📷 Photo by Omri Yamin on UnsplashKefalonia and Ithaca: caves, beaches and Ionian harbours
Four days on Kefalonia and Ithaca, from the cave lakes near Sami to Myrtos beach, Assos castle and Fiskardo, then across the water to Vathy on Odysseus’s island.
- Distance
- 60 km (37 mi)
- Driving
- 0 h 50 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Greece
- Updated
- May 14, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 60 km (37 mi) with 6 stops, from Melissani Cave and Lake to Ithaca: Vathy and the Cave of the Nymphs. About 0 h 50 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Greece
Route description
Kefalonia is an island, so you need a ferry or a flight to reach it; check the current timetable, services are thinner outside summer, and book early if you bring a motorhome. Start near Sami with Melissani, a cave lake whose roof collapsed to let daylight onto clear water, crossed by small boat. Drogarati Cave lies close by, with a 20-metre chamber, the Hall of Apotheosis, known for its acoustics.
Drogarati stays near 18°C all year, so bring a light layer in summer, and visitors walk down staircases. Then cross to the north-west coast and Myrtos Beach, a long arc of white pebbles and turquoise water below steep cliffs. A road of hairpin bends drops from Divarata to a car park; wear footwear for the pebbles and take care in waves, as the shore shelves steeply.
Continue north to Assos, a fishing village founded under Venetian rule, with a fortress built in 1593–1596 on the hill above the bay. A renovated stone path leads up to the ruins, so wear sturdy shoes; the village lies about 36 km north of Argostoli. Narrow, winding roads make for slow driving, so allow extra time.
Fiskardo, at the northern tip, escaped the 1953 earthquake and kept its old architecture, with pebble coves along a rocky coast; Sami lies 24 km to the south. From here ferries run to Frikes on Ithaca; check the current timetable. Vathy, Ithaca’s capital, sits on a deep natural harbour guarded by the islet of Lazaretto and was rebuilt in Venetian style after 1953. The Cave of the Nymphs, about 3 km north-east, is reported closed, so check locally.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Melissani Cave and Lake
NatureSami, GreeceA cave lake on Kefalonia whose roof collapsed, letting daylight onto the clear water; visitors cross it on a small boat. It lies north-west of Sami near the road towards Agia Efimia, so it pairs easily with a stop at Drogarati Cave.
- 24 km
Drogarati Cave
NatureSami, GreeceA cave near Sami with stalactites, stalagmites and a 20-metre-high chamber called the Hall of Apotheosis, known for its acoustics and used for concerts. It stays near 18°C all year, so bring a light layer in summer; visitors walk down staircases.
- 318 km
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia
NaturePylaros, GreeceA long arc of white pebbles and turquoise water below steep cliffs on Kefalonia's north-west coast. A road of hairpin bends drops from Divarata to a car park; wear footwear for the pebbles and take care in waves, as the shore shelves steeply.
- 46 km
Assos Village and Castle
HistoryAssos, GreeceA fishing village founded under Venetian rule on Kefalonia's west coast, with a large fortress built in 1593–1596 on the hill above the bay. A renovated stone path leads up to the ruins, so wear sturdy shoes; the village lies about 36 km north of Argostoli.
- 512 km
Fiskardo
HistoryFiskardo, GreeceA harbour village at Kefalonia's northern tip that escaped the 1953 earthquake and kept its old architecture, with pebble coves along a rocky coast. Ferries run to Frikes on Ithaca and to Lefkada, and Sami lies 24 km to the south.
- 620 km
Ithaca: Vathy and the Cave of the Nymphs
HistoryVathy, GreeceVathy, Ithaca's capital, lies on a deep natural harbour guarded by the islet of Lazaretto and was rebuilt in Venetian style after the 1953 earthquake. The Cave of the Nymphs, linked to Odysseus, is about 3 km north-east but reported closed to visitors, so check locally.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Melissani Cave and Lake → Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia · 22 km · 0 h 18 minOn the way: Drogarati Cave.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Karavomilos Beach (12 km); Camping Argostoli (17 km).
- Day 2: Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia → Assos Village and Castle · 6 km · 0 h 05 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Karavomilos Beach (16 km); Night free spot camp (13 km).
- Day 3: Assos Village and Castle → Fiskardo · 12 km · 0 h 10 minOvernight nearby, for example: Vasiliki Beach Camping (19 km); Night free spot camp (16 km).
- Day 4: Fiskardo → Ithaca: Vathy and the Cave of the Nymphs · 20 km · 0 h 17 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Karavomilos Beach (15 km); Night free spot camp (4 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. Hot in July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Fiskardo → Ithaca: Vathy and the Cave of the Nymphs. Ferry crossing needed
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Kefalonia and Ithaca: caves, beaches and Ionian harbours?
4-day road trip of about 60 km (37 mi) with 6 stops, from Melissani Cave and Lake to Ithaca: Vathy and the Cave of the Nymphs. About 0 h 50 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Kefalonia and Ithaca: caves, beaches and Ionian harbours?
We suggest 4 days: about 0 h 50 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Kefalonia and Ithaca: caves, beaches and Ionian harbours start and end?
It starts in Melissani Cave and Lake and ends in Ithaca: Vathy and the Cave of the Nymphs.
Which countries does Kefalonia and Ithaca: caves, beaches and Ionian harbours pass through?
Greece.
Where can you camp along Kefalonia and Ithaca: caves, beaches and Ionian harbours?
OpenStreetMap lists 4 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Karavomilos Beach, Camping Argostoli and Vasiliki Beach Camping.
When is the best time for Kefalonia and Ithaca: caves, beaches and Ionian harbours?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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