Consistently ranked among Europe's best beaches, this stunning white pebble beach contrasts with impossibly turquoise waters beneath dramatic limestone cliffs on Kefalonia island.
Myrtos Beach lies on the western coast of Kefalonia, in the Ionian Islands of Greece, below the slopes of Mount Agia Dynati and a short drive from the village of Divarata. It is a long crescent of white pebbles and coarse sand roughly two kilometres in length, set against steep limestone cliffs that fall almost vertically to the shore. The water shifts from pale turquoise in the shallows to deep sapphire further out, and the contrast with the white stone and dark green hillside is the reason the beach appears on so many lists of the most beautiful in Greece. Most visitors first see it from the roadside viewpoint above the bay, where a pull-in area gives the classic wide-angle view down the full length of the beach; the winding descent to sea level has tight hairpin bends and takes several minutes by car. At the bottom, the beach is organised only lightly: a small cluster of umbrellas and sunbeds, a snack bar and a few basic facilities sit towards the northern end, while the southern stretch is left mostly bare. Shade is scarce away from the rented umbrellas, so sun protection matters. The sea is open to the Ionian and shelves steeply, so waves and undertow can be strong, particularly on windy afternoons; swimmers usually stay close to the shore and watch the flag or the lifeguard if one is posted. The beach was reshaped by the 1953 earthquakes that struck the island, which brought down parts of the cliff face, and small rockfalls can still occur. A typical visit lasts three to four hours, enough for a swim, a walk along the pebble line and a meal at the beach bar. Photography is best from the viewpoint in the late morning, when the sun is high and the water shows its brightest colour, and again at sunset when the cliffs turn gold. Crowds peak between about 11:00 and 16:00 in July and August, when parking along the access road fills up and the beach becomes busy; early morning and the last hours of daylight are far quieter. In May, June and September the beach is calmer and the water is still warm enough for swimming. Visitors often combine Myrtos with the nearby village of Assos and its Venetian fortress, or with the vineyards and caves elsewhere on the island.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open 24/7 |
| Typical visit | 3-4 hours |
| Address | Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece |
Good to know
- Best for
- beach lovers, photographers, couples, nature enthusiasts
Location
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece
38.3431, 20.5333 View on map
Highlights
- Panoramic viewpoint over the two-kilometre white pebble crescent on the road above Divarata
- Turquoise-to-sapphire water against steep limestone cliffs on Kefalonia's west coast
- Swimming and walking along a largely undeveloped stretch away from the sunbed area
- Golden-hour and sunset light on the cliffs
- Easy pairing with Assos village and its Venetian fortress
Tips for visiting
- Viewpoint from road above is incredibly photogenic
- Steep access path - use caution
- Waters can have strong currents
- Sunset views are magical
When to visit
Visit in the morning or late afternoon, and in May, June or September for fewer crowds. July and August are busiest from about 11:00 to 16:00.
Accessibility
The beach is reached by a steep, winding road, and the final access is over loose pebbles, which makes it difficult for wheelchairs and walkers. The roadside viewpoint above the bay is accessible by car and offers the main view without any walking.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Myrtos Beach take?
Most visitors spend three to four hours, including the drive down, a swim and a meal at the beach bar. Photographers often stop only briefly at the viewpoint above.
Is Myrtos Beach suitable for children?
The beach shelves steeply and can have strong waves, so it suits strong swimmers better than small children. Families usually keep young children in the shallows under close supervision.
Is there shade and are there facilities?
Shade is limited to rented umbrellas and a few spots below the cliffs. A beach bar and basic facilities are found near the northern end, with little else along the rest of the beach.