The best things to do in Argostoli with kids – day out in Kefalonia

If you’re visiting Kefalonia, you’ll almost certainly find yourself in the island capital at least once – and there’s plenty to tempt you to Argostoli with kids.

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Despite being the biggest city on the island, it’s easy to explore on a day out in Kefalonia, as well as being the starting point for a string of boat tours and island tours.

From the lagoon to its pedestrian centre and some great beaches nearby, here’s my pick of the best things to do in Argostoli with kids.

Boat trip from Argostoli

There’s plenty to keep you on dry land, but you’ll also find some of the best boat trips in Kefalonia departing from Argostoli.

One of the most popular itineraries takes you on an full-day boat tour to White Rocks beach, the little island of Nisida Vardianoi, and Xi beach. We picked a day tour on the Queen Bee II during our stay, although we also eyed up the Artemis and Dreamy Cruises which run similar trips.

If you’re looking for something shorter, this three-hour boat trip from Argostoli visits White Rocks beach.

There are also sunset sailings from Argostoli, including aboard the Queen Bee – the four-hour trip features a couple of swim stops, along with the chance to enjoy the views. This sunset boat tour from Argostoli is very similar.

You can also just wander along the harbourfront to buy tickets – the day tours often need you to be on board at 9am and do book up fast though. If you’re planning to visit Lixouri, ferries also run from Argostoli and take around 20 minutes – just buy tickets on board.

Read my full review of our boat tour from Argostoli with kids here

Spot turtles

Loggerhead sea turtles nest around the island but you don’t even need to leave the capital to spot them as they usually appear every morning in the harbour to snap up any discarded fish from the catch of the day,

You’ll find them year round, but the summer (from June to September) is one of the best times to spot them.

Just wander along the harbour, or head across De Bosset bridge through the lagoon in the morning and you’re likely to see at least one – we had more sightings in the harbour; just look for the crowds of the people by the water’s edge!

We saw several at around 9-9.30am when we were walking along the seafront before it go too hot, but you can often see bigger numbers at around 10.45-11am as the fishing boats return.

Walk De Bosset Bridge

Stretching across the lagoon by Argostoli harbour, De Bosset bridge was created in 1813 – at 689.9m long, it is the world’s longest stone bridge crossing the sea.

It’s best to head there early or late if you’re visiting in summer as there isn’t any shade, but it’s an easy walk with kids and there’s a chance you’ll spot sea turtles in the water nearby.

Even if you don’t, there are some great views back onto Argostoli and out across the lagoon, plus it doesn’t take long to wander to the obelisk around two-thirds of the way along.

Erected by the British to mark their time on the island during the 19th century when the Ionian Islands were a British protectorate, the water around the obelisk is so clear and shallow, you could almost walk to it from the bridge (don’t try that though).

Visit the lagoon

One of two wetlands on Kefalonia, Argostoli lagoon – also known as Koutavos Lagoon – is a great place to spot some of the island’s birds, as well as a lovely spot to walk around.

The natural shallow lagoon is bounded by the De Bosset bridge, with flat paths running alongside in the shade of pine and eucalyptus trees, which helped transform the previously swampy area surrounding the water. Or you can hire little boats and pedalos to go out onto the water itself.

It’s home to loggerhead turtles, which you can sometimes see coming up for air or grazing in the sea grass, but also more than 70 different types of birds, including herons and cormorants, as well as little blue crabs in the water.

You can sometimes find parking on the street along the western side of the lagoon, on the way in to Argostoli, which saves walking back through the harbour from the bigger free car parks.

If you do want to walk the whole way around the lagoon, on the eastern side you’ll find yourself walking on the main road where there’s no pavement, so best to stick to the paths and De Bosset Bridge.

Stroll Lithostroto

A couple of streets back from the waterfront, the street known as Lithostroto runs through the heart of Argostoli’s pedestrian centre.

Lined with cafes and souvenir shops, it’s a lovely place to stroll – save some time to stop for an espresso freddo or an ice cream though. We even came across somewhere selling bubblewraps.

It’s a great place to find jewellery or other souvenirs, everything from fridge magnets to ceramics, clothes, bags, scarves… all sorts of things you never knew you wanted but are tempted to buy, even if you don’t exactly need them.

The street also takes you past the Church of Agios Spiridon. Free to enter, it’s easy to stop inside and marvel at the jewel colours and golden decoration on the ceiling, along with the church’s icons.

Follow it to the end and you’ll find more restaurants until you reach the wide, open Vallianou Square, where there are often events and live music in the evenings in summer.

The archaeological museum, which was just off Lithostroto, is now closed, although the little Museum of History and folklore in the Korgialenio library is still open and has some exhibits on the history of the island before the 1953 earthquake.

Hit the beach

While Argostoli itself isn’t great for a beach day (unsurprisingly, given it’s the island’s biggest urban centre), it’s not hard to find your way to one of Kefalonia’s best beaches from the capital.

Makris Gialos beach is one of the top Kefalonia beaches for families thanks to its fantastic range of amenities and activities – and for its blue flag status. Plus it’s less than 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Argostoli, you’ve got sunbeds and parasols to rent, waterspots and plenty of facilities. It does get busy though.

Platis Gialos sits right next to Makris Gialos, separated by a small rocky outcrop. The beach is shorter but wider than its neighbour, and tends to be slightly quieter during busy periods. 

Gradakia beach and Kalamia beach are both slightly closer to town, but much smaller and limited facilities, although they do both have sunbeds. Kormoranon Bay and Fanari Beach at the end of the peninsula are tiny strips of sand, so not really worth the visit unless you’re staying nearby.

Slightly further away, Avithos beach is fantastic for families with younger children thanks to its calm shallow waters and long stretch of fine golden sand and only around a 20-minute drive away.

Take a tour

Although Argostoli is small enough to wander around, especially if you have more than a day to explore, you can also find tours of the city to tick off the highlights in a couple of hours.

This tuk tuk tour of Argostoli also takes you out to Fanari beach and the sinkhole at the coast, as well as the lighthouse of St Theodoroi, along with the lagoon and De Bosset bridge.

Argostoli is also a great place to pick up tours of Kefalonia, including this trip to Melissani Lake and the Drogarati Caves, as well full-day tours to Assos, Fiskardo and Myrtos Beach. Or if you fancy an authentic Greek cooking class, this tour departs from Argostoli and stops at Agios Georgios Castle before a Kefalonia cooking class not far from the capital.

Check out my tips for more things to do in Kefalonia with kids, including Melissani Lake, the best beaches on Kefalonia and a Kefalonia cooking class with kids

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission

Makis Gialos courtesy of Depositphotos, all other images copyright MummyTravels

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