Kefalonia has numerous beautiful beaches. This guide is a selection of the most scenic and worth visiting beaches on the Island with a short description, some useful information on services and sports offered as well. Enjoy!
Beaches
Agia Efimia
Surrounding Agia Efimia there are numerous idyllic white pebble coves. Especially by west wind, the little bays offer clear and calm waters, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Across the water, you can see Ithaca and on some days you can even make out the mountains of Patras.
- Beach: white pebble beaches (beach shoes are helpful); water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters, ideal for snorkelling
- Food: plenty of taverns and cafés nearby, in Agia Efimia
- Facilities: no beach facilities
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: yes, suitable for little ones
Agia Paraskevi Beach
Agia Paraskevi is the largest beach among the bays between Agia Efimia and Sami: a pretty pebble cove with a lawn for sunbathing, tavern and beach-bar.
- Beach: white pebble beach with lawn for sunbathing (beach shoes are helpful); water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters; waved when east wind
- Food: a tavern and a café-bar
- Facilities: sun beds under the natural shade of trees
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: yes, suitable for little ones
Agia Sofia & Gorgota Beach
A scenic drive from Agia Efimia and the village Komitata (between Agia Efimia and Fiskardo) will bring you to the deserted pebble bays of Agia Sofia and Gorgota. The idyllic beaches are set in a picturesque scenery, often used as inspiration for local painters.
- Beach: stony beaches (beach shoes are helpful), water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters; waved by north-west wind
- Food: a small canteen in Agia Sofia beach operating in the high season
- Facilities: no beach facilities
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: not suitable for children
Antisamos Beach
Antisamos is a spectacular and sheltered beach with emerald green waters in a picturesque setting, nearby Sami. The calm and crystal sea is great for swimming and snorkelling. However, the beach becomes quite crowded during the high season (July & August).
- Beach: pebble beach (beach shoes are helpful), water gets deeper gently
- Waters: crystal clear and calm waters
- Food: 2 popular snack bars offering light meals and drinks
- Facilities: sun umbrellas and sun beds
- Sports: water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: yes, suitable for little ones
Myrtos Beach
Myrtos is the most famous and most impressive beach of Kefalonia. The views from above towards Myrtos beach with its turquoise water and white sand are breathtaking: a must for everyone!
- Beach: a mix of sand and pebble; water becomes deep abruptly
- Waters: clear waters; big waves by north-west wind
- Food: canteen
- Facilities: sun umbrellas, sun beds, showers, toilets
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: please be aware that this bay has a steep drop into the sea resulting in variable currents, and deep waters
Alaties Beach & Agia Ierousalim
The two peaceful and sheltered bays are located at the west part of the Island. Alaties is a very tiny idyllic cove surrounded by smooth rock platforms, good for sunbathe. A friendly tavern is just some steps from the beach. Ierousalim is a secluded bay, 2 km further south of Alaties nearby a campsite with a tavern on the beach side. Both beaches are not very well known, thus good spots for relaxing and enjoying peace and tranquillity, even in the high season.
- Beach: a mix of sand and pebble; water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters; seldom waved
- Food: a tavern at each beach
- Facilities: sun umbrellas and sun beds in Ierousalim beach; changing cubicle in Alaties
- Sports: kayaks in Ierousalim beach
- Suitable for children: : yes, suitable for little ones
Assos
The little beach in the scenic village Assos may not invite for a long stay. But, the scenery of the picturesque village with its traditional houses and the Venetian castle is fabulous. If you enjoy walking, a walk to the old fort is well worth while.
- Beach: stony beach (beach shoes are helpful); water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters; seldom windy
- Food: some lovely taverns and cafés
- Facilities: a few sun umbrellas and sun beds
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: not suitable for children
Dafnoudi Beach
Dafnoudi is a secluded, idyllic cove at the north part of the Island (nearby Fiskardo) with stunning views over the Island of Lefkada. The beach is accessible by 15 min-walk through a shady gorge at the end of the village Antipata (Erissou). Track shoes are recommended.
- Beach: stony beach (beach shoes are helpful), water becomes deep abruptly
- Waters: clear waters
- Food: no food service
- Facilities: no beach facilities
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: not suitable for children
Emblissi Beach
A lovely shingle beach surrounded by smooth rock platforms suitable for sunbathing, with crystal clear waters and stunning views over the Island of Lefkada. After a warm and lazy beach day, take a coffee in the picturesque harbour of Fiskardo (10 min drive).
- Beach: pebble beach (beach shoes are helpful); shallow water shelves down gently
- Waters: crystal clear and calm waters; seldom waved
- Food: canteen
- Facilities: no beach facilities; natural shade under the olive trees
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: yes, suitable for little ones
Foki Beach
A delightful bay with sheltered, crystal clear waters, ideal for swimming and relaxing under the natural shade of ancient olive trees. You can have lunch or some refreshments either in the tavern nearby the beach or in Fiskardo (15 min walk from the bay).
- Beach: pebble beach (beach shoes are helpful); shallow water shelves down gently
- Waters: crystal clear and calm waters; seldom waved, ideal for snorkelling
- Food: friendly tavern with fresh caught fish
- Facilities: no beach facilities; natural shade under the olive trees
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: : yes, suitable for little ones
Agia Kyriaki Beach
Little known rustic beach experience, a taste of Greek beach life that has remained unchanged for generations. Highly recommended: A lunch of locally caught fish and own naturally cultivated food products at the tavern on the harbour front, where the little boats come and go throughout day.
- Beach: a mix of sand and pebble; water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters except when there is a strong north-west wind
- Food: fish tavern in Zola-harbour and canteen in the beach side
- Facilities: some thatched umbrellas and sun beds
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: very good suitable for little ones
Petani Beach
A “little Myrtos beach”, visited mostly by Greeks. The views from above towards the beach with its turquoise – cobalt blue water and white sand are breathtaking. A worth visiting beach to spend a warm and lazy day. The first tavern is low priced and offers good Kefalonian food.
- Beach: a mix of sand and pebble; water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters; big waves by west wind
- Food: 2 taverns (first one recommended)
- Facilities: sun umbrellas and sun beds
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: suitable for children
Porto Atheras
A little known, secluded beach at a sheltered bay in the north part of the Lixouri Peninsula, with a rustic tavern above the beach. A good spot for those who love traditional Greek flavour.
- Beach: sandy beach; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: crystal clear waters
- Food: 2 rustic taverns (recommended the one above the beach)
- Facilities: no beach facilities
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: very good suitable for children
Fteri Beach
One of the most beautiful and secluded beaches in Kefalonia. A wild-exotic beach, surrounded by limestone rocks with fantastic turquoise, clear waters and fine white pebbles. The beach is accessible only by boat (water taxi from Zola: https://www.fteriwatertaxi.com ) or on foot. As there are NO facilities at the beach, you will have to bring everything you may need for your bathing (towels, sun umbrella, food and drinks).
- Beach: a mix of sand and white fine pebble; water gets deeper gently
- Waters: clear waters except when there is a strong north-west wind
- Food: no restaurants, no canteen (a good fish tavern is in Zola: start point of the water taxi)
- Facilities: no sun umbrellas and sun beds offered; an own sun umbrella is highly recommended
- Sports:
- no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: suitable for children
Vatsa Beach
The perfect place to relax! A peaceful and sheltered bay with a rustic beach-side tavern offering freshly caught fish and fresh local products (highly recommended!). When you visit Vatsa beach, take time and explore the natural beauty of the Lixouri Peninsula and the monastery of Kipouria with breathtaking views across the Ionian Sea.
- Beach: sandy beach; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: crystal clear waters
- Food: picturesque tavern with thatched roof, built on the sand
- Facilities: some thatched umbrellas
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: very good suitable for children
Xi Beach
Xi is a very popular and well organized beach, on the southern part of the Lixouri Peninsula. It is famous due to its unique reddish sandy colour. The beach is long but not really wide, thus it gets a bit crowded in the high season.
- Beach: sandy beach; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: clear waters, quite waved when west-north wind
- Food: beach bar offering light meals, mini market
- Facilities: sun umbrellas, sun beds, showers
- Sports: a variety of water sports offered
- Suitable for children: yes, very good suitable for children
Kalami Beach
The little known, sheltered cove Kalamia is a good alternative to the popular and highly frequented main beaches of Lassi. Here you can relax and swim in clear and calm waters.
- Beach: sand, shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: clear waters
- Food: little canteen
- Facilities: some sun umbrellas and sun beds
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: good suitable for children
Katelios Beach
The long sandy beach of Katelios is a quiet and relaxed spot in the south of Kefalonia. There is a good choice of fish taverns inviting for lunch or dinner.
- Beach: sandy beach with some grassy parts; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: clear waters
- Food: plenty of fish taverns, bars and cafés at the beachfront
- Facilities: sun umbrellas and sun beds
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: very good suitable for children
Porto Cheli
Porto Cheli or Ai Chelis is a sheltered little bay with fine, grey coloured sand, embedded in a hilly landscape with some exclusive holiday villas in the south of the island. Highly recommended: a visit after the beach in the capital of the Island, Argostoli.
- Beach: grey coloured sandy beach; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: clear waters
- Food: canteen operating in high season
- Facilities: sun umbrellas, sun beds and showers
- Sports: no water sports on duty
- Suitable for children: very good suitable for children
Makris Gialos
A very popular beach with shiny fine sand, situated in Lassi, the most touristic developed area of the Island. The beach is very well organized but a bit tiny and gets crowded in the high season.
- Beach: fine golden sand; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: clear waters
- Food: taverns, beach bars and cafés
- Facilities: sun umbrellas and sun beds and showers
- Sports: all kind of water sports offered
- Suitable for children: very good suitable for little ones
Platis Gialos
Platis Gialos is a smaller beach, situated just next to Makris Gialos. The two beaches are divided by some rocks. The beach is accessible through the main entrance (free) of the Hotel White Rocks. Maybe this is the reason, why it is substantially less frequented as its neighbour beach. However, with the same clean and safe waters.
- Beach: fine golden sand; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: clear waters
- Food: canteen
- Facilities: sun umbrellas, sun beds, showers, changing cubicles
- Sports: all kind of water sports offered in the neighbour beach Makris Gialos
- Suitable for children: yes, very good suitable for little ones
Skala Beach
Skala offers a delightful long sandy beach with crystal clear waters and lovely views across the blue Ionian Sea towards the mainland. The well-organized beach gets frequented in the high season; however, on its long stretch there is always plenty of space for everyone.
- Beach: 2 km long sandy beach; shallow water shelves down very gently
- Waters: crystal clear waters
- Food: plenty of beachfront taverns, beach bars and cafés offering light meals and all kinds of drinks; super markets
- Facilities: sun umbrellas and sun beds
- Sports: a variety of water sports offered plus rides on a glass bottom boat
- Suitable for children: yes, very good suitable for little ones; children’s playground near the waterfront road