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The 8 Best Beaches in Kefalonia, Greece Worth Exploring!

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Are you visiting stunning Kefalonia in Greece? Be sure to explore these 8 best beaches in Kefalonia on your next visit!

It’s no secret at all that Greece is known for its idyllic crystal clear Aegean waters. Whether you’re exploring the beaches of Crete, the beaches on Naxos, or the gorgeous shores in Rhodes, or even the beaches near Thessaloniki you’ll never get tired of lazing under the Greek sun, admiring the beautiful Grecian scenery.

Whilst many tourists flock to more popular islands such as Santorini or Mykonos, we prefer to explore the lesser-known Greek Islands, Serifos and Kefalonia being perfect examples of such hidden gem islands you simply have to visit.

Many of us had never really heard of Kefalonia until the 2001 film Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, but the Greeks have been immensely proud of this island since time immemorial.

Located in the Ionian Sea, off Greece’s west coast, Kefalonia is in the perfect location to host some of its most famous features: fabulous local Greek wines, beaches beyond compare, and even the Caretta-caretta, or Sea Turtle, which swims around the island’s shores.

Regardless of whether you are travelling to Greece on your honeymoon or planning a Greek Island hopping trip, you need to visit Kefalonia to truly explore and experience all the beaches it has to offer. To help give you a head start we’ve put together a few of the best beaches of Kefalonia to add to your Kefalonia itinerary.

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Pssst…Before you jet off to idyllic Greece, be sure you have all your essentials packed by reading our European packing guide

8 Best Beaches in Kefalonia Greece

Myrtos Beach Kefalonia

Myrtos Beach Kefalonia © Image Courtesy of C0rnholio from Getty Images by Canva
Myrtos Beach Kefalonia © Image Courtesy of C0rnholio from Getty Images by Canva

It’s constantly rated in the top 30 beaches in the entire world, and for good reason. You will rarely ever find a beach as perfect as Myrtos.

Not only does this Kefalonia beach sit on the coast of bright blue, crystal clear waters, but behind it is hills of lush green forest. Take a walk through the forest and look out across the bay before making your way down for a swim.

It does get busy because the blue sea and white pebbled beaches are forever going to draw tourists, so if you’re not too keen on crowds then you may want to look elsewhere but be sure to return in the evening for the best sunset you’ll ever see.

There is a little wind to be had, given its location, so you’re best leaving your own umbrella in the car in favour of the sturdy kind found shading the beach beds.

Antisamos Beach Kefalonia

Antisamos Beach © Image Courtesy of borchee from Getty Images Signature by Canva
Antisamos Beach © Image Courtesy of borchee from Getty Images Signature by Canva

If you’ve seen the movie that made this island so famous, you’ll immediately recognise the beach of Antisamos.

It’s on the east side of the island, below the port of Sami, from where it’s easily reached. Like Myrtos, Antisamos is flanked by hills of green vegetation that open out onto the pristine white beach and turquoise sea.

It’s perfect for sunbathing, swimming and snorkelling, but if none of these is your cup of tea, walk up to the monastery of Agrillion at the top of the hill and from there look down onto paradise.

Foki Fiskardo – Beaches on Kefalonia

Foki Fiskardo © Image Courtesy of borchee from Getty Images Signature by Canva
Foki Fiskardo © Image Courtesy of borchee from Getty Images Signature by Canva

Not all beaches in Kefalonia are about huge expanses of white sands. Some of them offer other benefits, and if you get the chance, spend a day at the highly underrated gem that is Foki Fiskardo.

The beach here is small and secluded, with rugged outcrops on either side, but right down to the coastline grow thousands of olive and pine trees that hug around the bay, creating a cove that feels secret and private.

You can swim in the refreshing turquoise waters from the beach, or head out here on a boat and dive straight in off the starboard.

There’s a chance you’ll be swimming alongside seals (the Greek word for which gives the beach the name Foki) so be sure to bring your snorkelling mask.

Bring a packed lunch, too, as there are no tourist amenities here, but as a special treat, get a table at the local fish tavern for exquisite, freshly caught fish and seafood.

Melissani Lake

Melissani Lake © Image Courtesy of Piotr Krzeslak from Getty Images by Canva
Melissani Lake © Image Courtesy of Piotr Krzeslak from Getty Images by Canva

Not quite a beach but a seafaring experience you must not miss, an excursion to Melissani Lake and its mysterious cave is well worth setting aside the time for.

Make your way from Karavomylos to the cave and walk along the guided route until you come to an ethereal sight: the brightness of the sunbeams down into the topaz-coloured waters of the sea below and lights up the entire cave system in a bright green glow.

Hop onto a rowing boat and learn all about how this strange watery phenomenon only came about after the roof of the cave collapsed. However, you might prefer the legend of the nymph Melissani, and how she plunged into the lake after being rejected by the god Pan.

Upon leaving the cave, it’s only a 500-metre walk to the beach, where you can dive into yet more beautiful blue waters.

Skala Kefalonia Beach

Skala Beach of Kefalonia © Image Courtesy of _ultraforma_ from Getty Images Signature by Canva
Skala Beach of Kefalonia © Image Courtesy of _ultraforma_ from Getty Images Signature by Canva

Coming back to civilisation, spend a day at Skala beach if you want a place not just with gorgeous Kefalonia beaches and inviting waters but all the amenities, too.

Reasonably priced sunbeds are just footsteps away from some of the best snorkelling waters on the island, another place to spot the turtles, especially further down the beach where it’s a little quieter.

Skala sits at the very southeast of the island, and there’s both the beach and the town next to one another, making it the ideal destination for those with young families who want time away in gorgeous Greece without having to island-hop or sightsee too much.

Lourdas Kefalonia Beach

Lourdas Kefalonia Beach © Image Courtesy of JamesEarle from Getty Images by Canva
Lourdas Kefalonia Beach © Image Courtesy of JamesEarle from Getty Images by Canva

Still in the south but this time on the western side of Kefalonia is the village of Lourdata, which runs down to Lourdas Beach.

The landscape in this area is simply divine, as at Lourdas not only can you enjoy the high-quality beaches of Kefalonia you’ve now come to expect, but as you sit on the sand and look out to the sea, you’ll be thinking of coming back in the springtime.

This is because behind you there is a forest in which you’ll find ethereal waterfalls as the water comes down from the mountain of Ainos. You won’t be able to see much water in the heat of summer but come back after the wintertime for a beautiful, albeit cooler, break.

Kato Lagadi Beach

Kato Lagadi Beach © Image Courtesy of Gelner Tivadar from Getty Images by Canva
Kato Lagadi Beach © Image Courtesy of Gelner Tivadar from Getty Images by Canva

If all you want is a quiet, secluded bay where you can dream away the day with practically no one else around, head for Kato Lagadi beach.

It sits at the south of the island, tucked away at the bottom of tall cliffs that look out over the Ionian Sea. Kato Lagadi is notoriously difficult to get to, but that’s its appeal. The more hidden and inaccessible the place, the fewer people there are to know about its existence.

Take comfortable shoes as you leave your car at the top of the cliff and make the rest of the way down on foot. There are no beach beds or umbrellas here, but then again, no bars or loud music, either.

Bring plenty of snacks and drinks because you won’t want to leave all day, but don’t worry too much about bringing an umbrella because there are plenty of grottos to shade in, and overhanging rocks to sit under.

A snorkelling mask is a must here as the crystal-clear waters are the perfect place in which to spot the famous turtles!

Petani Beach – Kefalonia Beaches

Petani Beach - Kefalonia Beaches © Image Courtesy of adisa from Getty Images by Canva
Petani Beach – Kefalonia Beaches © Image Courtesy of adisa from Getty Images by Canva

We’re rounding off this list of the best beaches in Kefalonia with a Blue-Flag Awarded stunner. Be sure to visit Petani Beach for a seemingly never-ending expanse of the sea across all shades of blue and green, as the waves kiss up to a beach made up of both pebbles and soft, white sand.

It has sunbeds, umbrellas, taverns and other amenities that you can enjoy, taking the work off your hands, so all you’ll need to do is lie back and relax.

Despite all the online hype and the obvious beauty of Petani, it’s still a reasonably quiet cove and doesn’t get too rowdy so you’ll be sure to come back again the following day of your holiday, too.

There may not be any public transport to Petani Beach but it’s only a 20-minute car ride away from the nearest large town of Lixouri, so even if you don’t have a car it won’t be too expensive a taxi ride.

Map: Beaches of Kefalonia

Use this handy map of the beaches of Kefalonia to plan your travels and exploration throughout this gorgeous island!

Trip map created using Wanderlog, a journey planner app
The 8 Best Beaches in Kefalonia, Greece Worth Exploring! Kefalonia Greece, Kefalonia Beaches, Greece Travel Islands, Kefalonia Travel Guide, Kefalonia Itinerary, Greece Travel Vacations.
The 8 Best Beaches in Kefalonia, Greece Worth Exploring! Kefalonia Greece, Kefalonia Beaches, Greece Travel Islands, Kefalonia Travel Guide, Kefalonia Itinerary, Greece Travel Vacations.