All for the love of travel | Discover the hidden beauty of Melissani Lake

Our local representatives on Kefalonia, Amy and Cheryl have chosen to make this emerald isle their home and despite living in different corners of the island they both agree that one of the highlights of Kefalonia is the Melissani Lake. Here they recall their recent visit to this stunning natural wonder.

Situated in a cave, Melissani Lake in Karavomilos is a geological phenomenon and unique to Kefalonia. It was researched in 1951 by the well-known speleologists Anna Petrochilou and her husband Yiannis who entered the cave with ropes through the opening above the lake. On that occasion, they found an oil lamp on the small islet which separates the cave into two parts. When the archaeologist Marinatos excavated the islet in 1962 he found several artefacts from the 4th and 3rd century BC which suggest that this islet was a place of worship, dedicated to god Pan and the nymphs. 

We would suggest you visit the lake in the middle of the day, when the sun is in the highest point in the sky.  This is when the effect at Melissani is most impressive.  When touched by sunlight the water turns an iridescent shade of turquoise, and is a sight not to be missed. A visit to Melissani Lake will provide you with the fascinating history and information about the structure of the cave systems on the island as well as learning how the water replenishing the lake travels naturally from the other side of Kefalonia! As you walk down to the lake you will be met by a refreshing cool temperature (a welcome relief from the midday heat!) and a selection of traditional wooden boats and local boatmen ready to share the outstanding natural beauty of the lake with you. 

During your visit to the lake you may be lucky enough to meet Aris, one of our villa owners, who works as a boatman on the lake. We have learnt from Aris’ mother that he actually featured in a documentary about the lake as a small boy. Perhaps his connection with Melissani was meant to be! 

Aris and his wife Elena live in the village of Karavomilos (where the lake is located). They met 12 years ago when Elena visited the island on a holiday with her friend from University. Whilst spending time with her friends, Elena met Aris, a young local from the island, and so started a love affair. She was studying in Athens so they began a long distance relationship for several years, until when graduating Elena made the move to come and live on Kefalonia with Aris. This last year has been exciting for them both as they have finished building their new family house, have got married and had a beautiful baby girl who has made their life complete. We wish them all the happiness. 

Their favourite way to spend the summer evenings is having a coffee or a cocktail with friends on the rooftop terrace at Afrala, a stylish bar located in Sami, just a 10 minute drive from Karavomilos. In the winter they love to travel to new and exciting destinations.  So far, their favourite place they have visited has been Morocco. As well as working at the lake Aris works as a local fisherman. Luckily fish is their favourite food to eat together. In the winter months Aris catches lots of small fish which they use to make soup and in the summer he brings home lobster and big fish which are delicious roasted!

It had always been a dream of Aris to build villas and he built Villa Melissani by himself when he was only 24 years old. As a couple they decided to build a second villa, Villa Harmony. Elena is very interested in interior design and she has used her unique design skills with furnishings and fittings in both of the villas. They chose to build the villas in the village of Karavomilos because they believe this area of the island is extremely beautiful, as well as being centrally located so everywhere is within easy reach by car.  

Both Villa Harmony and Villa Melissani are very popular properties and are the perfect place to stay if you would like a peaceful and relaxing holiday in traditional Greek village surroundings. Along with Melissani lake, there are plenty of places to explore close by.

Kefalonia is the largest island in the Ionian Sea and is famously known as the location of the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin”. However, this emerald island offers visitors so much more and they are bound to be seduced by this island on many levels, from its crystal-clear waters, stunning stretches of sand, picturesque villages and rich biodiversity all the way to its medieval castles and monasteries.

Discover the chic harbourfront in Fiscardo, the only village left standing following the devastating earthquake that struck in 1953 as well as pretty Assos village, located at the picturesque peninsula of the same name. Not forgetting the resorts of Poros, Sami, Skala and Aghia Efthymia where traditional tavernas offer delicous homecooked specialities as well as the island’s renowned Robola wine.

Sunvil has offered holidays to Greece since 1975 and, we believe our knowledge of the country is unrivalled. This document contains the latest information about the protocols, preventative measures and changes adopted in Greece in response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.