Kalamia, Galini and the hidden beaches of Lassi, Kefalonia

 When it comes to beaches, Kefalonia has such a wide variety for the curios traveler. From white and golden to red sand, pebbles or rocks, surrounded by lush vegetation or spectacular mountain drops, the beaches on this beautiful island never stop to surprise you.

Today I will tell you couple of details about the beaches situated in Lassi area, between Argostoli and the airport. We are going to leave aside the crowded, more commercial ones, such as Costa Costa/ Makris Gialos, Ammes or Ai Helis and we are going to focus on the hidden gems.

One of the best ways to enjoy the coast line is to walk towards Katavothres and Fanari. Between the two there is a sandy strip called the Fanari beach from where you can watch the ferries going to and from Argostoli to Lixouri.

Continue your walk and you will encounter plenty of small coves surrounded by greenery and/or rock formations. Near Galaxy hotel, Kormoranon and Limanaki are some of them(use Google Maps).

The first more notable one is Kalamia beach. Once organized with a beach bar, sunbeds and umbrellas, Kalamia beach is sandy and the water is shallow for a good 100m from the shore. Last year I've visited it for the first time and I was impressed by the rock formations on its left side. It is ideal for snorkeling as plenty of fish can be seen in the water. Take snacks and refreshments with you.

Continuing on the coast you'll get to the hidden Galini and so called Crocodile Beach FKK. From Dolphin supermarket go down towards the sea and before reaching the shore turn right. Galini is quite hidden and ideal for nudism. It is located down from the villa with the same name. It has a beautiful white rocks background, resembling White Rocks beach. On its right side there is another small cove, ideal for snorkeling, sunbathing and nudism.

On the left side of Kamaroules tavern you will find a very beautiful small beach with plenty of water caves. 2 minutes away there is Gradakia beach, an organized place with bar, plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas, quite busy in the summer months.

Next there is Hotel Mediterranee Beach, close to Pirate Divers Club and Lassi Rent A Boat, a place I haven't explored yet. We continue with Paliostafida Beach, in the near proximity. And afterwards we will arrive to the famous Makris Gialos and Platis Gialos, two of the most crowded beaches on Kefalonia. There are plenty of bars, taverns, water sports, sunbeds and umbrellas to chose from while enjoying the golden sand beach, the turquoise Ionian Sea and the greek sun.

I'd like to mention White Rocks beach one more time for its breath taking contrast between the white, rocky, stiff background and clear blue water, ideal for an one day boat trip. (accessible only by boat)

Before reaching Ammes and Ai Helis, which are both well organized, with golden sand and they are the ideal spots for watching the airplanes ascending or descending from the airport, there are also another two beaches worth mentioning.

📸Filippos Mantas

Minies and Spasmata, near Sunset Beach Appartments are prefered by the locals. The gray sand and shallow water are perfect especially for kids or eldery people. The sunsets are incredible here. While we are talking about sunsets, make sure to check the best places where to enjoy one while on Kefalonia.

In conclusion, there are plenty of hidden gems in Lassi where one can indulge himself into snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing and even nudism. Go explore and enjoy every moment. Honestly last summer, with all this pandemic going on, there were fewer people out in the sun. Sometimes I had the whole beach for myself. Also make sure to have your camera charged and ready to snap some beautiful pics and don't forget to take with you food and plenty of refreshments.

'till next time, take care.

Beldi

Cronicile Kefaloniene - ep.6: Excursia pe iaht.

     Daca stau sa ma gandesc la toate cele 6 veri petrecute in Grecia, care puse cap la cap trec de 2 ani din viata mea, realizez ca n-a fost una in care sa nu-mi fac o gramada de cunostinte din cat mai multe tari si cat mai repede posibil. O experienta noua vine cu oameni noi si locuri noi, situatii, legaturi, cunostinte si neintelegeri, toate fac parte din noul capitol al vietii fiecaruia iar eu le-am imbratisat din plin inca de la prima secunda in care am pus piciorul pe pamantul elen. Viata in hotel este agitata, mereu in continua schimbare (cel putin turistii sunt mereu altii) si totusi parca la fel (colegii sunt aceiasi, locul este acelasi). Dupa ce intensitatea entuziasmului de la inceput s-a domolit, m-am familiarizat cu locul si am strans prietenii noi, undeva prin al treilea sfert al sezonului simt cum se instaleaza o monotonie uscata, gata sa ne sufoce atat viata profesionala cat si cea privata.

     Decid sa-mi iau o zi libera pentru mine in care sa ma gandesc la solutiile ce pot fi puse in aplicare. Imi doresc sa petrec ziua departe de hotel, de colegi si de tumultul verii si ma imbarchez pe un iaht alaturi de turisti necunoscuti din alte hoteluri. Dimineata e arzatoare. Apuc in graba un Mythos in portul satului Lixouri si sar pe iaht cautandu-mi loc pe puntea lui. Pornim, prima oprire fiind in zona Lassi. Marea e linistita. Cu ochelarii de soare pe ochi, tricoul rulat turban pe cap si multa crema protectoare pe mine, ma intind pe una dintre saltelele de pe iaht si las marea sa-mi ghideze gandurile.

 

     In mai putin de 40 de minute iahtul opreste in largul unei plaje nu foarte intinse insa pitoresti. In drumul nostru am observat ca am trecut de plaja Costa Costa/Makri Gialos si suntem undeva mai aproape de aeroport. In partea stanga a plajei se afla un mic tunel/pestera prin care o barca pneumatica ne duce de la iaht catre mal. Pe plaja nisip si pietris, cateva scoici micute, in partea dreapta cateva stanci se ridica ascutit si amenintator din marea cristalina.

 

      De pe iaht plaja seamana cu locul in care cineva a taiat o bucata de tort de frisca, peretele muntelui e alb si se inalta brusc la 20 de metri de mal. Cativa turisti decid sa faca snorkeling in timp ce majoritatea se bucura de soare si apa limpede si curata. Dupa aproximativ doua ore , timp in care recunosc ca mi-am gasit curajul de a sari de la nivelul superior al iahtului in apa avand norocul de aceasta data sa nu iau vreo burta sau spate ;)) , pornim de-a lungul coastei.

 

 

     Trecem pe langa Farul din Argostoli si pe langa oras si vedem niste cercuri mari in apa unde aflam ca se prind pesti. Suntem surprinsi sa zarim cativa delfini inotand paralel cu noi. Pranzul este servit la bordul iahtului: salata greceasca, toast-uri, fructe, racoritoare si bere. Dupa amiaza ne gaseste in apropierea unei mici capele la care poti ajunge doar cu barca iar langa aceasta exista o plaja ingusta pe care ne petrecem o ora sub umbrele, ferindu-ne de soarele deja sufocant. Imi umplu buzunarele cu scoici micute, fac cateva fotografii si inot cat sa ma relaxez si sa ma racoresc.

 

  

  

     Pe drumul de intoarcere decid sa ma intind pe unul dintre paturile de la nivelul inferior si sa citesc iar somnul ma fura rapid. Ma trezesc cand iahtul se apropie de portul satului Lixouri. Este ora 18:30 si zapuseala nu da semne de slabiciune. Le multumesc capitanului si familiei de polonezi cu care am mai schimbat cateva vorbe de-a lungul calatoriei si ma indrept catre supermarket pentru cateva cumparaturi. Intors la hotel ma intind in pat cu ochii fix in tavan si iau decizia sa fac mici schimbari la munca pentru a ridica entuziasmul colegilor, pentru a invata lucruri noi impreuna si pentru a vindeca monotonia generala.

     O zi relaxanta nu se poate sfarsi decat cu o plimbare catre una dintre plajele din apropiere pentru a vedea un apus superb in mare si bine inteles pentru a savura o cina minunata. Plaja se numeste Vrahinari.


 Va urma.

 

P.S.: Pentru cei indrazneti recomand o aventura cu autostopul din Kefalonia in Lefkada si inapoi sau o zi in care sa descoperiti plaja Platia Ammos cu sutele de trepte si manastirea Kipoureon. Pentru shopping si relaxare mergeti la sigur pe Costa Costa si in Argostoli.