Kefalonia has amazing beaches for every taste. Typical beaches on the north side of Kefalonia are small with pebble, while the beaches of south Kefalonia are large and sandy. The main beaches of Kefalonia are:

• Atheras (West Kefalonia): Atheras beach is located at the northern point of Paliki, a bit further down from Atheras village in a protected bay with an islet at its entrance. It is a peaceful strip of sand with the little blue church of Agios Spyridon that overlooks the beach. It would be a shame to miss this beautiful scenery.
• Petani (West Kefalonia): Some people consider this to be the best beach of Kefalonia, although it pales in comparison to the awesome Myrtos, which Petani beach bears a resemblance to. In a way Petani is a miniature version of Myrtos, but it is not much smaller. This beach, unlike Myrtos, does have some white sand at the beginning of the beach and at specific points next to the sea, but all the rest is laid with pebble. Petani beach offers inviting turquoise blue waters while there are several fish taverns and rooms to let in close distance. Be careful of the road that leads to the beach, because it has a lot of sudden turns.
• Platia Ammos (Southwest Kefalonia): Except from Myrtos this is the most impressive beach, while it looks a lot like Myrtos, and for that reason it is also called New Myrtos. The only disadvantage of this beach is the difficult access, as you have to climb down (and later climb up) 400 stairs. Actually this number provided by the various tourist guides is a bit exaggerated, as it will not take you more than 10 minutes to reach the beach. The name of the beach trows you off, because it does not have any sand, but rather marvelous pebbles instead. If you are not up to going down to the stunning beach you should at least reach the parking space in order to shoot some spectacular pictures of the beach from above. The distance to the beach is not negligible and it is very easy to get lost as some junctions do not have any signs. You should follow the route to the Kipoureon Monastery (helps to carry a map) and 2-3 minutes before reaching the monastery you will see a dirt road at your right. From there Platia Ammos is close, around 400 meters, which you can walk but it is best to continue with your car as to conserve your energy for later on...
• Vatsa - Vrahinari (Southwest Kefalonia): These are two relatively small beaches close to each other, separated by some rocks but by car you have to go in a long circle to reach one from the other. Both of them are quiet with thick golden sand and a few straw umbrellas. If you have to choose one pick Vatasa because it is a bit better and larger. There you will find a tavern in case you want to get a bite to eat.
• Xi (Southwest Kefalonia): Undoubtedly the best beach with easy access on Paliki. Its sand is unique due the slightly redish color, as it has a high concentration of argylos. The beach is long and organized with straw umbrellas and sea sports, while you can rent a jet ski. The waters are swallow making Xi one of the best beaches in Kefalonia for families, as the sea is also usually calm. At the beach you will find several taverns, a mini market and a beach bar. Opposite the mini market there is a shower for the public where you can wash the salt off. You will see some people cover all over by argylos enjoying the free natural Spa, a must-try experience, as argylos is good for the skin and is thus used in aesthetics and medicine. You will find countless pieces of argylos at the foot of the rocks that surround the beach, since Xi is where the largest area with argylos in Greece! The beach is named by a rock of argylos that splits the beach in two, shaping it like the Greek letter Xi (Ξ). When you approach the beach by car you will see a junction where the signs point to Xi in both possible directions, as both roads lead to two parking places very close to each other, but better go straight at the junction. It is very easy to pass from one parking space to the other, without going back to the junction, by passing through the alley behind Kefalonia Pallas Hotel.
• Megas Lakkos (Southwest Kefalonia): It is actually the continuation of the Xi beach, since there is only a rock separating those beaches. To pass from one beach to the other you will have to get in the sea up to the knee. Megas Lakkos is also an organized beach, but it is less crowded than Xi, especially in the part that lies next to Xi.
• Lepeda (Southwest Kefalonia): Lepeda beach is very close to Lixouri town and it bears a striking resemblance to Xi and Megas Lakkos due to the red sand, but it is more quiet than those two beaches. Large rocks that go into the see divide the beach in smaller bays, with one of them looking more like a private pool. The only downside are the sea weeds that the sea washes out to the shore, which are not cleaned by the Municipality. Parking there is limited.
• Skala (Southeast Kefalonia): This is one of the most popular beaches of Kefalonia at the southeast edge of the island and the largest in length, as it spans for about 5 kilometers. It has clean blue water and light colored sand with little pebble, as well as a small pine forest as a background. Skala is an organized beach, quite wide, with lots of watersports, umbrellas, some shops and several luxurious hotels.
• Makris Gialos (South Kefalonia): This beautiful beach lies at the foot of a green hill filed with pine trees, very close to Argostoli town. The green-blue water and the light colored sand make Makris Gialos one of the best choices for a swim. The beach is organized with countless umbrellas and sunbeds, and beach bars by the sea, while at a distance you can see the hills of Xi. At the point where the stairs end and you reach the beach, there is a public shower for your feet embedded on a bench, next to Costa Costa. There is plenty of space under the pine trees to leave your car, but it is best to leave it close to the road and save yourselves the trouble of going back and forth, and do not worry, the beach is only a few steps away.
• Platis Gialos (South Kefalonia): It is the continuation of Makris Gialos beach and it is very similar to it, with nice open-colored sand and crystal water. It gathers a lot of people, but less than its popular sibling.
• Avytho (South Kefalonia): As the name suggests in Greek, this beach has very swallow water, being ideal for families with little kids. Avythos in a long organized beach with straw umbrellas, nice thin sand and clean blue water. The picturesque landscape is completed by the Dias islet with the little church on top located right across the beach.
• Kaminia (South Kefalonia): On your way to Skala from Argostoli you will find this inviting beach with the warm shallow water. The sand is dark and the organized beach is quiet long with umbrellas and sunbeds, while there are also several shops around. You should be careful where you step here, because this is one of the few beaches that the sea-turtle lays its eggs.
• Myrtos (Northwest Kefalonia): Myrtos is the star of Kefalonia and one of the most famous in Greece, thanks to the awesome view if offers from high up leaving visitors breathless. After taking many pictures you will head down towards Myrtos and if it is August you will be forced to leave your car at the side of the road, as the parking will surely be full. The beach is long and very wide, composed of a layer of thin white pebble (unlike what you will read in other guides about sand), so thin that it looks like sand if you do not look at it from very close. A few meters before the sea there is an equally wide strip of pebble, which in turn is divided in several sub-strips of pebbles of various sizes. The color of the water simply can not be described and while you enjoy your swim you can see several more dazzling coloring by waving the surface water with your hand. This exotic beach is organized with white umbrellas - which blend very well with the blinding white pebbles of the beach - in its center and a beach bar. If you visit Myrtos during August it is very likely that you will not be able to enjoy this heavenly beach to the fullest due to the overcrowding, while your visit may happen to coincide with sea currents which are very dangerous forbidding swimming, as well as a lot of waves.
• Foki (North Kefalonia): Foki is a tiny beautiful beach that looks like it jumped right out of a dream, very close to Fiskardo. It is surrounded by pine trees and cypress trees while it has pebble and turquoise green water, which are so clean that the Monachus-Monachus seal used to come here, after which the beach was named. Foki is one of the most picturesque beaches of Kefalonia with a couple of fishing boats on the shore and a dozen olive trees under which you will find some shade. The only disadvantage of this beach are the sea-weeds on the sea bottom after a few meters of entering the water, as they make the water look very dark, loosing the amazing turquoise green color they have at the beginning. Around the green bay, on the right as you look at the sea, there is a trail worth going for a walk, as it is also a good way to spot the most private places where you can dive from the rocks.
• Dafnoudi (North Kefalonia): This is the northern beach of Kefalonia. It is a beautiful beach surrounded by green with white pebbles and with few visitors. To reach it you have to walk for a few minutes passing through a forest, which is a refreshing experience.
• Emplysi (North Kefalonia): A small beach covered by green very close to the main road. It is similar to Foki and it has clean green water, while on one side you will witness a rare sight with the rocks forming straight parallel lines.
• Antisamos (East Kefalonia): This beach became famous because of the movie Captain Corelli's Mandolin. It is a marvelous beach very close to Sami with white pebble and crystal emerald water, surrounded by mountains filled with green. The water here is so clean that you will see little fish swimming right next to your feet. The only downside of the unique in Kefalonia is the access, since the road is in very bad condition and the parking space is very limited, while there is a paid parking space as well.