Local Area and Amenities

Skala

Skala (about 1.5 miles from Butterfly Meadow) is a small and picturesque fishing village boasting stunning beauty, from conserved wildlife to magnificent landscapes and cliffs. Nestled on the south east coast of Kefalonia, the fantastic location is great for discovering the vibrant history and wondrous caves hidden in parts of the coastline.

The town has many restaurants and tavernas as well as small supermarkets, gift shops, travel agents, bars, and car rental facilities. Many of these are located along Skala's main street, but do explore the side streets, as there are car hire, shops and tavernas hidden away along many of these, which are often more competitively priced.

History and culture

Skala was once a small, working, fishing village that has grown to accommodate the growth of tourism in the area. Today you can walk along the sand-shingle beach into the village for fresh seafood and beautiful buildings. The town is located around historic and natural marvels which makes staying here all the more magical. Walk around Skala Old Town to gain an insight into the fascinating fishing ethos that still shapes the locals’ way of life.

Skala Old Town is based further up the hillside with specular views overlooking the Ionian coast and the nearby island of Zante. To get a real feel of the history of Skala, take a walk around the old streets to see historical churches and buildings.

Whilst in the Old Town, you must check out The Roman Villa and Mosaics. The ancient archaeology is one of the only sites to have survived the islands devastating earthquake. Marvel at well-preserved artefacts and huge beautiful mosaics that once lined the floors of staterooms. The area is free to enter but we recommend a guided tour, which may come at an extra cost.

Once finished with your tour, head to Fountain Square that is a popular place for locals and visitors alike. This is partially because of its natural pine aroma, upbeat vibe and beautiful sights of the fountains water glistening against the lights that illuminates it at night.

Nightlife

There’s a good choice of restaurants and tavernas here, making it a perfect destination for those laid-back holidays. Captain’s Bar is a popular haunt for visitors and locals alike, because of its lively atmosphere and delicious cocktails. Or sit outside and shade under the straw roof of Akri’s Seaside Bar, where you can order fruity drinks and look over at the tranquil sea setting. Although a lot of bars stay open until the early hours and play music to get you dancing, there are only a few options when it comes to nightclubs.

Skala Beach

Skala Beach (about 1.5 miles from Butterfly Meadow) is fringed by pine trees and stretches out as far as the eye can see, with soft white sand and bright aquamarine sea. Skala beach is one of the most spectacular on Kefalonia.

The beach offers a spot of relaxation with views of glimmering, crystal clear waters that stretch over the horizon. Inland views are also pleasing as the cove is surrounded by thick green agriculture. If you want a break from lounging and need a splash of excitement, then there is a good selection of water sports to try, from jet skis to parasailing.

Kamina Beach

Kamina Beach (about 1 mile from Butterfly Meadow) is the nearest beach with acres of light sand and shallow sea, which goes on for miles. Kaminia is a natural nesting ground for Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta).

To enjoy the warm Mediterranean waters and hot Greek sunshine, make sure you spend a day or two on Kaminia Beach. Just a short walk from Butterfly Meadow, the beach is one of the longest on the island and a popular place to relax on the beautiful white sands.

Arriving on the beach, find yourself a sun lounger and unwind under the shade of an umbrella while looking out across the clear blue sea. The loungers are free, but you’ll be expected to buy a drink from the bar.

When it’s time to cool off, go into the sea for a paddle or swim out through the gently sloping waters. With no shelving, the shallow coastline is ideal for younger children. As you walk on the soft sand, look out for loggerhead turtles who nest on the beach between May and August. Their nests are marked with bamboo to protect the eggs.

When you get hungry, enjoy a picnic on the sand or head to the beachside snack bar where you can buy food, drinks and beer. If you want hot food, walk up the beach to the taverna which serves up freshly cooked kebabs.

After your visit, go for a wander around Katelios village where you can discover the beautiful Kefalonian countryside and sample delicious locally-caught seafood in the traditional tavernas. The Sissia Monastery is nearby, while there’s also a museum dedicated to the loggerhead turtles run by the Katelios Environmental group.

Katelios

Katelios (about 1.5 miles from Butterfly Meadow) is a traditional fishing village with sea front bars and restaurants. The bars and restaurants located on the beach itself will serve excellent food and drinks to their sunloungers which are provided for free use to their customers.

Two decades ago in the village there were only fishermen who had their cottages and huts there. Gradually it became much more popular, initially among the residents of Argostoli who chose Katelios for their short excursions because of its local 'tavernas' with the delicious seafood. Since then there has been significant tourist development, although Katelios remains a quiet and peaceful destination, ideal for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation.

The village is divided into Ano Katelios where the permanent residents have their properties and Kato Katelios which is the area with most of the tourist accommodation. Despite tourism Katelios hasn’t lost its character and therefore the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere along with the beautiful green surroundings make it a top-notch destination for couples of all ages, families and more mature-minded tourists who want to escape from the city life.

The village is situated in a flat large plain with fertile soil watered by the streams of the nearby mountains. The terrain is ideal for walking till the neighbouring villages of Hionata, Mavrata, Markopoulo and Ratzakli. The rural landscape and the beauty of the nature attracts walkers, bird watchers and all sorts of nature lovers from all over the world. From Katelios you can enjoy stunning views of the Ionian Sea until the island of Zakynthos and the western coast of the Peloponnese.

The main beach of Katelios is called Agia Varvara and it’s a long beach covered with both sand and pebbles.The sea is crystal clear as everywhere else in Kefalonia. There are a few sun loungers , but because it isn’t so commercialised – as most of the beaches in the area – we suggest that you take an umbrella and all the necessary supplies with you. The locals have founded an NGO called “The Katelios Group” for the protection of the loggerhead turtles that lay their eggs on these beaches. If you want to learn more about these animals contact the volunteers of the organisation who will be more than happy to inform you.

Even though there aren’t a lot to see in Katelios, if you are interested in the history of the place, you could visit the ruins of the old church in Ano Katelios, which is what is left after the earthquake in 1953, and the Roman ruins behind Agia Varvara. In nearby Mavrata there is a Mycenaean tomb and there is also evidence that Mounda bay used to be a port during the Venetian and Roman period. In the World War II a British submarine was sunk here and the only survivor was found and saved by the locals.

Argostoli

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia with a population of 14,000 inhabitants. Argostoli stands on the far end of the natural bay surrounded by mountains and verdant forests. Beautiful Venetian buildings used to adorn the town before they were destroyed along with the entire Argostoli and other villages of the island from the major earthquake of 1953.

The town has been rebuilt since then, with the help of the Greek government yet no efforts have been made to maintain the traditional architecture and the local colour. A stone bridge of 650 metres long called the Drapano Bridge stands at the entrance of the capital. At the center is a small pyramid dedicated from Charles de Bosset, who built the bridge, to the British Empire.

The modern and cosmopolitan town of Argostoli is quite busy during the summer season offering a plethora of interesting features and activities. The beautifully paved coastal road promenade is bordered by palm trees and colorful pebbles from the sea. The road ends at the small ferry quay where boats connect to the town of Lixouri every half an hour and fishing boats moor.

The central square of the town called Plateia Valianou (Vallianos Square) is a large and pleasant square lined by many restaurants, cafes and bars. During the evenings, the square gets really crowded with locals who are really warm and friendly. In Argostoli, one can notice the traditional way of life.

The pedestrian Lithostroto Street (Cobbled Street) is the main street of the capital filled with all kinds of shops. There one can admire the beautiful church of Saint Spyridon and the interesting clock tower of Campana Square. Around its outskirts are a range of restaurants that cover all tastes and budgets. Right above the square is one of the town's nicest sights, the lush Botanical Garden.