Assos: One of the most beautiful villages in Greece is located in Kefalonia

In the northern part of Kefalonia, a small, colourful village seems to “step” on a narrow strip of land, about 50 metres wide, which runs along the sea. Opposite, the peninsula of Assos with the imposing castle of the same name rising above it is one of the most charming spots of Kefalonia. Assos is not only one of the most beautiful and picturesque villages of the island, but also of the whole of Greece. It is a real attraction for visitors and a point of reference for the locals who consider it, rightly, a true “jewel” for their place.

In fact, you can reach Assos relatively easily even if you are not on holiday in Kefalonia. So, if you are in the Peloponnese, you can take the boat from the port of Kyllini and cross over to Poros. From there you will drive about 50 km before you see the beautiful traditional houses of the village, with balconies full of blooming flowers and windows overlooking the blue Ionian Sea. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful day trips you can make in our country.

Start your walk from the lovely, coastal road of Assos and have a coffee with a view of the sea or take a quick dip in one of the nearby beaches – at this point it is worth noting that the most famous beach in the whole of Kefalonia, the enchanting Myrtos, is a 15-minute drive from the village. Then tour the castle of the small settlement, with its impressive fortress and beautiful views, which dates back to the 16th century.

The beauty of this village of Kefalonian is unlike any other place in the Ionian Islands. Nearby Fiscardo, of course, always retains its own cosmopolitan charm. The same goes for the picturesque and very simple Agia Efthimia, with its pier full of boats and the wonderful waters. But it is Assos that will take you to Kefalonia of another era: to stories of knights and fortresses and the romance and the special characteristics of a region of Greece that still lives through its intensely western past. And that makes it absolutely, movingly unique.

The castle of Assos

At the end of the 16th century the Venetians, who had occupied Kefalonia a century earlier, built an imposing castle on the peninsula of Assos in order to strengthen the security of the entire island against possible invasions by pirates and other naval raids. With a magnificent view of the bay of Agia Kyriaki, the castle of Assos is still in an impressively good condition, as is the fortress which is a wonderful example of Kefalonia’s military architecture.

Climb the rocky hill that covers the entire peninsula opposite the village and reaches an altitude of 170 meters. You will enter the castle from the eastern, central gate by crossing a long 2 km long pedestrian street. Alternatively, go through Portello, as they call it in Kefalonia, a smaller entrance on the south side. In this case you will have to walk along a path to the entrance of the castle.

Stop at the ruined Catholic church of St Mark’s and the impressive ruins of the House of the High Commissioner of the Most Serene Republic. Within the walls of the castle there is a small Orthodox church, dedicated to Prophet Elias, which was built on the ruins of an older church. Take a photo with a view of the Venetian cannons on the walls and gaze at the endless Ionian Sea from one of the most dazzling spots on the island.

The castle is open to the public all days of the week.

The beaches

Myrtos

Myrtos is a symbol and this does not contain a trace of exaggeration in it. The beach that has seen its stunning blue waters and the endless greenery surrounding it on the cover of some of the most famous travel magazines in the world, has been voted many times as one of the best on the planet.

Over the years the tranquility that once existed on the most famous beach of Kefalonia has disappeared. Despite the fact that in a large part of Myrtos there are no umbrellas and sunbeds, there is no way you can even get there and not meet infinite people spreading their towel on the sandy beach, which often causes a little chaos. But the moment you dive in, you will feel from the very beginning that magical sense of peace and isolation that only such a magical landscape can offer.

Assos

The beautiful, quiet beach of the village is one of the most picturesque spots where you can enjoy your swim in the whole of Kefalonia. There, due to the enclosed bay that surrounds it, the waters are always calm, which makes this small beach ideal for swimming with young children. From there you can rent a small boat and easily reach some of the other very nearby beaches, which, however, are only accessible from the sea. Ammos Grammatikou and Kouloumi are two of them, two absolutely peaceful spots of Kefalonia where you will feel completely cut off from the rest of the tourist traffic, as if you are alone on the whole island.

Holy Jerusalem

A large pebbly beach that is essentially divided into two smaller bays with rocks between them. The waters are clear with a beautiful seabed, and from here you will see one of the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see in your life. The beach is organized, with umbrellas and sunbeds for rent. At one end of the coast a small, stone church, the chapel of Agia Jerusalem, which has given its name to the beach, gives the landscape an extra sense of picturesqueness. Very close by, a little further north, the also wonderful beach of Alaties is the rival of the other but also a unique opportunity to dive in two less known but absolutely amazing beaches of Kefalonia in one single round.

Source : https://www.travel.gr/experiences/assos-ena-apo-ta-omorfotera-choria-tis-e/