Fiskardo Cottages

Butterfly House & Cottage

Both the Butterfly villas have a lovely indoor-outdoor flow. There are dry stone walls and inbuilt daybeds, herbs growing in painted amphoras, and views rolling past low olive groves to a strip of blue sea. Inside, they flaunt smooth polished cement floors, white walls, high wooden eaves and an artful mix of recycled and new furnishings. The villas can be rented together if you're travelling as a group or extended family.

House (2 bedrooms)
This main house has two bedrooms and opens onto a bamboo-shaded eating-chilling space above the pool. The kitchen comes with all the usuals, including a double-fronted fridge-freezer, ice machine, espresso machine and juicer. In the living area is a Bluetooth sound system, a wood-burning stove, a coffee table from salvaged roof beams, and two wide stone-built sofas (which convert to beds on request). The bedrooms are comfy doubles with ensuite bathrooms, air-con and ceiling fans. The master suite is particularly generous, with an extra-wide bed, French doors opening directly onto the terrace, and a handmade cement bath with separate walk-in shower. The second bedroom is a bit smaller and has a double bed or twin beds and an ensuite shower bathroom. 

Cottage (2 bedrooms)
Down in the gardens of Butterfly House lies a secluded two-bedroom cottage where the kitchen and main living space are semi-open-air, shaded by a rustic bamboo pergola, with beanbags and a hammock for lolling about in the tranquil surroundings. The indoor area comprises the main bedroom (a double), a living space with daybeds for additional kids to sleep on, a family bathroom, and a second bedroom (double/twin) on the lower floor. The decor is clean white with pops of lemon, orange and turquoise from soft furnishings. 

Ionian House & Cottage

The Ionian villas have the same rustic-chic aesthetic as the Butterfly houses, each with exposed stone walls, polished floors and serene outside spaces.

House (2 bedrooms)
We loved it here. The house feels homely and lived-in: woven rugs, floor cushions and oversized clay pot plants made us feel like we were staying at a friend's chic pad. Wooden shutters and concrete surfaces give the house a rustic feel, but bright linens and modern tech (including underfloor heating for the cooler months) add a dash of contemporary. There are two spacious double bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master has a full ensuite with a quirky layout, while the second bedroom only has a shower and basin - the toilet is downstairs. Each bedroom has its own peaceful balcony, too, for taking in that dreamy view. The mattress was quite firm, as often in Greece, but it wasn't an issue for us.

The living room has a comfy sofa facing the distant sea, and the wooden doors open to the terrace. The kitchen comes fully equipped - better than my own home - with an American-style fridge-freezer, an oven, dishwasher, and a professional coffee machine. There were also a few sweet treats and cooking essentials on the side. There's a chunky wooden table indoors, but we chose to eat on the covered terrace to soak in our scenery. Out here, the lovely lap pool has cool curved sunloungers on one side and a newly planted garden on the other. A lane runs along the front, but hardly anyone passes by (these are the only houses along it). From here you gaze out at olive groves which drop down to the sea on the horizon.

Cottage (1 bedroom)
Set behind the main house, Ionian Cottage is a cosy one-bedroom bolthole designed for couples. Steps lead up from the road, along the side of Ionian House, and onto a large shaded terrace. An alfresco kitchen, barbecue and dining area form the main living space, set beneath a bamboo pergola. Double doors lead into the cottage, where a kingsize bed occupies the middle of the room. Step through the built-in wardrobe to the bathroom, which boasts a spacious shower and a separate tub. Leather armchairs, oil paintings and antique furnishings add a touch of rustic warmth. There's no pool, so it's best suited to a couple who plan to be out beach hopping or sightseeing during the day and want a quiet home to return to in the evening. 

Activities

• Swim and sunbathe at local beaches - the nearest is Dafnoudi, a 20-minute walk across fields and along a woodland path. Near Fiskardo you’ll find the pretty pebble beach of Emblisi (a 30-minute walk), while Kefalonia’s most stunning beach, Myrtos, set below dramatic cliffs that plummet down to the coast, lies 20km away
• Walk along a track past olive groves and cypresses to the restored church of Ag Giannnis (St John), with fine views out to sea
• Spoil yourself with a massage - one can be arranged for you at the cottage
• Explore the pretty fishing village of Fiskardo (a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk), with its pastel-coloured houses and tavernas rimming a busy little harbour
• Try scuba diving with the Fiskardo Dive Centre - they run a ‘Discover Diving’ course for complete beginners, and arrange dives to underwater caves and shipwrecks for those with experience
• Drive to the village of Assos (10km), a cluster of old cottages, plus several tavernas, built on an isthmus between the seaward cliffs and a small island with a Venetian fortress
• Visit the Robola Wine Co-operative in the Omala Valley, near Argostoli. They offer a short tour of the cellars plus tasting of their highly regarded dry white robola, and you can buy bottles to take home
• Explore the island’s caves, close to Sami: Drogarati has a big chamber filled with stalactites, while Melissani is home to an underground salt-water lake
• Take an excursion by boat to Ithaca and Lefkada - the owners can arrange this for you and can also suggest other destinations, with tours for all budgets

Kids

Families are welcome. The Butterfly villas in particular are great for all ages, though teenagers could get a little frustrated by the isolated location. The houses are in a tranquil setting yet conveniently close to tavernas, shops and beaches. The nearest shop is a 5-minute walk away, but up an unsurfaced track, which could be difficult for young children or those with limited mobility.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Both of the 2-bedroom Butterfly Villas work well for families with 2 children of any age; they each have one double and one double/twin bedroom, plus extra beds in the sitting room if needed. Ionian House has two double bedrooms, so kids would have to share a bed. If travelling with grandparents, book Ionian Cottage as well - they get their independence but are still only steps away. Note that both 2-bedroom houses have unprotected steps and drops; the balconies and stairs in the Ionian House are unsafe for young children.

Cots Available

Distances:

• Airport: 90 minutes
• Hospital: 45 minutes
• Shops: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Fiskardo Cottages are set in Markandonata, a peaceful hamlet built into a west-facing hillside, overlooking the Ionian Sea and close to the northern tip of Kefalonia. The fishing village of Fiskardo lies a 5-minute drive away.

By Air
Fly into Kefalonia (58km - served by charter flights from the UK throughout the summer), or Athens then get a connecting flight.

From The Airport
You can take a taxi - approx €90 - but we'd recommend hiring a car. It is not essential because tavernas, minimarkets and 2 beaches are all within walking distance, but you'd probably want one for food shopping and sightseeing. Note that taxis are expensive on Kefalonia.

By Car
For car hire see our car rental recommendations. For an idea of distances, the airport is 5km south of the island's capital, Argostoli, and Fiskardo is 45km north, at the top of the island.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.