This Beautiful Greek Island Is Home To The Most Beautiful Beaches In Europe
While you consider Greek islands, the primary picture your mind conjures might be Santorini’s blue church domes and caldera views, or perhaps Mykonos’ iconic string of windmills on a hill and colourful harborside homes.
The powerhouse duo could also be Greece’s prime two hottest locations, however when you’re asking us, they’re removed from being probably the most rewarding, particularly in the case of seashores.
Between Santorini’s rugged volcanic coast, largely made up of craggy descents and pebbly stretches, and Mykonos’ windswept, club-heavy shorelines, they are not someplace you go for swimming and lounging by the ocean, essentially.
Now, if it is Greece’s postcard-ready sandy seashores and clear turquoise seas you are after, this lesser-known island hideaway has simply been featured within the World’s 50 Best Beaches:
Is Kefalonia The Finest Island In Greece For Seashores?
Positioned on the Ionian aspect of Greece—the aspect that faces Italy—Kefalonia is an island paradise greatest identified for its indented shoreline, interspersed with cliff-backed bays, limestone sea partitions, and quick strips of combined white pebble and sand.
Fteri Seaside, considered one of these hard-to-access, small pebbly coves backed by towering cliffs, was simply ranked the second greatest seaside on the planet by the consultants behind World’s 50 Finest Seashores, intently behind Sardinia‘s Cala Goloritzé.
In Greece, it beats out different heavyweights like Voutoumi, Porto Katsiki, and even Crete’s iconic Elafonissi Seaside, which chart at Nos. 3, 5, and 15, respectively.
At this level, you are most likely questioning why this seaside is so particular. Nicely, apart from the powdery white sands and crystalline seas, in fact, its difficult entry is key to understanding its enchantment with beachgoers.
How To Get To Fteri Seaside On Kefalonia
You may solely get there mountain climbing down from the small village of Zola, on the northwest coast, and that takes about 40 minutes, or by taking a water taxi. For those who’re strolling, sneakers are extremely advisable because the route can get a bit of tough in elements, and you will want good sneakers to stroll throughout Fteri’s white pebbles.
Naturally, taking the taxi is quite a bit sooner and extra handy: a 5–10 minute glide from the harbor to the seaside.
There is a Fteri Water Taxi operating from Zola Harbor within the excessive season, providing pickups and drop-offs at Fteri, and even different close by seashores like Amidi and Kamari.
In keeping with vacationers who’ve been, the perfect time to go to is the morning, earlier than the taxi boats arrive, because the seaside is often almost empty.
As soon as the taxis are operational, they begin dropping folks off each half-hour (or extra often, even).
As for the water, they’ve that pool-like translucent shade nearer to shore, that progressively turns that attractive gatorade-blue so typical of the Ionian Sea.
Oh, a chunk of recommendation? Kefalonia is a correct wild seaside, with no facilities like on a lot of Kefalonia’s mainline seashores, so be sure you convey your personal sunscreen, bottle of water, snacks, and seaside apparel, as you will not be capable to buy them from a kiosk.
Kefalonia Is Full Of Turquoise-Water Bays
Fteri Seaside stands out as the star of the present right this moment, however it’s removed from being Kefalonia’s solely paradisiacal cove with surreal waters.
The truth is, the most well-liked seaside on the island is Myrtos, much like Fteri in some ways, besides it’s miles simpler to drive to with a automotive. White pebbles, neon-blue seas, and imposing cliffs.
Petani is the family-friendly, amenity-packed different: you park on the prime of the cliffs, then you definately stroll the quick method down. It has sunbeds and umbrellas to lease, and a few seaside bars and eating places close by.
You’ve got most likely heard of Crete’s pinkish Elafonissi Beach, however did you’ve gotten any thought Kefalonia hosts its very personal crimson-sanded strip?
With mushy, clay-like sands, Xi Seaside straddles the southern coast of the island, within the Paliki peninsula, and it has a full setup of sunbed leases, seasonal cafés, and water sports activities. It will get busier than most, certain, however the deep-ocher sands and the azure waters are distinctive in Greece.
The place To Keep On Kefalonia
For those who’re searching for a spot to remain, Argostoli, the quaint Kefalonian capital nestled on a coastal hill overlooking the Ionian Sea, might be your prime decide.
A full of life harbor city, it is crammed with retailers, eating places, and even the nightlife is not all that unhealthy, due to a bar-lined central promenade, straightforward to stroll to at night time for after-dinner drinks.
For a quieter island expertise and simpler entry to Paliki peninsula seashores (like Xi), Lixouri is a well-liked different.
Kefalonia’s second-largest settlement, it is nonetheless large and well-equipped for tourism, but serene sufficient to really feel worlds away from the principle hub.
A brief ferry hop away from the attractive Melissani Cave, considered one of Kefalonia’s prime pure wonders, Sami is a superb base for exploring, and naturally, in case your main purpose is to be a brief 5 min water taxi experience from the dreamy Fteri Seaside, Zola is the place you need to crash for the lengthy weekend.
This spring, you’ll find lodging on Kefalonia Island from as low cost as $46-a-night, although a modest lodge room in one of many essential cities would common $65–$90.
