LIXOURI and the PALI PENINSULA

The Lixouri peninsula has some dramatic coastline with a range of beaches. Due to its shape and the connection by ferry, it takes on the appearance of an island separate from the rest of Kefalonia. Beaches on the south of the peninsula tend to be rich red in colour, due to the soft red clay rocks. In the north there are the scenic bays of Petani and Atheras which retain their natural and un-commercialised beauty.

Once a smugglers' cove in the north of the Pali peninsula, this delightful bay can be reached by road from Atheras village. The beach is a mix of sand a shingle and the little blue painted church of Saint Spiridon is perched up above some rocks to the west of the bay making this a picturesque setting for lunch in one of the beach-side tavernas. Sunbeds and beach umbrellas for hire.

BLUE FLAG BEACH.

Lixouri's answer to Myrtos! This wonderful white pebble bay has similarities with its more famous neighbour. The sea colour changes from aquamarine to cobalt blue making a strong contrast to the rocky white cliffs nearby which is one of its similarities. Two tavernas on the generally uncrowded beach.

From the village of Damoulianata take the rural road through olive groves to this lovely pebbly beach.

Until recently this long beach of coarse white sand and shingle was only accessible by boat, but with a great engineering feat, there are now over 200 steps complete with handrails to access the beach. High above the cliffs there's a platform with magnificent views and this is reached by a gravel road. Anyone who suffers from vertigo should not attempt to reach the beach by using the concrete steps. Great care should be taken when using the beach as the water is extremely deep and the currents can be dangerous. This is one beach that is not suitable for children or non-swimmers.

Situated below a lighthouse in the south-west of the Pali peninsula this small and pebbly beach can become quite busy even though there are no facilities available.

Worth reading the road signs very carefully after the Mantzavinata turning to discover the delightful bay at Vatsa. The sandy beaches within the bay are called Aghios Nikolaos and Vrahinari (also known as Akrotiri) and are divided by a rocky outcrop. There is a taverna at Vatsa bay and a kantina on the beach of Aghios Nikolaos. At the far end of Vatsa bay is one of Kefalonia's two rivers which flows into the sea with wooden jetties alongside for the colourful fishing caiques.

At the other end of the bay is the sandy stretch of Vrahinari beach with tiny cantina offering drinks and sunbeds for hire. This is a very peaceful place and used virtually exclusively by the guests staying in a sprinkling of studios and villas in the area. Above the beach is the Remetzo Taverna with freshly caught fish being a speciality. Highly recommended.

Similar to Xi beach with its famous red sand, the beaches can be reached by road after the Mantzavinata turn off. Clear shallow water suitable for children. Near the rock that moves no more but is still a famous landmark is a small taverna.

BLUE FLAG BEACH/WATER SPORTS
This long sandy beach of reddish colour is the most famous beach on the southern part of Lixouri peninsula. If you scrape some of the clay from the rocks here and mix it with water to form mud, you can cover your whole body and enjoy a mud-bath! Cheaper than the Body Shop and more fun! Watersports and boat hire available.

A few kilometers down from the village of Soullari and adjoining XI beach these two beaches are 7 km long with fine red sand and shallow sea. Snack bar, sun-beds and umbrellas available.

Follow the tracks signposted after Soullari village to these small once secluded red sand beaches. Here, on the south east tip of the Lixouri peninsula is the site of a newly constructed hotel with 300 rooms which now dominates the area.

A popular reddish-sand cove with some interesting rocks for snorkelling. There is a beach bar and sunbeds and beach umbrellas, boats and canoes are all available for hire. Along this beach you will also find the cave and old monastery of Aghia Paraskevi. You can walk to the cave which was used in 1568 as a church and in 1668 a monk turned it into a monastery which was later abandoned.

A small beach close to Lixouri to the north.

Narrow strip of beach running parallel to the road leading north

By the village of Evangelistria, a narrow ribbon of sand and shingle beach which runs parallel to the road near the village with no beach facilities.

Narrow ribbons of sand and shingle beach running parallel to the road at Livadi village with lovely views over to the opposite coastline with a backdrop of Aghia Dynati mountain.

From Kardakata on the main road from Argostoli to the Pali peninsula, you can turn off for Koumaris beach which is accessed by a dirt track. Narrow strip of shingle beach with no facilities.

Between Kondogourata and Kardakata a road leads down to Aghios Sotiras beach which has white pebbles and no facilities.

Pebble beach with shallow water signposted from the main Argostoli between Farsa and Kondogourata.

Situated opposite the Pali peninsular the small pebble beach of Lygia is below the village of Farsa and has a small church and a fishermen's harbour. No beach facilities.