Melissani Cave Lake is a recognizable symbol of Kefalonia. Thousands of tourists who choose this island for recreation seek to see it. The purest azure water, the majestic cave, the atmosphere of mystery and the history that goes back to antiquity - these are just some of the reasons to visit Melissani.
Melissani cave: from mythology to modern times
Getting inside the Melissani cave, it becomes clear why it was worth coming here. Azure water, stalactites, a high vault and a hole in the dome through which sunlight penetrates - such a picture is remembered for a lifetime. The history of the cave and the lake is filled with myths. These places are so picturesque that one can easily believe in any legends.
It is known that the dome of the cave collapsed in the 2nd century BC. as a result of the earthquake, the age of the lake is at least 20,000 years, and for the ancient inhabitants of Kefalonia, Melissani had a sacred meaning. Fascinated by the beauty of the cave, people perceived it as a portal to another world. They revered the cave as a habitat for nymphs and came here for religious rituals. According to historians, not everyone could visit the cave - only a select few knew about its location in ancient times.
An interesting fact: the depth of the lake is 10-30 meters, the length of the cave is 160 meters, and its width is about 40 meters. The water in the lake is so clear that you can see the stones at its bottom.
In mythology, it is mentioned that the cave was named after one of the nymphs named Melissanthi. She took her own life by drowning herself in a lake because of her unrequited love for the god Pan. The ancient inhabitants of Kefalonia even believed that the water in Melissani was salty because of the tears of the nymph, which she shed while hiding inside the cave for a long time. But in reality, the lake is fed by water coming from a great depth of the sea. And here is another legend that can even be tested in practice: if lovers simultaneously put their hands into the waters of Melissani, their union will be happy and strong. Lonely people are advised to wash themselves with water in order to find their love sooner.
Surprisingly, this place has been forgotten for many centuries. The cave was found again only in 1951, and it was opened to visitors in 1963. During excavations in 1962 in the cave of Melissani, quite a lot of figurines depicting the god Pan were found. Another interesting discovery was a clay disc depicting nymphs. All artifacts date back to the 3rd and 4th centuries BC. These finds can be seen in the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli.
Interesting fact: the second common name for Melissani is “cave of the nymphs”
In the 80s, the island of Kefalonia became one of the most popular destinations among Europeans. It was then that tourists first discovered the charm of Melissani. Nowadays boats with tourists float on the lake. The light falling on the water creates the illusion that the boats are gliding through the air. The cave consists of two large halls filled with water and an island in the middle.
The entrance to the cave is possible through a tunnel. Going down the stairs, visitors are plunged into darkness and see a light at the end of the tunnel that breaks through the Melissani dome. Boats are already waiting for them on this spot to go on an exciting journey. The boat offers views of the cave and of walls covered with stalactites. Interestingly, the water of the lake changes its shades depending on the time of day and the position of the sun. It can be turquoise, and pale blue, and deep blue.
Opening hours
Excursions around Melissani are held from Easter to October. During this period, the cave is open daily from 8:30 to 18:30. The best time to visit the cave is in the middle of a sunny day (from 12:00 to 14:00), when the lake looks especially impressive. In the low season, when there are much fewer tourists in Kefalonia, Melissani is open to the public only on Thursdays and weekends from 10:00 to 16:00.
The duration of the tour is 15-20 minutes. For a small tip, the boatman will accompany a walk along the lake with an interesting story.
Where is Lake Melissani
The cave lake is located in Kefalonia, 2 km northwest of the town of Sami and 28 km from the capital of the island, the city of Argostoli. You need to take a bus from Argostoli to Sami. The trip will take approximately 45 minutes. In Sami, you can take a taxi to the pier, from which boats leave for Melissani. You can pre-order an individual transfer, then you will definitely be sure that you will be picked up on the way back.
Not far from the cave there is a tavern and a souvenir shop. Melissani is located just 1 km from the center of Karavomylos, where you can stay overnight, dine and relax on the beach.
