Sami is a small town on the eastern coast of Kefalonia Greece. The long promenade that runs along the harbor is filled with fun activities, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy. It’s also one of the most popular places to stay on Kefalonia as it has a ferry port linking it to the mainland. Here’s everything about our time in Sami! From renting a private boat to Antisamos Beach, and much more.
About Sami on Kefalonia Island
The two days we spent in Sami were a highlight of our time on Kefalonia. Aside from the great local restaurants and fun bars, there is so much to see and do in the area.
Our friends actually based themselves out of Sami for their entire stay of five nights and loved it. While Kefalonia may seem big, you can get pretty much anywhere with a car within the same day.
Just remember that Sami is a port town. Large ferries come in and out of the harbor from the city of Patras, along with smaller sailboats traveling through the Ionian Islands.
Where to Stay in Sami Kefalonia
One thing that we really liked about Sami is that there are accommodations for every type of traveler. Whether you’re arriving by ferry or touring around like we did, you’ll be able to find something to fit your budget.
After searching around online we decided to spend three nights at Sami Beachview. We picked it because of its great reviews and balcony view of the Ionian Sea.
Our friends stayed at Alancia Suites which was a little more upscale. You can also check out the popular Sea Breeze Apartment and Staggia Studios.
There are plenty more hotels and boutique apartments outside of town. However, if you are heading to Sami in Kefalonia it’s best to be walking distance from all the shops and restaurants.
Our Three Amazing Days in Sami
As we mentioned, Sami is a great town to base yourself from on the east coast of Kefalonia. While the best beaches on the island aren’t actually in town, it’s close enough by car to some of the best attractions.
We also enjoyed how relaxing it was here as it doesn’t feel as crowded as some other popular villages. So how did we spend our time in Sami Kefalonia?
→ Do You Need a Kefalonia Rental Car? 7 Best Tips to Know First!
Arriving in Sami Kefalonia
We checked into our hotel late in the afternoon after spending the day circling the southern part of Kefalonia. After unpacking we met up with some friends that were visiting from Australia. Our schedules had overlapped so it was fun to meet up for some drinks and dinner!
We headed to Shine Cafe-Bar just before sunset which is a fun spot right on the water for cocktails. We then made our way to Contessina Restaurant where we had a massive feast of Greek food.
As with most nights, we started our meal off with a fresh Greek salad. We were super excited to try the traditional Kefalonian goat pie. Yet, the clear winner for us was the delicious orzo with lamb. We decided to call it an early night as we had epic plans for the next day.
Renting a Boat on Sami in Kefalonia
We’ve been traveling around the Greek Islands for years and have been to so many amazing places. Still, there is one activity on the water that’s alluded us until now! On our 2nd day we actually rented our own boat and spent the day beach hopping up the coastline.
Just after 8:30am we met our friends once again to head out on our boat tour. We used Kefalonia Compass Rent a Boat which has a small collection of boats right in town.
This can be a great option if you have a small group to split the costs. Between four people with gas (charged at the end) it was about 200 Euros for the entire day. Read our complete guide to renting a private boat in Kefalonia here.
None of us actually knew how to drive a boat before starting. Thankfully, this company markets to people with no prior experience! The first half hour was spent learning the ins and outs of these little motor boats before taking off on our own.
Cruising the Coast & Souvlaki Lunch
From 9am until 4 PM we cruised along the scenic coast of Kefalonia from Sami. For hours we jumped off the boat, swam in the small coves, and played in the crystal clear water.
With it being early June it honestly felt like we had the island to ourselves! Most of the beaches we stopped at there was only a couple other small boats in sight.
A major highlight of our day was pulling in by boat to a beautiful bay for lunch. The company we rented with had told us there was a local man that cooks souvlaki here every afternoon.
Yet, until we got there we didn’t believe it! The tiny stand sitting in the back of Koutsoupia Beach grilled up some of the best souvlaki we’ve ever had.
The only way to get here is by boat or hiking in. Its secluded location made for such a unique lunch on the water. This is a stop not to miss if you rent a boat from Sami Kefaloni like we did.
Ending Our Day in Sami
Once we finally pulled back into Sami harbor we were pretty exhausted. It was a long day in the sun and we had plans to explore Antisamos beach the next day. So needless to say, we were ready to relax!
We spent the night hanging out on our balcony and had a gyro from Taka taka mam. This was one of the times that we were definitely happy we stayed in town. The view from our outdoor deck alone made it worth it to be right in Sami.
Finding Paradise at Antisamos Beach
Waking up refreshed, we were ready for another fun day on Kefalonia. After breakfast we jumped in our rental car and drove over the hill to the popular Antisamos Beach (read our guide).
Antisamos is an organized beach with several large parking lots. It’s very accessible compared to others we’ve been to on the Greek Islands, but the road does have its twists and turns. Take the drive slow and leave extra room for cars to pass.
The restaurants and bars at Antisamos definitely aren’t the cheapest on the island. However, if you go as early as us you’ll be able to get a front row beach chair.
Since we were visiting before peak summer season we didn’t even need to pay for the comfortable sun beds. We simply ordered a fredo espresso, laid back, and took in the beautiful views.
The pebbly beach is absolutely magical and we had such a great time dipping in and out of the sea. The bar we were hanging out at even at inflatable toys for us to lounge on in the water.
Another island paradise on Kefalonia is called Myrtos Beach. This is the most popular destination on the island and somewhere you may have seen pictures of before arriving. We also enjoyed our trip to Assos and its historic Venetian castle. Definitely don’t miss out on either of these places on your visit!
Ending Our Time in Sami
To finish or day we took a ride down the coast to the next small town of Agia Effimia. It’s only a 10 minute drive from Sami and another great place to stay on Kefalonia.
Here we grabbed lunch at an awesome taverna called The Local and swam at Lithovatis Beach. On the way back we even stopped at Melissani Cave!
After another day of fun in the sun we headed to dinner back in Sami. ΤΟ ΡΑΧΑΤΙ serves Turkish-style cuisine which was a nice switch up from all the Greek dishes we’d been eating. The kebab with yogurt was so good here!
Once our three days were over we were so happy we came to Sami. While the town was nice, we found it to be the perfect spot to base ourselves from and explore the nearby attractions.
How many questions about this article or want to share your own tips for Antisamos Beach and staying in Sami Kefalonia? Let us know in the comments below.
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Where in the world are we? Follow our daily adventures on Instagram @nothingfamiliar!
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Greece Travel Planning
For island hopping use FerriesinGreece to compare different routes, prices, and companies. The fast ferries like Sea Jets will cost more but often takes half the time of slower ferries like Blue Star.
Flights: We always check Skyscanner and Kayak to search for cheap flights. That’s how we got from Athens to Santorini for under $50 USD!
Accommodation: Always compare multiple sites to get the best deal. We search both Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: You can book a rental car for as little as $20 a day in Greece! We use Discover Cars to explore the larger islands with a vehicle.
Tours: Go to Get Your Guide for tours in Kefalonia. You can find everything from a full day boat cruise, to an island tour to Myrtos Beach, Assos, Fiskardo.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without insurance. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
