Karavomilos Holidays

Karavomilos is a peaceful fishing village on the east coast of Kefalonia. It wraps around the west side of Sami Bay, and is separated from the waves by a beach. There’s no sand – instead, you’ll find smooth white pebbles warmed by the Mediterranean sun, and shaded by a curtain of eucalyptus trees.

The village is well known for its natural beauty spots. There’s a huge lake here that attracts all sorts of bird life and, if you sail across it, you can see all the way over to the island of Ithaca. Just on the outskirts of town, meanwhile, is the mysterious Melissani Lake. It’s 30 metres deep and hidden inside an underground cave, 22 metres below ground. When the sunlight hits, it reflects every shade of blue you can think of.

Karavomilos’ centre is far from touristy. In place of commercial bars and restaurants, you’ll find cubbyhole cafés selling proper Greek coffee, and just a handful of tavernas serving island classics as opposed to pizza and chips. If you want a bit more choice, try the lively resort of Sami, less than a 5-minute drive from the village.