| Argostoli Αργοστόλι | ||
 | ||
| State | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Ionian Islands | |
| POSTAL CODE | 281 00 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Argostoli is the capital of the island of Kefalonia.
To know
Capital of Kefalonia, Argostoli is a lively town with a wide variety of accommodation, not all of which are cheap.
Generally it is considered a fallback choice for those who have not found a place in the neighboring area Lassi or in the farthest Skala or for those who cannot afford the prices of these as well as of other seaside resorts in Kefalonia (FiskardoAssos).
Argostoli's biggest flaw is that bathing in the shallow waters of its bay is not very pleasant. However, Lassi, on the open sea, is about 1 km away and is connected to the capital by a bus service.
Among the advantages of Argostoli, as a holiday center, its liveliness precisely, accompanied by a decent nightlife and in addition the abundance of services (banks, supermarkets etc.) all at your fingertips.
Argostoli is located on the shores of a shallow lagoon, the bay of Koutavos, and it has happened in the past that some ships bound for Kyllini ran aground on the bottom. This is the reason why large ships fromItaly and from Patras, land in Sami, port on the other side of the island with much deeper waters ..
Background
Argostoli was chosen by the Venetians as the seat of local government in the 18th century, when the weakening of the Ottoman Empire allowed them to leave the fortress of St. George, former seat of the garrison and governor of the Serenissima.
The violent earthquake of 1953 wiped out every historic building in the town and the reconstruction took place in a hurry. It was only thanks to the strict urban planning laws passed by a well-known political exponent of the 80s, Antonio Tritsi, that the town took on a graceful appearance. Today the long Venetian domination survives only in the tradition of the carnival, much felt by the locals and in some rare building that survived the earthquake as the headquarters of the philharmonic behind the central square.
Argostoli is infamous for themassacre of the Acqui division commemorated every year by the incumbent president of the Italian Republic. The site of the massacre is located on the hills near the town and is marked by a marble plaque in the center of a small gate.
How to orient yourself
Argostoli: full screen map.Argostoli has a very elongated shape. squeezed between the lagoon of Koutavos and the hills behind it, beyond which it is Lassi. Assuming you are entering by car coming from Sami or from Poros We will first meet the suburban bus station with the narrow Devoseto bridge built in the early 1800s by the British rulers using the forced labor of the local population. This is the least attractive area of Argostoli, bustling with commercial activities. Continuing along the seafront, you will find the market area with its characteristic stalls full of fruit and vegetables sold at goldsmith prices. Beyond is the nicest area, at the port and marina where private yachts are at anchor. This stretch of waterfront takes the official name of Ioannou Metaxà and it is the best place to choose the hotel.
The way dictates "Lithostrote" it runs further inland, parallel to the promenade. It is a pedestrian area with nice bars and shops. It can be considered the "course" of Argostoli. It ends on the square where the archaeological museum is located, a building not graceful but with strong seismic resistance. Further on is the vast Valianou square, usual gathering of vacationers.
How to get
By plane
The international airport is two kilometers from the center. A taxi is required to reach Argostoli. Flights from Italy are operated by Ryanir and Easyjet.
The company Olympic Airways provides to connect Argostoli with Athens, Corfu, Zakynthos is Thessaloniki.
Usually in the early afternoon ferries leave for Killini inElis. Tickets can be obtained at the shipping agency in front of the pier or at the suburban bus station (KTEL).
If you arrive by ship from Italy, once you have disembarked at Sami, you will have to be quick to get on the bus that bears the "ΑΡΓΟΣΤΟΛΙ" plate on the windshield
How to get around
By car
Taxis can be found in the central square (Vallianou Square) and also at the bus station. They can also be called by radio taxi: 30 26710 22700, 30 26710 24305, 30 26710 28545. Pay attention to the taximeter and be careful to agree on the price in advance. Often these precautions are not enough to deal with the greed of many of Kefalonia's taxi drivers and in any case it is always better to resort to a rental car
By bus
The bus station is located at the entrance to the town, near the narrow bridge built by the British at the beginning of the 19th century. The bus to Lassi, in a certain sense the beach of Argostoli, full of Anglo-Saxon tourists.
What see
Argostoli's only real attraction is its small archaeological museum. The others, shown below, are mere tourist curiosities.
- Devosetou Bridge. The narrow bridge that crosses the Argostoli lagoon near the bus station was built in 1812 using forced labor.
- Archaeological Museum. There are exhibits from archaeological excavations carried out in different parts of the island. Although small, the museum is found to be very interesting
- Korgialenios library and museum, Via Ilia Zervù 12 - Ηλία Ζερβού 12. The Korgialenios library and the small adjoining museum are worth a visit, at least according to the personal judgment of the writer, as it is the only building that was saved from the 1953 earthquake. official site where you will find all information (in Italian too) to about
- Napler Gardens (Near the vallianou square on the uphill road to Lassi). They were settled by the British governor Charles James Napier (1782 - 1853). In 1905 they were taken over by the municipality of Argostoli. The gardens contribute to giving a nice area to the area north of Piazza Vallianou in stark contrast to the one where the bus station is located, at the entrance to the town.
- San Teodoro lighthouse. At the mouth of the Koutavos lagoon, the lighthouse is a small circular structure just 8 meters high and supported by Doric columns. Built in 1828 on commission from Governor Charles Napier, the lighthouse was destroyed by the 1953 earthquake. It was rebuilt 7 years later following the original design
Events and parties
- There is still the ceremony of the cross thrown into the water by an Orthodox priest and recovered by a small group of willing young people. The ceremony takes place near the English bridge on the day of the Epiphany, when even the last tourist is long gone.
What to do
Almost none, except for the gathering in the pastry shops and restaurants in the Vallianou square.
Bathing in the shallow waters of the lagoon is not very exciting. On the other side of the lagoon fish are bred in captivity, which mostly ends up in the Italian super-markets.
Shopping
How to have fun
Argostoli's nightlife is limited to a few clubs in the vast Vallianou Square and in the neighboring streets between the square and the seafront below. Other places are located along the road that goes from the square to the museum. In some of these places the police often break into them but the manners are polite in carrying out the checks. If you are alone and in the mood for adventures, you will have to work a lot to get the graces of some little girl. The local competition and from Albanian non-EU citizens is ruthless and fierce knowing well how to move around the territory. The advice is to migrate to other more peppery and less sanctimonious islands. The squad is restricted to Mykonos, Santorini and some seaside resorts east of Heraklion (Heraklion), for example Malia is Stalida.
- Stavento. On the other side of the Argostoli lagoon, reachable via the narrow Devoseto bridge, it has enjoyed the favor of the very young for more than a decade. However, it may have changed location.
- Rumors, Valianou Square. Another evening meeting place for young Kefalonia vacationers
- Bass Music Club.
Where to eat
Where stay
The most renowned hotels in Argostoli directly overlook the large central square and the alleys between it and the seafront below. Keep in mind that in this area the noise continues until the first light of dawn and will prevent you from sleeping if you have sensitive ears. The hotels located on the stretch of waterfront beyond the port are certainly nicer, as well as guaranteeing less noise. A couple of budget hotels are around the bus station, which is less pleasant than the previous ones.
Moderate prices
- Argostoli Beach Camping (On the way to the old lighthouse about 1.5 km from the center).
- [link not working]Mouikis, Vironos n ° 3, ☎ 30 26710 23454, 30 26710 24528, @[email protected]. Nothing special but "fair" prices and therefore always full in high as in low season.
- Byron, Vironos n ° 21 (S.), ☎ 30 26710 23401. Accommodation in apartments.
- [link not working]Effie guesthouse (Linardatos Apartments), 24, P. Kavvadia 28100 ARGOSTOLI (S.), ☎ 30 26710 28828, 30 26710 69620, 30 6945383443 (Mobile phone). Good economic solution near the Europe hotel, far more expensive. Composed of 2 studios 5 rooms (double) all with balcony. Open from May to October
- Hotel Hara, Leoforos (avenue) Vergoti 87 - 28100 ARGOSTOLI, ☎ 30 26710 22427. With 8 rooms in total Hotel Hara is probably the cheapest in Argostoli. It can be of interest to those who ask for nothing more than a roof over their heads. On the other hand, you will have everything at your fingertips: ATMs, supermarkets, bus station from where you can reach Lassi, etc
- Alegro hotel, Street (odors) Andrea Hoida n ° 2, ☎ 30 26710 22268, 30 26710 28684. 36-room hotel with air conditioning. Open all year round, it is very economical and with greater comfort than the previous one. As of 2012, it was featured on the booking site venere com
Average prices
- Ionian Plaza, Vallianou Square, ☎ 30 26710 25581, 30 26710 25585. The oldest traditional hotel in Argostoli but pay attention to the prices.
- Aenos, Vallianou Square, ☎ 30 26710 28013, 30 26710 27035. Restored in the year 2000. Very small rooms overlooking the central square where you can linger until dawn listening to music. Noise is therefore assured. Staggering prices for what it offers.
- Mirabel, Vallianou Square, ☎ 30 26710 25381, fax: 30 26710 25384.
- Argostoli hotels, 21, Vyronos 28100 Argostoli, ☎ 30 26710 28358, 30 26710 28272.
- Europe, 2, P. Kavadia St. 281 00 Argostoli - Kefalonia, ☎ 30 26710 24681, 30 26710 24683.
- [link previously not working]Hotel Miramare I & II, Via Ioannou Metaxa 2 & Israil Argostoli, Kefalonia (Greece) (S.), ☎ 30 26710 23487. in the best area of Argostoli on the stretch of seafront beyond the port, the hotel is perhaps the best in Argostoli.
- [link not working]Myros Studios, Via Ioannou Metaxa 46 - 28100 ARGOSTOLI (S.), ☎ 30 26710 24417, 30 693 236 3446. Studios with kitchenette, private bathroom and balcony. free wi-fi air conditioning system. Open from July to Sept. Great location
- Vivian Villa, Via Deladetsima 11 D, Argostoli 28100, (S.), ☎ 30 26710 23487. In the beautiful area north of Piazza Vallianou but at some distance from the seafront (400 m).
- Olga, Antonis Tritsi promenade n ° 82, ☎ 30 26710 24981-4, fax: (30) 26710 24985.
- Tourist, Antonis Tritsi Promenade 109, ☎ 30 26710 23034, 30 26710 22510, fax: 30 26710 22510. Perhaps the cheapest on this stretch of waterfront but with some inconveniences such as the rooms that are too narrow even if this seems the norm in Argostoli and in addition the rude style with which some elderly staff deal with the unfortunate guests of the Tourist.
