Astro-holidays.com - For a Special Holiday on an Unspoilt Greek Island. Kefalonia Cephalonia Kefallinia

Personally selected self-catering holiday homes on the Greek island of Kefalonia (Cephalonia) Greece

AGIA EFIMIA
Kefalonia
Greece

The picturesque harbour village of Agia Efimia in Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece

	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).

Paradise Beach, one of a number of little coves dotted around the coast in Agia Efimia, Kefalonia

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.

There are a number of little coves scattered around the coastline of the village - the picture on the left is Paradise Beach - one of many pebbly coves which,
if you get there early enough in the morning, you could well find you have to yourself!.

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!

View of Agia Efimia from the road leading to Paradise Beach

	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 village offers plenty of amenities - it 's where the Greek people come on holiday during August.

View of Agia Efimia

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.

Boats moored in Agia Efimia harbour

	Agia Efimia is centrally placed on the island and as such makes an excellent base from where to explore further afield. If you hire a car to explore other areas, you will find it no more than about an hour's drive to any other point you may wish to visit.

The picturesque harbour village of Agia Efimia, Kefalonia

Paradise in Agia Efimia - what an appropriate name, it truly is!

Dusk falls over Agia Efimia one September evening

AGIA EFIMIA Kefalonia Greece

AGIA EFIMIA
Kefalonia
Greece