Tucked away within the far northern nook of Kefalonia, Fiskardo is finest often known as the most important village on the island that escaped being destroyed by the 1953 earthquake – and if that alone isn’t purpose sufficient to go to Fiskardo with youngsters, that is simply one of many prettiest spots on the island.
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That’s no imply feat, given it’s up towards loads of robust competitors on this beautiful nook of Greece. So wherever you’re staying on Kefalonia, it’s nicely value saving time for a day in Fiskardo with youngsters.
When you’re travelling from the realm round island capital Argostoli, as we have been, you’ll additionally get to journey one of many island’s most dramatic roads in your hour-long journey to the north.
Climbing into the mountainous inside, the street twists and turns, passing via vibrant little villages and small herds of goats who stand unconcerned on sheer edges or chill out underneath the shade of the timber.
On occasion, the ocean will out of the blue come into sight, a flash of turquoise backed by deep sapphire, so save time to cease at one or two of the viewpoints – particularly for those who’re driving, as you miss the perfect bits in any other case.
When you’re planning to rent a automobile to discover Greece with youngsters, one in every of my favorite websites is Zest Automobile Rental which I used for our most up-to-date journey to Kefalonia
When you don’t have a automobile, you will get day journeys to Fiskardo, though in case your youngsters get journey sick, then taking a coach alongside the winding street may not be the perfect plan. There are additionally ferry routes throughout summer season which run to Lefkada – the journey takes round an hour and two firms function round 5 sailings per day in whole.
It’s actually not essentially the most alarmingly twisty mountain street I’ve pushed in Greece – heading via the White Mountains in Crete was much more hair-raising, and Kefalonia’s drivers are typically laid-back so it’s fantastic to go at your individual tempo.
And the reward of Fiskardo is value each twist and switch. Our route in direction of the harbour took us previous Zavalata seaside, just a little patch of shingle subsequent to brilliantly clear water. There’s just a little little bit of shade underneath a tree too.
If you’d like extra time on the seaside, Foki and Emplisi seashores are each simply exterior Fiskardo, one to the north and the opposite to the south, so it’s straightforward to cease for a swim throughout your time out.
Take a look at my choose of the perfect seashores in Kefalonia with youngsters
The trail takes you on previous an previous Roman cemetery, found by probability in 1993 and solely partially excavated – relationship from the 2nd-4th century CE, round 27 tombs have been discovered together with stays of a theatre, home and tub advanced.
There’s not an enormous quantity to see, with the location break up throughout the street all the way down to Fiskardo harbour, however it’s an fascinating glimpse into the island’s historical past – two thousand years in the past, the realm was often known as Panormos and is assumed to have been a busy buying and selling port.
Following the water, you come on to the modern-day harbour, which is moderately extra laid-back. It’s full of little catamarans and larger yachts, plus you’ll be able to rent boats your self to move out onto the water – be careful for the large ferries operating from Lefkada as you go.
When you don’t fancy being the skipper your self, you may as well choose up a string of boat journeys – Ionian Discoveries and Vathos Crusing are two nice choices however you gained’t be wanting selection. There are even little boats to rent simply alongside from the harbour if you’d like a fast journey out on the waves.
Or in case your youngsters can dive (or wish to strive), there are additionally dive excursions run by Fiskardo Divers Eco-Dive-Resort, together with trial dives appropriate for age 10+.
In any other case, Fiskardo is made for mooching round. Cafes and eating places stretch across the waterfront, with steps main as much as the streets above from the harbour.
Each constructing appears extra vibrant than the final, with flowers including much more rainbow splashes as you go, together with some towering sunflowers.
Between the cafes are memento retailers galore; not simply fridge magnets and hats, though you’ll find loads of these. When you’re seeking to splurge, there’s some beautiful (if pricy) jewelry, or native foods and drinks, together with mantoles (or mandoles) – almonds lined in vivid purple sugar, different with sesame seeds, plus olive oil, skincare and cleaning soap, to call just some.
Realistically, Fiskardo isn’t someplace you go to to tick off a collection of sights – it’s someplace to amble, to cease for an espresso freddo or an ice cream, to have contemporary fish at one of many eating places lining the waterfront and to absorb the ambiance.
For extra concepts of the perfect issues to do in Kefalonia with youngsters, together with Argostoli, Kefalonia’s finest seashores, Melissani Cave and Kefalonia’s finest boat journeys, take a look at my different posts
At some point in Fiskardo: must know
There’s free parking across the sq. as you drive in to the city, solely a brief stroll all the way down to the waterfront. It does refill shortly – we snagged one of many final areas once we arrived simply earlier than 10am – however there’s additionally an overflow parking space close by.
It’s simply on a patch of tough floor, so it’s value having a windscreen shade, however it does imply you’ll have probability of getting a spot right here later within the day.
We visited Fiskardo then Assos on the identical day, and with hindsight, we’d have been higher going to Assos first – though there’s a fairly big free automobile park there, that additionally fills up in a short time, and we ended up driving round in circles (together with some faintly terrifying slender streets via Assos village) earlier than managing to discover a spot.
So if you wish to mix each, I’d advocate going to smaller Assos first, then driving as much as Fiskardo the place you’ll have extra probability of a parking house and there are much more locations to eat.
Myrtos Seaside can be on the route from Argostoli to Assos and Fiskardo, and the street all the way down to the seaside is open as soon as extra. Once more, that is someplace the place it pays to reach early – all the time a little bit of an issue in Kefalonia, if you wish to go to a couple of place in a day!
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