If you’ve ever watched the film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin you will see why Kefalonia is so popular. His beautiful island is studded with greenery, scattered with vine yards and olive groves, and the rugged coast offers soft sandy beaches and sparkling sea.
Lourdas, which is situated in the centre of the southern coast between Skala and Argostolion, is a delightful little town with friendly locals, delicious food and magnificent views.
Where to Stay in Lourdas, Kefalonia?
One of our most popular holiday villas in Kefalonia is Villa Marianna, which sits on the lower slopes of Mount Aenos, and has incredible views out across the Ionian Sea. This delightful villa sleeps four, has two bathrooms and offers a secluded but sun-trapping garden and pool.
The focus of this villa is very much on outdoor living, as you want to make as much of the sun as you can. Just outside the living room there is a covered terrace and steps lead down into the garden; where there are plenty of sun beds and a purpose-built barbeque complete with sink.
The interior of Villa Marianna is decorated in calming pastel shades and has a spacious, well equipped living area. At one end of the open plan living space is a comfortable sofa, with views out onto the sea and satellite TV. The prettily finished kitchen offers a large fridge freezer, an oven with a ceramic hob and dishwasher, and a window with views over a neighbouring olive grove.
The charming owner of the villa, Hariklia, may well pop in during your stay with drinks and cakes: she is very keen to make guests feel welcome and can give you advice about the area.
Lourdas Town
The pretty town of Lourdas is built in a terraced fashion on the hillside, and it seems to tumble into the sea. It may be very hard to pull yourself away from your beautiful accommodation and mesmerising views, but if you do you will find plenty of amenities, including a couple of well-stocked mini-markets and a great selection of cafes and restaurants.
Make sure you visit the seaside Taverna “Blue Sea”, as this is owned by Hariklia’s bother, and he will be delighted to know that you are staying in his sister’s villa. If you wish to stay local to Lourdas, then everything you need is at hand, including a baker, petrol station and post office which are located at the top part of Lourdas on the main road.
Things to See and Do
When you manage to tear yourself away from the tranquil atmosphere of Lourdas for some sight-seeing, it is worth the short walk to Agia Paraskevi; as long as you have study shoes!
Don’t miss the spectacular St. George’s Castle, which towers on a hillside and is an easy 10 minute drive from Lourdas. A short cut across the island from Lourdas leads you to the east side of the island at Sami; where you can see the Drogarati Cave and take a boat ride in the Melissani Cave. To get there, you pass by the St Gerasimos Monastery; known for its great Robola wine.
If you are looking for night-life or water sports, then the busy resort of Scala is only a half an hour drive along the coast. This resort offers a long but sometimes packed blue flag beach. For more intimate beaches where you can sunbathe, try St Thomas or Trapezaki or the lovely Lourdas beach.
For a relaxing and unforgettable holiday where you can take amazing photos, discover history and culture, or simply unwind and appreciate the scenery, Lourdas in Kefalonia is ideal.
