Our first trip as a family abroad was to one of our favourite Greek Islands Kefalonia. Situated in the Ionian Sea we have visited it many times before both on land and by sailboat. Travelling with a toddler though is very different than travelling as a couple or as a teen on board a boat and was a great introduction to family travel for us. So we've got our Kefalonia with a Toddler Highlights that you shouldn't miss.
Kefalonia
Kefalonia is a jewel of a island in the Ionian sea off of Greece.
It's relatively small and you can easily drive the island in a day.
We recommend hiring a car to explore the island fully. Most hire companies also supply car seats but it's easy to travel with your own as well.
Serviced by its own small airport it's a 3 and a half hour flight from Gatwick on average but you can fly from many of the airports in the UK to the island.
Although we love Kefalonia we have been keeping our eye on these Best Greek Holidays for Families that Tin Box Traveller writes about I'm particular looking at Crete as one of the destinations to revisit in the future.
We visited Kefalonia at the end of October to avoid the summer heat and had days of warmth and sunshine as well as overcast and rainy.
Things to do on Kefalonia with Toddlers
Although it's great to just sit and relax by the pool when you have a toddler or 2 this is not always possible and naps, exploring and keeping them entertained is a priority.
So here are our top places to visit on Kefalonia with kids and todders that can't be missed.
Travelling this summer with toddlers? Then before you go read our tips for avoiding toddler meltdowns when you travel.
Head to the beach
On an island like Kefalonia, there is no end of beaches check out our guide to the best beaches to visit with kids on Kefalonia. Some more crowded than others!
We picked Lassi as our base for our trip which has a large sheltered sandy beach that slopes gently to paddle in.
We picked up a small set of beach toys in the super market and took them with us when ever we headed to the sand.
Our tot was content to play in the sand and dig as well as paddle in the waves.
Melissani Cave and Lake
Head down into the Melissani Cave with your toddler and out on a boat ride in this underground lake.
A highlight of this trip and one that my toddler clapped and laughed about throughout the "voyage" on the lake was visiting the Melissani Caves.
We were taken around this crystal clear underground sink hole rowed by the guide and told more about the cave and how it was formed.
I remember visiting this first as a 10-year-old and loving it then. As an adult seeing the wonder in our child's eyes was even better than my first experience.
Drogarati cave
Another cave but this time one to explore on foot.
Drogarati Cave is said to be one of the best caves in Greece to explore. It is "HUGE" and full of stalactites and stalagmites which are continuing to form.
There is a large cavern and our toddler liked to shout and hear his echo!
The only way into the caves is via steps so if like us your toddler is not a confident walker then you will need to carry them up and down the steps as well as around the cave itself.
Fiskardo
Fiskardo is a small fishing town on the northern tip of Kefalonia. Unlike much of the island, it was not destroyed in the earthquake of 1953.
It has a small pebbled beach but there are 2 reasons to visit this little town.
- The journey to the town is amazing on the road from Argostoli and a stop off at Asos and a view of Myrtos Beach from the road
- To watch the yatches and taste the best ice cream on the island!
Our toddler loved to watch the yachts in Fiskardo harbour as we sat in one of the harbour cafes and ate our lunch.
There is also some of the best ice creams on the island to be found in the small shops around the area.
Whilst he slept we explored some of the ancient sites that you can see from the paths and are being excavated as building work takes place.
Find out more ideas if you visit Fiskardo with our Guide to Fiskardo and Nearby with Kids.
Guided Tours
Although you can self-drive yourself easily around the island even with toddlers you can also take a tour we've highlighted some that we think are worth booking below
I am a fan of self-drive for exploring an island such as Kefalonia. Both Melissani Cave (in a boat) and Drogarati Cave look interesting
Self drive is our favourite way to explore gives us so much freedom and we discover some fascinating places as well. The caves are amazing we love visiting them.