Livadi Marshes, at Paliki Peninsula
Paliki region is a peninsula, located in the western part of the island, and is very different from the rest of Kefalonia, with a unique morphology of organised flat farmland, a dramatic dry, rocky west coast with numerous beautiful beaches, some with red sand and clay cliffs, rocky coves and unique sunset views.
The major town of Lixouri is situated across the gulf from Argostoli – ferries constantly shuttle between the two towns – it’s worth exploring Lixouri’s laid back square and harbour front café scene. It’s a lively town with all the necessary services, a variety of good restaurants and bars, a market, bank, pharmacies, public services and hospital, and some claim that the nightlife here is more exciting than Argostoli!
There are 18 villages on the peninsula of Paliki, notably Chavdata, Atheras, Chavriata, Livadi, and Damoulianata. Here you could find some of the most well-known beaches on the island; Xi, Megas Lakos, Petani, Atheras. There are many places to eat on Paliki peninsula dotted around the beaches and villages. The main square, the coast and the paved central road in Lixouri has many choices of cafes and a few tavernas.
The nature of Paliki gives excellent opportunities for adventures on the sea with fishing tours, boat trips and kayaking and watersports as well as on the land with dramatic beaches, hiking and historic sites.
Boat tour
If your kids want some excitement visit Aqua Park – a water park with waterslides and other activities nearby to Xi beach.
At Xi Beach you can have fun with Baywatch Beach Bar & Watersports with inflatable rides, jet skis, and waterskiing and also enjoy a lunch, dinner or drink! Or give yourself a natural clay mask.
If you feel energetic you can go beach hiking at Fteri with Wild Nature Expeditions.
If you prefer to visit Fteri by boat, join Captain Simos on his fishing boat Melissa from the port of Agia Kyriaki for an unforgettable boat trip to explore both Fteri & Amidi beaches or to the other side of the gulf towards Myrtos and Assos . Other fishing tours take place in traditional fishing boats from Lixouri and from the port of Zola you can hire Captain Nick of Zola Cruises.
Explore the coast aboard the Lady O with Enalios Cruises and visit Manias Beach and Vardiani Island, leaving from Lixouri. Other vessels set sail from Argostoli but call into several locations on Paliki.
You can watch turtles hatching on Lepeda Beach – check before you go to meet volunteers who can answer your questions. During the summer months volley ball tournaments are held on Lepeda beach and it has a fun, lively atmosphere and the moon rise from here is fabulous. There's a lovely taverna on the beach.
Companies offer sea kayaking at Lixouri or Kyriaki.
Tuck into meatballs, fried tomatoes and little fried fish with beer on the sand, at the rustic Lepeda Taverna, it’s ideal for relaxing after a swim at Lepeda Beach, great for kids and in the evening you can watch a beautiful moon rise! On Petani beach you can eat freshly prepared dishes at the laid back open-air Erasmias – it is especially good for fish and seafood. A great place to stop after visiting Petani or Agia Eleni beaches is the interesting Ladokola stin Plagia Restaurant at Damoulisnata where you will find traditional food made by the mother of friendly and humorous twin brothers served in a nicely decorated place. Kaliva tou Psara (Fishermans Hut) is a traditional fish taverna at the port of Agia Kyriaki, serving fresh fish, chips and Greek salad, it has fabulous sea views but you need to book large fish in advance. Located on the sandy shores of Porto Atheras beach is Taverna Drosos. It’s ideal for families with kids and offers great local homemade dishes in a laid back atmosphere with beauty sea views. Vatsa Taverna serves fresh fish served right on the sand at Vatsa beach! It’s perfect for lunch and early evening and you will find homemade, freshly prepared food.
Rent a car Kefalonia is a family company and its members are always ready to welcome you with a smile and courtesy as well as to answer all your questions. You will have excellent friendly service, you will receive your car without time-consuming procedures and you will always find options depending on your needs.
Kefalonia Taxi Transfers is the oldest taxi company on the island. They have friendly drivers that can collect you on the spot or arrange an appointment for another hour or day. All taxis carry a maximum of four passengers and their luggage, mini-bus also available.
Kefalonia Taxi Service is a reliable Kefalonian taxi company with excellent service, the best executive cars, punctual and experienced drivers. They provide a reliable and good service, reasonable prices with helpful, English speaking drivers.
Kefalonia Yachts provide private yacht charter.
Viva Personal Chef; If you want to be pampered, relax and enjoy traditional Greek food without leaving your accommodation, Chef Viva is here to make your dream come true!
Take a class of Yoga with Marco and learn skills to be more peaceful, serene and to focus better on what it’s really important for you during your holidays; and after the holidays, at home, during your daily life: emotions, self love and positive attitude towards others.
Kefalonia Morfeas Massage Salon offers services in a peaceful and comfortable salon, or the comfort of your home/hotel/ villa/yacht by certified massage therapist Constantinos Stavriano. He has a diploma in Swedish massage, Traditional Thai massage and has taken courses in Therapeutic, Lomi-Lomi and Deep Tissue massage.
Boat Tour
There are some extremely varied beaches on the peninsula ranging from the rugged and beautiful to the flat and sandy. Notable beaches here include Xi, (and the adjacent) Megas Lakos and Manias beach, Petani, Lagadakia, Vatsa, Platia Ammos, Lepeda, Agia Eleni and Vouti. Hike or sail to breathtaking Fteri and Amidi or relax at Atheras bay.
Lixouri town has some wonderful architecture to explore – it was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1953 but retains a unique charm. The mansion of Typaldoi-Iakovatoi (now a library) survived the earthquake; cultural events are held here during summer.
Important sights in the area include the ancient city of Pali which was probably a Corinthian settlement which was situated at the entrance of Lixouri (today is called Kolona), the church of Agios Charalampos (Patron Saint of Lixouri) and the statue of the poet and satirical author Andreas Laskaratos, who wrote about the life in his home town. The statue has its back turned to Argostoli, giving a humorous touch to the old rivalry between the two cities.
Take a look at the stunning cliff-side location of Kipouria Monastery. It is overhanging a cliff that crashes into the Ionian, 100 meters above the sea level, in a unique landscape. It has view to the west with a courtyard for guests to attend one of the most spectacular sunsets of Kefalonia. This beauty and serenity of the location together with its spiritual treasures constitutes the Monastery a supreme attraction for the visitor. Platia Ammos, one of the best beaches on the island is below here but can only reached by boat at the moment.
One more of nature’s paradoxes to discover on Kefalonia is Kounopetra - A huge rock was moving in a very slow and continuous movement until August of 1953, when a big earthquake struck the island of Kefalonia, a sign post explains this geological phenomenon.
Don’t miss the romantic sunset and the wild scenery from Gero Gobos lighthouse.
Paliki is a bird watchers paradise! At the entrance of the peninsula hundreds of streams create a beautiful scenery and interesting eco system of 120 acres, the wetland of Livadi. From an easy roadside location you can observe a lot of bird species such as swans, egrets, fasonetes.
This spacious villa is tucked away on the edge of the village of Kardakata, minutes away from the beach and has mesmerising sea and sunset views.
Located in the beautiful village of Zola, set on the side of the hill with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. A few min to magical Vouti beach and Agia Kyriaki.
