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10 (almost) FREE Things to do in Kefalonia, Greece

Kefalonia is one of Europe’s favorite Greek islands, attracting over 14 million tourists per year. And it’s easy to see why. Nestled in the Ionian Sea, just west off the coast of mainland Greece, this island is a paradise on earth, with tiny fishing villages, stunning beaches, densely forested mountainsides and laid back locals. Here’s our run down of the best 10 (almost) FREE things to do in Kefalonia.

Wait, almost free? Yes, you read that correctly. Kefalonia may be one of the most visited islands, but it’s pretty small. You’ll see it all within a week – easy, especially if you’ve got yourself a rental car. So this list is a little different from our totally free guides. BUT, we promise you that by almost free, we’re still bringing you the best deals from the island.

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Melissani Cave

Melissani Cave

Head to Melissani Cave to feel the majesty of Kefalonia in all its glory.

Entry to the caves costs €6 per person ($6,99) which includes a small but thoroughly enjoyable boat tour with a guide who’ll tell you everything you could want to learn about the caves.

On a sunny day, the water in the cave lights up to an icy aquamarine color; a truly stunning sight that’ll leave you breathless. This is a super romantic trip that won’t cost more than 30 minutes of your time (on a quiet day). We’d advise you to head there nice and early or pretty late in the day to beat the crowds (or if you’re like us, visit off-peak and enjoy the caves to yourself).

Drogorati Cave

Yes, our second set of caves has made it onto the list. And, Drogorati Cave is just 12 minutes drive from Melissani Cave, making them the perfect joint venture.

The entrance fee is €4 per person, making it a cheap and doable €10 per person for Drogorati and Melissani combined. That’s a winner if you ask us, given the grandeur of each spot and the history that seeps through the walls.

In Drogorati, you’ll discover rocky cubby holes, ancient staligmites and staligtites, and gorgeous gem-like stones clinging to the walls. It’s certainly a jaw-dropping spot to take your travel buddy. If you do worry about claustrophobia, maybe just hang around the entrance though, as you’ll head deep into the cavernous cave and off the beaten track otherwise.

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turtle spotting in Argostoli

Turtle Spotting in Argostoli

Argostoli is the capital of Kefalonia, and the perfect place to spot turtles for free. Yes, that’s right, you can view nature up close and personal, without having to part ways with any of your spending money, and we’re going to tell you exactly where.

Head to the waterfront in the city, and take a lovely walk down the boulevard (you’ll find the I ❤ Kefalonia sign for the perfect picture opportunity on your way to the turtles too by the way!). You’ll come to the fish market, where the boulevard briefly ends and juts out into the water. If you follow the water’s edge, it’ll be hard to miss the turtles that come to feed off the scraps brought in by fishermen.

The best time of day to come and see turtles is around 11AM, but they are known to hang around for a few hours afterwards, so stick around and get your cameras out for the perfect turtle photo opportunity!

Argostoli Sinkholes

While you’re in Argostoli, you might want to check out the sinkholes. These natural phenomena literally send Melissani Cave its water, which is pretty neat. They suck the water from the bay in, and send it so deep that it travels to the other side of the island. They’re great to stop by and take a look at, especially with the gorgeous view out over the bay, plus the very coincidentally well-placed restaurant that sits directly next to them.

Visit Fiscado

Fiscado is a stunning port town that sits atop Kefalonia. It’s brimming with restaurants and quaint walks around the coast, where you can find lighthouses and church ruins, and sit peacefully by the sea watching the ferries shuttling people over to Ithaca, the island directly next to Kefalonia.

A day trip to Fiscado is never wasted, and its said that they have the best Orange Pie (a Kefalonian delicacy) on the whole island, which you can buy at Melina Pattiserie. Spend the day wandering through the colorful streets, petting the stray cats that roam around looking for affection, take a seat at one of the restaurants lining the waterfront, or rent a boat and head out into the bay for views on the island from out at sea.

Trek to Fteri Beach

If you’re an adventurer looking for a new quest, but you’d quite like a swim at the end of it, pop Fteri Beach onto your Kefalonian bucket list.

This beach is accessible only via a trekking route, so you’ll have to leave your mode of transport at the top of the road and literally head into the wild. It’s not for the faint hearted, and good walking shoes are a must if you give it a go. The trail itself takes around 45 minutes, and you’ll find yourself deep in the heart of the Kefalonian jungle, passing through dense trees and traversing a valley. You may come across one or two goats on your way down as well…

Once you reach your final destination, you’ll be welcomed by a white tiny pebbled beach and luscious dark aqua waters, so it’s worth the trek, but don’t forget your water, and a picnic.

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Aenos Oros

Head up Aenos Oros

Mount Aenos is the highest mountain in Kefalonia, and there’s a road right up to the peak, if you dare traverse the mountain roads that lead to the top. The journey is quite lengthy, so it’s best done if you’ve rented your own mode of transport, but the sights from the top are worth it.

You can park right on tip, then wander to the viewpoints that have stunning views over the island and the islands that surround it. You can even see Zakynthos clearly on a beautiful day.

Our tip: make sure it’s a clear day when you head to the top. That way you’ll get the best visibility on the roads and from the summit. Plus, it gets pretty cold at the top, so it’stime for a jacket, plus trousers. Plus good walking shoes of course.

Catch the Sunset from Petani Beach

Petani beach is a stunning pebbly beach surrounded by high cliffs and azure waters. There are also 3 restaurants to keep you fed and watered throughout the day, so it’s a great place to spend a hot Greek day snorkeling or sunbathing.

It’s also a stunning spot to catch the sunset over the sea too, with views for miles, so make sure you take your camera with you. This is a completely romantic spot that’ll blow your other half away, so keep it in mind if you’re looking for something super romantic to woo them with.

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Assos

Visit Assos

Assos manages to find itself on most postcards of Kefalonia, because quite frankly, it’s stunning.

This tiny, pastel colored village sits against the water front, so you’ll find yourself weaving down mountainside roads to get there. Before you get there, you’ll want to stop and take the famous photograph of Assos from above. It’s impossible not to find the spot. For one, there’ll be multiple other people standing there getting the shot, and secondly, there’s only one way in and out of Assos.

When you arrive in the town, you’ll instantly feel the coziness. Whether you want to lounge around on the tiny beach, wander the pier to the end, or grab some lunch and take photos of the views laid before you, there’s enough to do here that warrants this spot as a must-see.

Hike up to the Venetian Castle of Assos

Once you’re completely hydrated, head up to Assos Castle. You can spot it from the beach, peeping out from the gorgeous pine trees that line the hill. It’s completely free, and the walk up there is a lot easier than you’d believe. It’s even accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Take the well-paved, sloping path to the top and be met with the gate of the castle. Wander through the gate and you’ve made it. Head right and straight up the hill to the lookout spot, where you’ll be able to see coastline mountains for miles. This is truly a spectacular view, and true Venetian ruins.

Which of our ten Kefalonia spots are you most hoping to lay your eyes on? Do you have any other (almost) free attractions to add to our list? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

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