12 of the best beaches in Kefalonia

1. Myrtos Beach

Best for show-stopping scenery

You’ll quickly see why Myrtos is considered Kefalonia’s best beach. A winding coastal road slaloms its way down a steep pine-clad cliffside to reach a perfect crescent of white pebbles that melt into a dazzling azure-blue bay.

At one end, you’ll find a decent array of amenities, from sunbeds to snack bars, while the other remains empty – ideal if you just want a peaceful moment to soak up the view. Keep your eyes peeled for the colourful sails of paragliders drifting down from the cliffs above.

Where to find Myrtos Beach: On the north coast, 20 minutes south of Assos by car. Access is easy by road and there’s parking directly on the beach.

2. Antisamos Beach

Best for lovely swims

Surrounded by lush green hills and looking out across the sea to Ithaca, it’s hard to describe Antisamos as anything but lovely. Director John Madden clearly agreed, filming scenes from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin here.

The gloriously tranquil water will soon tempt you for a swim, shifting from shades of pale turquoise to electric blue. If you’ve packed a snorkel, the scenes below the surface are equally as mesmerising.

On shore, the white pebble-and-sand beach has sun-loungers, umbrellas and bars selling tasty Greek staples.

Where to find Antisamos Beach: A 13-minute drive from Sami on the east coast. It will lead you right to the car park behind the beach.

3. Lourdas Beach

Best for family fun

Lourdas is hard to beat for a family day out: the pebble-and-sand beach is clean, the water calm and sheltered, and there are more facilities than you can shake your bucket and spade at, including sunbeds, showers and watersports.

When you’re not paddling in the shallows or gazing out to Zante on the horizon, go in search of waterfalls in the verdant hillside that borders the beach.

The road behind is an assembly of cafés, tavernas and shops so snacks and drinks are never far away.

Where to find Lourdas Beach: Approximately 25 minutes by car or bus from Argostoli on the southwest coast, or on foot from Lourdas village.

4. Xi Beach

Best for unbeatable photos

Just when you thought Kefalonia’s beaches couldn't get any more postcard-perfect, along comes Xi Beach with its burnt-umber sand that looks like something from the surface of Mars.

This 3km (1.8 miles) stretch sits under towering clay cliffs which, when mixed with water, is believed to be a therapeutic skin treatment. Don’t be surprised if you see people covered in the stuff.

Beyond sun-lounging and swimming, there are a handful of beach bars and watersports to keep you entertained. Stay for sunset to see the sand glow a whole new level of red.

Where to find Xi Beach: On the south coast of the Paliki peninsula, about ten minutes from Lixouri. Access is easy and parking ample.

5. Skala Beach

Best for watersport thrills

You won’t find yourself short on space at Skala Beach. At over 5km (3.1 miles) long, it's one of Kefalonia’s biggest beaches and among the most picturesque, with a dreamy topaz sea and pine-dotted Skala village as a backdrop.

The best way to enjoy it? Take to the water. This is watersport central so you can try your hand at wakeboarding, parasailing and inflatable rides – or even rent a boat if your budget allows. Beneath the waves, the shallow seabed makes for excellent snorkelling.

When you need to refuel, there’s a good selection of bars and tavernas lining the sand.

Where to find Skala Beach: On the southern tip of the island, easily reachable on foot from Skala, or via bus or car.

6. Foki Beach

Best for nature lovers

Named after the seals that call this beautiful U-shaped bay home, Foki Beach is just as nature intended it – small, undeveloped and wonderfully serene.

Nestled between olive groves and cypress trees, the little pebbled shore has plenty of natural shade, gently lapped by water shimmering in shades of green and blue.

There are no tourist facilities, so pack a picnic and lap up the peace and quiet. A path on the right-hand side of the beach will lead you to a series of caves and coves that are worth exploring.

Where to find Foki Beach: Approximately a five-minute drive (or twenty-minute walk) south of Fiskardo on the northeast coast. The road just above the beach is accessible by car.

7. Petani Beach

Best for all-day lazing

You’ll want to set aside a whole day to enjoy Petani Beach, purely because it’s so stunning that you won’t want to leave.

With a wide arc of white sand bookended by giant cliffs draped in greenery, you could easily fill your whole camera roll with photos of this beauty.

Everything you need for a day on the sand is at your fingertips – there’s sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, showers and two tavernas serving snacks, drinks and meals. All that’s left to do is kickback and relax.

Where to find Petani Beach: On the Paliki peninsula on the west coast. A steep hairpin-bend road leads down to the beach with a couple of small car parks.

8. Dafnoudi Beach

Best for adventure seekers

Hidden behind cypress forest, you have to hike to get to Dafnoudi, but it’s well worth the effort to reach this chalk-white pebbled beach that slopes into the turquoise sea.

The cove is sheltered between rocky hillsides with caves and hollows dotted along the edges, which you can explore by swimming or snorkelling. Or for bigger thrills, jump or dive from the rocky peaks.

This is another beach with no facilities, so make sure to bring food, drinks and sunscreen with you.

Where to find Dafnoudi Beach: On the northernmost tip of the island, just a ten-minute drive from Fiskardo. You’ll need to park your car in Antipata, then take the steep path down to the beach (approximately a ten-minute walk).

9. Emblisi Beach

Best for crystal-clear waters

When it comes to Instagram-worthy seas, Emblisi Beach takes the crown. This secluded bay, fringed by slabs of rock either side, is a basin of translucent blues ranging from hues of sapphire to aquamarine in the middle. Unsurprisingly, swimming and snorkelling are the biggest draws here.

The beach itself is a small pebble-and-shell stretch, backed by pine trees and a café hut just behind. If space is looking limited (this is a local hotspot), the exposed rock slabs make superb sun-bathing terraces.

Where to find Emblisi Beach: Just a five-minute drive from Fiskardo on the north coast. There is a small car parking area behind the beach.

10. Fteri Beach

Best for an off-the-beaten-track feel

Some of Kefalonia’s best beaches demand extra effort to reach. Fteri, on the north of the island, asks the same – a small hint at just how lovely this beach is.

Arrive by water taxi and you’ll understand Fteri’s appeal before you even disembark. This pristine, pebbly cove sandwiched between dramatic white cliffs is straight off a postcard. If you’re up for a challenge, an hour-long hike will show off this stunner from another angle.

As with anything so secluded, there are no facilities here so bring everything you need for the day.

Where to find Fteri Beach: Tucked away on the Paliki peninsula near the little village of Zola. Water taxis depart from Agia Kiriaki Beach nearby, or you can pick up one of the hour-long hiking trails from Atheras or Zola.

11. Kaminia and Mounda Beaches

Best for crowd-free sands

Clear, calm waters lap gently at the uninterrupted golden sands of Kaminia and Mounda, which combine to make one of the longest beaches in Kefalonia.

It’s a good pick for families who want lots of space and safe seas for swimming, as despite its proximity to lively Skala, it’s remained relatively undeveloped.

Perhaps it’s why turtles use this crowd-free spot to nest. Visit in May and August and you could even glimpse baby loggerheads making the dash into the sea.

Where to find Kaminia Beach: On the south of the island, about ten minutes by car from both Skala and Katelios. It’s free to park along the road by the beach.

12. Makris Gialos Beach

Best all-rounder

Whatever’s on your beach checklist, chances are Makris Gialos has it. A long stretch of soft golden sand? Tick. Calm, shallow water ideal for swimming? Tick. All the classic seaside amenities like sun-loungers, watersports and beach bars? Triple tick. Add in some pine tree scenery and sweeping sea views and it really does have the whole package.

When you’re not topping up your tan, there are two watersports centres that will have you zipping about on a banana boat or bobbing along on a pedalo in no time. Or why not tear up the sand with a game of volleyball?

Where to find Makris Gialos Beach: Just a seven-minute drive from Argostoli on the southwest coast, Makris Gialos is easily accessible via car or bus.