KEFALONIA ISLAND, FISKARDO My own haven

Out of the many facets of northern Kefalonia’s shore it’s hard to pick a favourite! Rare geological formations, enticing beaches, leeway coves, quiet fishing villages and authentic traditional villages… all unique ornaments of the Ionian sea. One of them, Fiscardo, a popular tourist destination, will certainly capture your heart!

First impressions

Bountiful, with impressive beaches and an interesting interior, Kefalonia was not in need of Hollywood’s cameras to shine the lights on its beauty. On the northern end of the island, Fiscardo is without doubt a complete destination on its own. The great earthquake of 1953 that destroyed the greatest part of the island, sidestepped – as if by miracle – this picturesque fishing village.

Getting around

The neighborhoods of this lovely village stretch out on the tip of two peninsulas. The old two-storey houses with tiled roofs and indigo blue doors and windows, slide smoothly down the hill and embrace the harbour. The small moorage jam-packed with tens of caiques (traditional fishing boats) and sailboats parked next to each other, is a colorful feast for the eyes. On the hill over the village there is an Early Christian church – a three-aisled Basilica. Among the ruins you can discern the stone sarcophagus and the relief of the Dioskouroi. The Naval and Environmental Museum of Fiscardo is worth a visit. Among the exhibits you can see the bones of a whale washed up on Emblysi shore(1995). Entrance is free of charge every day from 10:00am to 17:00pm.

History at a glance

The village’s name – unusual for Greece – comes from paraphrase of the name of Norman crusader Robert Guiscard, who attacked the island in 1082 and died here (1885) on his ship that had anchored outside the harbour.

The best beaches

Emplysi: This tiny pebbled beach with crystal clear waters, stony slabs and cypress trees is located to the north of Fiscardo (1,5 km)

Foki: An idyllic beach with white pebbles, in a location overgrown with cypresses and olive trees, to the southeast of the port (2,5 km)

Kimilia – Dafnoudi: Remote beaches on the northernmost end of the peninsula accessed by footpath from Antipata village (40-50 minutes).

Alaties – Agia Ierousalim: From Maganos village follow the signs to Alaties beach. On the road towards Halikeri, you will come at the twin beach of Agia Ierousalim.

The famous Myrtos: From the road high above you can see its pebbled seafront shine as it wedges into the sharp edge of a cliff. The asphalt road reaches all the way to the sea.

Excursion to Asos: From Vasilikades village (9,5 km far from Fiscardo), continue south towards Asos. The village used to be the capital of North Kefalonia from 1593 and onwards. In the late 16^th century a powerful Venetian castle was built on the tip of the peninsula. Cars cannot go down to the quay, but it has a very hospitable central square, called ‘Parision’, with sycamores, fountains and taverns. It was in fact given this name to honor the Parisians who helped rebuild the village after the devastating earthquakes of 1953.

COPYRIGHT PHOTO: Theo Athanasiadis / Views Of Greece

COPYRIGHT TEXT: Germaine Alexakis/ Views Of Greece

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