Travel Fantasies

Melissani Cave, Kefalonia Greece

Guided tours at the Melissani Cave

Also called the cave of the Nymphs (my kind of people 😏) the Melissani Cave is named after the nymph, Melissanthi. The Melissani Cave is a favorite adventurous spot for the global tourists such as myself. The cave is a lacustrine cave of unique beauty (just a a fancy way of saying there is a breathtaking lake tucked inside which is absolutely invisible from the outside. The measurements are 3.5 km long, 40 m wide and 36 miles high.

The current cave formation is in the shape of the English alphabet ‘B’ (a few of my favorite words starts with B.. Boss, Billions, I digress). Enclosed are two large water filled sections and a small island in between. Uhh.. Yes please! 😍

Caverns and walkways at the Melissani Cave

The Melissani cave constitutes a unique geological phenomenon. It was created by a mechanical and chemical process called karstikopoiisi (dissolution of rocks) during which water enters the rock formations, erodes them and creates hollows. It is located about 1 ½ miles from the town of Sami and 6 miles from the town of Argostoli. The caves are surrounded by forests, while a mountain slope is located to the west.  The lake water is brackish, being that the cave is about 500 miles from the sea and the water level is a meter higher than sea level. The crystal clear water rises from a 30 miles deep cave system on one side of the cave and flows to the other end of the cave.

Boat entrance to embark on guided tours

I’ve only visited this cave once back in 2005 and from what I remember the best time to visit the cave is in the middle of a bright sunny day. When the sun is directly overhead, its rays strike the ultramarine water, lighting the cave with this really pretty blue light. I’d say this is the best time to visit to test your photography skills. However after 11:30 am until abut 5 pm hoards of tourists pile into the site and can make lines long and crowds unbearable. Luckily when I went there weren’t too many people there and the whole experience was still pretty special. Nevertheless, a visit at the morning or in the evening has its own atmosphere. 

Light leaking into the cave from its skylight

It is 7 euros (almost $8 US) to enter the cave. I think that it’s moderately priced for the attraction but hey, it’s a small price to pay for a timeless experience.

Getting to the cave is actually pretty easy, just a short trip from Sami or Agia Efimia. Be informed though that tours done by boats last about 15 minutes and the tour guide (who will expect a tip at the end) lacks adequate knowledge to pay him extra. But I’m aware this is how they make a living so I coughed up a few bucks.

boat side view of the cave (photo credit unknown)

If you’re interested, click the link to book your boat tour around the Melissani Cave today! I’d also recommend checking out this link to plan other activities to do in Sami,  Agia Efimia or Kefalonia whilst still in the area.