On Kefalonia, analogous to the well-known and mostly friendly rivalry between Athens and Thessaloniki, is that of Argostoli and Liksouri. With the transfer of the capital from Argostoli, in the 16th century, Liksouri tried to claim that title but was denied. Thus began a rivalry that persists to this day, usually expressed in teasing amongst the residents. Indeed, the rivalry is a favorite theme in discussions of the local oldsters of one or the other city, as they chat in the squares and cafes. Apart from the long rivalry, if you find yourself in Liksouri you will immediately understand why people refer to it as a quintessential part of Kefalonia.
The surrounding mountains are sparse in vegetation. Rain is infrequent, and the beaches of the area are sandy. The inhabitants of Liksouri live at a peaceful pace, away from the cosmopolitan atmosphere of their counterparts in Argostoli. Built upon the foundations of the ancient town of Palis, Liksouri claims, not without reason, the title of intellectual and artistic capital of the island. Once home to some of the most important cultural centers: the famous Iakovatios library, with its rare manuscripts, the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Valianos Technical School. In the town there are many boutiques for shopping, traditional bakeries where you can indulge yourself with local delicacies, and a paved seaside promenade for endless walks alongside the boats. Do not forget to visit the statue of Andreas Laskaratos in the port city, the well-known satirist of the island, even as his statue ‘participates’ in the famous rivalry, symbolically turning his back on Argostoli.