Cephalonia (or Kefalonia in Greek), the largest of the Ionian islands, boasts a wealth of beaches. The island boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
We’ve tried to give you a selection of the most beautiful beaches we’ve visited in Kefalonia. From wild creeks to developed beaches, there’s something for everyone, and it’s hard to choose!
Myrtos beach
This is one of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Kefalonia! The surrounding white cliffs give the seafront its characteristic milky-blue hue. The view from the road to Asos is just stunning!
In practice
Myrtos beach is a very large pebble beach, with a landscaped area in the middle of the beach near the bar, with deckchairs and umbrellas.
Arrive before 10am to take advantage of the umbrellas’ life-saving shade, as you won’t find any on this beach. Be careful with children, as the sea is quickly deep and prone to waves.
Makris Gialos beach
Another beautiful beach in Kefalonia! Makris Gialos is a superb sandy beach with translucent blue water – a real open-air swimming pool! Even with water up to our shoulders, we can see the fish swimming close to our feet… You’ll find it just outside Argostoli.
In practice
Makris Gialos has a parking lot nearby, under the pine trees with plenty of shaded spaces. Very large, the beach is occupied almost entirely by deckchairs from the bars that have laid out the beach (about €15 to €25 for 2 deckchairs and parasol for 2 people in 2023), but it’s still possible to find a place to put your towel down.
This beach is perfectly suited to families, as you can go very far and still have a foothold. A shower is also available near the Coco beach bar.
Kimilia beach
This wild little beach is one of my favorites! It’s a very pretty pebble beach, a small cove framed by rocks with calm, translucent blue water. It is located on the outskirts of Fiskardo.
In practice
The road to the parking lot is easily accessible. Then you’ll have to walk downhill for about 10 minutes through a pine forest, a semi-shaded route (the return journey is uphill).
You’ll easily find shade at the foot of the rocks on the sides or under the pine trees a little higher up. It’s also the ideal place for snorkeling.
Antisamos beach
Another lovely beach, perfect after a visit to the ancient Akropoli of Same in the Sami region. It’s a large pebble beach, with a clear blue sea. You don’t even need a mask to see the fish!
In practice
This beach is partly equipped with two beach bars and a tavern (€10 for 2 deckchairs and 1 parasol in 2022). The large parking lots next to the cafés are free to use. At the end of the beach, you’ll find a water sports center (water skiing, wakeboarding, paddle, kayak, pedal boat…). Showering facilities are also available on site. The beach also has a free section at the end, with a changing cabin.
Beware, however, of the steep gradient, as you’ll quickly lose your footing. The sea can also be rough, so wave-lovers beware!
And many other beautiful beaches
Several other beaches are also worth a visit, but unfortunately we didn’t have time to try them all! Here are the ones I spotted and would have liked to do:
Petani beach
A pretty pebble beach, crystal-clear water at the foot of green hills, deckchairs and parasols on the landscaped part, but also a wild part… Taverns and cafés are also nearby. I was recommended the Erasmias tavern, located just beyond the parking lot, a tavern with a sea view, very good food and reasonable prices.
Xi Beach
An original beach in Kefalonia! Xi beach is a sandy beach, but with ochre-colored sand! Surrounded by light-grey clay cliffs, this beach offers everything you need, with bars and restaurants close by. Ideal for families, the slope leading down to the sea is quite gentle. And if you want baby-skin, you can (or can’t) coat your body with clay for a free clay mask and scrub!
Dafnoudi beach
Another small, wild pebble beach close to Fiskardo. To get there, once you’ve parked your car, take the paved path down to the beach (about a 10-minute walk).
Fteri beach
A magnificent beach, not equipped and accessible only on foot (45 mins to 1 hour’s walk following the green and red dots, moderately difficult) or by Fteri water cab from the port of Zola (€20 per person, remember to book). A pebble beach surrounded by white cliffs that plunge into the turquoise water. Little visited, it is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kefalonia.
Bonus for those lacking ideas…
There are several pretty beaches between Skala and Poros: Kako Lagadi beach below the road, accessible on foot via a small path, Limenia beach with its rocks that fall out of nowhere.
Between Sami and Agia Effimia, the beaches of Nici and Agia Paraskevi are visible from the roadside, again pebble beaches with translucent waters.
Or the beaches of Emplisi, Alaties, Atheras, Koroni, Agia Kiriaki, Lourdata, Kalamaki, Limenia…
As you can see, you’ll need several weeks to fully enjoy the beaches of this magnificent island of Kefalonia!
To help you prepare for your stay on the island, we also recommend :
- our Top 10 things to do and see in Kefalonia.
- How to get there, where to stay, how to get around…: Essential information to prepare your stay in Cephalonia
Virginie W.
