Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands in Greece, is one of our favourite Greek islands. It is a paradise for beach lovers yet seems to be quite undiscovered in relation to other nearby islands. Known for its stunning coastline, crystal-clear waters, and diverse landscapes, this island offers some of the most breathtaking beaches and scenery in the Mediterranean.

Myrtos Beach, nestled between towering cliffs, is Kefalonia’s most iconic beach to the hidden gem of Antisamos Beach with its lush, green backdrop, each location has its own unique charm.

The beaches in Kefalonia vary from soft white sand to smooth pebbles, and many are backed by lush hills or dramatic cliffs, creating postcard-perfect views at every turn. 

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best beaches the island has to offer, showcasing both popular and lesser-known spots, so you can make the most of your time on this stunning Greek island.

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The Best Beaches in Kefalonia
The Best Beaches in Kefalonia
Petani Bay - Kefalonia

Where to Stay in Kefalonia

Lixouri – Aspasia Studios is a comfortable and conveniently located accommodation in Kefalonia. All rooms have a balcony or terrace and a small kitchenette and there is a public pool surrounded by nature. The accommodation is relatively small so it never feels to busy. Lixouri town centre and seafront is only a 10 minute walk away where you can catch a ferry to Argostoli or explore the restaurants and bars along the seafront.

Read more and book your stay at Aspasia Studios here.

Argostoli – Rouchotas Apartments is located in the heart of Argostoli, a short walk from both the centre and the beach. This accommodation has a kitchen area with a fridge, an oven, an electric kettle and a coffee machine.

It also features a garden area and a sun terrace.

Read more and book your stay at Rouchotas Apartments here.

Poros – Hotel Pavlou is located a short walk away from Neorion Beach in Poros with the rooms offering stunning views of the sea or the mountains. The accommodation features a sea-view restaurant and sun terrace. There is a buffet breakfast served each morning and a restaurant in the evening.

Read more and book your stay at Hotel Pavlou here.

Kefalonia

Petani Bay

Petani Bay is a beautiful beach surrounded by cliffs on the west of Kefalonia. The beach is lined with sun loungers during the day which are relatively cheap to rent, however this will change with the season. We would recommend visiting in the evening and enjoying the food and drinks from the two restaurants that sit on the beach overlooking the sea. The sunsets from Petani Bay are incredible and we spent many a night going for a sunset swim here during our time in Kefalonia.

Petani Bay - Kefalonia
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Myrtos Beach

The most well-known and recognisable spot in Kefalonia has to be Myrtos Beach. This beautiful beach is surrounded by towering cliffs with Mount Agia Dynati and Kalon Oros on either side. From the road above there is a viewpoint looking down over the turquoise blue sea that meets soft white pebbles on the shore. 

Myrtos has been named the best beach in Greece numerous times due to the stark contrast in colour and epic surrounding scenery. The beach can be found at bottom of a steep winding road where there is a large car parking area. 

There are deck chairs and umbrellas available to rent on the beach as well as toilet facilities and showers. There is a restaurant area and lifeguards are also on watch at Myrtos Beach.

At the end of the beach there is a sea cave which many enjoy going into to cool off as there is no shelter at Myrtos Beach. We were told to be aware of a strong current that can take place at this beach so take care if you do enter the water.

Myrtos Beach - Kefalonia

Xi Beach

Xi Beach, located on the southern coast of Kefalonia, is famous for its striking red sand and shallow, warm waters. Unlike the island’s more rugged beaches, Xi offers a unique landscape with soft, clay-rich sand that’s said to have skin-soothing properties. The beach is well-organised, with plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach bars, making it a popular spot for families and those looking for a relaxing day by the sea. The shallow waters and gentle waves make it ideal for swimming, while the clay cliffs surrounding the beach provide a dramatic backdrop for sunbathing and exploring.
 
We watched a wedding spill out onto the beach and it was what inspired us to get married in Greece. An absolutely beautiful setting.
Xi Beach

Fteri Beach

Fteri Beach is a hidden gem on the western coast of Kefalonia, known for its pristine white pebbles and incredible turquoise. Accessible primarily by boat or via a challenging hike, Fteri offers a sense of seclusion and tranquility that made it one of our favourite beaches in Kefalonia. Surrounded by steep cliffs and lush greenery, the beach feels untouched, especially if you get a boat over early in the morning. We enjoyed swimming in the crystal-clear waters and relax on the stunning shore. 

Fteri Beach

Agia Kiriaki Beach

Agia Kiriaki Beach, located on the northwest coast of Kefalonia, is a beautiful spot known for its golden sand and pebbles, along with the clear, calm waters of the Ionian Sea. Surrounded by dramatic hills and lush greenery, the beach offers a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for those seeking a more laid-back experience away from the busier spots on the island. Agia Kiriaki is partially organized, with sunbeds and umbrellas available, but it retains its natural charm, making it a great choice for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying Kefalonia’s scenic coastal beauty.

Agia Kiriaki Beach

Foki Beach

Foki Beach, located near the charming village of Fiskardo in northern Kefalonia, is a small and picturesque cove with crystal-clear, calm waters and shaded olive groves that line the shore. The beach is a pebble beach and is a lovely setting for swimming and snorkeling.

Surrounded by lush greenery and rocky cliffs, Foki feels secluded and not an overly busy beach.

Foki Beach

Koroni Beach

Koroni Beach is located on the southern coast of Kefalonia and is a much lesser-known spot than some of the other beaches on the island. Koroni is perfect for swimming and sunbathing and is relatively secluded, surrounded by lush greenery and cliffs. There are a few sunbeds and umbrellas available, as well as plenty of room if you wish to roll out your towel instead.

Koroni Beach - Kefalonia

Pessada Beach

Situated on the southern coast of Kefalonia, is Pessada Beach, a small, secluded cove with crystal-clear waters and white sand. Tucked away between rocky cliffs and surrounded by lush vegetation, this beach offers a sense of privacy and natural beauty. With soft sand and shallow waters, Pessada is perfect for swimming and relaxing. It’s less crowded than many of the island’s other beaches, making it an ideal spot if you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle. 

Pessada Beach -Kefalonia

How to Prepare for Your Visit to Kefalonia

Before you set off on your trip to Kefalonia, there are a number of things you will need to organise to ensure a smooth and successful trip. These include what to pack for Kefalonia and what is the best travel insurance for your trip. Both of these will be discussed in the following section.

 

What is the Best Travel Insurance for Kefalonia

I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.

To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.

Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!

Sami - Kefalonia

What Should You Pack for Kefalonia?

What you need to pack for Kefalonia will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and rainy days. During the Summer, you are pretty much guaranteed nice weather with temperatures ranging from 20-35 oC. The hottest months are July and August, so these will be the most popular for a Summer holiday.

During the winter months in Kefalonia, the rain will become more frequent and the temperatures will drop to between 10-20 oc. If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.

When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Kefalonia is very strong, especially during the summer months. Apply a lot of suncream regularly to prevent a nasty burn from ruining your trip. We use this specific sunscreen to protect us as it is not as oily and irritating as other sunscreens.

Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Kefalonia, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.

You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.

Kefalonia

Where to Stay in Kefalonia

Lixouri – Aspasia Studios is a comfortable and conveniently located accommodation in Kefalonia. All rooms have a balcony or terrace and a small kitchenette and there is a public pool surrounded by nature. The accommodation is relatively small so it never feels to busy. Lixouri town centre and seafront is only a 10 minute walk away where you can catch a ferry to Argostoli or explore the restaurants and bars along the seafront.

Read more and book your stay at Aspasia Studios here.

Argostoli – Rouchotas Apartments is located in the heart of Argostoli, a short walk from both the centre and the beach. This accommodation has a kitchen area with a fridge, an oven, an electric kettle and a coffee machine.

It also features a garden area and a sun terrace.

Read more and book your stay at Rouchotas Apartments here.

Poros – Hotel Pavlou is located a short walk away from Neorion Beach in Poros with the rooms offering stunning views of the sea or the mountains. The accommodation features a sea-view restaurant and sun terrace. There is a buffet breakfast served each morning and a restaurant in the evening.

Read more and book your stay at Hotel Pavlou here.

So there you have it, your guide to the best beaches in Kefalonia. If you are visiting this incredible island and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was! 

Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. 

If you are planning a Greece trip soon then check out our other Greece content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.

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The Best Beaches in Kefalonia
The Best Beaches in Kefalonia

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