On a west-facing hillside above Kefalonia’s rugged northern coast, the tiny hamlet of Markandonata gets stunning sunset views across fields and woodland onto the deep blue Ionian Sea. On a quiet lane sit two charming houses and a cosy cottage, each lovingly restored by British owner Marcus Love – a costume designer for cinema. The houses are set in pretty Mediterranean planted grounds with pools, while the cottage is ideal for outdoor living, and they combine traditional local style with tasteful antique furniture and full modern comforts.
The 2-bedroom Ionian House spans two floors and has a stunning lap pool with long views across olive groves and down to the coast. Set behind it, the 1-bedroom Io Cottage is a simple retreat for two with a cool alfresco kitchen. The gorgeous 2-bedroom Butterfly House shares a similar aesthetic, with an airy indoor-outdoor vibe, terraces for dining and chilling, an infinity pool and masses of space. Close by is the chic village of Fiskardo and a few excellent unspoilt beaches: two are within walking distance, and Myrtos, frequently cited as one of the most beautiful in Greece, is a 30-minute drive away. Sail, snorkel, scuba dive or just unwind. If hiking's more your thing, head for the hills and walk amongst dramatic mountain scenery. Return home for glass of wine on your private terrace then cook or walk to excellent local tavernas.
Highs
- Gloriously peaceful and private location, with the upmarket fishing village of Fiskardo just a 5-minute drive or 30-minute walk away
- The loving restoration. Marcus oversaw the tasteful exterior and interior makeover of the houses, and the result is an understated but stylish blend of old and new
- Well-equipped kitchens mean self-catering is a pleasure – and you get a welcome hamper on arrival too
- Tavernas, shops and beaches are within walking distance so you don't have to drive everywhere, although you'll probably want a hire car for sightseeing and occasional food shopping
- Property manager Maria is lovely, full of local insight and on hand when needed
Lows
- The Ionian House isn't ideal for young kids, as there are gaps in the fences on the balconies, and the staircase is open-sided
- Ionian House also comes with two double bedrooms (no twins), so less suitable for families
- Io Cottage doesn't have its own pool, but it can be booked with the houses, which both have large private pools
- Shops and restaurants in Fiskardo are quite expensive compared to the rest of the island, but the tavernas in the hamlet are reasonable
Best time to go
If you're here in summer, the nearest beach is lovely Dafnoudi, a 20-minute walk from the end of the lane 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
Our top tips
For shopping, there’s a mini-market in the village (a 5-minute walk uphill), two small grocery stores in Magganos (a 3-minute drive), plus well-stocked supermarkets in Fiskardo (a 5-minute drive). You can pre-book a shopping service or a private chef, at least a week ahead. Some basic provisions (cooking oil, seasoning etc) are provided along with a welcome hamper of bread, fruit, tea, coffee, milk, crisps and biscuits.
The nearest place to eat out is To Petrino in the village - they serve a nice selection of Greek mezze plus barbecued meat and fish dishes. For brunch head to Picnic in Magganos and try their delicious Eggs Benedict. Opposite this is a popular restaurant called Alia's Yard, which does good local food and has sea views, or in Fiskardo, highly recommended tavernas are Vasso’s and Tassia’s, both overlooking the harbour and serving fresh (though not cheap) seafood.
- Boutique Cottages
- 3 houses for 2-4
- Self-catering; taverna nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Walk to beach
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Butterfly House (2br)
The newest addition to the stable is this spacious, stylish two-bedroom cottage. It has a lovely indoor-outdoor flow, with an open-plan living-dining-kitchen area and three sets of French windows opening onto a bamboo-shaded eating-chilling space above the pool. You could happily spend your holiday right here. There are dry stone walls and inbuilt daybeds, herbs growing in painted amphoras, a barbecue, and views rolling past low olive groves to a strip of blue sea.
Step inside the rustic stone house to find smooth polished cement floors, white walls, high wooden eaves and an artful mix of recycled and new furnishings. 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 could work as extra beds if you don't mind the lack of privacy).
As for the two bedrooms themselves, both 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. Seriously spoiling. The second bedroom is a bit smaller and has a double bed or twin beds (specify your preference) and an ensuite shower bathroom.
Ionian House (2br)
The two-bedroom house in the middle of the trio 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. Exposed stone walls, wooden shutters and concrete surfaces give the cottage a rustic feel, but bright linens and modern tech (including underfloor heating for the cooler months) add a dash of contemporary. We loved it here.
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 out to 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, a professional coffee machine and plenty of crockery. 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.
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.
Io Cottage (1br)
Set behind Ionian House, Io Cottage is a cosy one-bedroom bolthole designed for outdoor living.
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. Inside, a kingsize bed occupies the middle of the room, which feels bright and airy thanks to pitched ceilings and whitewashed walls. 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 plans to be out beach hopping or sightseeing during the day and want a quiet home to return to in the evening. It can also be booked with either Ionian House or Butterfly House, which would be perfect for a family travelling with grandparents.
Kids
Families are welcome. The 2-bedroom Butterfly is great for all ages. Kids will enjoy having a pool to splash in, 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:
The 2-bedroom Butterfly House works well for a family with 2 children of any age; it has 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 Io 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
Baby equipment:
- Baby cot
- High chair
- Baby bathtub
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities on site:
- Private (unfenced) swimming pool in landscaped gardens
- Patio for playing safely outside
Kids Activities nearby:
- Family snorkelling trips in Fiskardo
- Beaches
- Play parks in local villages
Families Should Know:
Parents should be aware that there are terraces, steps and drops around the properties and that the pools are unfenced.
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.
Airports:
- Kefalonia Argostoli airport 58.0 km EFL
Other:
- Beach 2.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
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