26-04-2025
The Greek island that's crowd-free, affordable and hot in June
The Greek islands are glorious in June. In Cephalonia, the largest of the Ionian islands, restaurants and bars have all reopened after winter, the sea is warm enough for a dip and temperatures hover in the high 20s for lazy days sunbathing. Yet you'll avoid the school holiday crowds and scorching hot days of August so can still enjoy time away from the lounger, exploring the island's pastel-painted villages, 16th-century fort and the only national park on a Greek island.
Seven nights' room only at Kekatos Studios on the island's southwestern coast, including flights from London Stansted with Ryanair, costs £386pp with Thomas Cook, departing on June 11. A small underseat cabin bag is included, but you can check in a 20kg suitcase for an extra £72 return. A private car transfer can be added at the time of booking for £46 return.
The serviced apartments are in a three-floor property in Lassi, two miles from the island's capital, Argostoli. You'll stay in a sea-view room with its own small kitchenette, complete with toaster, fridge and hob, though be aware that optional air conditioning costs an extra £6 per day. Rooms are simply decorated with whitewashed walls, pine furniture and tiled floors and all have a private balcony or veranda for sunset drinks. There's no on-site restaurant but there are two supermarkets and a bakery in strolling distance for rustling up snacks. Several tavernas and restaurants are close by, including Zorba's, which serves traditional Greek dishes to live music (mains from £8; and Nefeli taverna for fresh seafood and wood-fired lamb kleftiko (mains from £8; @nefeli_restaurant_lassi).
The apartments have a large garden and sunbed-lined swimming pool, while the long sweep of golden sand at the blue flag-rated Makris Gialos beach is five minutes' walk away. The idyllic White Rocks Beach, known for its turquoise water and white limestone cliffs, is under a mile. Hop on the local bus for the five-minute trip to Argostoli to wander the waterfront and spot loggerhead sea turtles (£2; A range of boat trips leave from the city's harbour including sunset cruises and all-day sailings with lunch to the uninhabited Vardiani island for swimming and snorkelling (from £39;
• Read our full guide to Cephalonia
Just under an hour's drive north is the sorbet-coloured village of Assos, with its postcard-perfect bay, cobbled streets and 16th-century Venetian castle built to protect the island from approaching pirates. See it from the water by joining a sea kayaking trip from Agia Kiriaki that also visits the cliff-backed Myrtos Beach, often named one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece (£73;
For the best views, head inland to the fir tree-blanketed Mount Ainos National Park, with its scenic hiking trails, wild horses and the island's highest peak, Megas Soros. Reward your efforts afterwards by calling to the Orealios vineyard to try wine made from Cephalonia's native robola grape and stock up on a few to take home (tastings from £10;
• Return Stansted-Cephalonia flights, departing on June 11• Seven nights' room only at Kekatos Studios (
This article contains affiliate links, which can earn us revenue
Feeling flush? If you're inspired by Cephalonia and have more to spend, try one of these…
On the waterfront in the centre of Argostoli, the contemporary Alley Boutique is steps away from the capital's shops and restaurants. It was opened by a father and daughter duo inspired by the cool Cali chic of hotels in LA. Twenty-nine rooms across four floors are tasteful in all-white, with dusky pink or teal velvet furnishings, statement chandeliers and brass bathroom fittings. There are free bikes to borrow, a small spa with gym and hammam, a restaurant serving a buffet breakfast and a sugar-pink lobby bar offering cocktails and superfood smoothies. The nearest beach, Makris Gialos, is a ten-minute Seven nights' B&B from £806pp, including flights (
• 18 of the best hotels in Cephalonia
The five-star adults-only Casaly Hotel & Spa is Argostoli's newest and most stylish property. Opened in summer 2024, it has entirely monochrome interiors with Italian-designed furniture and Petra marble bathrooms stocked with Bulgari products. Some suites have their own private hammams or Jacuzzis with sea views. The hotel also has an outdoor freshwater pool, indoor heated pool, gym and spa with Turkish bath, chromotherapy sauna and Himalayan salt therapy room. An all-day restaurant serves modern Mediterranean dishes and has a terrace by the pool for sunny days. Restaurants, bars and the city's main Vallianou Square are all within walking Seven nights' B&B from £1,482pp, including flights and private transfers (
