Exploring the Area

Our villas sit in the neighbouring villages of Vlachata and Mousata, in the peaceful southern heart of Kefalonia — close enough to the island's best beaches and tavernas to walk to some of them, but far enough from the crowds to feel like you've found the real Greece. Here's our own guide to the area, built from years of living and hosting here.

Beaches

The nearest beach to our Vlachata villas is Kanali, an easy stroll away — no car needed for a swim (though the final path down to the sand is steep, so wear sturdy footwear). Within a short drive or a 15–20 minute walk you'll also find Lourdas, Trapezaki and St Thomas beaches, so you can pick a different stretch of sand every day. Trapezaki is the closest beach to Villa Insieme in Mousata.

Further afield, some of Kefalonia's most famous beaches are well worth the drive. Myrtos — with its dramatic white cliffs and impossibly turquoise water — is regularly named among the finest beaches in Greece and is an absolute must-see. For something wilder and more secluded, Fteri is a hidden gem reached only by boat or a proper hike down, rewarding the effort with pale sand and crystal-clear shallows and far fewer crowds. And on the island's east coast, the pine-backed sweep of Antisamos is another beauty.

Where to eat

You won't need to drive far for a good dinner — the villages here eat surprisingly well. Our absolute favourite is Ensemble: refined, modern Greek cooking a step up from taverna dining, and our first recommendation to every guest. For the best view, head to Veramente — from the upper terrace you get a full panorama of southern Kefalonia that's worth the visit alone.

For a livelier evening, Ionian View and Toso Oso are traditional tavernas with live music — Toso Oso's Sunday nights come with dancing and the occasional plate-smashing. And when you make it into the island's capital, Argostoli (15–20 minutes by car), our favourite there is Sepia, a Japanese and sushi spot that surprises everyone we send — don't leave the island without trying it.

Everyday essentials

Everything you'll need day to day is close by. There are local supermarkets in the village centre for stocking up, plus larger ones (Lidl and AB) in Argostoli. A few car and motorcycle hire companies operate locally, which we're happy to help arrange. And for full relaxation mode, two excellent massage studios — 4 Elements and Olive Zen — will even come to your villa for treatments.

Island icons worth a day trip

Kefalonia rewards exploring. Within an easy drive of your villa you can reach the underground lake at the Melissani Cave, its water glowing an unreal blue when the sun is overhead; the postcard-perfect fishing village of Fiskardo in the north; the clifftop ruins and peninsula walks of Assos; and the trails of Mount Ainos National Park, home to the island's wild horses and the highest peak in the Ionian.

For the active guest

If you like to earn your dinner, ask us about our favourite local run — a roughly 5–6km loop from the villa down to Trapezaki, along the coast through Kanali to Lourdas, and back up a proper hill climb. It's an adventure rather than a gentle jog: there's some light scrambling over rocks between the beaches, so it suits confident, sure-footed runners — but the coastal views make it worth every step.

Beyond running, southern Kefalonia is made for the outdoors. There's scuba diving and snorkelling with Blue Manta Diving down at Skala on the south coast, horse riding through the countryside, sea kayaking and boat trips along the coast, and the hiking trails of Mount Ainos for something more low-key. There's also a bicycle rental service right here in the village, so you can explore the quiet backroads and coastline on two wheels. We're always happy to point you towards the right people to arrange any of it — just ask.

Right on your doorstep

All of this sits within easy reach of our villas in Vlachata and Mousata — which is rather the point. You get the peace of a quiet village, with the whole of southern Kefalonia's beaches, food and adventure just minutes from your door.