LIXOURI And The PALI PENINSULA

Lixouri is the second largest town on Kefalonia and is the capital of the Pali peninsula, which is often called the Lixouri peninsula. When people refer to Lixouri, they may mean the town or the area in general. To reach Lixouri you can either drive around the bay of Argostoli or take the local ferry, which takes about 25 minutes from the port of Argostoli. Most of the Pali peninsula is agricultural, with numerous vineyards, fruit orchards, olive groves, large market gardens and herds of goats and sheep.

The main road going south will take you to the fishing village of Mihalitsata, which is a small village on the top of a hill, with lovely views over the bay and the coastline opposite. In the distance lies Vardiani, the little island at the entrance of the bay. The next villages are Soulari and Mantzavinata, before the road leads to the most famous beach of Xi known for its red sand and clay cliffs. Where Xi beach ends, the beach of Mega Lakkos begins. From Xi beach you can take a rowing boat to Vardiani island which is 500 metres away.

The main road above here will take you through Vouni to Havriata, a pretty village known as the balcony of the Ionian due to the panoramic view of the sea and the fertile green valley of moshato grape vineyards.

About 1 km further on the road forks left and it is around 7 kms to the south west coast where the 18th century Kipouria monastery can be found on the edge of a vertical precipice.

In low season the ferry runs every hour on the half hour from Argostoli and every hour on the hour from Lixouri. In peak season the service is more frequent. To be sure of the timetable - see the notice-board at the ferry-port.

Mavrodis makes their own ice-cream and wonderful cakes.

Local chemist

Books and postcards

Ferry office

Some of the villages on the Pali peninsula have remained unchanged for years reflecting a more traditional Greece than the rest of Kefalonia island. Visit Kaminarata village where you can try a local taverna for mezes, home-made wine, wonderful views and laid back hospitality.

Each of the villages has its own character. The pretty village of Rifi is great for photos. The village of Agia Thekla has two churches worth visiting and wonderful views. In the south of the peninsula, the village of Mantzavinata is home of the Vitoratos winery.
Nearby is the village of Vouni home of the Foivos winery.

The famous landmark statue of Andreas Laskaratos centrally positioned in Lixouri port was sculpted in bronze in 1961 by Thanasis Aparti.

Andreas Laskaratos was born in Lixouri in May 1811 and was educated in Argostoli. He sought the company of great poets such as Lord Byron who stayed on Kefalonia and in Corfu the Greek poets Andreas Kalvo and Dionysius Solomos. Laskaratos was born at a time when the island of Kefalonia was moving away from the French towards Britain as its protectorate.

A teacher in Greek and Italian and a controversial poet, Andreas Laskaratos published 'The Mysteries of Kefalonia' in 1856 and was excommunicated by the Orthodox Church as he directed some of his satire at the founding members of the church.

Having twice been excommunicated the poet was also imprisoned for his published political views and his newspaper banned. Slowly his works became accepted and one year before he died his excommunication was lifted and he was reunited with the Greek Orthodox Church.

For an adventure try Ionian Seafaris for RIB boats, motor-boats and quad-bike hire.

Ionian Seafaris - More Information

RIB boat charter Ionian Seafaris website.   Tel: Alie 0030 6974 842708   Mob: Wayne 0030 6946 087154   Email: alie@ionian-seafaris.com   Website: www.ionian-seafaris.com   Visits: 1401    Rating based on 9 votes   Rate This Site

At the very southernmost tip of the peninsula of Pali is Cape Akroti close to the famous Kounopetra (moving rock). The south west coast provides sheltered bays at Vrahinari west of Akrotiri and its neighbouring bay of Vatsa which both have lovely sandy beaches. The area is fairly remote and for this reason has remained unspoilt.

With ancient history dating back 3000 BC when a settlement at Vatsa built a temple to the god Poseidon, present day visitors will not be the first to admire the magnificent sunsets here. The findings of this archaeological dig including a well preserved dolphin mosaic can be found in the Argosotli archaeological museum.

Vatsa Bay has a small jetty for the local fishing caiques which is situated in the river which flows out to the sea here.

Domaine Foivos - More Information

Winery Lixouri Domaine Foivos website.   Tel: 0030 26710 29505 and 0030 26710 92757   Mob:   Email: info@domainefoivos.com   Website: www.domainefoivos.com   Visits: 221    Rating based on 100 votes   Rate This Site