Argostoli
On Gingerguide's self-guided Kefalonia audio tour, Argostoli is a stop worth about ~90 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~90 min
- Kefalonia Kefalonia guide
About Argostoli
The capital of Kefalonia, on a sheltered bay, rebuilt after the 1953 earthquake, with the long stone De Bosset bridge, the Lithostroto shopping street and a lagoon where sea turtles feed.
Argostoli has been the capital of Kefalonia since 1757, when the Venetians moved the seat of government from the Castle of Agios Georgios to the port on the sheltered bay. On 12 August 1953 an earthquake of about magnitude 7 destroyed the town; the quay collapsed and fires burned for days. Argostoli was rebuilt on the same site with wider streets and lower buildings.
Across the bay runs the De Bosset bridge, first built in 1813 under British rule by the Swiss-born governor Charles Philippe de Bosset; about 690 metres long, it is now for walkers only, with an obelisk on a small island halfway. The Koutavos lagoon behind it is a nature reserve where loggerhead turtles feed. The Lithostroto is the main pedestrian street, and a small museum honours the Italian Acqui Division.
Did you know? The earthquake of 12 August 1953 lifted the whole of Kefalonia by about 60 centimetres. In Argostoli the harbour quay collapsed and fires burned in the town for three days.
How much time do you need at Argostoli?
Around ~90 min works well for Argostoli — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at Argostoli?
Yes — Argostoli made the cut as one of 13 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Kefalonia. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Kefalonia
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Argostoli and read more:
Day 2 of the Kefalonia in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Argostoli
Preview the Kefalonia tour free in the Gingerguide app.