Melissani Cave Lake is a breathtaking underground lake on Kefalonia Island, Greece, with an open ceiling that illuminates its stunning blue waters.

This travel guide will provide you with information on how to reach Melissani Lake, the best time to visit, current ticket prices, the best travel packages, and everything else you need to know before departing!

Melissani Cave Lake: What to Expect

Take a paddleboat tour of Melissani Cave. You descend a staircase, pass through a narrow tunnel into the cave, and then hop onto a boat with about a dozen other tourists and a local Greek boatman.

The boatman will row you around the lake and take you to the depths of the cave, where you can see impressive stalagmites and other formations. It's a magnificent cave with cool water temperatures, and the lake reaches depths of up to 30 meters in some places.

I'd almost say it's a must-see on every world traveler's bucket list, although the boat ride is a bit short and the lake does require the right lighting to look its best.

Due to its scenic beauty, Melissani has become one of the most popular attractions on Kefalonia Island, so there's usually a queue to visit. During peak season, the wait can be anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes.

Although the boat ride is short (about 10 minutes), there are plenty of photo opportunities! If you're lucky, you might even see eels swimming around in the lake.

It's a great little adventure! I had so much fun that I actually queued up and paid to visit the cave again, although for most people, one visit is probably enough.

Opening Hours & Tickets

During the summer months (May to October), Melissani Cave is open from 9 AM to 7 PM. During the winter, the cave is only open on Thursdays and weekends, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

The entry fee for the boat tour is €10 per adult. Children get half-price tickets. If you also plan to visit Drogarati Cave (which you should!), you can purchase a combined ticket for Melissani and Drogarati Caves for €13, which is a great deal.

These opening hours and ticket prices are valid as of 2024, but they may change over time as the site is a popular tourist attraction.

Best Time to Visit Melissani Cave Lake

If you visit at the right time, the colors of Melissani Lake will be breathtaking.

The best time to see the cave is between around 11 AM and 1 PM, as the sun is highest in the sky and illuminates the color of the water. Unfortunately, this is also the busiest time for visitors, so be prepared to wait.

The busiest times are generally from noon to 1 PM, so if you arrive just before then, you can avoid most of the crowds. If you're not a photographer, it might not matter too much when you go. Honestly, as long as the sun is shining, the lake is impressive at any time of day!

Can You Swim in Melissani Cave?

No, unfortunately, you cannot swim in Melissani Cave. The only way to see the lake is by paddleboat. However, this is probably a good thing, as it helps keep the water clean.

If you're looking for a good place to swim, head to Antisamos Beach near Sami!

Where is Melissani Cave?

Melissani Cave is located in central Kefalonia Island, near the town of Sami.

Kefalonia Island is easily accessible from the Greek capital of Athens and nearby islands like Zakynthos. There are flights and ferries available daily, and prices are reasonable.

How to Get to Melissani Cave Lake

Melissani Cave is easily accessible from the port town of Sami by following a paved road.

You can drive there yourself or book a tour. It's a 5-minute drive from Sami and a 40-minute drive from Argostoli.

Use the map below to guide you to the parking area for the cave.

History of Melissani Cave

In ancient times, Melissani Cave was inhabited and used for worshipping the Greek gods Pan and the nymph Melissanthi. According to Greek mythology, the nymph Melissanthi jumped into the lake and committed suicide because Pan rejected her love.

It's believed that the cave's ceiling collapsed during an earthquake, revealing the hidden lake inside. In 1951, Ioannis Petrocheilos first explored the cave and discovered some artifacts related to Pan, which you can now see at the Archaeological Museum of Argostoli on Kefalonia Island.

Melissani Cave opened to the public in 1963 and has now become one of the most popular tourist attractions on Kefalonia Island!