For me, Greece is all about its islands. I’ve visited Athens and liked Thessaloniki on the mainland however watching these basic 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After my college finals, my greatest good friend and I island hopped round Greece, selecting up lodging from little outdated males who met the ferries on the quayside.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 at all times longed to see it with my daughter: right here’s why a vacation in Kefalonia with children is so good…
1. Household-friendly locations to remain
Whether or not you wish to chill out in a resort or have your personal area in a villa with its personal swimming pool, there are many methods to make a visit to Kefalonia with children 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 High Villas has some tempting locations to remain in Kefalonia, together with close to a number of the island’s greatest seashores at Skala. It’s onerous to beat a non-public pool, the ocean inside strolling distance and tavernas close by for lengthy lazy lunches.
2. Seashores in Kefalonia with children
With 39 seashores throughout the island, you positively gained’t run out of choices. Myrtos Seashore has been named the most effective in Greece, though that is one which’s higher for older children, whereas Antisamos Seashore popped up within the movie model of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
Avithos seashore is without doubt one of the greatest with children for its shallow water, whereas Xi seashore is one other nice one for its gently sloping sea (superb for paddling) and mushy reddish sand.
Or if you happen to’re on the lookout for 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 contains 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 children, 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 provide you with one other likelihood to identify the turtles, together with dolphins.
Additionally they have nesting websites on a number of 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 a number of the little sheltered coves round Kefalonia are additionally superb for snorkelling – at Atheras Seashore 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 seashore has fantastically clear shallow water, that stays heat, so it’s thought if you happen to’re with youthful children studying to snorkel. For those who’re fortunate you may 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 by way of 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 by way of the tree-lined hole to hit the turquoise waters and fill the cave with gentle. Or if you happen to 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 children
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 bizarre 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 onerous to seek 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 preserve your eyes peeled – though don’t miss the views out to Ithaca as effectively.
Agia Effimia is one other pastel colored fishing village that’s a superb 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, the most effective Greek white wines is Robola, grown all around the island – you’ll be able to go to one of many principal wineries within the Omala Valley, with an opportunity to take a tour and check out a number of the greatest creations daily.
Or the Gentilini Vineyard isn’t removed from Argostoli and the airport, if you happen to fancy a tasting session or selecting 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 children, however in spite of everything, it’s your vacation too!
Try my full information to Greece with children right here
7. The historical past
Excessive on the hills sits Agios Georgios fortress, as soon as the island capital, with Byzantine church buildings within the small village across the Venetian fortress ruins.
The primary fortress was constructed by the Byzantines within the twelfth century but it surely’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 top.
Not distant, the Monastery of Agios Andreas additionally dates again to the Byzantine period, though its lovely 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 children’ books about Greece, to introduce youngsters to Greek gods and historical past, take a look at 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 further summer time 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 – take a look at ferries from Kefalonia right here – if you happen to’re planning to reach by boat for an added household journey.
Try my full information to Greece with children right here for tips about planning your loved ones vacation or for extra concepts of Greek islands to go to with children, take a look at my suggestions for Skiathos, Kos and Corfu, plus concepts of issues to do in close by Zakynthos with children in this publish from My Journey Monkey
*First printed 2017, up to date 2024*
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Disclosure: This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions about visiting Kefalonia with children and Greek island desires are my very own.
Photographs courtesy of Depositphotos