Agia Efimia - before the 1953 earthquakes this seaside village was one of the island's more important centres of trade, with stately homes, like the mansion still standing on the right-hand edge of town. Agia Efimia was totally rebuilt with assistance from the French, and today it is a picturesque provincial town with a small harbour which accommodates yachts and ferry-boats.... Who writes this stuff? In an effort to be accurate I have taken details from an official guide sold at most tourist centres and the airport (12 euros) Trust me, if you see a ferry, it's either lost or following a 1972 timetable. Please point him to Sami a couple of km further round the bay, or to Ithica straight ahead as you look out to sea.............I digress.It's street-plan was laid out in 1878 and it boasts many tourist attractions, hotels & restaurants Its inhabitants fish for a living (well, 5 do anyway) or work in the tourist industry (the other 155 or so).

In Agia Efimia and the harbour area plus on the seaside road to Sami there are dozens of small beaches with pebbles and stratified rocks. The largest and most frequented is that of Agia Paraskevi. The area owes its name to the small white Church of Agia Efimia near the harbour. It celebrates its saint's-day on July 11 with a procession and festival, where the local dance ensemble performs traditional dances. The important altar-screen from the Church of Agios Nikolaos is housed in the Byzantine Museum in Athens.

Opposite the Moustakis Hotel, a mosaic floor was discovered which had either been part of a Roman villa or had been the original floor in the Church of Agia Efimia.On May Day there is a flower and book show followed by festivities on the beach. So now you know, and that's the official tourist stuff mentioned. Do not make the mistake of hiring a small boat to visit Ithica from Agia Efimia, it is further away than it looks and the sea between is very deep. There is the Ithica "Skip" (when you see the ferry you will understand the name!!) which runs a regular twice daily ferry sevice from Sami (10 minutes away by car) every morning and returns mid afternoon. Times vary so check first in the Strinzis Ferry office or ask any local!
 

Agia Efimia has a bustling harbour where flotillas and also many larger vessels moor up during the summer months. The town boasts a fine selection of restaurants and tavernas, coffee shops, cafes and snack bars, as well as bakeries, supermarkets and a post office. Whilst not over commercialised (yet!), this friendly town offers plenty of amenities - it 's where the Greek people come on holiday during August.

Whilst Agia Efimia offers a number of beaches in and around the town, they tend to be pebble rather than sand (ideal for snorkeling!). However, the world famous Myrtos Beach is only a few minutes away. Myrtos Beach is renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and during 2003/2004 was awarded first prize in an international competition. It has also earned the Blue Flag of the E.U. for the excellent manner in which it is organised. During the summer months the Municipality of Pylaros provide a regular bus service to and from Myrtos Beach. Timetables are posted outside the Tourist Information office and the bus leaves from the harbour area.

There are many restaurants and tavernas within Agia Efimia as can be seen on our new website : www.inagiaefimia.com.

The picture right shows the Pergolas Taverna, one of many located within the town. A family run affair, Stella runs the front of house assisted by her daughter. Dad (Illias) is the Chef. They met at sea where for years he was the chef on a cruise liner. Stella's English is excellent (could be because she was brought up in New York?!) The food is always excellent and is more reflective of local Greek cuisine, not the standard pizza and bolognaise now creeping onto the menu of too many tavernas these days. Having said that, if you fancy a large snack early evening you must try their home made burgers.......yummy. Reasonably priced this is a very popular place in the evening for locals as well as tourists. Get there early as it is always full by 8.30pm.

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