Great Things to Do Near Charma
Take a trip to the aquamarine waters of Melissani cave and lake
We should entitle this “not to be missed”. Melissani cave and lake is simply stunning. It is truly amazing – the colours and the eerie atmosphere are something you will never forget, and it’s something you are unlikely to experience in many other places throughout the world.
Soak up history high above at St George’s Castle
8km south of Argostoli, the Venetian castle of St George sits high on a hillside. Though Byzantines built the bulk of the castle in the 13th century, the earliest traces of the edifice date back to 394 AD when Kefalonia was still part of the Roman Empire and its main purpose was to shelter the villagers from attacks by marauding pirates. Venetians added the finishing touches, giving the castle its clean, elegant lines.
Climb the black mountain: Mount Ainos
More intrepid adventurers can drive to the gates of Mount Ainos national park, and then hike to the peak for a picnic. Despite being the third highest mountain in Greece at 1632 metres, this is an easy climb with a comfortable track and lots of footpaths in good condition thanks to the shepherds who walk with their flocks over the mountain. It takes about three hours to make the ascent, and you're likely to see some of the 20 or so wild horses that roam the countryside here. Keen wildlife spotters will also see raptors such as buzzards and owls, the vast rare Griffon vultures, and various types of falcon. In fact, over 50 per cent of Greek bird species favour this mountaintop, great for bird-spotters or just nature lovers you'll also be able to enjoy views over the whole island on clear days.
Local Gentilini winery
Visit the Gentilini winery near to the airport. Here you can find out all about the local Robola wine, as well as sample the only Greek wine to hit the top 100 fine
wines of the world.
Argostoli back streets - explore a little...
For retail therapy, the pedestrian Lithostrato offers a wonderful selection of shops offering everything from local produce to stylish leather shoes. Plenty of local cafes for refreshment and the Orthodox church of St. Spiridon and Catholic church always have their doors open. ( Make it Tuesday, Thursday or Fridays in the evenings when all the shops are open!)
Get Reading
"Captain Corelli's Mandolin" is a carefully written book, fascinating in explaining the complicated politics of the second world war in Greece and far outdoes the film, which did, however, show the true beauty of the island, in particular, Anti-Samos beach where much of the movie was filmed.
Marvel at ancient Tetris: the Cyclopean Walls
Dating from 1,500BC, this ramshackle wall stretches from Argostoli harbour 5km away, and is comprised of incredibly huge stones hoisted neatly together like a three-dimensional game of Tetris played by a giant. The evocative name springs from the fact that when later generations came across the immense wall, they believed it had been built by the one-eyed giants, the Cyclops.
Explore the environs of Argostoli
It’s only a 2km walk from the centre of Argostoli to the watermill and swallow holes of Katavothres – well worth the walk, as apart from the nice views, the interesting geology of the swallow holes, you can also reward yourself for the effort by having a coffee or a light lunch in the taverna where the watermill is located.
Drogorati caves
Although they have deservedly become a serious attraction on the Island, it’s never so busy that you have to spend much time waiting to see them. We recommend that you try to arrive there either early(ish) morning or late afternoon, so as to be sure to avoid any bus party that may be visiting the caves as part of their Island tour. The Stalagmites and Stalactites are well worth the effort of driving here.
Visit Ithaca for a day, home to Odysseus and Penelope of mythology
We would recommend that you do some swatting up before you go, as the Iliad is littered with references to Ithaca, it was where Odysseus was trying to return to for 10 years! Much more easily, you could visit the cave of Nymphs, or why not simply relax, have a nice lunch in one of the waterfront cafes in Vathi and then drop into one of the many delightful coves for a swim or a nap.
Korgialenios Museum
No trip to Argostoli would be complete without visiting this excellent museum of Kefalonia's turbulent and varied past. As you may know, Kefalonia has been through many wars and under many dominions, namely the Normands, Venetians, Turks, Russians, French and the English, before becoming reunited with mother Greece back in 1864. This excellent museum takes you back through all these periods of time.
Lixouri
Famous for its wonderful and varied beaches and some superb locally produced wines, “Orgia” in particular. You can also go on the ferryboat for a mini-cruise, which takes about 20 minutes from Argostoli.
Find the seafarer in you by hiring a boat
Ideal for finding your own secluded cove or even crossing the narrow channel to explore the neighbouring island of Ithaca. There are countless bays and coves not accessible by car so it is possible to find your own secluded beach and relax in privacy, away from the crowds. There are plenty of small coves within easy reach of Fiscardo. The more adventurous seafarers might like to cross the channel to Ithaca, tie up in the miniature harbour of Ancient Polis and perhaps walk up to the village of Stavros for lunch or a coffee.
Kefalonia's famous meat pies
The Greeks love their pies, and the Kefalonians have taken it one step further in producing this nourishing dish. Everyone has their own secret recipe, so we are unable to tell you exactly what's in it, but it is filo pastry stuffed with minced pork meat & rice along with the secret recipe of spices and sauce. Delicious!
Spend an afternoon at Myrtos beach
We suggest afternoon, because this is when the sun is shining fully on the beach, and you'll enjoy the amazing experience of bathing at one of the most glorious beaches. Myrtos has regularly been voted amongst the top 5 beaches in Europe over the past few years, and we are sure that you will endorse this bold claim.
