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When you think of Greek islands, the first image that comes to your mind is probably the blue church domes and caldera views of Santorini, or perhaps Mykonos’ iconic hilltop series of windmills and the colorful houses on the harbour.
The powerhouse duo may be the two most popular destinations in Greece, but if you ask us, they’re far from the most rewarding. especially when it comes to beaches.
Between Santorini’s rugged volcanic coast, largely made up of steep drops and pebbly beaches, and the windswept, club-heavy coastlines of Mykonos, they’re not necessarily the place you go for swimming and seaside lounging.
If it’s Greek sandy beaches and postcard-perfect blue seas you’re looking for, this lesser-known island hideaway has just been included in the The world’s 50 best beaches:
Is Kefalonia the best island in Greece in terms of beaches?
Located on the Ionian side of Greece, the side that faces Italy, Kefalonia is a paradise island best known for its jagged coastline, interspersed with cliff-top coves, limestone seawalls and short strips of mixed white pebble and sand.
Fteri Beachone of these difficult-to-access, small pebble coves, surrounded by towering cliffs, was just ranked as the second best beach in the world by the experts behind World’s 50 Best Beaches, right behind Cala Goloritzé in Sardinia.
In Greece, it beats other heavyweights such as Voutoumi, Porto Katsiki and even Crete’s iconic Elafonissi Beach, which ranks at numbers 3, 5 and 15 respectively.
At this point you’re probably wondering why this beach is so special. Well, apart from the powdery white sands and crystal clear seas, the access is of course challenging key to understanding its appeal with beachgoers.
How to get to Fteri Beach in Kefalonia?
You can only get there by walking down from the small village of Zola, on the northwest coast, which takes about 40 minutes, or by taking a water taxi. If you are going for a walk, sports shoes are highly recommended as the route can be a bit rough in parts and you will need good shoes to walk on the white pebbles of Fteri.
Of course taking the taxi is a lot faster and more convenient: a 5-10 minute glide from the harbor to the beach.
There is a Fteri water taxi running from Zola port in high season, picking you up and dropping you off at Fteri and even other nearby beaches such as Amidi and Kamari.
According to travelers who have been there, the best time to visit the beach is the morning, before the taxi boats arrive, as the beach is usually almost empty.
Once the taxis are operational, they start dropping people off every 30 minutes (or even more often).
As for the water, closer to the coast they have that pool-like, translucent shade, which gradually turns that beautiful gatorade blue so typical of the Ionian Sea.
Oh, any advice? Kefalonia is a really wild beach, without facilities like many of Kefalonia’s main beaches. So make sure you bring your own sunscreen, bottle of water, snacks and beachwear as you cannot buy these at a kiosk.
Cephalonia Is Vol Of Turquoise Water Bays
Fteri Beach may be the star of the show today, but it is certainly not Kefalonia’s only paradisiacal bay with surreal waters.
The most popular beach on the island is Myrtos, similar in many ways to Fteri, only it is much easier to get there by car. white pebbles, neon blue seasand imposing cliffs.
Petani is the family-friendly alternative packed with amenities: you park at the top of the cliffs and then walk a short distance down. There are sunbeds and parasols for hire, and a few beach bars and restaurants nearby.
You’ve probably heard of the pink Elafonissi beach in Crete, but did you have any idea that Kefalonia is home to its own beach? red-sanded strip?
Of soft, clayey sandXi Beach is located on the south coast of the island, on the Paliki Peninsula, and offers a full range of sunbed rentals, seasonal cafes and water sports. Sure, it will be busier than usual, but the deep ocher sand and azure waters are unique in Greece.
Where to stay in Kefalonia
If you are looking for a place to stay, Argostolithe scenic capital of Kefalon, perched on a coastal hill overlooking the Ionian Sea, is probably your best bet.
It’s a lively harbor town full of shops, restaurants and even the nightlife isn’t that bad, thanks to the bar-lined central promenade, which you can easily walk to in the evening for an after-dinner drink.
For a quieter island experience and easier access to the beaches of the Paliki Peninsula (like Xi), Lixouri is a popular alternative.
Kefalonia’s second largest settlement is still large and well equipped for tourism, yet serene enough to feel a world away from the main hub.
A short ferry ride away from the beautiful Melissani Cave, one of Kefalonia’s best natural wonders, Sami is a great base for exploring, and of course, if your primary goal is a short 5-minute water taxi ride from dreamy Fteri Beach, Zola is the place where you should spend a long weekend.
This spring you can find accommodation on the island of Kefalonia from as cheap as $46 per nightalthough a modest hotel room in one of the main cities would average $65 – $90.
