Things to do in Cephalonia
Cephalonia (Kefalonia) is a small island in the Ionian archipelago, whose verdant hills, eerie caves, stunning beaches and rich mythology enchant visitors. Beaches top the list of things to see as Cephalonia has some of the finest shores in the country. Among them, Myrtos Beach is famous for its stunning cliffs, clear waters and unforgettable sunsets; Kaminia Beach is home to loggerhead turtles and is great for children. Antisamos Beach is prized for its lush green hills, which rise dramatically from the shore and give it a more secluded and untouched feel. Skala, in turn, is a charming coastal village that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history and vibrant local culture. Most of Cephalonia's beaches are pebbled so beach shoes are a good investment.
Cephalonia is also richly endowed with subterranean wonders such as Melissani and Drogarati Caves, which are both exciting places to explore. Melissani's underground lake is strikingly beautiful, while Drogarati's enormous stalagmites and stalactites are must-sees. Cephalonia's hiking, horse riding and watersports scenes are good as well.
Culture lovers should add St George's Castle to their itineraries. Located in Peratata, its breathtaking views and slightly eerie atmosphere are terrific. The Monastery of Agios Gerasimos is worth seeing, too. Rebuilt by locals after an earthquake in 1953, it houses the remains of its holy namesake. The saint's coffin is opened weekly so that visitors can see the body and pay tribute. The small island of Ithaca is a popular excursion from Cephalonia. The location is famous as the setting for Homer's Odyssey, and for its scenic beauty.
Myrtos Beach
Voted one of Europe's most beautiful beaches, and voted 12 times as the most beautiful beach in Greece, Myrtos is one of Cephalonia's most popular attractions. The pebble beach is …
Myrtos Beach
Voted one of Europe's most beautiful beaches, and voted 12 times as the most beautiful beach in Greece, Myrtos is one of Cephalonia's most popular attractions. The pebble beach is set a full kilometre below the road, in a dramatic vista of white limestone, turquoise sea and green trees. The beach was used as the setting for scenes in the movie, Captain Corelli's Mandolin.
Just north of Argostoli, the beach is well-maintained and offers a snack bar and sunbed and umbrella rentals. A steep, winding road, with stunning lookout spots and views along the way, leads down to the beach from the village of Divarata and, during peak season, a public bus service runs to the beach from the Agia Efimia harbour. Because of the pebbles, visitors are advised to wear some kind of beach shoes.
It's best to get to the beach early if visitors are driving themselves, as it's very popular and parking can become scarce later in the day. Thankfully, the beach itself seldom feels too crowded because of its length. It perhaps isn't the best beach for young children, as the waves can get rather rough and little ones are sometimes frustrated by the pebbles.
Melissani and Drogarati Caves
Cephalonia's caves are popular attractions, each offering a unique experience. In Melissani, visitors are taken in boats through a small channel into a brilliant turquoise subterra…
Melissani and Drogarati Caves
Cephalonia's caves are popular attractions, each offering a unique experience. In Melissani, visitors are taken in boats through a small channel into a brilliant turquoise subterranean lake. In Greek mythology caves have always been associated with the divine and many religious ceremonies were held in caves, so it isn't surprising that several ancient artefacts have been found in the Melissani cave.
Melissani is said to be the place where the nymph of the same name committed suicide because the god Pan would not reciprocate her love. The stalactites within the cave that look like dolphins are said to be her frozen messengers. It's a beautiful and mysterious place to visit.
Drogarati Cave is much larger and has tours 200 feet (60m) below the ground, with lights highlighting spectacular displays of limestone stalagmites and stalactites. The Drogarati Cave is thought to be about 150 million years old and was traditionally said to be the home of a dragon. Drogarati is known for its good acoustics, and has hosted many concerts from international artists including Maria Callas. The caves are usually both open between Easter and the end of October, though Drogarati may be open during the winter months as well. Both are very well known and easy to find.
Ithaca
The tiny island of Ithaca has a rich history, acting as the scenic backdrop for mythological epics such as Homer's Odyssey. Ithaca has been inhabited since the second millennium BC…
Ithaca
The tiny island of Ithaca has a rich history, acting as the scenic backdrop for mythological epics such as Homer's Odyssey. Ithaca has been inhabited since the second millennium BC and has been occupied or ruled by the Romans, the Byzantine Empire, the Normans, the Turks, the Venetians and the French, as well as briefly being a British protectorate. The island has a rich and rather tumultuous history, though visitors wouldn't think so when exploring the lovely countryside.
The mountainous interior hides pockets of cypresses, pines and olive trees, and some of these are ancient. One of the olive trees is thought to be at least 1,500 years old. There are also some Neolithic and Early Hellenic ruins on the island. Nowadays, Ithaca is home to a number of traditional villages, along with a few museums and beaches. The best beach is arguably Filiatro, which has olive trees growing all the way down to the shoreline and a peaceful bay that is lovely for swimming.
Vathy, also known as Ithaki Town, is the largest town, where many of the island's roughly 3,000 inhabitants live. The town is a popular port for yachts and other small pleasure cruises in the Ionian Islands, and has some good restaurants and shops. In fact, Vathy has one of the largest natural harbours in the world. Ithaca is near enough to Cephalonia to make for a fun and interesting excursion or weekend away.