For me, Greece is all about its islands. I’ve visited Athens and liked Thessaloniki on the mainland however watching these traditional white island homes seem above that glowing blue sea is on the coronary heart of my favorite reminiscences of Greek island holidays.
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After my college finals, my greatest good friend and I island hopped round Greece, choosing up lodging from little outdated males who met the ferries on the quayside. Years later, I cruised across the Aegean with my husband on a extra luxurious model, stopping at Chios and Mykonos.
My daughter and I’ve additionally taken our personal mini island-hop to Kos and Symi, in addition to visiting Skiathos and Corfu – and as Kefalonia captured my coronary heart once I first learn Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, I’ve all the time longed to see it with my daughter: right here’s why a vacation in Kefalonia with youngsters is so good…
1. Household-friendly locations to remain
Whether or not you wish to calm down in a lodge or have your personal area in a villa with its personal swimming pool, there are many methods to make a visit to Kefalonia with youngsters really feel blissfully relaxed.
For flights and lodge mixed, there are some nice bundle holidays with Tui to select from in addition to self-catering choices at studios and residences across the island.
Or High Villas has some tempting locations to remain in Kefalonia, together with close to a few of the island’s greatest seashores at Skala. It’s exhausting to beat a non-public pool, the ocean inside strolling distance and tavernas close by for lengthy lazy lunches.
2. Seashores in Kefalonia with youngsters
With 39 seashores throughout the island, you undoubtedly gained’t run out of choices. Myrtos Seaside has been named probably the greatest in Greece, though that is one which’s higher for older youngsters, whereas Antisamos Seaside popped up within the movie model of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
Avithos seashore is without doubt one of the greatest with youngsters for its shallow water, whereas Xi seashore is one other nice one for its gently sloping sea (excellent for paddling) and delicate reddish sand.
Or for those who’re in search of watersports and extra of a buzz, Makris Gialos seashore is one other sensible choice.
You possibly can add some further seashores to your journey on a ship tour from Kefalonia – this boat journey to Zakynthos consists of the well-known Navagio shipwreck seashore, or take a boat tour to Ithaki to discover the little island’s secluded coves.
For extra tips about the greatest seashores in Kefalonia with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
3. The marine life
Loggerhead turtles make their residence in Argostoli Bay, showing within the harbour the morning to snap up any discarded fish from the catch of the day – there are boat excursions from Argostoli which offer you one other probability to identify the turtles, together with dolphins.
In addition they have nesting websites on a few of the seashores alongside the south coast close by, together with Lefkas and Koroni seashores, though the areas are protected with volunteers guaranteeing the turtles and their eggs aren’t disturbed.
And a few of the little sheltered coves round Kefalonia are additionally excellent for snorkelling – at Atheras Seaside within the north-west, the clear waters are residence to some beautiful fish, in addition to Agia Effimia within the north-east.
Within the south Agios Thomas seashore has superbly clear shallow water, that stays heat, so it’s thought for those who’re with youthful youngsters studying to snorkel. In the event you’re fortunate you would possibly spot octopus or one of many turtles, however there needs to be fish galore hiding among the many sea grass.
4. The underwater lake
Kefalonia’s underwater lake is unmissable. After you sail over the brilliant blue water, you’ll be able to head via the caves of Melissani Lake, the place a gap within the cave’s roof lets within the solar – like venturing into one other world.
At midday, the sunshine streams in via the tree-lined hole to hit the turquoise waters and fill the cave with gentle. Or for those who go to within the morning and night, the slanting rays have a magical impact of their very own at they look off the floor of the lake, round 20-30m deep.
The legend says it was named for the nymph Melissanthi, who flung herself into its clear waters due to her unrequited love for the god Pan.
See what we considered a go to to Melissani Lake with youngsters
And there’s additionally the stalactite-filled Drogarati Cave to find: 150 million years outdated, it was hidden for millennia till an earthquake revealed the doorway and its extraordinary rock formations.
The deepest space is round 95m underground, and it’s all the time 18C down right here, with guests passing from one of many largest chambers with its spectacular acoustics previous a small lake.
5. The picturesque villages
Picturesque harbours aren’t exhausting to search out in Greece however Fiskardo is one thing particular. When a lot of Kefalonia was broken within the 1953 earthquake, its pastel-coloured Venetian buildings escaped.
The ‘St Tropez of Greece’ is beautiful sufficient to attract celebrities so hold your eyes peeled – though don’t miss the views out to Ithaca as properly.
Agia Effimia is one other pastel colored fishing village that’s an excellent contender for the prettiest locations in Kefalonia listing too, though as the most important island within the Ionian group, you aren’t in need of Instagrammable spots throughout all of Kefalonia.
6. The winery
Neglect retsina, probably the greatest Greek white wines is Robola, grown all around the island – you’ll be able to go to one of many major wineries within the Omala Valley, with an opportunity to take a tour and take a look at a few of the greatest creations day by day.
Or the Gentilini Vineyard is just not removed from Argostoli and the airport, for those who fancy a tasting session or choosing up just a few souvenirs of the Greek sunshine to drink at residence.
Maybe it’s not high of your youngsters’s listing for Kefalonia with youngsters, however in any case, it’s your vacation too!
Take a look at my full information to Greece with youngsters right here
7. The historical past
Excessive on the hills sits Agios Georgios citadel, as soon as the island capital, with Byzantine church buildings within the small village across the Venetian fortress ruins.
The primary citadel was constructed by the Byzantines within the twelfth century however it’s the Venetians who prolonged it in 1504 till it stretched to cowl an space of 16,000 sq. metres – there was just about a city inside its partitions at its peak.
Not distant, the Monastery of Agios Andreas additionally dates again to the Byzantine period, though its stunning sixteenth century frescoes had been added later. Later coated by the British, they had been rediscovered when the 1956 earthquake shook its partitions, the monastery is now restored as a museum alongside different spiritual artefacts.
For the greatest youngsters’ books about Greece, to introduce youngsters to Greek gods and historical past, take a look at my high picks
8. It’s simple to get there
Not solely are there direct flights from a string of airports within the UK to Kefalonia, they take beneath 4 hours to get there… plus a string of low-cost airways run further summer time providers, in addition to flights to Kefalonia with TUI.
It’s additionally simple to mix Kefalonia with an island hop across the Ionian islands or to Italy – take a look at ferries from Kefalonia right here – for those who’re planning to reach by boat for an added household journey.
Take a look at my full information to Greece with youngsters right here for tips about planning your loved ones vacation or for extra concepts of Greek islands to go to with youngsters, take a look at my ideas for Skiathos, Kos and Corfu, plus concepts of issues to do in close by Zakynthos with youngsters in this put up from My Journey Monkey
*First printed 2017, up to date 2024*
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Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions about visiting Kefalonia with youngsters and Greek island goals are my very own.
Photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
