Where to stay
Getting around
Argostoli
Restaurants
Melograno – we stumbled across this restaurant found in Vallianou Square. Always enjoy al fresco dining when the weather is good, and this restaurant has lovely outdoor seating with some beautiful landscaping around it. The location and menu drew us in and we were more than pleasantly surprised. The prawn linguine and oven baked salmon with roasted vegetables were delicious. The staff were extremely attentive and the location provides for some great people watching as well.
Things to do
As we had a rental car we were able to design our own day tours. Our first day tour included a drive from Argostoli to Melissani Caves, Drogarati Caves, Myrtos Beach and Fiskardo. On our second day we drove to several wineries, and we ended our last day with a drive to the Venetian Castle of Saint George and Spartia Beach.
Melissani Caves
This beautiful geological wonder is located near Sami Village on the north east side of the island. The Cave has an exposed lake with trees and forests surrounding it. The lake is 20-30 metres deep and is vibrant turquoise blue. You can see eels and small fish swimming about. The cave has two chambers divided by an island in the center. The first chamber is exposed to the sun and has the illusion of being lit with electric blue lights. The second chamber is covered in stalactites that are covered in algae and moss. The roof of the chambers caved in many centuries ago, and at mid-day the sunlight hitting the turquoise water creates a beautiful blue illumination filling the entire cave with light. When you arrive at the caves you can purchase a ticket for €8 for just this cave or you can pay €10 to also visit the nearby Drogarati Caves. Your visit here includes a 15-minute boat ride through the lake and both chambers. You definitely want to make sure you schedule a stop here during your visit.
Drogarati Caves
These caves are also located nearby to Sami Village. They were discovered 300 years ago when an earthquake created an open chamber. They have only been open to the public since 1963. Cave specialists note that this cave is about 150 million years old and is a true geological phenomenon. The cave consists of two parts, with the part accessible to tourists consisting of a long corridor that leads to the Royal Balcony, where you can stand and view the stalactites reflecting the light, as well as the Chamber of Exaltation, which provide incredible acoustics, and is sometimes still used for cultural events. Be sure to wear appropriate walking shoes as it’s wet and can be a bit muddy.
Fiskardo Village
Fiskardo is a picturesque and beautiful harbor village on the Northern tip of the island. It is unique in that is the only village to still have many of the original Venetian buildings still intact and in use. Many traditional fishing boats along with luxury yachts are docked in the harbor. There is no shortage of restaurants and cafés with outside tables where you can sit with a drink, have a bit to eat and just enjoy the surrounding ambiance that the village exudes. We enjoyed sitting on the terrace with an Aperol Spritz at Theodoras Café and people watching. It’s a lovely café with a great view of the harbor.
We stayed for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the views at Panormos Restaurant. Wonderful spot to sit right by the water and the food was delicious. They also have happy hour and had an interesting selection of cocktails on the menu.
Castle of Saint George
Located about 7km from Argostoli, this castle dates back to the Byzantine era, but was captured by the Venetians in the 1500’s and was further developed by Venetian craftsman eventually enclosing it with over 620m of fortified castle walls. The Venetians also established and built the local village in front of the castle called Kastro. The castle was the capital of the island until the mid 1700’s when it was moved to Argostoli. A visit here is €3 and allows you to walk around this once 16,000 square meter ruins. There are wonderful views from the top of the castle, and post your visit be sure to stop in Kastro Café located right outside the castle to enjoy a coffee, snack or some wine while enjoying the views.
Wineries
Gentilini Winery & Vineyards
This winery is now run by a second-generation family after being founded in 1984. It is a small winery that produces just over 50,000 bottles a year. A visit here includes a tasting option from either 3, 5 or 7 different wines. You can also partake in a wine tour of their vineyards, as well as their production and bottling facility. The wine tasting experience can be enjoyed in their lovely shady outdoor area with several tables providing a truly serene and relaxing setting. They also have a small menu with several snack options, which we really enjoyed. We opted for the 3-wine tasting, which included their best-selling Notes white, a Rose and a Notes red wine. All three were very tasty, but we opted to purchase a bottle of the Notes white to bring home.
Sarris Winery
The location of this winery provides incredible views of the sea from their beautiful outdoor terrace. We opted for their premium 5 wine tasting selection, which included the famous Panochori (50 Great Greek Wines) and their limited edition V for Vostilidi. With their exceptional service, delicious wine and beautiful backdrop provided you could easily sit here for hours, so be sure to include a stop here on your visit to the island.
Beaches
Myrtos Beach