Full-Day Kefalonia Tour: Melissani Cave, Myrtos Beach & Fiskardo

Five stops, one guide, the caves and beaches Kefalonia is known for

A full-day guided tour of Kefalonia departing from your hotel, visiting Melissani Cave with its turquoise underground lake, Drogarati Cave with its cathedral-like chambers, the Myrtos Beach viewpoint, Assos village beneath Venetian fortress ruins, and the harbor town of Fiskardo. The guide is a local English speaker; hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Entrance fees to the two caves and the Melissani lake are not included in the tour price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kefalonia's highlights

• Visit Melissani Cave and rowboat ride
• Tour Drogarati Cave stalactites
• View Myrtos Beach from viewpoint
• Explore Assos village and lunch
• Wander Fiskardo harbor village

The Experience

The day starts with hotel pickup and a drive to Melissani Cave, where you board a traditional rowboat for a short ride through an underground lake so intensely blue that the color seems unreal in the sunlight filtering through the cave opening. The water is 150 million years old, carved by underground streams, and the acoustics are so clear that concerts have been held in the chamber. From there, the route moves to Drogarati Cave, a separate system of stalactites and stalagmites with grand natural chambers that feel cathedral-like in scale.

The tour then takes you to the Myrtos Beach viewpoint—a dramatic white-cliff overlook of turquoise water that ranks among the Mediterranean's most photographed coastal views. You stop at Assos village, a small settlement crowned by 16th-century Venetian fortress ruins, where the cobblestone lanes and protected bay give a sense of how the island looked before modern development. Lunch happens here or at one of the other stops; the guide points you toward waterfront tavernas, but the choice and cost are yours.

The final stop is Fiskardo, Kefalonia's most recognizable harbor. It's the only settlement on the island that survived the 1953 earthquake intact, so the Venetian architecture—colorful buildings, narrow streets, boutique shops and cafés—is original rather than rebuilt. You have time to walk, swim in the clear water if you want, or sit at a harborside table. The return to your hotel wraps the day at around 8.5 hours from pickup.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking local guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from your designated meeting point.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• access to all five main stops (Melissani Cave, Drogarati Cave, Myrtos Beach viewpoint, Assos village, and Fiskardo harbor).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by KCG Travel Services

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided route covering all major sights in one day without driving yourself; choose the private option at checkout if you prefer a smaller group instead of the shared coach.

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Top questions

What's inside Melissani Cave and why is the water so blue?

Melissani Cave is an underground lake carved by water over 150 million years. The intense turquoise color comes from sunlight reflecting off the limestone floor and the mineral composition of the water; you see it best from a rowboat in the middle of the chamber. The cave's acoustics are so good that concerts have been performed there.

Do I have to pay extra for the cave entrances?

Yes. The tour price covers the guide, vehicle and hotel pickup, but entrance fees to Drogarati Cave and Melissani Lake are separate and paid on the day. Lunch is also your own cost; the guide will recommend tavernas at the stops where you have free time.

Is there time to swim or eat lunch during the tour?

Yes. You have free time at Assos village and again at Fiskardo, both with waterfront tavernas and swimming access. The guide will point you toward restaurants, but you choose where and what to eat. Fiskardo in particular has time for a leisurely meal or a swim before the return drive.

What was special about Fiskardo during the 1953 earthquake?

Fiskardo is the only village on Kefalonia that survived the 1953 earthquake without being destroyed or rebuilt. Its Venetian architecture—the colorful harbor buildings, narrow streets and layout—is original, which is why it looks so different from the rest of the island and why it's the most photographed settlement here.

How long is the full tour and what time does it end?

The tour runs 8.5 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including the 10-minute wait before departure. You'll visit six main stops—the two caves, Myrtos Beach viewpoint, Assos, Fiskardo and a lunch break—with drive time between each. The exact end time depends on your hotel location and pickup time.

Is the guide included, and what language does the tour run in?

Yes, a professional English-speaking local guide is included with the tour. The guide shares stories about the sites and handles the route and timing, so you don't need to plan the day yourself or navigate between stops.