Into the wilderness: Lagadakia beach, Kefalonia 2020

Dive into the Ionian blue and relax on another hidden gem of Kefalonia Island, Lagadakia beach. It is a small bay located 40 km west of Argostoli, the capital of Kefalonia, and 10 km away from Lixouri. It is known for its grey pebbles in all shapes and sizes, clear blue water and untouched surroundings.

The beautiful landscape around the beach include mountains in the distance, short grass and brown dust that gives you the impression you are in the wild west and rocky formations around the bay. There is also a lighthouse close by and I'll tell you more details below.

Lagadakia is a remote beach, it is a great place to relax and enjoy some peaceful moments with your friends and family. It gets pretty crowded especially in July and August. Most of the people who come here are locals as this beach is not quite well known. There is some space above the beach that works as a parking, pretty dusty though.

If you are looking for deep and clean waters to practice some snorkeling, the pebbly seafloor of Lagadakia is a great choice. As the beach is not very popular, it provides no facilities like sunbeds and umbrellas. Instead, the rocky outcrops act as natural shaded areas for the tourists. They are also advised to carry plenty of water.

Lagadakia beach offers a hidden surprise at the back of the hill on the right hand side as you reach it by car. Take the little trail which climbs up the hill on your right and walk for few minutes to find another more impressive cove. 

If you want to reach it directly you can find the rural road that guides you just above it and just walk down the trail by GPS. This secluded beach is even more private and has natural shades in the caves formed on its left and right.

Lagadakia is also known for having some of the clearest and coldest water. Special shoes are requiered as the beach and the seabed are rocky.

For a day trip you can also walk to the desert-like, interesting landscape of Gero Gobos Lighthouse, 2km away or visit Kipoureon Monastery and Platia Ammos for an incredible sunset view.

Originally built in 1907, Gero Gombos lighthouse was destroyed by the German troops and rebuild in 1947. The altitude of the tower is 13 metres and the height of focal plane is 58 metres.

Gero Gombos lighthouse is just that, a lighthouse on a road to nowhere. The views are breathtaking and you can take some stunning photos but that's it. You cannot enter the lighthouse, which I was hoping to do and there is a big 'Do not enter sign' at the gate. Otherwise you can drive into the parking lot anyway and walk around for a bit.

While visiting Paliki it is a must to spend quality time at Agia Eleni beach, a hidden gem that will blow your mind with its fascinating landscape. Also you will be mesmerized by the beautiful views and sunsets over Petani beach.

'till next time, take care.

Beldi

Wild paradise, mesmerizing views and sunsets: Platia Ammos beach, Kefalonia

Leave behind the daily routine and immerse yourself in a place of wonder. Platia Ammos is a breath taking spot, wild and pristine where one can get in touch with nature at its best.

On the western peninsula of Kefalonia, Paliki, you can find this amazing corner of heaven. 20-25 minutes car drive from Lixouri, Platia Ammos remains a hidden gem for the usual tourist. You can choose the road that passes through Kaminarata or Chavriata villages and find your way using the coordinates on your GPS.

If you choose the later, as I usually do, you will pass the Monastery of Kipourion. It has been constructed on top of a rock, 90 meters above the sea. The view to the Ionian Sea and the wild coastline are magnificent, which makes it a sight worth visiting if you are in the area.

The Monastery of Kipoureon was founded in the 17th and its name literally means monastery of the gardens. Inside there is a wonderful collection of ecclesiastical relics and post-Byzantine icons. The natural surrounding of the monastery is lush green and comprises of pine trees and fir trees. From the yard, visitors can enjoy a wonderful sunset to the Ionian Sea.

A few hundreds of meters away turn left on an off road. Park your car there as it is a very broken piece of road, with stones and cracks, and then continue on foot. Follow the path for around 15 minutes and you will get to the old parking on top of Platia Ammos. The views are spectacular. The waves kiss the pebble beach at the bottom of an impressively steep mountain.

Before the earthquakes of 2014 there were 280 steps that led you all the way down to the beach. Nowadays only few remain. The adventurous explorers still take their chances and go down by foot. Others visit the beach by boat. I stop on top of it, at the edge, to enjoy the views.

This beach amazes every visitor with its natural beauty, which landscape is quite similar to this of Myrtos and Petani but far more unspoiled and peaceful. The beach offers no facilities such as beach bars, taverns, sunbeds or umbrellas. It is surrounded by huge cliffs that create a fascinating backdrop. The area is an ideal place for relaxation. The water needs extra caution since it is very deep.

The sunsets offer some of the most spectacular views of Ionian Sea. Be sure to bring your camera with full battery. Don't forget to bring drinks and snacks with you as you will find yourself in the middle of nowhere, far away from any shops.

In case I tickled your imagination take a look at another hidden gem that Kefalonia has to offer: Kato Lagadi beach, near Poros.

Not a fan of the wild beaches?! Try Petani, the ideal mix of commercial and unspoiled place.

'till next time, take care.

Beldi

Cape Sounion and dinner with a view

The summer is now a memory. Back from Kefalonia to Athens, it's a full circle. I was here back in June and here I am once again. It is 27th of September, a sunny day, ideal for a road trip.

It is Sunday and it's World Heritage Weekend so I decided to drive to Cape Sounion and visit the Temple of Poseidon. 

Approximately 70km from Athens lies this perfect blend between a man-made wonder and nature. The road is wonderful, beautiful beaches on the right side and hills and mountains on the left. It takes us almost an hour and a half to get there. The Athenian Riviera offers a bit for everyone, restaurants and bars, long, sandy beaches, amazing sea views and wonderful marinas.

I have first visited the Temple 5 years ago. It is a wonderful sight with an extraordinary 360 view. It is part of the Sacred Triangle in Greece. 

"These temples are the Parthenon, Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, and the Temple of Aphaia in Aegina. When seen on a map, these three temples seem to form an isosceles triangle. Even more interestingly, all 3 temples were built within a few years of each other, adding to the theory their positioning formed part of a grander design. 

Some suggest that the temples were positioned on points of natural energy. Others, that they perhaps mapped the stars above. If they were built according to a grander design, it’s possible we will never know their true purpose." (greekmythologytours.com)

"The earliest literary reference to Sounion is in Homer's Odyssey (III. 278–285). The story recounts that as the various Greek commanders sailed back from Troy, the helmsman of the ship of King Menelaus of Sparta died at his post while rounding "Holy Sounion, Cape of Athens". Menelaus landed at Sounion to give his companion full funeral honours (i.e., cremation on a funeral pyre on the beach). Archaeological finds on the site date from as early as 700 BC. Herodotus (VI.87) mentions that in sixth century BC, the Athenians celebrated a quinquennial festival at Sounion, which involved Athens' leaders sailing to the cape in a sacred boat.

The Temple of Poseidon is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 meters. Only some columns of the Sounion temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the contemporary and well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect. The columns are of the Doric Order. They were made of locally quarried white marble.

Cape Sounino is a popular day-excursion for tourists from Athens, with the sunset over the Aegean Sea, as viewed from the ruins, a sought-after sight since the first development of modern tourism in the early 19th century. Cape Sounion itself is located between the villages of Kato Sounio and Legrena. 

Forming the southeastern endpoint of the Athens Riviera, Sounio is now an upscale summer home location for Athenians. Construction of villas across the bay northwest of Cape Sounio flourished in the 1960s to 1970s. The Grecotel Cape Sounio luxury resort was built in 1973. The project Arrangement of the Archaeological Site of Sounion (2011–2013) was co-financed by the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports and the European Union (ERDF)." (Wikipedia)

After wondering around the ruins we went down to Sounion beach. It is the first time I experience such an amazing feeling to swim next to the ancient ruins of such a beautiful temple.

On the way back we passed Lake Vouliagmeni and we decided to have dinner by the sea side. We chose Γαλήνη Restaurant, in Palaia Fokaia. A well deserved dinner by the sea side and admiring a wonderful sunset are all I need after such a long yet exciting day.

You want to discover more amazing places to visit in Athens? Look no further: HERE they are!

Otherwise delight your eyes with some of the most breath taking beaches in Kefalonia: Petani and Agia Eleni. 

'till next time, take care.

Beldi

The marvelous beaches of Erissos, northern Kefalonia

Erissos is the name of the northern part of Kefalonia, Greece. The highlights include two of the most impressive villages of the island, the picturesque Assos and the colorful Fiskardo . The rest of the area has numerous villages with traditional houses.

 Assos

Fiskardo

Wild nature, beautiful beaches with blue crystal clear waters and stunning views make this region a corner of paradise.

Emplisi

The painting is completed by forests of cypress trees, unique rock formations and stunning views towards Ithaka, Lefkada and, on a clear day, mainland Greece.

Dafnoudi

I will leave aside the main beaches of Assos and Fiskardo as they are pretty busy, especially in the high season and I will concentrate on the pristine ones.

Kimilia

The beaches predominantly have white pebbles, crystal clear water and they are surrounded by lush vegetation.

Alaties is a small cove, surrounded my rocks. There is a nice restaurant near by, with great dishes and beautiful sunset view.

Alaties

Dafnoudi and Kimilia are hidden among trees and rocks. Perfect for snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing, they are to be found after a nice walk through the forest.

Escape the daily murmur and find your own piece of nice and quiet on these beaches. Don't forget your swimming shoes, water and food.

Foki

Emplisi is a bit more touristic but the views are stunning. It is quite close to Fiskardo and a 5 stars hotel. There are olive trees on the beach, a parking and a small shop for refreshments and snacks. Explore the forest near by and discover amazing rock formations, both natural and man made.

Evreti

On the eastern coast you will find Foki, Xylokaravo, Evreti and Kamini beaches.

They are all small oasis of pure tranquility. The last 3 are best to visit by boat.

Dive into the Ionian blue, read a book under the olive trees and explore the raw, beautiful greek nature. Again, don't forget to take everything you need with you as these beaches have no shops, sunbeds or umbrellas.

Well, if you are a nature lover and a day on the beach, among the trees is your favorite way of spending it, then you are in for a treat.

My favorites from the above are Kimilia, Emplisi and Foki.  Which are yours?

Looking for an experience to remember on the biggest greek island of the Ionian Sea? Look no further.
Here are the best places to visit on this corner of paradise

Sunset lovers, here are the best places on Kefalonia to watch the incredible end of the day.

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Till next time, take care!

Beldi