Find Your Perfect Beach in Kefalonia

Myrtos is the most photographed beach in Kefalonia and one of the most recognisable in Greece — a long crescent of fine white pebbles wedged between two near-vertical limestone mountains on the northwest coast. The combination of the white seafloor and the deep Ionian water produces an unreal turquoise colour. The beach is reached by a steep switchback road down from the village of Divarata, and gets exposed waves and afternoon sun rather than morning shade.

Antisamos sits in a green amphitheatre of hills about 4 km east of the port of Sami, with crystal-clear water over white pebbles and a deep drop-off close to shore. The bay served as a primary filming location for Captain Corelli's Mandolin and remains one of Kefalonia's most polished organised beaches, with sunbeds, a beach bar and a taverna at the back of the cove. Mornings are calmer; afternoons can pick up a breeze.

Petani is the western counterpart to Myrtos — a dramatic white-pebble bay framed by tall cliffs on the Lixouri peninsula, with the same deep-blue water but a longer, less-crowded shoreline. A small taverna and bar sit at the access road; the beach itself is partly organised with sunbeds. Sunsets here are exceptional thanks to the west-facing exposure.

Makris Gialos is the larger of the two well-known Lassi beaches, just a few kilometres south of Argostoli. Golden sand, shallow turquoise water and full beach-club infrastructure (sunbeds, beach bars, water sports, lifeguard) make it the most family-friendly organised beach near the capital. Its proximity to Argostoli means it can get busy in peak season.

Skala stretches for nearly three kilometres along the southeast coast, a long strip of fine pebbles and coarse sand with shallow, calm water and views across to the small island of Atokos. The resort village behind the beach has tavernas, beach bars and full water-sports operations. Lifeguards are on duty in peak season and parts of the beach have Blue Flag certification.

Avithos is a sandy beach south of Argostoli, set in an open bay with a small islet (Dias) visible offshore. It is partly organised with sunbeds, a taverna and a beach bar, but quieter than the Lassi beaches a few kilometres north. The sand is reddish-gold and the water deepens gradually.

Lourdas (also Lourdata) is a long crescent of fine pebbles and sand on the south coast, sitting at the foot of Mount Ainos. It is one of the quieter long beaches on Kefalonia — only partly organised, with a handful of tavernas spaced along the shore and the rest open and undeveloped. The water shelves gently and the south-facing aspect makes for sun all day.

Platis Gialos is the smaller sandy cove immediately north of Makris Gialos in the Lassi resort area. The bay is sheltered with calm, shallow water and is connected to its larger neighbour by a short coastal walk. A beach bar and the adjoining hotel terraces serve the beach in season.

Xi (pronounced "ksee") is unlike any other beach in Kefalonia: a long flat strip of pink-orange clay sand backed by white sedimentary cliffs that bathers use as a natural mud-mask. The water stays shin-deep for many metres out, making it the most family-suited beach on the island. It lies on the southern shore of the Lixouri peninsula, about 8 km from Lixouri town.