Petania beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in Kefalonia island, where the sea colours are amazing, and the scenery of the bay is also beautiful. A lot of travellers say in Kefalonia Petani beach is the Carribbean beach of the island, which is also a recommended place for diving and snorkeling.
Just a decade ago Petani was a hidden gem in Kefalona, visited by just beach enthusiasts, but now due the beautiful photos and the great reviews this interesting place became much more popular. Some maps and travel guides mention this incredible bay as Petanoi beach, Paralia Petanoi, or Παραλία Πετανοί in Greek language, but all these names mark the same place in Kefalonia island.
- Known as: Petani beach, Petanoi beach, Paralia Petani, Παραλία Πετανοί
- Location: Kefalonia southwest, Paliki peninsula
Where to stay: click here for apartments, hotels in Kefalonia Island!
Where to find Petani beach in Kefalonia Island and how to get there
In Kefalonia Island Petani beach is situated on the southwestern coastline, which is known as Paliki Peninsula. The nearest mentionable village in the area is Lixouri, which lies approx. 15 kilometers away, while the capital of the island, Argostoli is located much further, 36 kilometers away from here. The road which leads to Petani is asphalted, and it takes you all the way down to the beach.
Very important information about Petani beach access when you arrive by car, there are some narrow U-turns at the last sections. Pay attention and slow down when reaching these turns, because the bottom of vehicles which have lower bottoms can hit the road.
At the higher points, where the road is getting wider in some places, you have the opportunity to pull over to the side of the road in several places. These places are lookouts of Petani beach, from where you capture the amazing views and you can make imposing photographs.
Boat trips and daily excursions to Petani beach are not common, because the largest ports of Kefalonia Island are further away from here. So the best options to arrive here are driving here by car or motorbycicle.
Petani beach parking informations
It’s worth to know about Petani beach parking, that behind the beach there are free and payed parkings as well. Parking at Petani beach is not always easy, especially on some high season days in July and August. The reason is there are not many free parking spaces here, and therefore the local parking lots fill up relatively quickly. In theses case options for parking are the small paid parking lots, and when these filled, arriving vehicles have to park at the edge of the narrow road.
When you don’t have other options and you have to park along the road, always fold your mirrors to avoid a crash or scratch!
During high season months the local parking situation shows how Kefalonia Island became much more popular in Greece. A decade ago Petani beach was visited by only a few tourists and locals, and parking was much easier even in summer.
What to find at Petani beach and whar to do, information and pictures
On the island of Kefalonia Petani beach (Paralia Petani) has remained a beach with a calm atmosphere despite the increasing number of visitors. The beach is quite well developed, as there is a parking lot, a tavern, and a beach bar behind the pebbled grass. The two best restaurants here are Ksouras Taverna and Erasmias.
The crystal-clear water of the Ionian Sea at Petani beach varies rapidly depending on the location – there are places where it is shallower because of the rock benches, but usually you have to swim or float on the water once you get a few meters in.
If the surface of the water is not disturbed by large waves, then the clarity of the sea is excellent, and recommended for for diving. Petani beach welcomes you with one of the richest underwater wildlife of the waters around the island of Kefalonia Island in Greece, and you can discover many fish swimming among the plants living under the surface. Don’t leave your diving goggles at home when you arrive here, as there are few Ionian islands with similar wildlife as here, and it is one of the best diving spots in Kefalonia, which, according to several travelers, sometimes beats Antisamos beach in terms of wildlife.
The southern part of the beach is special because there are small sea caves in the shade of cliffs. For diving, in the opinion of many, this southern part is one of the most recommended parts here, some have even seen rare and special kinds of fishes here.
The secret gem of Petani
The northernmost side of Petani beach, there can be find a smaller bay which is covered by rocks, but it can be accessed easy as a pie. Just across the northern part of the main beach, pass a small boat dock, and after a few steps and you’re in the secret cove.
This part is not developed, but it is a really photogenic and a charming bay, and some people suggest it as one of the local hidden gems. But you can stay here only at your own risk, because due to the vertical cliffs of the backround, there is a slightly higher risk of falling rocks.
Petani beach waves
On this beach of Kefalonia, whose colors are reminiscent of the tropics, there are sometimes bigger waves. In this case, the vegetation in the sea (usually sea grass, which gives the water dark spots) can wash up on the shore. The sea water plays in thousands of shades of blue instead of colorful spots , such as Myrtos beach from time to time. Of course, when the sea is rough, Petani beach is not suitable for diving due to the rough sea.
Due to local sea currents, the temperatures of the Ionian Sea here can sometimes feel cooler than elsewhere on the island. It’s worth to know swimming shoes are recommended at many places, because of Petani’s gravel-like, light-colored pebble beach has some slippery rock formations in its seabed.
There is also the possibility of some water sports, where you can also rent pedal boats or kayaks if there are no waves.
Some of the locals also call the bay Xoura’s beach (Ksouras), dedicated this area to the first tavern here. Some local traffic signs refer to this beach as Petanoi beach (Paralia Petanoi, Παραλία Πετανοί), but in authoritative Kefalonia island maps and brochures, the name Petani is used by many more people.
Petani beach infos
Petani beach is one of the most eye-catching beaches on the island of Kefalonia Island and all over Greece, which combines the colours of tropics and Greek atmospheres. We like it very much, and we suggest take a trip and visit this gem.
If you visit this area, you can also take a tour to another special beach on the island of Kefalonia, known as Xi beach. This is a unique place, which has a completely different character with its slow depth, gray rock walls and reddish-yellow sand.
- Coordinates and map: 38.261154, 20.377775
- Access: asphalt road
- Facilities: parking lots (paid and free), parasols and sunbeds for rent, beach bars, restaurants, showers, lifeguard, a few water sports
- Shore: pebbles, coarse sand, rocks
- Sea surface: varied, there can be waves, shallow and deeper parts
- Villages nearby: Agia Thekli, Kontogenada, Lixouri
Petani beach photos
Our photos of Petani beach, which introduce you what to find and see here in Kefalonia Island.
