Melissani Lake tour from Argostoli: Underground boat ride

The lake sits inside a cave, lit by a natural opening in the roof.

A full-day tour from Argostoli that rows you through Melissani Lake's underground cave system, stops at the Myrtos Viewpoint for photographs, and ends with free time to swim at Makris Gialos Beach. The tour includes a local guide in your choice of English, Italian or German; hotel or port pickup; entrance fees; and beach umbrellas. Driving time between stops is approximately 2.5 hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Melissani Lake and Beach Relaxation

• Drive to Melissani Lake
• Boat tour on Melissani Lake
• Visit Myrtos Viewpoint
• Relax at Makris Gialos Beach

The experience

Melissani Lake is a flooded cave on Cephalonia's interior, reached by a scenic drive across the island. Once there, you board a small rowing boat and glide through the underground lake where sunlight streams through an opening in the cave roof, illuminating the water in shades of turquoise. The boat moves slowly enough to take in the cave formations and the geology that created them. Your guide explains the lake's history as you float. Visit duration varies depending on how many other visitors are there and the queue length when you arrive.

After the lake, the tour stops at Myrtos Viewpoint, a high vantage point overlooking the beach below. The cliffs drop steeply to white sand and brilliant blue water, and this is where the group pauses to photograph the panorama. Then you head to Makris Gialos Beach, one of Cephalonia's organized beaches with facilities. You have approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time here to swim in the Ionian Sea, lie on the sand, or sit at one of the beach bars.

The tour runs 5 hours total and includes a local guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel or port pickup with drop-off, entrance to Melissani Lake, and beach umbrellas. The route involves some walking and steps at the lake itself. If you're arriving by cruise ship, pickup from Argostoli Port is available. If you're staying in a hotel, pickup from selected accommodations is arranged. Your guide speaks English, Italian or German depending on which option you book at checkout.

What’s included

• Local guide in English, Italian or German.
• entrance fees to Melissani Lake.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• beach umbrellas at Makris Gialos.

Options for this experience

3 options

English Guided TourAvailable from 13 May 2027Pickup is included

German Guided TourAvailable from 13 May 2027Pickup is included

Italian Guided TourAvailable from 5 Jun 2027Guide in Italian

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 13 May 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (6 to 16 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 15 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Avalon Travel Kefalonia

Is this one for you?Book the English, Italian or German option depending on which language your guide speaks. Choose the one that matches your preference at checkout. The 5-hour duration and 2.5 hours of driving time suit travelers who want to see multiple sites without a full-day commitment, and the mix of boat exploration, viewpoint photography and beach time balances activity with relaxation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 16 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly is Melissani Lake and how do you get around it?

Melissani Lake is an underground cave system flooded with seawater, located inland on Cephalonia. You explore it by small rowing boat, gliding through the cave where natural light enters through an opening in the roof and illuminates the water. Your guide shares the lake's geological history during the boat ride.

How much time do you actually spend swimming at the beach?

Makris Gialos Beach gives you approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of free time to swim, relax on the sand or visit a beach bar. This is the only beach stop on the tour.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes entrance fees to Melissani Lake, a local guide, hotel or port pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned vehicle, and beach umbrellas. Food, drinks and sunbeds are not included, though the beach has bars and sunbed rentals available.

How long is the drive between the different stops?

Total driving time between Melissani Lake, Myrtos Viewpoint and Makris Gialos Beach is approximately 2.5 hours, spread across the 5-hour tour. This allows time to relax and enjoy the scenic route between each destination.

Can you book this tour if you're arriving by cruise ship?

Yes, pickup from Argostoli Port is available for cruise passengers. The tour is timed to fit within a port call, and return timing is arranged accordingly. Hotel pickup is also available for guests staying on the island.