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the dramatic west coast and Assos 
Assos Trail
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| Assos is one of Friends of Kefalonia favourite villages Kefalonia (Cephalonia). Few places can have such a dramatic setting as Assos, as it clings to the hillside around its natural harbour. Assos provides one of the few sheltered bays of the rocky west coast of Kefalonia (Cephalonia). Why not treat yourself to the Kefalonia Digital Information Pack which includes 7 Introductory Walks, including 2 trails for Assos, a guide to Kefalonia, eight wildlife booklets and the online version of the 25 min FoI Movie Kefalonia Explorer - just 3.95! Click for more info on the Kefalonia Digital Information Pack
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| Although Assos was partially demolished by the 1953 earthquake, much of its Venetian architecture still remains, if only in a ruined state. They give Assos a sense of crumbling grandeur, making it a fantastic place to wander around and explore.
The Venetian fortress of Assos is built out on a large and strange isthmus of rock, that hides Assos from its seaward side and forms a shallow and warm natural harbour. The steep and jagged rocks of the Erissos peninsula stretch out in either direction along the coast, giving way to small, inaccessible bays.
Although Assos is undeniably the most attractive village on Kefalonia, there is also some development happening here. One of the most disturbing developments in the whole Ionian are the Braunis Horio apartments (also known as Villas Akrogiali, Maistrali and Palatsina. These apratments with their private infinity pools might sound plush, but they are truly vulgar, leaving this beautiful area marred by an unsympathetic development that can be seen all around Assos and down the coastline. Remember that your staying at these apartments supports and encourages this sort of building. We strongly recommend you do not stay here.
This kind of development is particularly disturbing in Assos, which is listed as a European Heritage site.
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| The people of Assos are a credit to Kefalonia. Few places in the Ionian can compare with the sense of civic pride of this village. As well as being beautiful, it is kept spotlessly clean. Even the bins have flowerpots on top of them!
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| The descent from the main road is terrifyingly stepp and narrow. With its many tight switch backs, it is quite a feat to get a coach down here but they do manage it!
The actual village of Assos is for the most part pedestrianised, with a carpark at the edge of town.
Do take a torch as some of the backstreets are not lit and the attractive old cobbles of some of them are easier to navigate if you can see!
Do not drive up to the old fortress. Although the road looks sound at the bottom, it is falling away at some points and not safe for cars. |
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| With its crumbling ruins and cobbled paths, Assos is a great place to explore. The numerous tavernas and cafes in the square and along the waterfront make a wonderful setting to sit, relax and watch the world go by.
Friends of Kefalonia (Cephalonia) have two self-guided trails for Assos - one to lead you around the village and the other up to the Venetian fort.
The main downside to Assos is that it is a little cut off from the rest of Kefalonia - but this is also one of the reasons it has been saved from the developers. There is only one bus a week that makes it down the steep descent from the main road. You really do need a car if you want to see anything of the island, or make use of the beaches along the west coast of Kefalonia (Cephalonia), such as the famous Myrtos beach. Why not treat yourself to a car hire whilst you're on Kefalonia so you get the most out of your visit. Click here for Kefalonia Car Hire |
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| Assos is an inhabited village. Once villagers made a living from the sea and the now-abandoned vineyards that terrace the hillsides around. One look at the steep, rocky and dry land around the village tells you that it must have been a hard life. Assos, like the rest of Kefalonia, is increasingly dependent on tourism.
The premium on accommodation in Assos means that only a small number of tourists stay here, but this also creates desire to build more. Let's hope planning regulators get their act together and stop any more monstrosities being built in this beautiful village.
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Assos Castle Heritage
Assos Trail
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