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Svoronata is a pretty sleepy village in the Livathos region of Kefalonia.
Located in the Southwest of the island, close to both the capital
Argostoli and the International Airport.
Do not let the fact that the airport is close by dissuade you from
holidaying here as you may experience some aircraft noise, although
infrequent as Kefalonia airport is not busy and there are no night-time
flights (between midnight and six am). The airport is only busy on certain
days of the week, on other days it looks closed.
A peaceful area which is flat and easy to get around. Flat roads and
streets making it idea for people with pushchairs and the less mobile of
folk who find hills and slopes a problem. The surrounding olive and orange
groves, fruit orchards and fields full of flowers in early summer gives
the location a rural feel.
Svoronata area has some lovely sandy beaches, well suited for families
with children Ammes, Avithos (not so sandy at the present) and Ai Helis
are all within easy reach. If you fancy walking to either one of them it
will take you around half an hour to an hour depending on how fast you
walk and where your accommodation is situated.
Car hire is always an advantage, and being based in the Svoronata district
is a bonus if you wish to venture further afield and discover the island
at your own pace, as it's pretty much central and getting around the
island should be no problem.
The village itself lies approximately one mile inland, with its windy
streets one village seems to roll into the next. The old part is
traditional with narrow streets and houses built in the old Venetian
style, unfortunately most standing in ruins and new modern traditionally
build houses around the hill and countryside.
Not all streets are signposted in the places you would expect to see them
and people don't even know the names of most of the streets so when it
comes to visiting people the best option is to ask someone who lives in
the village and they hopefully will be able to assist.
Locals sit on their doorsteps which sit on the edge of the winding roads
and you will see old buildings mingled in with the new style houses. The
houses in the village are well kept and have lovely gardens full of
colorful plants and flowers. Every plant you can think of seems to grow
here, Bougainvillea, Oleander, Jasmine, Hibiscus and Citrus Trees amongst
many others.
Svoronatas' accommodation which includes small and larger size hotels,
rooms, villas and apartments are well spaced out sprinkled along its rural
lanes, some being nearer to the coastline than others. Most have their own
pools.
There is no shopping area, however you will be able to buy food,
toiletries, newspapers, alcohol, bread, nappies, baby food ect in one of
the few minimarkets.
There is a bus which bus runs daily from the capital Argostoli which is
about twenty minutes' drive away
Svoronata is a low key holiday destination where days can be spent lazing
on the beach, or pool with a good read, and the evening nightlife is
mainly centered around eating out at one of the various Tavernas or
Restaurants. If you want a little more in the way of nightlife then a trip
to nearby Lassi or Argostoli should satisfy you as both places have an
abundance of places to eat and drink, including the usual bars, Tavernas
and music bars.
Located just off the road from Svoronata to Avithos is a go cart track
called Imola, this is open in the evenings and may be an alternative
choice of entertainment for you.
The church of Svoronata is one of the biggest on Kefalonia and is much
admired for its beautiful frescoes.
Near to Ai-Helis beach you will find the fields of gold, named this due to
having made some local people rich! Not long after the war people
discovered old olive oil cans which had been filled with gold sovereigns,
these cans were buried all over. Distributed by British planes they were
then hidden by the resistance fighters, of whom the majority were killed,
the money was intended to be used as war funds.
On a quiet dusty back street, well it's more of a track stands an old
windmill, this is where the English poet Lord Byron would sit for long
periods of time absorbing the peace and tranquility collecting inspiration
for new works. Back in time this area was marshland, fruit orchards and
farmland.
A holiday in Svoronata promises you peace, tranquility and variety, being
based quite central getting around the island is quite easy from here. |
