Rainy Day Activities in Kefalonia - What to Do When It Rains

When the Weather Changes

Kefalonia's summer is predominantly dry and sunny, but a rainy day is not uncommon, particularly in May, June and late September. When the clouds roll in over the Ainos massif and the beach is off the agenda, there is still a full day's worth of excellent options — several of them genuinely unmissable regardless of the weather.

Melissani Lake

Melissani is arguably Kefalonia's single most dramatic natural sight, and it is entirely underground. The lake sits inside a vast cave system near Karavomylos village (3 km east of Sami), where a section of the cave roof has collapsed to create an open skylight. Boat trips run across the lake (the guides row by hand), passing beneath the collapsed ceiling into the inner, darkened chambers where the water glows an extraordinary shade of blue-green.

The light is at its best between 10am and 2pm when the sun is overhead the skylight opening. Entrance: approximately €7 per adult. Open daily in season (approximately March–November), 9am–7pm.

Drogarati Cave

Located near Haliotata village (4 km from Sami), Drogarati Cave is one of the largest accessible caves in Greece. Its enormous main chamber, hung with thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, has exceptional acoustics — concerts and musical events are occasionally held here. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 18°C year-round, which makes it pleasantly cool in summer and warmer than outside in spring and autumn.

Entrance: approximately €5 per adult. Open daily in season (April–October), 9am–7pm.

The Museums of Argostoli

Argostoli has three museums worth visiting on a rainy day:

Corgialenio Historical and Folklore Museum: Housed in a neoclassical building on Ilia Zervou Street, this museum covers Kefalonian history from antiquity through the devastating 1953 earthquake. Extraordinary black-and-white photographs of pre-earthquake Argostoli, traditional costumes, household objects and historical documents.

Archaeological Museum of Argostoli: On Robola Street, this museum holds Mycenaean, Geometric and Roman finds from across the island: bronze artefacts, ancient coins, funeral offerings and Roman mosaics. Entrance ~€3.

Focas-Cosmetatos Foundation: A small private museum in the family mansion with a collection of 18th and 19th century paintings, icons and personal objects. Call ahead to confirm opening hours.

Wine Tasting

A rainy morning is a perfect time to visit the Robola Cooperative Winery at Omala, or the family estates at Gentilini (near Minies) or Sclavos Wines (near Lixouri). All three offer tastings; call ahead or check websites for current opening hours outside peak season.

Fiskardo in the Rain

The Venetian village of Fiskardo is surprisingly enjoyable in the rain — its stone buildings, narrow lanes and harbour-front cafes offer shelter and atmosphere that the beach never provides. The small Byzantine museum in Fiskardo is worth a visit. Have lunch at one of the harbour restaurants and wait for the weather to clear.

A Day in Lixouri

Take the Argostoli–Lixouri ferry (30-35 minutes, runs hourly in summer) to explore Kefalonia's second town. Lixouri's central square, its coffee houses and its small local museum make for a genuinely different experience from the tourist resort areas.