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Beautiful Cephalonia
Argostoli Shore Excursion - Beautiful Cephalonia
 



From Argostoli cruise port, this private shore excursion allows you to sample local wine, visit one of the island's monasteries, take a boat cruise on a cave lake and have some free time in a local resort town. A beautiful outing for your time on the island of Cephalonia. A licensed English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout.

4.5 hours (private)
private excursion
licensed guide
english speaking expert
all group sizes
sedan to full size coach
››
port or hotel
pick up either location
  • Meet at the Port or your Hotel in Argostoli
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private English Speaking Licensed Guide
  • Included - Wine Tasting, Saint Gerasimos Monastery, Boat ride on Melissani Lake
  • The prices shown below are not valid on Sundays or local National Holidays. If your only day in this city is Sunday, please Contact Us for pricing and availability.
Read Full Tour Description





Tour Number:
GARGO-01


Group Size (Prices in USD)*:
2 People - $410 Per Person
3 People - $294 Per Person
4 People - $228 Per Person
5 People - $190 Per Person
6 People - $166 Per Person
7 People - $162 Per Person
8 People - $145 Per Person



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Name of Ship or Hotel*:


TOUR DESCRIPTION
 

Cephalonia Monastery & Cave Lake Shore Excursion from Argostoli Kefallonia

This Argostoli shore excursion combines a wine tasting, a visit to one of Cephalonia's most important monasteries, and a boat ride through an underground lake, with free time in a seaside resort town to finish.

After meeting your guide, you drive up the slopes of Mount Ainos to a hillside winery for a short tour explaining how Robola, the island's signature white wine grape, is grown and pressed, followed by a tasting.

From the winery you continue to the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos, where the mummified body of the island's patron saint is kept. Guests who are interested can also visit the saint's crypt in the monastery basement.

The drive toward Melissani continues along the slopes of Mount Ainos, passing through a forest of Abies cephalonica, the Greek fir species named for the island, within Mount Ainos National Park. At Melissani, a short walk through a tunnel opens onto an underground lake lit from above by a collapsed section of cave roof, and small wooden boats carry you across the water and into the surrounding chambers.

From Melissani you continue to Sami, a resort town on the island's northeastern coast, where you have free time to browse the harbor shops, stop at a cafe, or pick up a bottle of local wine before returning to the ship.

At the end of the excursion, your driver-guide returns you to the pier in Argostoli.

Please note
  • itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs. (lake entrance not accessible)

What's Included

Included

  • Meet at the Port or your Hotel in Argostoli
  • Your contact will hold a welcome sign with your name written
  • Private English Speaking Licensed Guide
  • Included - Wine Tasting, Saint Gerasimos Monastery, Boat ride on Melissani Lake
  • The prices shown below are not valid on Sundays or local National Holidays. If your only day in this city is Sunday, please Contact Us for pricing and availability.

Not Included

  • Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Gratuities (optional, at your discretion)
  • Personal shopping

Tour Timing

All times are approximate and will vary based on your group's pace and interests.

  • 1
    15 Minutes
    Meet guide and drive to winery
  • 2
    30 Minutes
    Visit Winery
  • 3
    10 Minutes
    Drive too St. Gerasimos Monastery
  • 4
    30 Minutes
    Visit St. Gerasimos Monastery
  • 5
    30 Minutes
    Drive to Melissani Lake
  • 6
    45 Minutes
    Visit Melissani Lake
  • 7
    10 Minutes
    Drive to Sami
  • 8
    45 Minutes
    Free time in Sami

Resources

Visit Greece - Kefalonia . Official Website

Visit Kefalonia Island . Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Saint Gerasimos and why is he important to Cephalonia?
Saint Gerasimos is the patron saint of Cephalonia, a 16th century monk credited with founding monastic life on the island. His body is kept uncorrupted in the monastery that bears his name, and it remains one of the most visited religious sites in the Ionian Islands.
What makes Robola wine unique to Cephalonia?
Robola is a white grape variety grown almost exclusively on Cephalonia's limestone slopes, particularly around Mount Ainos. The island's Robola wines carry their own protected designation of origin, and the grape is rarely produced in commercial quantities anywhere else in Greece.
Is the Melissani Lake boat ride accessible for guests with mobility limitations?
No. Reaching the lake requires walking down a tunnel and boarding a small wooden boat, and the entrance is not wheelchair accessible.
Is lunch included on this tour?
No, lunch is not included, but there is free time in Sami where you can stop at a cafe or restaurant on your own.

Also Available:

›Wonders of Cephalonia - Trades the winery and monastery for the Drogarati Cave, for guests who want more time underground.
›Folk Museum and Melissani Lake - Adds island history at the Folklore Museum and a photo stop at Myrtos Beach.

Our Back-to-Ship Guarantee

Every excursion returning 1.5 hours before departure is covered. If we are late, we cover your costs to reach the next port. More info ›

Shore Trip Timing is approximate based on your interests & traffic
  • Meet guide and drive to winery - 15 Minutes
  • Visit Winery - 30 Minutes
  • Drive too St. Gerasimos Monastery - 10 Minutes
  • Visit St. Gerasimos Monastery - 30 Minutes
  • Drive to Melissani Lake - 30 Minutes
  • Visit Melissani Lake - 45 Minutes
  • Drive to Sami - 10 Minutes
  • Free time in Sami - 45 Minutes
  • Return to Argostoli port - 50 Minutes

Average Rating: Average Rating: 5 of 5 5 of 5 Total Reviews: 7 Write a review »

  3 of 3 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Argostoli Kefallonia Friday, May 15, 2026
Reviewer: Jennifer R from Cherry Hill, NJ  
Katarena was our guide - very friendly and personable. Melissani Lake was beautiful, lines not too long. Drogarati Caves also very cool - did not realize how many steps there were to go down (our own fault) but all good! We spent a good bit of time there. Sami was not really what we expected - most shops were either very touristy or closed. The guide said most people stop there to have a mealdrink by the water in one of the restaurants. We ended up purchasing some local wine, beer and cups and just having our own toast by the water but not much to do there. Very nice, relaxing day with beautiful things to see.

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  2 of 2 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Argostoli Kefallonia Monday, May 11, 2026
Reviewer: William D from Prairieville, LA  
We had an amazing private tour in Cephalonia this June (our cruise ship ported in Argostoli). We had a group of 25 (12 adults, 13 kids ranging from 6yrs - 19yrs old). We arranged a private bus and guide - and it was absolutely spectacular. The drive, the views, where we went for lunch, and of course the caves and underwater lakes were all worth it. I highly recommend working with this compan

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Argostoli Kefallonia Sunday, September 7, 2025
Reviewer: James T. from Alabama AL  
I just wanted to thank youagain for our tour in Argostoli. Our entire group loved you, the places we went to, and the beauty of the island. I would love to leave a review for our tour if you could tell me the best place to do that.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Argostoli Kefallonia Thursday, March 20, 2025
Reviewer: Kathryn B from Indio CA  
Our driver and tour guide were fabulous. I would highly recommend Private Shore Trips to anyone. Our guides were so accommodating, and their knowledgeable of the area including many cities visited afforded our ability to see and experience much more than any tours offered by the cruise lines. Instead of the limited times and destinations offered by the cruise line, we were able to experience many spots known only to locals as well as the cannot-be-missed attractions. Our guide also provided historical facts about the places we were seeing which added to the flavor. We cant thank you enough for the personable professionalism extended by your company. Please feel free to utilize me as a very satisfied customer reference at any time.

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  0 of 0 people found this review helpful:
 
5 of 5 Review Location- Argostoli Kefallonia Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Reviewer: Don S from Studio City CA  
We would be happy to recommend your service to any of our friends.. Your guides were professional, and knowledgeable, and aside from the heat we had a wonderful time....Thank you for your help.

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