Agia Efimia Kefalonia

beach report and map

Agia Efimia Kefalonia

AGIA EFIMIA is as much of a traditional Greek fishing village as you will find on Kefalonia these days and lies on the east coast about 30km from Argostoli. There has been a harbour here for centuries but it only became inhabited after the 1953 earthquake when many of the local hill villages were flattened.
Agia Efimia village life, which these days means mainly tourist life, is centred around the harbour which is liberally lined with tavernas, bars and shops. As the port of Fiscardo, to the north, has become more expensive, yacht flotillas are now turning to Agia Efimia for cheaper moorings. This has led to a full harbour and a substantial boost to the economy in recent years.
Agia Efimia's popularity with day trippers has increased local traffic and brought with it parking problems. In fact the place can get uncomfortably packed in the summer.
Although only a few original buildings survived the 1953 earthquake, the modern homes and apartments in Agia Efimia are relatively tasteful for Kefalonia and the resort is noted for its flowering gardens, with bougainvillea and jasmine seeming to tumble off every wall.
A recent spate of building to cash in on the growing tourist trade has set some alarm bells ringing and fears that Agia Efimia could quickly lose the charm that has established it as such a popular resort.
There are no beaches at Agia Efimia to speak of, just three small strips of shingle with no facilities and the main occupations are sitting in the harbour tavernas or wandering the narrow Agia Efimia backstreets. This can make it a better place for a day trip than a place to stay.
The Effimia Express runs boat trips from the harbour. You can buy tickets at the taverna next the bakery in the harbour. The area around Agia Efimia has lots of walks, with tracks up to several ancient hill villages.
There are several small rocky coves along the road to Sami and it can be worth hiring a bike or a boat in the resort - the Yellow Boat company is recommended by visitors. Sami is a few kilometres to the south and you can get a ferry there for a day trip to Ithaca.