Karavomilos - GIC The Villa Collection

The Coastal road between Sami and Agia Efimia, on the east coast of Cephalonia, passes through the seaside village of Karavomilos. The village is bordered either side by attractive shingle beaches with crystal clear waters and here you will find two tavernas (sometimes seasonal - one right on the beach which specialises in fish), a bakery, a cafe with views of the sea and a minimarket. Sami, with it's attractive waterfront tavernas, cafe bars and shops is only a 5 minute drive away or a 10-15 minute walk along the coast.

The Melissani caves, partly submerged in a lake, are at Karavomilos and were discovered by the speleologist Yiannis Petrohelos in 1951. The brackish water in the lake travels right across the island in about 14 days from Katavothres, near Argostoli, via an underground fault. You can take a small boat tour of the cave and learn about the water phenomena in which the sink holes from the coast of Argostoli deliver water underground to the Karavomilos and Melissani lakes. A visit to Melissani should not be missed.

There is also the opportunity to visit Palia Vlachata, situated above Karavomilos where this original village lies in ruins. After an earthquake in 1953, the residents of Palia Vlachata abandoned their homes and re-built their livelihoods further down towards the sea, which is now known as the village of Karavomilos.

You can explore this village, which is a 3km walk from Karavomilos's centre and experience its quiet and somewhat eerie atmosphere. During the first weekend of August an annual music & arts festival is held. There are live Greek, rock, indie and dance music played. Art is projected onto the walls of the old and abandoned buildings and displayed inside houses. There is also a small market which sells handmade items and street food.