ASSOS KEFALONIA: Everything you need to know before you go!
ASSOS KEFALONIA: Everything you need to know before you go!
Assos is a colourful and secluded village overlooking a small, beautiful harbour on the west coast of Kefalonia in Greece. This charming little village was founded under Venetian rule in 1593 and remains a stunning time-capsule which will give you a real feel for authentic Greek culture. Here’s a complete guide to Assos, Kefalonia – everything you need to know before you go!
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Where is Assos?
Assos is a picturesque little village on the west coast of Kefalonia in Greece, around 22 miles north of Argostoli, the capital city of Kefalonia.
What is Assos like?
Assos is such a stunning and tranquil place. It’s the kind of small and colourful village that tourism boards knowingly put on the front of their brochures because it looks like heaven in the Mediterranean!
Although less popular than Fiskcardo, the people here are much more laid back. You also won’t need to worry about bus loads of tourists invading your relaxation space!
You can just enjoy nice quiet afternoons drinking in traditional tavernas and strolling down the beach overlooking the harbour.
What’s the history of Assos?
Assos has a very interesting and dramatic history, seeing as it’s such a quiet and unassuming village on a small Greek island! Here’s a whistle-stop tour of Assos history…
Assos was first founded under Venetian rule in 1593 with a fortress being built to protect the area from pirates and the invading Turkish.
Due to its strategic position, it remained the administrative centre of Kefalonia until the Venetians founded Argostoli, which still remains the island’s capital today.
Eventually Venetian rule ended in 1797 with the arrival of the French, who were later defeated by an allied fleet of Russians, Turkish and English.
The Ionian State was then founded in Istanbul in 1800 and came under the rule of the Sultan.
After huge popular demand, democratic elections were organised after years of oligarchy rule in 1802 and a new Constitution was established in 1803.
The island fell again under French domination in 1807 but the new Constitution was maintained.
Then! *takes deep breath*
After the ‘Treaty of Paris’, in 1809, the Ionian Islands came under the rule of the English who constructed many significant buildings in Kefalonia such as the De Bosset Bridge in Argostoli, the Lighthouse of Saint Theodori and the impressive Municipal Theatre of Kefalonia.
Kefalonia remained under English rule until the island was finally united (hoorah!) with the rest of independent Greece in 1864.
…and this is just the tip of the historical iceberg! 😂
Is there a beach in Assos?
There are two pebble beaches you can choose from when visiting Assos.
The larger of the two have umbrellas and sun loungers you can rent however the smaller beach tends to get less busy.
Both beaches have fantastic views over the bay and crystal clear water that you’ll love swimming and snorkelling in.
Can you swim in Assos?
Yes, you can swim in Assos. With water that endlessly blue, you’d find it impossible to resist not going in!
The beautiful turquoise waters of Assos make me want to dive right into this picture!
Has Assos been rebuilt?
The island of Kefalonia has unfortunately suffered many earthquakes, but the most devastating were those in 1757 and 1953.
The Venetian castle in Assos was torn down by the earthquake in 1757, with the rest of the village completely destroyed in the 1953 earthquake.
Fortunately though, most of Assos was rebuilt by the Parisians as it was so beloved by French tourists.
There are still many ruins of ancient buildings remaining in Assos and add to the fascinating time-capsule that the village has become.
How do you get to Assos?
There are a few different ways you can get to Assos:
- By taxi – the easiest and most convenient way to get to Assos village from Argostoli and Fiskardo is to take a taxi which will take you around 35 minutes and cost between €17 and €22 each way. This is the best option if you’re not looking to rent a car whilst you’re visiting Kefalonia.
- By car – if you’re renting a car whilst visiting Kefalonia, I recommend driving to Assos, especially if you’re staying the other side of the island. It’s a great way to independently explore at your own pace.
- By bus – the bus to Assos takes around an hour and 20 minutes from Argostoli and costs less than £5. From Fiskardo it only takes around 30 minutes by bus and costs less than £3. The only downside is that both bus routes only run five times a week! On days they’re operating you could always take the bus in the morning and get a taxi when you’re ready to come home if you’re looking to keep costs down.
- By boat – if you’re feeling extra fancy you can also get to Assos by boat! You can access it by sea if you have a private boat or are part of a trip.
If you’re looking for more of a flying visit, Assos is included as a stop on the Assos Village, Drogarati Cave and Wine Tasting Tour.
You’ll also visit Drogarati Cave, Myrtos Beach and the Robola Winery – all in one fabulous day!
How do you get from Kefalonia airport to Assos?
I would recommend either taking a taxi from Kefalonia Airport to Assos or drive if you are going to be renting a car anyway during your stay. The drive is only around 45 minutes.
Buses from Kefalonia Airport to Assos are almost three hours long and aren’t frequent. I wouldn’t recommend losing half a day of your holiday for the sake of £40!
You can also book an airport transfer car service that would be slightly cheaper than getting a taxi, however you’ll need to pre-book before you get there.
What are the best things to do in Assos?
The name of the game in Assos is to relax and enjoy the serenity of the village so the top things to do, include: lying on the beach, drinking local Greek wine in the various traditional tavernas and eating out whilst you enjoy the wonderful view of the bay!
You can also go on a boat trip, visit Assos Castle (the 16th century fortress first built during Venetian rule in 1593) and Assos Chapel, a lovely candy coloured building hidden among pine trees just below the Venetian castle.
If you’d like to explore beyond Assos, I recommend taking a Kefalonia Highlights Day Tour.
You’ll be able to see all the best sites in one day, including: Melissani Lake, Drogarati Cave, Myrtos Beach and Fiskardo Village without having to rent a car.
Check out my top 10 things to do in Kefalonia for more inspiration, including where to see wild loggerhead turtles!
Where to eat in Assos?
Assos have got some lovely restaurants dotted around the bay. If you’re vegan (like me!) or vegetarian, your options are more limited but staff are so friendly and happy to tweak dishes to help accommodate for any dietary requirements where they can.
However, for my vegan and vegetarian friends I recommend the following if you are looking for highly-rated vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants in Assos:
- Hellenic Bistro – offers authentic Greek cuisine and a friendly service, located just above Assos with amazing sea views! They have a variety of vegan dishes, including: fava and spicy aubergine dip with hot pita breads, oven-baked cauliflower with courgette chips, beetroot carpaccio and homemade vegan lemon curd.
- Platanos – a lovely taverna offering a fantastic menu of classic Greek mezedes with vegan and vegetarian options.
Where can I stay in Assos?
Assos has got a range of beautiful hotels, apartments and villas you can stay in for all different budgets.
The type of stay will depend on your budget so I recommend checking out the accommodation that best suits you and your budget on Booking.com.
Most properties listed are either beachfront or are less than 200 yards away from the beach, which is perfect!
You can also select by amenities if you’re looking for accommodation with a pool for example.
What is the weather like in Kefalonia?
Kefalonia has a lovely Mediterranean climate so is hot and dry in the summer and mild in the winter, which is why it’s so popular as a European holiday spot!
The hottest month is July with an average temperature of 31°C and the coolest month is January with an average temperature of 14°C.
When is the best time to go to Assos Kefalonia?
If you love your sunshine, I’d recommend visiting between June and August for your best shot of undisturbed weather.
If you’re keen to holiday with fewer crowds and get more bang for your buck AND still have lovely weather, visiting early September once the kids have gone back to school is also a great option.
What I would say though is avoid going too early in the season.
I visited nearby Crete at the beginning of May to get a more affordable holiday package deal and despite weather reports looking good, it was overcast and a bit too chilly to sit out by the beach half the week so you’re more likely to have unreliable weather.
Is Assos worth visiting?
Absolutely, Assos is well worth visiting! Whether it’s just for a day to enjoy some peace and quiet on the beaches by the harbour or for a full-on idyllic Greek holiday, Assos is totally worth visiting!
Book a Assos and Fiscardo sightseeing tour.
OTHER KEFALONIA POSTS YOU MAY LIKE…
- Top 10 things to do in Kefalonia, Greece (the perfect 2023 holiday destination)
- GUIDE TO MYRTOS BEACH: Everything you need to know before you go!
- Where to see wild turtles in Kefalonia (top 10 facts!)
- DROGARATI CAVE: Everything you need to know before you go!
- MELISSANI CAVE: Everything you need to know about the cave of nymphs!
Have you been to Assos in Kefalonia yet? 😊
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