Melissani Lake: A Complete Travel Guide to Greece's Most Beautiful Underground Cave Lake with Color-Changing Waters and Mythological History in Kefalonia
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Welcome to the amazing world of underground wonders! Melissani Lake, located in a picturesque cave in Greece, attracts tourists from all over the world with its mysterious beauty and unique atmosphere.
In this article I will tell you what makes this place so attractive to visit, how to get there, and what you can see during an excursion to this amazing underground lake.
Melissani Underground Lake: what attracts tourists here and whether it is worth a visit
There are places in Greece that have an amazing beauty and appeal. Many of them are shrouded in mystery, myths and legends. One such place is the Melissani Cave. It is located on the island of Kefalonia, about two kilometers from the town of Sami, on the island of the same name.
The origin of the cave is attributed to a complex geological karst process, through which rocks are dissolved by water. Over many millennia, underground and surface waters have been making passages, breaking up the limestone rock and forming a cave under the ground.
Part of the cave space is occupied by the Melissani underground lake, which is over 20,000 years old.
Lake Melissani leaves behind a pleasant flair of memories because once you see this place once, you will not forget it ever
For a long time the cave was hidden from human eyes. About four thousand years ago, after a strong earthquake, the roof of the cave collapsed and sunlight began to penetrate into the underground world.
In 1950, the cave was accidentally discovered by a local shepherd and reported it to the authorities. For more than a decade, scientists carefully studied the cave and excavated it. As a result of the research, it was discovered that the cave is part of an underground network that runs through the entire island.
Seawater flows into the earth’s crevices in the Catavotres area and flows 14 kilometers into Lake Melissani.
Although the lake is not very big, it is very beautiful
Discover Lake Melissani together with the best beaches of Kefalonia island
Lake Melissani on Kefalonia is an amazing underground lake with a cave, formed over 20,000 years ago. The lake is 20–30 metres deep, the cave is 160 metres long, with two main chambers. One chamber has an opening in the ceiling, creating a “blue mirror” effect. The place also has mythological significance, connected to the nymph Melissani and the god Pan.
In my view, romantic walks at sunset are one of the best ways to spend time on this wonderful island — with a loved one, friends, or even just acquaintances — this atmosphere will appeal to everyone. If you’re visiting Kefalonia for the first time, such tours are the ideal way to see all the most interesting things.
As always, I went through the list of tours while we were putting together our Kefalonia itinerary, read through their programmes, and will now give a brief and to-the-point account of what awaits tourists on these trips. I’ll do this using the tours that Vladyslav and I liked most:
Let’s start with a visit to Antisamos Beach — a picturesque beach with white pebbles and turquoise water, perfect for snorkelling and swimming. Two tours caught our eye here:
- Kefalonia — private tour of Lake Melissani and Antisamos Beach. This trip costs 250 euro per person (but when booking for two, it’s 125 euro per person, and with more people the cost per person drops even further). Over 5 hours, tourists can visit the Agrilia Monastery and admire the views of the lake, without queues or waiting. Important: the entrance ticket to Lake Melissani is not included in the tour price and must be paid on the spot.
- A full-day group trip following a similar route will cost 55 euro per person and last 7 hours. The price includes a visit to the maritime museum and the Drogarati Cave, which is over 100 million years old.
Another equally good route around Kefalonia passes through Myrtos Beach — a pearl of Kefalonia with white pebbles and turquoise waters, one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, and especially magical at sunset.
- The first tour including Myrtos Beach that we liked costs 300 euro for a group of up to 5 people (60 euro per adult and 35 euro per child aged 12 and under). The trip lasts 4 hours, during which you’ll visit Myrtos Beach, nestled between the foot of two mountains and considered one of the most beautiful and dramatic beaches in Greece.
- The second option — a trip to Myrtos, Drogarati Cave, and Lake Melissani – costs 55 euro per person (40 euro for a child aged 2–12) and lasts 7 hours. This route also includes the opportunity to visit the Sami Maritime Museum, and of course the stunning Myrtos Beach itself.
Opening schedule and ticket prices for visiting Lake Melissani
The cost of a ticket to the lake is 7 euros, as part of an organized tour – 6 euros, children – 4 euros.
On a boat with a capacity of 8 people, you will be taken for a ride around the lake. The whole ride takes no more than 10-15 minutes. You can tip the boatman in a jar. There is also a cafe and a souvenir store on the lake.
I advise you to come to Lake Melissani shortly before noon. At this time, the sunlight decorates the cave in the best way.
The underground lake is open for tourists from 8.30 to 18.30.
How to get to Lake Melissani
From the capital of Kefalonia, the town of Argostolion is 26 km away and can be reached by cab in about 40 minutes or by bus in 1 hour.
The nearest airport is on the neighboring island of Zakyntos, there are airplanes from Athens (50 min), then by ferry of Lefkada company to Sami for another 3 hours (from 9 to 13 euros). From Sami to Karavomylos – 5 minutes by cab (can be arranged for 4 euros).
Where tours to Lake Melissani usually depart from
Lake Melissani is located on Kefalonia island, and can be reached from various points. From the island’s capital, Argostoli, it is 26 km away — you can get there by taxi in around 40 minutes or by bus in about 1 hour. The nearest airport is on the neighbouring island of Zakynthos, which has flights from Athens (50 minutes).
An equally good option is to head to Melissani on an organised tour. There are quite a few departure points for trips to Melissani. When we were planning our trip, we looked at various options, which I’d like to share with you.
1. A tour of Kefalonia departing from Zakynthos — the trip lasts 12 hours and costs 98 euro (68 euro for a child aged 10 and under). The tour programme includes a visit to Lake Melissani, Drogarati Cave, and even Antisami Beach. Important: this tour is quite intensive, so it suits those who are ready for an active day.
2. Tours departing from Argostoli — two options caught our eye here:
- Kefalonia sightseeing tour with a wine tasting at a winery — 75 euro (65 euro for a child aged 3–12), duration 5 hours. The day will be spent exploring the best stops on Kefalonia, including Lake Melissani, and the highlight of the trip will be a wine tasting at the Orealios Gaea winery.
- A similar route to the previous one but without a tasting in the programme — a full-day trip to Melissani and Myrtos Beach. Price: 45 euro (22.50 euro for a child aged 5–12), duration 4 hours. The flexibility of the route allows for photo stops, lunch at local tavernas, and unhurried enjoyment. A wonderful option for a trip around Kefalonia.
3. If you’re planning to be in the Skala area, from here you can head to Lake Melissani and Antisamos Beach for 250 euro per person (and if booking for two, the price stays the same — 250 euro for the trip). This is similar to the previous tour, but for tourists staying in the southern part of the island. The programme is adapted to your preferences, with the opportunity to visit both popular and lesser-known locations.
4. And finally — the Sami area. From here we found 2 tours we liked:
- Shore tour to Drogarati Cave and Lake Melissani with a wine tasting — price 45 euro (35 euro for a child aged 11 and under). Again, a very similar route to the previous ones, just departing from a different location. The highlight of this trip, however, is a tasting of local wines at a traditional establishment by the sea.
- Another tour option from the Sami area costs 55 euro (40 euro for a child aged 3–12) and lasts 7 hours. The special feature here is a visit to the beach of a thousand colours, which has an organised snack bar, toilets, changing rooms, sun loungers, and parasols available for all tour participants to use.
What to see during a visit to Lake Melissani
The ancient Greeks believed in the divine origin of Lake Melissani. According to legend, the lake was formed from the tears of the nymph Melissa. She fell in love with the god of wind – Pan, who was frolicking in the neighboring forests and skillfully played a sweet-sounding whistle, gathering crowds of nymphs around him.
However, Pan did not reciprocate Melissani’s sincere feelings. She hid in a dark cave and sobbed long, inconsolably from unrequited love. Poor Melissa cried a whole lake and drowned herself in it.
The god of wind, Pan, the lover of Melissani, to whom a statue is placed here
Today, the cave can be explored by everyone. In 1963, a tunnel was built in the rock to provide easy access to the lake. It leads underground to a pier with rowboats that take tourists to the far side of the cave. A short walk around the lake allows you to plunge into the semi-darkness of the strange shapes of the mysterious underworld.
To get closer to the lake, it is necessary to descend underground on a ladder and walk through a tunnel to the pier with boats.
At the small pier, free boats are waiting for all those wishing to enjoy the unearthly beauty of Melissani, a small group of people (up to 8 people in a boat) is recruited there and the boatman directs his vessel deep into the cave towards unforgettable impressions and vivid experiences.
The lake is about 160 meters long and 35 meters wide. The rocky walls are colored in a reddish shade of ochre. Stalactites and stalagmites of the most bizarre shapes hang in frozen stone garlands.
The water in Lake Melissani is crystal clear. It seems as if boats are floating above the waters of this underground reservoir. Even through the 14-meter depth you can clearly see the rocky bottom.
To make love long and happy couples are advised to take hands and lower them into the water. And if the water from the lake is washed by someone who is still lonely, he will soon find his soul mate and love.
It’s the kind of view you’ll see all the time, lifting your eyes upward as you float around the lake
Depending on the time of day, the water in the cave lake changes its color – from sky blue to dark green shades. At midday, the natural beauty reaches its peak.
Through a large oval opening, the light of the sun penetrates and its iridescent glare is reflected from the emerald waters. This glow gives the underground grotto the resemblance of a shimmering magical palace.
The water in Lake Melissani is incredibly clear that even at a depth of 14 meters you can clearly see the rocky bottom. The illusory impression of a boat floating above the crystal clear waters of this underground body of water is unintentional.
Depending on the time of day and the position of the sun, the water in Melissani Cave Lake changes its color from light turquoise to greenish and sometimes even black.
It’s impossible to take your eyes off the water because the color is constantly changing and it feels like you’re sitting in a boat that’s floating on paint
Besides the interesting myths associated with Lake Melissani, it also surprises with its unique geology. The reservoir is a mixture of sea and fresh water.
Salt water rises into the Melissani cave from a depth of 30 meters from one of its edges and flows to the other. In this way, it makes a huge loop, circulating from the sea to the cave and from there back to the sea water.
These stalactites hang almost all over the cave around the lake. Don’t worry, they won’t fall on your head
Boat trips to both grottoes of Melissani Cave are organized. The best time to go here is on a sunny day, when the effect of the turquoise waters shimmering in the sunlight is particularly mesmerizing.
There were plenty of tourists here, so you will not be able to “listen” to the lake, but will have to listen to enthusiastic conversations about the lake
Other useful links and interesting information: