Argostoli
Argostoli is the port capital of Kefalonia, a working town on the west coast where a lagoon is home to sea turtles.
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Argostoli is the capital and main port of Kefalonia, the largest island in Greece's Ionian group, on the west coast. Much of the town was rebuilt after a 1953 earthquake. Its seafront follows the Koutavos lagoon, where a bridge crosses the water and sea turtles are sometimes seen. The town is compact enough to walk, and most evening cafés and restaurants sit along the waterfront.
Argostoli suits travelers who want a base with shops and bus and ferry links, and who plan to drive out to beaches and villages such as Myrtos and Fiscardo. A hire car gives the most freedom, since those places are spread around the island. The ferry to Lixouri leaves from the waterfront for a short crossing to the other side of the bay. Travelers who want to sleep right beside the sand may be better off on another part of Kefalonia.
Argostoli in five
- Use Argostoli as the island's practical baseIt has the airport nearby, car rental, buses and supermarkets. Beaches, caves and villages are 20–60 minutes away by road.Kefallonia
- Rent a car for caves, Myrtos and FiscardoBuses reach Sami and Fiscardo, but not most beaches and viewpoints. Reserve a car with your flight in summer, and expect narrow mountain roads.
- See the loggerhead turtles by the fish marketCaretta caretta turtles often feed near the quay in the morning. Keep a distance, and do not feed them.
- Cross the Drapano Bridge and walk the lagoonThe long stone bridge crosses the Koutavos lagoon beside the town. It is an easy evening walk, with cafés on the town side.
- Check the ferry to Lixouri for the other peninsulaA short car ferry crosses the bay to Lixouri on the Paliki peninsula, with red-sand beaches. Check the timetable if you plan to drive over.Lefkada
Need to know
- Airport
- Kefalonia (EFL), about 9 km from town
- Getting there
- Flights from Athens and Europe; ferry from Kyllini or Patras to the island
- Getting around
- Rental car; KTEL buses between main towns
- Best base
- Argostoli for services; Lassi for beaches nearby
- Time needed
- 2 days for the town and nearby beaches; a week with the island
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Wet, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low11°Wet, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low11°Green, showersMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, showers
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh18°Low14°Spring, EasterAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, Easter
- MayClear9 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Warm, wildflowersMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, wildflowers
- JuneClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 28 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low24°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, busiestAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busiest
- SeptemberClear8 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Warm sea, calmerSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calmer
- OctoberClear10 rainy daysHigh22°Low19°Mild, quietOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 117 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh19°Low16°Wet, closingNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, closing
- DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh15°Low12°Wet, quietDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 191 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
Average daily high and low in Argostoli, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Argostoli
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Argostoli
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°15°100%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue18°15°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed18°16°3%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu20°15°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 20°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri18°14°17%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Sat17°14°25%Saturday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Sun16°15°29%Sunday: Rain. High 16°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 08:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Myrtos beachabout 40–50 minutes by carA long white pebble beach under steep cliffs.
- Fiscardoabout 1–1.25 hours by carA harbor village in the north with colorful houses.
- Lefkadaabout 2.5–3 hours by road and ferryAn Ionian island across a causeway; long day or overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Argostoli
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Rules for Argostoli, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you fly.Source
- Non-EU visitors may be fingerprinted and have their photo taken at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
- Traffic in Greece drives on the right. A hire car needs a valid driving licence, and the rental agreement sets the insurance cover, so read it before you sign.
- Dress modestly to enter Orthodox churches: cover shoulders and knees, and take off hats. The emergency number across Greece is 112.
Plan around Argostoli
Athens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideKefalloniaThe island: caves, Myrtos and Fiscardo
Read the guideLefkadaA bridge-linked Ionian island to the north
Read the guideZakynthosA short ferry south from Kefalonia in season
Read the guideCorfuThe northern Ionian hub with an old town
Read the guideArgostoli FAQ
Is Argostoli worth visiting?
Yes as a base and for a half day: the waterfront, the bridge and the turtles make a pleasant stop. It is not a postcard village like Fiscardo, so most visitors pair it with beaches.
Where do the turtles live in Argostoli?
Loggerhead turtles often swim near the fish market quay and the bay. Watch from a distance and do not feed them; local rules protect the animals.
How far is Argostoli from the airport?
About 9 km, roughly a 15-minute drive. Taxis wait outside, and local buses run, but check the schedule before an early flight.
Do you need a car in Kefalonia?
Yes for most trips, because beaches, caves and villages are spread out. You can stay in Argostoli without a car and use taxis and buses for a few sights.
Argostoli or Fiscardo: where should I stay?
Argostoli for services, buses and car rental; Fiscardo for a picturesque harbor and quieter evenings. Drivers often split a week between them.