Kefalonia and Zante sit side by side in the Ionian Sea, and both have spectacular beaches and impossibly blue water. But they feel quite different: Kefalonia is larger, quieter and more dramatic, while Zante is livelier, with more resorts and famous boat trips.
Here is our comparison, with five of our best-rated hotels on each island.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Kefalonia vs Zante at a glance
- Kefalonia hotels
- Zante hotels
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardavani Hotel | Lourdas, Kefalonia | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | Yes |
| White Rocks Hotel Kefalonia | Lassi, Kefalonia | 4★ | Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Asteris Hotel | Skala, Kefalonia | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.5/5 | No |
| Apollonion Asterias Resort & Spa | Lixouri, Kefalonia | 4★ | All Inclusive, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Serenity by Sotiris | Svoronata, Kefalonia | 3★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.4/5 | No |
| Contessina Hotel | Tsilivi, Zante | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Windmill Hotel | Argassi, Zante | 3★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Meandros Boutique Hotel & Spa | Kalamaki, Zante | 4★ | Half Board | 4.5/5 | Yes |
| The Bay Hotel | Vassilikos, Zante | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.4/5 | No |
| Tsamis Zante Suites | Kypseli, Zante | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.4/5 | Yes |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Kefalonia hotels
Bigger, quieter and more scenic.
Ardavani Hotel
- Lourdas, Kefalonia
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Ardavani Hotel in Lourdas has a hillside location with beautiful views, stylish décor and a peaceful atmosphere, close to the beach.
Best for: Couples
White Rocks Hotel Kefalonia
- Lassi, Kefalonia
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
White Rocks Hotel in Lassi has direct access to the beach, a modern style and a relaxed atmosphere, close to Argostoli.
Best for: Beach near Argostoli
Asteris Hotel
- Skala, Kefalonia
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Small and welcoming Asteris Hotel in Skala has great views and a relaxed atmosphere.
Best for: Skala
Apollonion Asterias Resort & Spa
- Lixouri, Kefalonia
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Apollonion Asterias Resort & Spa near Lixouri has spacious rooms, family rooms, a children’s splash park, suites with private pools and an all-inclusive option.
Best for: Families
Serenity by Sotiris
- Svoronata, Kefalonia
- 3-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Serenity by Sotiris in Svoronata has a relaxing atmosphere and swim-up rooms close to the beach.
Best for: Great value
Zante hotels
Livelier, with more resorts and boat trips.
Contessina Hotel
- Tsilivi, Zante
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Five-star Contessina Hotel in Tsilivi has a modern style and swim-up and private-pool rooms close to the beach, great for couples.
Best for: Private pools
Windmill Hotel
- Argassi, Zante
- 3-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Windmill Hotel in Argassi has a friendly atmosphere and great service, close to shops and bars.
Best for: Argassi
Meandros Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Kalamaki, Zante
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Meandros Boutique Hotel & Spa in Kalamaki has modern décor and a friendly atmosphere close to the resort centre.
Best for: Adults-only
The Bay Hotel
- Vassilikos, Zante
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Five-star The Bay Hotel in Vasilikos is beachfront, with a stylish pool area and modern accommodation, great for peace and relaxation.
Best for: Beachfront peace
Tsamis Zante Suites
- Kypseli, Zante
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Tsamis Zante Suites in Kypseli has luxurious interiors and a relaxing pool setting, perfect for couples.
Best for: Couples
Kefalonia vs Zante at a glance
Scenery: Kefalonia has mountains, Myrtos beach and pastel villages; Zante has Shipwreck Beach, sea caves and turtles. Pace: Kefalonia is calmer and more spread out; Zante has more lively resorts, especially Laganas. Families: both are great, with shallow beaches in Tsilivi, Kalamaki, Lassi and Skala. Getting around: Kefalonia rewards a hire car; on Zante, boat trips do much of the work. Combine them: ferries link Pesada on Kefalonia with Agios Nikolaos on Zante in summer.
How we chose these hotels
We looked at every hotel we sell on Kefalonia and Zante and chose the best-rated in a range of resorts on each island. We excluded hotels already featured in our other guides, so you get fresh choices. Every hotel here is well rated by our guests on TripAdvisor, and every one can be booked with us as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
When to go
May to October is the season, with June and September ideal. Flights to either island take around three and a quarter hours from the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kefalonia or Zante better?
Kefalonia for scenery and calm; Zante for boat trips, nightlife and more resort choice.
Which is better for families?
Both are excellent. Zante has more family resorts; Kefalonia is quieter.
Can I visit both islands?
Yes, summer ferries connect Kefalonia and Zante.
How long is the flight?
About three and a quarter hours to either island.
Find your Kefalonia and Zante holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.
Keep planning
- Kefalonia holidays
- Zante holidays
- Best hotels in Kefalonia
- Best hotels in Zante
- Which Greek island is best?
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
