty. Try kreatopita, the island's meat pie, and drink the crisp white Robola, which comes from the Omala valley just over the hill. The feast of Agios Gerasimos, the island's patron saint, is held at his monastery in Omala on 16 August and again on 20 October.
June to September is the time for the beach. May and October are warm and much quieter, and they are good months for walking in the fir forests of Mount Ainos National Park. Our concierge can book tavernas, boat days and wine tastings, and arrange your airport transfers.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Livathos
Villa Lithos Livathos: Spacious 5-Bedroom Apartment with Private Pool & Sea Views – Livathos5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £6,769 a week
Villa Boreas Agrilia Livathos: Spacious 5-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Seaview – Livathos5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £6,636 a week
Villa Lysias Kaminaki Livathos: Luxury 3-Bedroom Villa with Infinity Pool & Sea View – Kefallonia3 bedrooms · sleeps 6From £6,363 a week
Villa Lefki Arillas Livathos: Charming 2-Bedroom Apartment with Seaview & Pool – Kefallonia2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £6,020 a week
Villa Lysias Kaminakia Livathos: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Pool & Seaviews – Livathos4 bedrooms · sleeps 9From £5,439 a week
Villa Ainos Liakas: Luxury 4-Bedroom Villa with Seaview & Pool – Livathos Kefallonia4 bedrooms · sleeps 9From £5,439 a week
Villa Sirocco Livathos: Luxury 4-Bedroom Apartment with Infinity Pool & Sea Views – Kefallonia4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £5,313 a week
Villa Lefki Potamia Livathos: Charming 2-Bedroom Apartment with Private Pool & Sea Views – Livathos Kefallonia2 bedrooms · sleeps 4From £5,278 a weekWhy book your Livathos villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Livathos runs from hillside villages to the beaches, and we know which houses let you walk down to the sand and which sit higher up, with more of the view. With 60+ properties in Livathos, 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, taverna reservations, boat days along the south coast, Robola wine tastings and ferry tickets to Zakynthos. 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 Livathos?
Lourdas and Trapezaki suit those who want long sandy beaches and views of Mount Ainos. Svoronata and Pessada are quieter and very close to the airport. Inland villages such as Metaxata and Lakithra give you village life and wide sea views, and the beaches are still a short drive away.
How do I get to Livathos?
Kefalonia's airport is in Livathos itself, so most villas are a short drive from the terminal. Argostoli is around a quarter of an hour north by road. Our concierge can arrange transfers and car hire.
Are the beaches in Livathos good for children?
Yes. Many of the beaches, including Trapezaki, Avythos and Lourdas, are sandy and shelve gently, so they are well suited to young children.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Livathos?
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 Livathos cost?
Across our 60+ villas in Livathos, weekly rates typically range from £3,100 to £5,500, with the most affordable from around £2,400 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.
When is the best time to visit Livathos?
June to September is best for swimming and beach days. May and October are warm, quieter and good for walking on Mount Ainos and exploring the villages.
Are there villas in Livathos for large groups?
Yes. Our Livathos 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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60+ villas and apartments in Livathos, booked direct with our concierge on hand