Sami today, is one of kefalonia's main ferry ports and is a modern town built after the 1953 earthquake. The port has ferry connections to patras,lefkas and Italy and day trips by smaller boat leave for the island of Ithaca. It offers a range of smaller hotels,shops including a pharmacy and bakery and a selection of tavernas along the harbourfront. We enjoyed a few lunchtimes here eating whilst watching the hustle and bustle of the ferry arrival from Patras.The Ag. Marina ferry provides daily access to Ithaki.(20 euros for a car and four passengers).There is also a bank with a cash point and a number of travel/ferry agencies to book crossings. At the western end of Sami is one of the islands two campsites (karavomilos) and a road to the east, signposted from near the port entrance, leads to the stunning andisamos beach.
The view of Sami bay backed by lush Green Mountainside as you approach on the road from Fragata is stunning. Sami is close to a number of the islands attractions, the drogarati caves are around 4km away,and well worth a visit to view the stalagmites,in the large cavern. Melissani lake is also close by and worth a visit,particualarly when the sun is directly overhead as the lake then looks incredibly blue.
Melissani-the subterranean lake
Melissani is most impressive around midday when the sun is at its highest. The cave is open from 8.00am until 6.00pm daily during the tourist season from May until October.
There is an admission charge,of around 5 euro for 2 people, with a small book included.
A boatman will row you slowly around the lake and cave, in places the water is very deep (around 35 metres) and life jackets are provided. A number of archaeological artifacts from the cave are on display in Argostoli archaeological Museum. A photographer is sometimes present to take souvenir photographs of you in the boat but they were rather expensive!
It used to be possible to view the lake for free from above where the roof fell in, but when I last visited in May this access was blocked, so you have to pay to enter if you want to see.
Drogarati Cave
A steep downhill corridor leads to a platform overlooking the chamber which is around 100 square metres.There are many stalactites and stalagmites to view and the accoustics here are excellent.
The cave can be crowded with visitors especially during August, so visit early in the day.