As the fans say, Antisamos beach is a queen of the beaches in Kefalonia island. This beautiful place is surrounded by green hills, lush vegetation and white pebbles. On the east coast of Kefalonia Antisamos beach is one of the most charming places due for its natural beauties, where not just the surroundings are impressive, but also the exceptional clarity of the sea.
The snorkeling capabilities of Antisamos beach belong the best beaches of Kefalonia Island, divers can see many interesting members of local marine life. This gem is located in the area of Sami village, on the east coast of the island, and can be reached easily. When you are on a holiday and you are looking for top places, you should visit this gem in Kefalonia!
- Known as: Antisamos beach, Paralia Antisamos, Παραλία Αντισαμος
- Location: Kefalonia east coast, near Sami
- Coordinates and map: 38.260666, 20.673602
- Access: asphalt road
- Facilities: free parking lots, parasols and sunbeds for rent, beach bars, restaurants, showers, lifeguard, water sports
- Shore: pebbles
- Sea surface: deepens quick
- Villages nearby: Sami
Where to stay: click here for apartments and hotels in Kefalonia Island!
Where to find Antisamos beach in Kefalonia Island and how to get there
You can find the emerald waters of Antisamos beach on the eastern side of Kefalonia Island, the nearest settlement is Sami. The beach is situated just 4 kilometers away from Sami, and approx 30 kilometers from the capital, Argostoli. Sami is quite popular destination, since it was the primary filming location of the famous movie of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
The access of Antisamos beach (Παραλία Αντισαμος) in Kefalonia is not complicated either, but keep in mind that you have to go through the streets of Sami. Leave Sami to the east, and after just a few minutes of driving, the richly forested mountains surrounding Antisamos appear first, and after a few more bends and downhill sections, you can see this beautiful beach itself too.
It’s an important information about reaching Antisamos beach that the road which leads down to the beach is asphalted, and you don’t have to worry when you drive. The road is narrow a little bit, but not dangerous at all. Sometimes next to the road some goats are walking slowly, if you see them slow down.
Parking options for cars and bikes
When you arrive and want to park your car or bike at Antisamos beach, you will see the local parking lots are free and spacious. Most of the the cars can park safely, and there is usually no need for someone to stop along the road which leads down to the beach.
Antisamos beach parking and parking lot
For this reason, a parking at Antisamos beach is quite easy and simple even in busier summer months. It’s an important thing because some other popular beaches of Kefalonia, such as Petani beach, or the beaches which have only narrow spaces as parking areas for cars behind the bathing areas, are much harder when park sometimes.
It’s worth to know that boat trips are usually not visit this place, so it’s access is recommended by a car or motorbicyle.
Antisamos beach informations and photos
The specialty of the beach is its unique location. Antisamos beach is located in one of the greenest environments in Kefalonia Island, where the barren spots on the surrounding mountains are completely unknown. The extremely rich vegetation is due to the high humidity and the special microclimate of the valley, the shrubs and trees that live here are green even in the worst summer drought.
The good reputation of Antisamos beach in Greece is greatly contributed by the fact that the waters of the Ionian Sea are usually extremely clean here, almost as transparent as glass. However, after a few meters of almost white strip, after a short emerald green transition, the colors quickly turn deep blue, as the sea suddenly deepens.
The relatively short, just about 4-5 meters long shallow section of Antisamos beach changes into depths which seem like a bottomless pit, and the initially only a few meters depth suddenly becomes 40-50 meters, and in some places even much deeper under the sea.
Due to the protected nature of the bay of Antisamos beach, waves almost never occur here, so when in other parts of the island, such in Myrtos beach there are big waves and it is not possible to swim, even then the water here is often relatively calm.
The coast of Antisamos is characterized by white and gray stones and pebbles, along almost its entire length. On southern side of the beach there are tall trees that provide cooling natural shade, but at the exit of the valley, in the main part of Antisamos, the only option is to retreat to the shade under umbrellas.
Sea temperatures of Antisamos beach are moderate, but due to the calm sea temperatures are usually above 24-25 Celsius degrees from June to mid September. The actual weather and sea currents may change this, but this change happens never so quick and significant here as on the west coastline.
What to find here
The beach of Antisamos is especially well organized in Kefalonia Island. In addition to sunbeds and umbrellas which are deployed for rent, there are also a beach bars and taverns with simpler offerings, such as Acron, Mojito Cocktail Bar or Antisamos beach bar. A lifeguard is monitoring swimmers in the summer months, who controls the safety of the beach from a high platform.
It is important for many vacationers that Antisamos beach is one of the beaches on the island of Kefalonia Island where water sports are also possible, such as here you can rent SUP, water bike, canoe, and it is even possible to use a jet-ski, wakeboard, banana, crazy sofa, or flyboard. The area for local water sports are situated on the southers side of the beach, where you will see the tents.
Since Antisamos is a top destination in Kefalonia Island for many vacationers, the beach can become crowded on some summer days due to its beauty. You can also use your own parasol, but it is not easy to stick them between the pebbles everywhere!
Antisamos beach is one of the places for diving in Kefalonia, and also a filming location
If you would like to go diving on the island of Kefalonia, Antisamos beach is highly recommended. The beach is considered as one of the best snorkeling spots where you can go diving, because of the rich local marine life. Snorkelers and divers can meet smaller and bigger fishes often, especially on the rocky sides. Don’t forget to wear diving goggles, when you go to swim here.
Antisamos beach is also a movie star in Kefalonia Island, this bay is one of the important local filming locations. Several scenes of the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin were shot here! When you see the movie, you can notice that camp of Italian soldiers was built on the shore. Most of these shots are in the first half of the movie.
We have noticed since many years the only drawback of Antisamos beach: the local wasp situation. Unfortunately there can be seen slightly more wasps here, than in other Kefalonian beaches.
If you are sensitive to wasp stings, be sure to bring an antidote here! And one very important and useful tip for your safety: if you drink here beer or any kind of drinks, always cover your drink well, to avoid wasps flying into the glass or bottle.
What to see before or after visiting Antisamos beach
There are many interesting attractions in the area of Antisamos beach for every traveller. You can take a sightseeing tour in Sami, which has picturesque port with fishing boats and charming streets. In Sami there can be visit the Archeological Collection of Sami, where you can meet with archeological findings from ancient and Roman eras.
The Nautical Museum of Sami introduce you a bunch of handmade wooden ships, and for families with children there may be interesting in Kefalonia Island a small Zoo with a mythical themes, known as Odysseus Zoo Land.
The region is where you can explore the amazing sight of Kefalonia Island, the magical Melissani Cave Lake near Karavomylos village. Inside the cave visitors can sail on a beautiful lake, offering exceptional blue colours. This spectacular cave lake is listed not just as one of the best sights of Kefalonia Island, but it belongs to the most beautiful attractions in Greece. A cave of Drogarati with stalactites and stalagmites is situated also in the outskirts of Sami village.
Other mentionable sights near Antisamos are the ruins of Old Sami, and the tiny church of Agia Fanantes, both attractions offer great panoramic views to the area!
Where to stay in the area
Most of the local accommodations near Antisamos beach can be find in Sami. Sami offer a bunch of local apartments and villas, and can be a great place of a stay in Kefalonia. In the small town several restaurants and shops are waiting for guests, and make possible a great holiday here. Other mentionable place for a stay in the area is Karavomylos village, which is situated just a kilometer away from Sami.
