Fiskardo Cottages

Fiskardo, Kefalonia, Greece
Book from Book from £514 per night

Two beautifully restored cottages for self-catering, both with private gardens and pools, in a quiet hamlet of northern Kefalonia (sleeping 4-6)

Two beautifully restored cottages for self-catering, both with private gardens and pools, in a quiet hamlet of northern Kefalonia (sleeping 4-6)

On a west-facing hillside above Kefalonia’s rugged northern coast, the tiny hamlet of Markandonata gets stunning sunset views across fields and woodland onto the deep blue Ionian Sea. On a quiet lane sit two charming cottages, both lovingly restored by British owner Marcus Love - a costume designer for cinema. Each is set in pretty Mediterranean planted grounds with pools, and they combine traditional local style with tasteful antique furniture and full modern comforts.

The 3-bed cottage is ideal for families wanting a peaceful rural holiday retreat; it sleeps 4-6 and the silence is blissful. The 2-bed cottage (sleeps 4) spans two floors and has a stunning lap pool with long views down to the coast. Close by are excellent unspoilt beaches: two are within walking distance, and Myrtos, frequently cited as one of the most beautiful in Greece, is a 30-minute drive away. Sail, snorkel, scuba dive or just unwind. If hiking's more your thing, head for the hills and walk amongst dramatic mountain scenery. Return home for G&Ts on your private terrace then cook or walk to excellent local tavernas.

Highs

    • Gloriously peaceful location, with the upmarket fishing village of Fiskardo just a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk away
    • The loving restoration. Marcus oversaw the tasteful exterior and interior makeover of both cottages, and the result is an understated but stylish blend of old and new
    • Well-equipped kitchens mean self-catering is a pleasure
    • Tavernas, shops and beaches are within walking distance so you don't have to drive everywhere, although you'll probably want a hire car for sightseeing and occasional food shopping

Lows

  • The 2-bed cottage isn't ideal for young kids as there are gaps in the fences on the balconies, and the staircase is open-sided
  • Mobile phone reception was patchy when we last visited, but there's WiFi
  • Neither cottage has a bathtub

Best time to go

The best time to visit Kefalonia is May-June or Sept-Oct, when the weather is sunny, the sea warm enough to swim, and local tourist facilities open without being too crowded. The island gets very busy and hot in peak season (July-Aug), but it’s also fun, with lots going on.

Our top tips

It’s worth stocking up on some basic provisions (cooking oil, milk etc) as these aren’t provided. There’s a mini-market in the village (a 5-minute walk uphill), two small grocery stores in Magganos (a 20-minute walk), plus two well-stocked supermarkets in Fiskardo (5 minutes by car or a 30-minute walk). A shopping service is also available if requested at least a week in advance of your stay, and the owners can also arrange a private chef.

Great for...

Beach
Family
Great Outdoors
  • Boutique Cottages
  • 2 cottages for 4-6
  • Self-catering
  • All ages welcome
  • Open all year
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Spa Treatments
  • Beach Nearby
  • Pet Friendly
  • Disabled Access
  • WiFi
  • Off-street Parking
  • Restaurants Nearby
  • Air Conditioning
  • Guest Lounge
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Gym
  • Daily Maid Service
  • Towels & Bedlinen
Room: Lime House/Cottage

3-bed Cottage

Enter the cottage into an open-plan kitchen and living room, with white-and-grey flecked marble floors and a whitewashed wooden pitched ceiling. A cool, light and airy space, it combines modern cooking facilities with a boxy white sofa, armchair and TV. There are old trinkets and collectables, including a retro telephone, a vintage sewing machine, sets of scales, and an old-fashioned wood-burning stove. Spotlights and two big white metal fisherman’s lamps make it atmospheric after dark.

The master bedroom has exposed stone walls with a wooden floor, a white wrought-iron double bed and French doors opening onto a small balcony with views across the fields towards the sea. The other bedroom (double or twin) is rather basic though nice, with one exposed stone wall. A new extension provides a third double bedroom with ensuite bath/shower room. The family white-and-grey marble bathroom has a big walk-in rain shower.

The open-plan kitchen is fully equipped with a cooker, big fridge/freezer with an ice maker, kettle, toaster, microwave and oven, espresso machine and dishwasher, plus a wealth of crockery. There's a table in the kitchen, but you'll probably want to dine alfresco in the lovely outdoor eating space with a long wooden table. It’s a fine spot for breakfast, with the sea merging into the sky in the distance, and you also get sublime sunsets.

2-bed Cottage

Exposed stone walls, wooden shutters and concrete surfaces give the cottage a rustic feel, but pastel linens and wrought-iron frames add a dash of contemporary. We’re particularly fond of the oversized clay pots and eclectic artworks decorating each room.

The cottage has two double bedrooms and two bathrooms, infused with colour from bedspreads and vases of wildflowers. Each bedroom has its own peaceful balcony, too, for taking in that dreamy view.

The living room has a sofa facing out to sea, and the wooden doors open to the terrace. In the kitchen you get an American-style fridge-freezer, an oven, dishwasher and plenty of crockery. Dine at the chunky wooden table indoors, or out on the covered terrace facing the coast.

The lovely lap pool is all yours and is surrounded by sunloungers and a newly planted garden. From here you gaze out at olive groves which drop down to the sea on the horizon.

Eating:
Activity: Myrtos beach © Fae

Activities

  • Swim and sunbathe at local beaches - the nearest is Dafnoudi, a 20-minute walk across fields and along a woodland path. Near Fiskardo you’ll find the pretty pebble beach of Emblisi (a 30-minute walk), while Kefalonia’s most stunning beach, Myrtos, set below dramatic cliffs that plummet down to the coast, lies 20km away

  • Walk along a track past olive groves and cypresses to the restored church of Ag Giannnis (St John), with fine views out to sea

  • Spoil yourself with a massage - one can be arranged for you at your cottage

  • Explore the pretty fishing village of Fiskardo (a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk), with its pastel-coloured houses and tavernas rimming a busy little harbour

  • Try scuba diving with the Fiskardo Dive Centre - they run a ‘Discover Diving’ course for complete beginners, and arrange dives to underwater caves and shipwrecks for those with experience

  • Drive to the village of Assos (10km), a cluster of old cottages, plus several tavernas, built on an isthmus between the seaward cliffs and a small island with a Venetian fortress

  • Visit the Robola Wine Co-operative in the Omala Valley, near Argostoli. They offer a short tour of the cellars plus tasting of their highly regarded dry white robola, and you can buy bottles to take home

  • Explore the island’s caves, close to Sami: Drogarati has a big chamber filled with stalactites, while Melissani is home to an underground salt-water lake

  • Take an excursion by boat to Ithaca and Lefkada - the owners can arrange this for you and can also suggest other destinations, with tours for all budgets

  • Restaurant wise, the nearest place to eat out is To Petrino in the village - they serve a selection of Greek mezze plus barbecued meat and fish dishes. For breakfast out in the village, head to Picnic and try their delicious Eggs Benedict. In Magganos there’s a decent taverna called Ionio, which does good local food and occasional live music, or in Fiskardo, highly recommended are Vasso’s and Tassia’s, both overlooking the harbour and serving good (though not cheap) fresh seafood.

Kids

Families are welcome. The 3-bed Cottage is better suited to those with young children. Kids will enjoy having a pool to splash in, though teenagers could get a little frustrated by the isolated location. The cottages are in a tranquil setting yet conveniently close to tavernas, shops and beaches. The nearest shops are a 5-minute walk away, but up an overgrown, unsurfaced track, which could be difficult for young children or those with limited mobility.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

The 3-bed Cottage is perfect for a family with a couple of kids (ideally aged 5-10), with 3 bedrooms (2 doubles, 1 twin) and its own slim pool right outside. The 2-bed cottage works for families with older kids, but the balconies and stairs are unsafe for young children.

Baby equipment:

  • Baby cot
  • High chair
  • Baby bathtub

Remember  baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking

Kids Activities on site:

  • Private (unfenced) swimming pool in landscaped gardens
  • Patio for playing safely outside

Kids Activities nearby:

  • Family snorkelling trips in Fiskardo
  • Beaches
  • Play parks in local villages

Families Should Know:

Parents should be aware that there are terraces, steps and drops around the properties and that the pools are unfenced.

Distances:

  • Airport: 90 minutes
  • Hospital: 45 minutes
  • Shops: 10 minutes
Kid Friendly: Lime House/Cottage

Location

The Fiskardo Cottages are set in Markandonata, a peaceful hamlet built into a west-facing hillside, overlooking the Ionian Sea and close to the northern tip of Kefalonia. The fishing village of Fiskardo lies a 5-minute drive away.

By Air
Fly into Kefalonia (58km - served by charter flights from the UK throughout the summer), or Athens then get a connecting flight.

From The Airport
You can take a taxi - approx €90 - but we'd recommend hiring a car. It is not essential because tavernas, minimarkets and 2 beaches are all within walking distance, but you'd probably want one for food shopping and sightseeing. Note that taxis are expensive on Kefalonia.

By Car
For car hire see our car rental recommendations. For an idea of distances, the airport is 5km south of the island's capital, Argostoli, and Fiskardo is 45km north, at the top of the island.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.

Airports:

  • Kefalonia Argostoli airport 58.0 km EFL

Other:

  • Beach 2.0 km
  • Shops 0.2 km
  • Restaurant 0.2 km

Our guests' ratings...

Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests

10/10
Room
10/10
Service
9/10
Value
10/10
Overall

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Rates for Fiskardo Cottages

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