The Best Show Caves in Greece

Boats and rivers

Two of the Greek caves are full of water. Diros Caves at Pyrgos Dirou is a lake cave. Boats for about eight people pass through flooded tunnels with stalactites close overhead, and after about five minutes visitors get out and walk the rest alone on a lit path. The boatmen often speak only Greek. At Aggitis Cave at Prosotsani a river runs the length of the visited section and the tour follows walkways and bridges above it. The cave often floods between autumn and spring, so a phone call before the drive is wise.

Guided walks

The other three are walks with a guide. Alistrati Cave has a level path running about 1 km into the mountain, which suits wheelchairs and strollers; groups leave every 30 to 40 minutes and the lights go off behind them as they move on. Kastania Cave at Neapoli is a short tour of about half an hour down a stepped route, offered in four languages. Kapsia Cave near Tripoli runs hourly tours that start at the cafe, where tickets are sold.

Figures and finds

Some formations are named for what they resemble. Kastania Cave has red and white sails and formations that look like figures and animals, elephants among them, and music is played on a stalagmite during the tour. Kapsia Cave has stalactites shaped like shark teeth and archaeological finds, among them human bones and pottery. At Kastania photographs are allowed at only one point on the route.