For me, Greece is all about its islands. I’ve visited Athens and cherished 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 finest buddy and I island hopped round Greece, choosing up lodging from little previous 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 after I first learn Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, I’ve at all times 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 need to chill out in a resort or have your individual 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 resort 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 Prime Villas has some tempting locations to remain in Kefalonia, together with close to among the island’s finest seashores at Skala. It’s arduous to beat a personal 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 among the best 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 seaside is likely one of the finest with youngsters for its shallow water, whereas Xi seaside is one other nice one for its gently sloping sea (best for paddling) and delicate reddish sand.
Or in the event you’re searching for watersports and extra of a buzz, Makris Gialos seaside is one other good selection.
You’ll be able to add some additional seashores to your journey on a ship tour from Kefalonia – this boat journey to Zakynthos contains the well-known Navagio shipwreck seaside, or take a ship tour to Ithaki to discover the little island’s secluded coves.
For extra tips about the most effective seashores in Kefalonia with youngsters, try 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 provide you with one other likelihood to identify the turtles, together with dolphins.
Additionally they have nesting websites on among the seashores alongside the south coast close by, together with Lefkas and Koroni seashores, though the areas are protected with volunteers making certain the turtles and their eggs aren’t disturbed.
And among the little sheltered coves round Kefalonia are additionally best for snorkelling – at Atheras Seaside within the north-west, the clear waters are residence to some gorgeous fish, in addition to Agia Effimia within the north-east.
Within the south Agios Thomas seaside has fantastically clear shallow water, that stays heat, so it’s thought in the event you’re with youthful youngsters studying to snorkel. For those who’re fortunate you may spot octopus or one of many turtles, however there ought 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 intense 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 in the event you 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 previous, 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 at all times 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 arduous 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 gorgeous sufficient to attract celebrities so maintain 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 a very good contender for the prettiest locations in Kefalonia listing too, though as the most important island within the Ionian group, you aren’t wanting Instagrammable spots throughout all of Kefalonia.
6. The winery
Overlook retsina, among the best Greek white wines is Robola, grown everywhere in 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 check out among the finest creations every single day.
Or the Gentilini Vineyard isn’t removed from Argostoli and the airport, in the event you fancy a tasting session or choosing up a couple of souvenirs of the Greek sunshine to drink at residence.
Maybe it’s not high of your kids’s listing for Kefalonia with youngsters, however in any case, it’s your vacation too!
Try my full information to Greece with youngsters right here
7. The historical past
Excessive on the hills sits Agios Georgios fort, as soon as the island capital, with Byzantine church buildings within the small village across the Venetian fortress ruins.
The primary fort 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 have been added later. Later lined by the British, they have been rediscovered when the 1956 earthquake shook its partitions, the monastery is now restored as a museum alongside different non secular artefacts.
For the most effective youngsters’ books about Greece, to introduce kids to Greek gods and historical past, try my high picks
8. It’s straightforward to get there
Not solely are there direct flights from a string of airports within the UK to Kefalonia, they take underneath 4 hours to get there… plus a string of low-cost airways run additional summer season companies, in addition to flights to Kefalonia with TUI.
It’s additionally straightforward to mix Kefalonia with an island hop across the Ionian islands or to Italy – try ferries from Kefalonia right here – in the event you’re planning to reach by boat for an added household journey.
Try 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, try my ideas for Skiathos, Kos and Corfu, plus concepts of issues to do in close by Zakynthos with youngsters on this submit from My Journey Monkey
*First revealed 2017, up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN KEFALONIA WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This submit incorporates 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.
Pictures courtesy of Depositphotos
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