The 10 Best Kefalonia Beaches
The Ionian island of Kefalonia is home to some of the finest beaches in Greece. This is a place of natural beauty and the coastal vistas here look as if somebody turned the saturation up a notch. Bleached white limestone cliffs plunge into almost glowing aquamarine waters whilst other coves nestle in little-tree lined bays with colourful fishing boats bobbing in the clear water.
Kefalonia isn't just about secluded and off-the-beaten-track coves though; there are some great family beaches with all the facilities you could need backed up by the quality assurance of a Blue Flag. In our guide to the best beaches in Kefalonia we have included a mix of beaches to suit everyone, starting with one of the most Instagrammable beaches you'll find anywhere...
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1. Myrtos Beach
© Karl Egger Set on the north-west of the island of Kefalonia is the spectacular Myrtos Beach. The landscape here is one of lush, verdant hills rising steeply from the azure waters of the Aegean Sea.
The mile long Myrtos beach sits in a natural amphitheatre at the foot of two mountains with a steep, winding road leading down to it. Often cited as the best beach in Greece there is no disputing the… read more »
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2. Petani Beach
Станислав Киреев Great for:- Swimming
Probably the Paliki Peninsula's number one beach, Petani lies on a broad bay on Kefalonia's west coast. Enclosed by an amphitheatre of scrub-covered hills, Petani Beach has a length of around 600 metres. Not only that, but most of it comprises soft sand, although pebbles can be found here and there, particularly around the waterline.
Its waters are largely clear of submerged rocks, making Petani Beach very suitable for swimming. At… read more »
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3. Skala Beach
Paul-Fogg Great for:- Swimming
Close to the village of the same name, Skala Beach sits on Kefalonia's southern coastline. A relatively broad beach by the island's standards, it primarily consists of light-yellow sands, but does also have its fair share of shells and pebbles, particularly at the waterline.
Skala Beach is quite a busy beach with a great range of facilities and amenities. Its proximity to Skala Village means there's a mini-market and several places… read more »
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4. Fteri Beach
© Igor Tichonow Great for:- Swimming
Fteri Beach can be found on Kefalonia's northern coastline, a bay away from the famous Blue Lagoon. Even so, Fteri Beach tends to be much more tranquil than it really should be, since it can only be reached by boat or on foot along a marked hiking trail lasting at least 45 minutes each way. Water taxis depart from Zola Harbour close to Agia Kyriaki beach and take around… read more »
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5. Emplisi Beach
Fæ Great for:- Swimming
This beach is located close to Kefalonia's northernmost point and the village of Fiskardo. Occupying a fold within the island's winding coastline, Emplisi Beach (also sometimes written as Emblisi Beach – it's one and the same) is protected from the waves of the open sea. Its turquoise waters are therefore a popular swimming and paddling spot.
Emblisi Beach is formed out of white pebbles smoothed round by the action of the… read more »
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6. Antisamos
© Lark Ascending Great for:- Swimming
The Blue Flag-rated Antisamos Beach sits roughly centrally on the eastern side of Kefalonia's folding coastline. Tucked into a small bay, its waters rarely see more than gentle waves reach shore here. The beach comprises a mix of small round pebbles interspersed with sand which gleams when the sun is shining. Antisamos Beach is therefore a popular destination with swimmers and sunbathers.
Used as a location in the Nicolas Cage and… read more »
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7. Kaminia Beach
© Lark Ascending Great for:- Swimming
Kaminia Beach (Paralia Kaminia) forms part of a stretch of sand extending for at least 2.5 kilometres from Kefalonia's southernmost point. One of the longest beaches on the island, visitors can be sure of finding a spot, whether close to the round hills which back it or the shallow crystalline waters it meets. Some areas can be cordoned off as the nesting sites of loggerhead turtles. Once highly endangered, they… read more »
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8. Atheras
Great for:- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Atheras Beach (also known as Paralia Atheras and Porto Atheras Beach) is located at the base of a deep W-shaped inlet on the northwest coast of Kefalonia. It's a family-friendly beach known for its ideal swimming waters, which are rarely cold or rough thanks to the beach's protected position. Smaller boats sometimes moor here for the day but rarely interfere with those in the water.
The sands on Atheras Beach make… read more »
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9. Avithos Beach
Gary Bembridge Great for:- Swimming
One of several attractive beaches on Kefalonia's southern coastline, Avithos Beach is within easy reach of many hotels. It's made up of a long if narrow stretch of truly golden sand, behind which bubble up low cliffs largely covered in coastal scrub.
Known to be occasionally visited by sea turtles (although visitors are highly unlikely to see them), Avithos Beach slips gently into warm waters largely unhindered by hidden rocks.
Most visitors… read more »
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10. Lourdas Beach
Paul-Fogg Great for:- Swimming
Lourdas Beach is easily reached from Argostoli, 17 kilometres away, by both car and bus. Also known as Lourdata, the beach sits at the base of high cliffs on one of the island's largest bays. A bus provides access for those who don't want to walk. Lourdas' northernmost end is primarily sand, slowly turning to shingle the further towards the south you head.
There's a good range of facilities on offer… read more »
