Fiskardo also called Fiscardo is a picturesque village located north-east of the island of Kefalonia, about 50 km from Argostoli. It is the northernmost port on the island and from here you can see the coast of Ithaca. Numerous boats leave from the port of Fiskardo for the ports of Ithaca and Lefkada, in addition to the gulets for excursions to the main beaches of Kefalonia. Fiskardo and the dense surrounding forest are areas of great natural beauty and are therefore protected by the Greek government.
Until the 70s Fiskardo was a quiet fishing village, which over the years has opened up to tourism attracted by the beautiful beaches and the proximity to the Italian coasts. Today it is a popular tourist resort, which attracts visitors from all over Europe. In recent years, international stars such as Madonna, Tom Hanks and Nicholas Cage have also visited Fiskardo.
History of Fiskardo
The village of Fiskardo has been identified as the ancient city of Panormos, mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus in the fifth century BC. In 2005 a plaque dating back to ancient Greece was brought to light which reported thanks to Panormos for allowing the people of Athens to hunt in their own territory.
At the end of 2006, during the construction of a hotel near the center of Fiskardo, a Roman-era tomb complex was found, perfectly preserved containing gold jewelry, ceramics, terracotta pots, copper coins and bronze artifacts in perfect condition . Inside, five burial sites were found including a large vaulted tomb and a stone coffin. A very well preserved theater was found in an adjacent area, as well as the remains of houses, a bath complex and a cemetery, all dating back to Roman times, between 146 BC. and 330 AD It is amazing how an ancient door after 2000 years can still be opened without problems on stone pins.
Fiskardo was not affected by the 1953 earthquake and has retained its original architecture, with small colored Venetian-style houses.
The beaches of Fiskardo
One of the main attractions of Fiskardo are its beaches, easily accessible and among the most beautiful in Kefalonia.
Emblissi beach is the most famous and popular of the Fiskardo beaches. It is a beautiful bay of sand mixed with small pebbles bathed by a turquoise sea with a unique transparency .. a true paradise! It is not equipped, but during the summer season there is always a van that sells snacks, fresh drinks and souvlaki. Being well known in the high season there may be parking problems, so we advise you to arrive early, to avoid the chaos of peak hours.
The small beach of Kimilia is perhaps even more beautiful than that of Emblissi, with a sea so transparent that it looks like a swimming pool .. It is less known than the latter and can be reached by taking a stretch of road in the woods for about 15 minutes. If you love quiet and unspoiled bays, Emblissi is the right thing for you!
Dafnoudi beach is located north of Fiskardo, it can only be reached on foot, via a short path. It always has the enchanting colors of the two beaches previously described, plus on the right there is a cave, in which there is a lovely beach .. not to be missed!
The Foki beach, made up of white pebbles mixed with sand, is the most convenient to reach on foot from the village of Fiskardo, from which it is only one kilometer away. Even the beach of Foki is not equipped, but you can take shelter in the shade of the olive trees that are located on the beach. There is also a tavern behind Foki beach if you want to stop for lunch. Just beyond Foki beach you will find an old now abandoned chalk mine, where seals sometimes take shelter. It is in fact from them that the name of the beach derives. If you are lucky you can see one .. Due to its proximity to the village, the small beach of Foki could be quite crowded, especially in the central hours of the day, so we advise you to arrive as soon as possible!
The beautiful beach of Agia Jerusalem is the widest and the only equipped beach in the Fiskardo area behind it boasts a tavern that prepares tasty traditional cuisine.
What to do in Fiskardo
In addition to the beautiful sea and breathtaking beaches, Fiskardo offers various cultural attractions that we advise you not to miss. Without a doubt the most important to visit is the small Roman cemetery, which is located just behind the port. It is a short free visit that will allow you to discover the origins of this ancient village.
Don't miss the lighthouses of Fiskardo, the modern one and the Venetian one. You can reach both with a short walk through the narrow streets of the village. The path passes through the vegetation and the ruins of an ancient early Christian basilica.
We also recommend that you visit the History Museum, which houses a collection of ancient artifacts and photographs. It will be an opportunity to take a dip into the past of a remote and fascinating area like Fiskardo. Finally, do not miss the Environmental Museum of Fiskardo, here you can admire the skeletons of various marine mammals, turtles, seals and the entire skeleton of a whale that unfortunately ran aground on Emplisi beach in 1995. An interesting photo gallery with history of the area over the centuries will complete the tour.
The museum is housed in the old school of Fiskardo and was inaugurated in 1999. Admission is free.
Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 17:00.
Excursions from Fiskardo
As already mentioned, there are many gulets that leave from the small port of Fiskardo for a daily excursion to discover the beautiful and mysterious island of Ithaca and to the most beautiful beaches of Kefalonia. Prices range from 30 to 40 euros per person and include lunch. In our opinion it is a fun and interesting way to visit these magnificent islands. From the port of Fiskardo it is also possible to rent a boat and set off to discover the most hidden beaches of Kefalonia.
If you are passionate about trekking from Fiskardo, three different itineraries leave that will allow you to admire the luxuriant nature of Kefalonia: the Cypresses Road, the Battery Route and the Lighthouse Road. Other paths also start from the port of Assos, each of them will give you beautiful landscapes, especially those that cross the scenic road around the tip of the island.
Nightlife in Fiskardo
After a relaxing day at the beach or an interesting excursion, enjoy an excellent aperitif on the waterfront, admiring the sunset. In Fiskardo you will find the best bars and restaurants in Kefalonia and also the trendiest night clubs! Everything is concentrated in the port area, where you will find Elli's, a restaurant where you can taste excellent fish dishes and traditional cuisine.
Fiskardo has an evocative, almost magical atmosphere, certainly different from any other place in Kefalonia. Here the fun is more refined, compared to the places where mass tourism has taken over. In Fiskardo time seems to stand still and walking along the narrow streets near the port and the center, you reach the lighthouse and admire the incredible view of the island of Ithaca. Sometimes it doesn't take much to spend an unforgettable evening ..