Guide to Assos

'One of Kefalonia's most magical sights, picturesque Assos sits off the beaten track – quiet, uncontrived and deeply relaxing.'

Assos features on many a Greek island brochure and rightly so. Located on a steeply dropping, lush peninsula in northern Kefalonia, its scenic beauty and Venetian-style houses make it an utter show-stopper.
A village in the real sense – only around 100 people live here – you'll find your way around in minutes and feel at home just as quickly. With its eye-candy harbourside edging a turquoise bay, it's a knot of traffic-free streets, tavernas, houses and a minimarket. Yet your first stop here should be the waterfront plaque that testifies to the village's past. Badly damaged by an earthquake in 1956, it was rebuilt with donations from the French and the marble monument's inscribed with the villagers' thanks.
Apart from whiling away the day in the shade of a taverna terrace, there's a small shingle beach in the centre of the bay. Otherwise, after a lunch of home-made taramasalata dips and olives, take a walk along the headland to see the ruined Venetian fortress perched high above the village. Then cool off from your exploring in the protected waters of the bay to rebuild your appetite for supper.
When you feel like spreading your wings, hire a motorboat to chug around the headland and discover one of the empty, white-pebbled coves gracing the coastline. Or take a boat trip to nearby Myrtos Beach, the most photographed beauty spot in all the Greek islands. Here, a sweep of soft white sands beneath sheer cliffs makes a jaw-dropping sight and heavenly base for a day's sunbathing and snorkelling.

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