| Sami Σάμη | ||
 | ||
| State | Greece | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Ionian Islands | |
| POSTAL CODE | 28080 | |
Position
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| Institutional website | ||
Sami is a city of Kefalonia.
To know
Sami is crammed with small hotels and rooms for rent, but staying there is not recommended. The "beach", adjacent to the port, is so small that you can just plant an umbrella. Antisami is instead an exceptional beach, very wide and among the most beautiful in Kefalonia but it is located over 4 km from the town and has no hotels. Antisami was the background to many scenes in the film "Il Mandolino del Capitano Corelli".
Geographical notes
Sami sits in a deep bay that opens onto the rugged east coast, right in front of Ithaca. The sea front is completely occupied by the port infrastructures so that the space for bathing is reduced to a flicker. Behind the built-up area, the bulk of Mount Ainos, about 1,600 m high, dominates. The road leading to Argostoli it climbs up the mountainous buttresses offering splendid views of the bay and the neighboring one Ithaca
Background
Sami was one of the four cities of Kefalonia that in pre-classical times had formed an alliance between them to govern the island together (Tetrapolis). The ruins of ancient Sami are located just beyond the town along the road to Argostoli but they are not interesting
How to orient yourself
Sami: full screen map.How to get
By plane
The airport is ad Argostoli (from Italy daily connections with easyJet and Ryanair)
Sami is the main port of Kefalonia. Some ships land there on the route Bari-Patras is Toast-Patras
Sami is the stop for daily ferries from Patras which then, often go on for Ithaca. The service is managed by the company "Strintzis" [1]. Ferries depart from Patras at 12:30. In the high season the service is enhanced with additional ships. The 2006 prices for the one-way single pass are € 14.50 per passenger and approximately € 55 for any car in tow. The Sami-Piso aetos section, (Ithaca) costs € 2.20. The ticket can be purchased in Sami at the small KTEL bus office which also includes the passage by ship. TO Patrasinstead, you can buy it at the tiny box office next to the main entrance to the port (Piazza dell'Orologio). There is also a connection with the port of Astakos inAetolia-Acarnania.
By bus
Sami is connected to other centers of Kefalonia by the KTEL bus lines which also guarantee the connection with Patras ed Athens. Of course, a rental car or a moped is required to move freely. Car rental agencies are listed in theintroductory article
How to get around
What see
- Antisamis (Αντίσαμη). Exceptional beach 4 km from the town where some scenes of the movie "Captain Corelli's mandolin" were shot.
- Karavomilos (Καραβόμυλος). Modest seaside resort on the bay of Sami, along the road to Agia Efimia with a wider beach than that of Sami.
- Melissani Caves. An underground lake near Karavomilos. You can take the boat ride.
- Drogarati cave. One of the main attractions of Kefalonia. The cave was discovered in the 18th century when an earthquake opened a chasm in the ground revealing its entrance. It is a 60 m deep stalactite and stalagmite cave, with perfect acoustics, such as to have been used in the past as a concert hall.
- Chaliotata and Poulata. Tiny rural towns in the immediate hinterland of Sami, perched on hills. Unknown to most, they offer breathtaking views of Sami Bay and the front Ithaca.
Events and parties
What to do
Shopping
How to have fun
Where to eat
Where stay
Safety
How to keep in touch
Around
- In Pirgi along the road to Poros, where there is a small monastery.
