Places not to be missed in Kefalonia
Once you decide to visit Kefalonia you shall not leave the island without seeing the following places:
Melissani Lake
Melissanilakeis the end point of one of Kefalonia’s best known and most significant geological phenomena. The seawater that constantly falls and disappears into sinkholes (Katavothres) near Argostoli, after a subterranean journey through the island in an eastern direction, reappears in Melissani Lake in semi-salted form. Following a new subterranean route, it ends up in Karavomylos Lake, washes through a large waterwheel and, finally, into the sea once again. The journey from Katavothres to Sami Bay takes 14 days as proved by a test. The cave lake of Melissani is 3.5 km long, 40m wide and 36m high. A part of the roof has caved in enabling the sunrays to enter this subterranean world, giving it a magical assortment of colors as the sunlight is reflected off the cave walls and the lake waters. This phenomenon is especially beautiful around noon when the sunlight comes in vertically through the opening in the roof. The cave is host to stalactites and stalagmites over 20.000 years old. Tours are conducted by boat.
Myrtos beach
Myrtos beachis the most photographed beach of the island and one of the most dramatic beaches in Greece with its mile-and-a-half long arc of dazzling white pebbles that cuts deep into a sheer cliff on the island’s northwest coast. The first time you catch sight of it from the coast road high above is truly memorable.Myrtos is far more impressive watched from above, as the contrast of its white pebbles with the different shades of colour the sea takes on, due to the currents and the dark green of the area, make the sight memorable. Despite its popularity, the beach has been kept free of watersports, so swimming is the only exercise available. This beach is a great spot to come in the late afternoon for a glorious Ionian sunset.
Antisamos beach
Antisamos beach is one of the beaches that fascinates most visitors. On the way to the bay, the view is breathtaking and once you arrive at the beach there is more fantastic scenery.The landscape distinguishes for its natural beauty that consists of turquoise waters and a marvelous surrounding of green hills and lush vegetation on top that grows almost into the sea. The water is perfectly clear and full of fish.It is very well-organized with umbrellas and sundecks. Beach bars and a watersport centre will satisfy your appetite for food and adventure.Antisamos has gained worldwide reputation from the Hollywood movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”, where some of the scenes were filmed there. Behind the hill there is a great spot for sunbathers and nature lovers.
Fiscardo village
Fiscardo village is located on the northern tip of Kefalonia in an area so beautiful that the Greek government has protected it by law. Around Fiscardo, dense forests reach down to innumerable small coves where pebble beaches are lapped by crystal clear water.
Uniquely in Kefalonia, Fiscardo retains the architecture and ambience of a by-gone era – a time when the Venetians ruled Kefalonia. It is the only village to have survived the 1953 earthquake.The picturesque harbour is surrounded by Venetian-style houses painted in pastel colours, in summer the harbour is filled with vessels from small sailing boats to large yachts all nestled together a few feet from pavement restaurants and cafes specialising in traditional Greek cuisine. It is a real highlight!
Assos village and fortress
Not very far from the amazing Myrtos bay, the picturesque village of Assos is a really unique place in Kefaloniaisland. The area is green with many Cyprus trees and Assos is small, pretty and surrounded by the nature. Entering the village you will reach immediately the small square with its old restyled houses, few romantic traditional Greek restaurants and the small pear built for private boats and local fishermen. The local beach is small, but the sea water is clean with an amazing blue color. If you owns a private boat, the surroundings of Assos offers many small and desert beaches. The left part of the village is like a peninsula that connects Assos village with its old castle. This fortress was build in the end of 1500 to protect this part of Kefaloniaisland from the pirates of Mediterranean sea. Still today is possible to go up till the top of this small headland and have a walk through the ancient ruins.
Argostoli-the capital
Argostoli is today a nice and clean seaside town, even if during 1953 was highly damaged by the big earthquake that has struck down Kefalonia and other Ionian islands. Argostoli kept the neoclassical style and followed the cultural and historical tradition of Kefalonia. The city is developed around Koutavos lagoon and the “Lithostroto”, the principal pedestrian street, will invite you to browse through so many different local shops and to enjoy the local life. You can visit Korgialenios library (one of the largest in Greece) with its marvelous Byzantine icons. Visiting Argostoli town you also can’t miss to see the area of AgioiTheodori with the perfect reconstruction of the original lighthouse of AghionTheodoron and the natural phenomenon of the Katavotres. This place is really evocative especially at the sunset.In this page we would also like to mention the and the tourist area of Lassi.
In the small promontory of AgiiTheodory, the Katavothres consist on a natural depression of the ground where the water of the sea disappear under the earth and reappear after 27 days in Melissani lake, in the opposite part of the island.
