The other Greek island drawing big crowds

Move over Santorini and Mykonos, and turn your gaze to this slice of heaven in the Ionian Sea.

The other Greek island drawing big crowds

By Akash Arora

Updated April 1, 2025, first published May 26, 2023

Move over Santorini and Mykonos, and turn your gaze to this slice of heaven in the Ionian Sea.

Nothing screams summer quite like a Greek island. And if you've already posed next to the windmills of Mykonos and posted pictures aplenty of the blue domes of Santorini, perhaps it's time to turn your gaze to Kefalonia.

Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa.

Located west of mainland Greece in the Ionian Sea, Kefalonia not only offers everything the aforementioned classic haunts are known for - sweeping sea vistas, creamy beaches and scenic bays flanked by steep limestone cliffs - but boasts a wine-growing scene, too.

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Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa.

And now, there's another great reason to head there: the launch of Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa, perched above a secret cove and remote beach. Designed by London-based firm Maike Gruna Interiors, it's home to just 12 dreamy villas, with acres of natural stone and vast windows framing uninterrupted ocean views.

Eliamos Villas Hotel & Spa.

And the best bit? It's just a 20-minute drive from Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, with its seaside tavernas and pedestrianised town centre featuring quaint boutiques. eliamos.com

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Words byAkash Arora

Akash is the Deputy Travel Editor for Australian Community Media. He has lived and worked in four cities around the world – Sydney, London, New Delhi and New York – and, at last count, travelled to 42 countries.

My all-time favourite destination is ... New York. You can drop a pin anywhere in Manhattan and start walking in any direction, and the sights and sounds of the city that never stops will begin to stimulate all your senses in an instant.

Next on my bucket list is … Scandinavia - at the peak of summer, when the sun almost never sets.

My top travel tip is … If you’re flying to Sydney from anywhere in the world, pick a window seat far from the wing on the left-hand-side of the aeroplane. If the weather gods and flight path align, you’ll have the most incredible views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House.