8 reasons to visit Kefalonia with kids

For me, Greece is all about its islands. I’ve visited Athens and loved Thessaloniki on the mainland but watching those classic white island houses appear above that sparkling blue sea is at the heart of my favourite memories of Greek island holidays.

contains affiliate links*

After my university finals, my best friend and I island hopped around Greece, picking up accommodation from little old men who met the ferries at the quayside. Years later, I cruised around the Aegean with my husband on a more luxurious version, stopping at Chios and Mykonos.

My daughter and I have also taken our own mini island-hop to Kos and Symi, as well as visiting Skiathos and Corfu – and after Kefalonia captured my heart when I first read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, I’ve always longed to see it with my daughter: here’s why a holiday in Kefalonia with kids is so perfect…

 1. Family-friendly places to stay

Whether you want to relax in a hotel or have your own space in a villa, there are plenty of ways to make a trip to Kefalonia with kids feel blissfully relaxed.

For flights and hotel combined, there are some great package holidays with Tui to choose from as well as self-catering options at studios and apartments around the island.

Or Top Villas has some tempting options around the island, including near some of Kefalonia’s best beaches at Skala. It’s hard to beat a private pool, the sea within walking distance and tavernas nearby for long lazy lunches.

2. Beaches in Kefalonia with kids

With 39 beaches across the island, you definitely won’t run out of options. Myrtos Beach has been named one of the best in Greece, and popped up in the film version of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, although this is one that’s better for older kids.

Avithos beach is one of the best with kids for its shallow water, while Xi beach is another great one for its gently sloping sea (ideal for paddling) and soft reddish sand.

Or if you’re looking for watersports and more of a buzz, Makris Gialos beach is another good choice.

You can add some extra beaches to your trip on a boat tour from Kefalonia – this boat trip to Zakynthos includes the famous Navagio shipwreck beach, or take a boat tour to Ithaki to explore the little island’s secluded coves.

For more tips on the best beaches in Kefalonia with kids, check out my top picks

3. The marine life

Loggerhead turtles make their home in Argostoli Bay, appearing in the harbour the morning to snap up any discarded fish from the catch of the day – there are boat tours from Argostoli which give you another chance to spot the turtles, along with dolphins.

They also have nesting sites on some of the beaches along the south coast nearby, including Lefkas and Koroni beaches, although the areas are protected with volunteers ensuring the turtles and their eggs aren’t disturbed.

And some of the little sheltered coves around Kefalonia are also ideal for snorkelling – at Atheras Beach in the north-west, the clear waters are home to some stunning fish, as well as Agia Effimia in the north-east.

In the south Agios Thomas beach has beautifully clear shallow water, that stays warm, so it’s idea if you’re with younger kids learning to snorkel. If you’re lucky you might spot octopus or one of the turtles, but there should be fish galore hiding among the sea grass.

4. The underwater lake

Kefalonia’s underwater lake is unmissable. After you sail over the bright blue water, you can head through the caves of Melissani Lake, where a hole in the cave’s roof lets in the sun – like venturing into another world.

At noon, the light streams in through the tree-lined gap to hit the turquoise waters and fill the cave with light. Or if you visit in the morning and evening, the slanting rays have a magical effect of their own at they glance off the surface of the lake, around 20-30m deep.

The legend says it was named for the nymph Melissanthi, who flung herself into its clear waters because of her unrequited love for the god Pan.

And there’s also the stalactite-filled Drogarati Cave to discover: 150 million years old, it was hidden for millennia until an earthquake revealed the entrance and its weird and wonderful rock formations.

The deepest area is around 95m underground, and it’s always 18C down here, with visitors passing from one of the biggest chambers with its impressive acoustics past a small lake.

Check out my complete guide to Greece with kids here

5. The picturesque villages

Picturesque harbours aren’t hard to find in Greece but Fiskardo is something special. When much of Kefalonia was damaged in the 1953 earthquake, its pastel-coloured Venetian buildings escaped.

The ‘St Tropez of Greece’ is lovely enough to draw celebrities so keep your eyes peeled – although don’t miss the views out to Ithaca as well.

Agia Effimia is another pastel coloured fishing village that’s a good contender for the prettiest places in Kefalonia list too, although as the largest island in the Ionian group, you aren’t short of Instagrammable spots across all of Kefalonia.

6. The vineyard

Forget retsina, one of the best Greek white wines is Robola, grown all over the island – you can visit one of the main wineries in the Omala Valley, with a chance to take a tour and try some of the best creations every day.

Or the Gentilini Winery is not far from Argostoli and the airport, if you fancy a tasting session or picking up a few souvenirs of the Greek sunshine to drink at home.

Perhaps it’s not top of your children’s list for Kefalonia with kids, but after all, it’s your holiday too!

7. The history

High on the hills sits Agios Georgios castle, once the island capital, with Byzantine churches in the small village around the Venetian fortress ruins.

The first castle was built by the Byzantines in the 12th century but it’s the Venetians who extended it in 1504 until it stretched to cover an area of 16,000 square metres – there was pretty much a town within its walls at its height.

Not far away, the Monastery of Agios Andreas also dates back to the Byzantine era, although its beautiful 16th century frescoes were added later. Later covered by the British, they were rediscovered when the 1956 earthquake shook its walls, the monastery is now restored as a museum alongside other religious artefacts.

For the best kids’ books about Greece, to introduce children to Greek gods and history, check out my top picks

8. The flights

Not only are there direct flights from a string of airports in the UK to Kefalonia, they take under four hours to get there… plus a string of low-cost airlines run extra summer services, as well as flights to Kefalonia with TUI.

It’s also easy to combine Kefalonia with an island hop around the Ionian islands or to Italy – check out ferries from Kefalonia here – if you’re planning to arrive by boat for an added family adventure.

 

Check out my complete guide to Greece with kids here or for more ideas of Greek islands to visit with kids, check out my tips for Skiathos, Kos and Corfu, plus ideas of things to do in nearby Zakynthos with kids in this post from My Travel Monkey

 

*First published 2017, updated 2021*

PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN KEFALONIA WITH KIDS

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions about visiting Kefalonia with kids and Greek island dreams are my own.

Images courtesy of Depositphotos

LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER