What's the weather like in Kefalonia in August
Temperature
August, along with July, is the hottest month of the year on the naturally beautiful Ionian island of Kefalonia. It is also the busiest as it is peak tourist season. The international visitors include many people from nearby Italy, joined by those from other parts of Greece, who head to the islands for their summer vacations.
Boasting average temperatures of 26°C, it's not unusual for daytime temperatures to soar to 29°C. Overnight temperatures drop to an average low of 18°C, so t-shirts, shorts and sandals can be worn throughout the day and into the evening.
High Temperatures
This Greek island has reached a sweltering record daytime high of 38°C in August, so be sure to bring your sun screen and protective clothing if you are sensitive to the heat. It's best to book accommodation with air-conditioning to avoid feeling uncomfortably hot indoors. The lowest August temperature on record is 16°C. Temperatures tend to stay constant through most of the month, dropping a degree or two over the last week.
Rainfall
August is the last month of the summer dry season, with just 5mm of rain over four days. The skies are mostly clear, becoming cloudier as the month progresses. The seasonal meltemi winds traveling in from the Aegean Sea take the edge off the heat, occurring mostly in the afternoons and evenings, but sometimes continuing over a few days. Generally you can expect to experience calm to moderate breezes and wind speeds gradually tail off as the month progresses. Do take care to use plenty of high SPF sunscreen at this time of year and try to avoid being in the sun during the hottest parts of the day. Although the meltemi winds may make things feel slightly cooler, the sun's rays are still extremely powerful. You can check the local weather forecast to find out when the day will be warmest and plan your day accordingly.
Sunshine Hours
The number of sunshine hours dips slightly to a still bright thirteen hours a day, while the sea temperature warms up yet another degree to 26°C its warmest temperature of the year. This means you can spend long, warm, sunny days at the beach, taking a refreshing dip in the sea to cool off or get adventurous with some high octane water sports.
Kefalonia Hotels in August
Sunrise Inn Hotel
The Sunrise Inn Hotel in Pessada offers single rooms, double rooms and apartments for up to seven people. The hotel's vast open air veranda affords panoramic views across to Mount Ainos to the East, the Ionian Sea to the South, with Killini and Zakynthos in the distance. Standing on the site of an old soap factory, the hotel offers its guests soap made from pure olive oil. The staff at this family friendly hotel will give you a warm welcome and the onsite facilities include a restaurant, garden and swimming pool. Nearby is the attractive church of Saint Catherine, which has a romantic chapel that can be hired for weddings. Each air conditioned guest room comes with a television, phone, WiFi access, minibar, safe and an en suite bathroom with a hair dryer. The family apartments and villa are fully equipped with a dining room area and kitchen completed with a gas oven, refrigerator and dishwasher. Some apartments are fitted with a Jacuzzi for the ultimate in decadence.
Kefalonia Beach Hotel
The two star Kefalonia Beach hotel stands amid attractive flower gardens crossed by stone pathways. This is a beach lover's hotel as it is located just a few steps the sandy Blue Flag beach of Megas Lakos. Kefalonia Beach hotel offers air conditioned rooms with Ionian Sea views from private balconies and beautiful iron beds. They come equipped with a TV, free WiFi and a mini fridge, plus a living area and en suite bathroom with free toiletries. The property's onsite restaurant offers traditional English breakfast and local cuisine. There's also a beach bar open until late in the evening, ideal for a cocktail overlooking the sea. Children will enjoy the playground and kids club, while for other amenities the town of Lixouri is just three miles away.
Kefalonia Beaches in August
Antisamos
Just a couple of miles along a coastal road from Sami, Antisamos beach is surrounded by vivid blue sea and green hills which makes it an ideal filming location. The area is one of the island's most popular swimming and sunbathing destinations. Visitors will find plenty of umbrellas and sundecks, as well as a great area behind the hill for sunbathers and nature lovers. The monastery of Agrillion on top of the hill is also worth a visit.
Myrtos
Myrtos beach is one of the most famous in the world due to the exquisite white pebbles, vibrant turquoise, striking surrounding vegetation, clean waters and contrasting limestone cliffs. With a winding zigzag road leading down to the beach and some parking available, as well as some loungers and parasols to hire, this beach is ideal for those wanting an idyllic beach with just a few amenities.
Lourdas
The sandy beach at Lourdas borders a quaint hilltop village on the southern coast of Kefalonia. This popular beach is great for sunbathing and offers plenty of shops, bars and restaurants. Nature fans will adore its lush green vegetation and the nearby waterfalls running through the mountains. However, parents with young children should be aware that winds can be strong in this area.
Restaurants and Bars
Casa Grec
Argostoli restaurant Casa Grec is one of the area's best known venues. Come here to sample its menu of Greek dishes thoughtfully prepared with local ingredients. Fans of Italian food will love its pizzas, meat and fish dishes and desserts. This restaurant has a wonderfully relaxed ambiance in attractive surroundings, with both indoor and courtyard tables available.
Ampelaki
Another top restaurant in Argostoli is Ampelaki, which offers guests a journey through local Greek cuisine with creatively produced dishes. The venue is accessible for disabled visitors and provides top notch service for a high quality and highly enjoyable meal out. Open every day for lunch and dinner all year round, its dishes are made with fresh local ingredients, including meat, fish, vegetables, olive oil, wine, feta cheese, honey and herbs.
The Bee's Knees
The Bee's Knees bar in Argostoli is a fantastic vintage style bar, with lighting, atmosphere and music carefully chosen to create a unique, and unforgettable place to spend an evening and enjoy some wonderful drinks.
Things to do in Kefalonia in August
Melissani Caves
Escape the heat of August and visit the Melissani Caves. Head down the sloping tunnel that leads you to the exquisite blue pool where numerous rowing boats are stationed to provide a guided tour of this wonderful place. The crystal clear water of this cavernous lake appear to shift between deep teal and bright blue turquoise throughout the day, contrasting with the honey coloured rock interior. Greenery of trees, plants and moss surround this beautiful area and for a truly magical sight, visit at morning time when the rowing boats appear to hover above the remarkable blue pool.
Monastery of Agios Gerasimos
Monastery of Agios Gerasimos was built to respect and honour the Patron Saint of Kefalonia, who was considered renowned for his healing and protecting powers. Enjoy a wander throughout the grounds, where you can discover a well, and a plane tree that is believed to have been dug and planted by the Saint's own hands.
Markopoulo
History and nature lovers will be intrigued to visit the village of Markopoulo in the southeast of the island, at the foot of Mount Ainos. Learn about the Stone Age remains found in the area at the Sakkos cave, as well as the Mycenaean tomb discovered in Mavrata, local Roman remains and the remnants of middle 19th century water mills. There is a choice of restaurants in Markopoulo where you can enjoy a meal overlooking the sea. The bay here is also a noted marine site, with its shallow, calm waters and scattered reef outcrops providing the perfect home for a range of sea life. The nearby beach of Mounda is a nesting area for loggerhead turtles.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Film buffs will know that the 2000 movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin was filmed on the island. This sweeping romantic drama, about the enduring hope of love during the Italian occupation of Greece in World War II, starred Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, John Hurt and Christian Bale. If you're keen to tread where they filmed their scenes, visit the site of the main film set in the village of Sami, five miles south of Aghia Efimia. Other filming locations you'll recognise include the beautiful beaches of Myrtos and Antisamos bay.
