Spartia · Southern Kefalonia
A villa to rent close to Spartia village.
The Village
Spartia is one of the best-positioned villages on Kefalonia — close enough to the airport that transfers are short, far enough that you never hear a plane, and walking distance from a proper local taverna where the owner still recognises returning guests.
The village sits on the hillside above the south coast of Kefalonia, about 9km south of Argostoli. It's an old farming village — olive groves, cypress, a scattering of stone houses, a Venetian-era church at the top and a handful of family-run tavernas at the bottom. Most of the people who live here full-time are Kefalonian, not incomers, and the rhythm of the village follows the seasons: quiet in winter, busy at Easter, then a slow build through summer.
Korianna House sits on the hillside just above the village, on the road that climbs out towards the coast. From the terrace you can see down over the rooftops to the Ionian, with Zakynthos in the distance on a clear day. The road up is quiet — a handful of houses, a lot of olive and cypress, and the occasional herd of goats.
The village itself has a bakery, a small mini-market, three tavernas, a kafenio and a church square that comes alive for the summer paniyiri (the village saint's day festival) in late August. Argostoli, the island's capital, is a 14-minute drive away for restaurants, the daily produce market, the harbour where the loggerhead turtles come in, and the ferry across the bay to Lixouri.
Why Spartia
A quieter base than the resort villages — but still close to everything.
Most Kefalonia villas cluster in Lassi, Skala or the north around Fiskardo. Spartia's advantage is its central-south position: within 20 minutes of the airport, the capital, three of the island's best beaches and the ferry to Zakynthos.
- Kefalonia Airport (EFL)
- 9 min drive
- Argostoli (capital)
- 14 min drive
- Avithos Beach
- 8 min drive
- Pessada Beach (Zakynthos ferry)
- 6 min drive
- Ai Helis Beach
- 10 min drive
- St George's Castle
- 7 min drive
- Local taverna
- Walking distance
- Lourdas Beach
- 18 min drive
- Mavrata & Metaxata wineries
- 12–20 min drive
- Melissani & Drogarati caves
- 35 min drive
- Myrtos Beach
- 45 min drive
- Fiskardo
- 1 hr 15 min drive
Around the Village
What Spartia is close to.
Beaches
The south coast is Spartia's beach coast. Avithos is the closest — a wide sandy bay backed by pine trees with a single beach taverna, and one of the nesting beaches for loggerhead turtles. Pessada is smaller, more sheltered, and where the summer ferry to Zakynthos leaves from. Ai Helis is quieter still, with clear water and a friendly kantina. Further along the south coast, Lourdas is a long crescent of sand and shingle with several tavernas at each end.
Argostoli
The island's capital is a 14-minute drive north. The waterfront (paralia) is where the loggerhead turtles gather in the harbour; the produce market runs every morning near the causeway; and the old town behind it is full of tavernas, ice cream shops and small boutiques. Evenings in Argostoli are worth the drive — the whole town turns out for the volta, the slow evening walk along the front.
Wineries and food
The Mavrata and Metaxata wine region is a 12–20 minute drive from the villa — home to producers like Sarris, Sclavos and the Robola Cooperative, working with the island's native Robola grape. Spartia itself is close to the goat-farming villages of the interior, where you'll find the best kokoretsi, fresh hilopites (Kefalonian noodles) and the famous meat pie (kreatopita).
Villa life
Most guests settle into a rhythm within a day or two: bakery run in the morning, beach until lunchtime, a long lunch or a swim in the pool through the hottest hours, and dinner at one of the village tavernas as the sun goes down. The villa's terrace faces west, so the sunset is your evening entertainment.
The House
Three bedrooms, sleeps six, private pool.
Two doubles and a twin, two bathrooms, air-con throughout, a fully-equipped kitchen and a long private pool with uninterrupted sea views. Welcome pack on arrival. Cleaning during your stay included.
Common Questions
About Spartia and the villa.
- Where is Spartia in Kefalonia?
- Spartia is a small hillside village in southern Kefalonia, about 9 minutes from Kefalonia Airport (EFL) and 14 minutes from the island's capital, Argostoli. It sits between the sea and the pine-covered hills, above Avithos and Pessada beaches.
- Is Spartia a good base for a Kefalonia holiday?
- Yes — Spartia is one of the best-positioned villages on the island. It's quieter than the resort villages of Lassi, Skala or Lourdas, but still within a short drive of the airport, the capital, the ferry to Zakynthos at Pessada, and the beaches of the south and west coasts.
- How far is Spartia from Kefalonia Airport?
- About 6 km, or a 9-minute drive. Transfers from the airport to the villa take around 15 minutes including luggage.
- What is there to do in Spartia village?
- The village has a bakery, a small shop, a couple of tavernas and a traditional kafenio. It's a quiet place — the pace is slower, evenings are spent at the taverna, and the loudest sound is usually the cicadas.
- Which beaches are closest to Spartia?
- Pessada beach is a 6-minute drive, Avithos beach is 8 minutes, and Ai Helis is a 10-minute drive. Lourdas, one of Kefalonia's longest beaches, is 18 minutes south.
- Can I rent a villa in Spartia directly from the owner?
- Yes — Korianna House is a privately owned three-bedroom villa in Spartia that you can book directly through this site. Booking direct skips the platform service fees charged by Vrbo and Expedia (typically 14–18%) and puts you in touch with owner Margot for a personal reply.
A Note on Rentals
Why direct booking?
Korianna House is also listed on Expedia and Vrbo, where it holds a perfect 10/10 across every verified guest review. Booking direct through this site skips the platform's service fee — usually 14–18% of the total — and gets you a faster, personal reply from owner Margot. Same villa, same dates, just better terms.