When you’re visiting Kefalonia, you’ll virtually actually end up within the island capital not less than as soon as – and there’s loads to tempt you to Argostoli with youngsters.
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Regardless of being the most important metropolis on the island, it’s simple to discover on a time out in Kefalonia, in addition to being the start line for a string of boat excursions and island excursions.
From the lagoon to its pedestrian centre and a few nice seashores close by, right here’s my choose of the most effective issues to do in Argostoli with youngsters.
Boat journey from Argostoli
There’s loads to maintain you on dry land, however you’ll additionally discover among the finest boat journeys in Kefalonia departing from Argostoli.
One of the vital common itineraries takes you on an full-day boat tour to White Rocks seaside, the little island of Nisida Vardianoi, and Xi seaside. We picked a day tour on the Queen Bee II throughout our keep, though we additionally eyed up the Artemis and Dreamy Cruises which run comparable journeys.
When you’re on the lookout for one thing shorter, this three-hour boat journey from Argostoli visits White Rocks seaside.
There are additionally sundown sailings from Argostoli, together with aboard the Queen Bee – the four-hour journey options a few swim stops, together with the possibility to benefit from the views. This sundown boat tour from Argostoli could be very comparable.
You can too simply wander alongside the harbourfront to purchase tickets – the day excursions typically want you to be on board at 9am and do guide up quick although. When you’re planning to go to Lixouri, ferries additionally run from Argostoli and take round 20 minutes – simply purchase tickets on board.
Learn my full evaluation of our boat tour from Argostoli with youngsters right here
Spot turtles
Loggerhead sea turtles nest across the island however you don’t even want to go away the capital to identify them as they often seem each morning within the harbour to snap up any discarded fish from the catch of the day,
You’ll discover them 12 months spherical, however the summer season (from June to September) is likely one of the finest occasions to identify them.
Simply wander alongside the harbour, or head throughout De Bosset bridge by means of the lagoon within the morning and also you’re prone to see not less than one – we had extra sightings within the harbour; simply search for the crowds of the individuals by the water’s edge!
We noticed a number of at round 9-9.30am after we have been strolling alongside the seafront earlier than it go too sizzling, however you possibly can typically see greater numbers at round 10.45-11am because the fishing boats return.
Stroll De Bosset Bridge
Stretching throughout the lagoon by Argostoli harbour, De Bosset bridge was created in 1813 – at 689.9m lengthy, it’s the world’s longest stone bridge crossing the ocean.
It’s finest to go there early or late if you happen to’re visiting in summer season as there isn’t any shade, however it’s a simple stroll with youngsters and there’s an opportunity you’ll spot sea turtles within the water close by.
Even if you happen to don’t, there are some nice views again onto Argostoli and out throughout the lagoon, plus it doesn’t take lengthy to wander to the obelisk round two-thirds of the best way alongside.
Erected by the British to mark their time on the island through the nineteenth century when the Ionian Islands have been a British protectorate, the water across the obelisk is so clear and shallow, you possibly can virtually stroll to it from the bridge (don’t strive that although).
Go to the lagoon
One among two wetlands on Kefalonia, Argostoli lagoon – also called Koutavos Lagoon – is a superb place to identify among the island’s birds, in addition to a beautiful spot to stroll round.
The pure shallow lagoon is bounded by the De Bosset bridge, with flat paths working alongside within the shade of pine and eucalyptus timber, which helped remodel the beforehand swampy space surrounding the water. Or you possibly can rent little boats and pedalos to exit onto the water itself.
It’s dwelling to loggerhead turtles, which you’ll be able to typically see developing for air or grazing within the sea grass, but additionally greater than 70 various kinds of birds, together with herons and cormorants, in addition to little blue crabs within the water.
You’ll be able to typically discover parking on the road alongside the western aspect of the lagoon, on the best way in to Argostoli, which saves strolling again by means of the harbour from the larger free automobile parks.
When you do need to stroll the entire manner across the lagoon, on the jap aspect you’ll end up strolling on the primary highway the place there’s no pavement, so finest to stay to the paths and De Bosset Bridge.
Stroll Lithostroto
A few streets again from the waterfront, the road generally known as Lithostroto runs by means of the guts of Argostoli’s pedestrian centre.
Lined with cafes and memento retailers, it’s a beautiful place to walk – save a while to cease for an espresso freddo or an ice cream although. We even got here throughout someplace promoting bubblewraps.
It’s a fantastic place to seek out jewelry or different souvenirs, all the pieces from fridge magnets to ceramics, garments, baggage, scarves… all types of stuff you by no means knew you wished however are tempted to purchase, even if you happen to don’t precisely want them.
The road additionally takes you previous the Church of Agios Spiridon. Free to enter, it’s simple to cease inside and marvel on the jewel colors and golden ornament on the ceiling, together with the church’s icons.
Observe it to the top and also you’ll discover extra eating places till you attain the huge, open Vallianou Sq., the place there are sometimes occasions and dwell music within the evenings in summer season.
The archaeological museum, which was simply off Lithostroto, is now closed, though the little Museum of Historical past and folklore within the Korgialenio library remains to be open and has some reveals on the historical past of the island earlier than the 1953 earthquake.
Hit the seaside
Whereas Argostoli itself isn’t nice for a seaside day (unsurprisingly, given it’s the island’s largest city centre), it’s not onerous to seek out your technique to one among Kefalonia’s finest seashores from the capital.
Makris Gialos seaside is likely one of the high Kefalonia seashores for households because of its incredible vary of facilities and actions – and for its blue flag standing. Plus it’s lower than 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Argostoli, you’ve obtained sunbeds and parasols to lease, waterspots and loads of amenities. It does get busy although.
Platis Gialos sits proper subsequent to Makris Gialos, separated by a small rocky outcrop. The seaside is shorter however wider than its neighbour, and tends to be barely quieter throughout busy durations.
Gradakia seaside and Kalamia seaside are each barely nearer to city, however a lot smaller and restricted amenities, though they do each have sunbeds. Kormoranon Bay and Fanari Seaside on the finish of the peninsula are tiny strips of sand, so not likely well worth the go to except you’re staying close by.
Barely additional away, Avithos seaside is incredible for households with youthful youngsters because of its calm shallow waters and lengthy stretch of high-quality golden sand and solely round a 20-minute drive away.
Take a tour
Though Argostoli is sufficiently small to wander round, particularly when you’ve got greater than a day to discover, you too can discover excursions of the town to tick off the highlights in a few hours.
This tuk tuk tour of Argostoli additionally takes you out to Fanari seaside and the sinkhole on the coast, in addition to the lighthouse of St Theodoroi, together with the lagoon and De Bosset bridge.
Argostoli can also be a fantastic place to choose up excursions of Kefalonia, together with this journey to Melissani Lake and the Drogarati Caves, as effectively full-day excursions to Assos, Fiskardo and Myrtos Seaside. Or if you happen to fancy an genuine Greek cooking class, this tour departs from Argostoli and stops at Agios Georgios Fort earlier than a Kefalonia cooking class not removed from the capital.
Try my ideas for extra issues to do in Kefalonia with youngsters, together with Melissani Lake, the most effective seashores on Kefalonia and a Kefalonia cooking class with youngsters
Disclosure: This publish accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Makis Gialos courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels
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