Emblissi And North West

At the very north of the island, Emblissi is a delightful, secluded pebble beach shaded by Cyprus trees, with flat rocks either side suitable for sunbathing. The shallow waters shelve down and the crystal sea here is great for swimming. The waters are too shallow for motor boats to moor here. With stunning views across to Ithaca, the beach is quite small and can get busy in high season as it is just a short drive from Fiscardo.

Evidence has been found that prehistoric man also inhabited the area of Emblissi as large stone tools dating back to the Paleolithic period which were made from local flint stone have been found on the mountain side facing Lefkas towards the beach. These were discovered when corrosion brought down soil from the hillsides.

Kimilia is a small beach between Dafnoudi and Emblissi and can be reached on foot from Emblissi by walking for around 15 minutes through hilly woodland. This is a small bay which is very quiet and sometimes used for scuba diving.

Dafnoudi is a shingle beach which can be reached by foot either from Kamilia beach or by road to Antipata village, turn right for Dafnoudi and drive towards the end of the road where the beach is signposted. Walk for about 25 minutes through woodland and a short gorge at th endo of the village of old Antipata. There are no facilities on this beach which is frequented by visiting motor-boats from Fiscardo.

A short drive from the Manganos crossroads this tiny sandy beach is surrounded by smooth rock platforms on which to sunbathe. There are rock-pools in the area where salt remains after evaporation of the seawater. The beach is reached by some steps below the taverna and you will find a couple of changing rooms which are quite useful as the beach is tiny!

Saint Jerusalem beach is off the beaten track further south of Alatias where you will find a little bay of sand and shingle with a taverna which opens in high season on the beach but no other facilities. It is quite a long and winding road down to Aghia Ierousalim through lovely villages of crumbling Venetian houses which were not completely destroyed by the 1953 earthquake. This beach is not very well known and remains uncommercialised. A romantic spot to watch the sun set.

The small beach is central to the village and is shingle and stone. It is in a very picturesque setting with views up to the remains of the Venetian Castle on the opposite peninsula. Either side of the village there are some shingle beaches which are only accessible by boat.

KEY: BLUE FLAG BEACH (TAKE CARE TO STAY CLOSE TO COASTLINE)
Probably the most photographed beach on Kefalonia where the La Scala boys cavorted with Italian prostitutes in The Film. It was here that Captain Corelli inspected the mine found on the beach and from the cliff above the locals watched as he prepared to explode it. Myrtos Bay is nothing less than stunning. The beach itself is mainly pebble and shelves immediately making the water very deep and not suitable for non-swimmers. Swimmers should stay close to the coastline and not swim far out. This is not the place to fall asleep on a lilo as the winds can change and the bay is open to the Ionian sea with undercurrents further out that can be dangerous. Cantina in operation in high season. Myrtos is reached by a long and winding road down to the bay, signposted at Siniori and Divarata.

South of Myrtos Bay reached by winding road from Zola on the Pali peninsula or from Angona on the Argostoli to Assos road. A long uncommercialised beach which begins with a pebble area and further along becomes sand, ending with a sand and pebble mix. The bay is ideal for those who like snorkeling and fishing. There is a small fisherman's marina with motor boats for hire and a local taverna serving fresh fish as well as a kantina nearby with sunbeds and beach umbrellas.

Open in the summer months, Odysseus Taverna is close to the beach at Ag. Ierusalim. Mum makes a selection of delicious olive-breads and offers freshly baked bread for breakfast as well as traditional Greek cuisine for lunch and evening meals. Home-made wine and a very laid back atmosphere. Take home some home-grown oregano in hand-made sacks for a souvenir!