Antisamos is a beach on Kefalonia Island on the west side of Greece. Kefalonia has rich traditions, charming villages, calm vibes, and delicious food. Moreover, it is known for its natural beauty, mesmerizing beaches with turquoise waters, and mysterious sea caves, full of secrets.
The landscape is different from other islands; it has fertile land with forests, rich in flora and fauna, and springs of fresh water. A small paradise on earth, waiting for you to explore it.
On the eastern part of the island, you can find one of the best beaches in Kefalonia; this is no other than Antisamos Beach. Thanks to the unique beauty of the landscape around the beach, it has attracted the attention of many people.
It became famous in 2000 when it was decided to film part of the Hollywood movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin in this place. Since then, Antisamos Beach has become an attraction pole for Greek and international tourists.
If you plan to visit Kefalonia, you should spend at least a day on Antisamos Beach. You will fall in love with the color of the waters, the view, and the calm environment. This article has all you need to know about Antisamos Beach.
Discovering Antisamos Beach
Antisamos is a beach hidden in a gulf protected from all directions, close to the port of Sami.
The beach is long and wide and has small pebbles and turquoise waters. The surrounding hills covered in pine trees protect Antisamos from wind blows. The waters are deep, not particularly cold, and very clear. The beach, year after year, gets the award of the blue flag for the clear waters. Being there gives you the feeling you are on an exotic island.
Surprisingly, even though the whole area is very green, there is no natural shadow at the beach, so you need to have your umbrella or rent one from the beach bars.
As you lie on the beach, you can admire the view of the northern side of Ithaki Island, on the horizon. Like Kefalonia, Ithaki is a very green island, with forests of pine trees and cypresses.
Since the beach is famous, it is busy, especially in the high tourist months, July and August; many people choose to spend their day and enjoy diving in the crystal clear waters. However, it never gets annoyingly crowded as it is very long, and you can find a calm spot if you go further from the beach bars.
Services at Antisamos Beach
Antisamos Beach has amenities that make your day at the beach very comfortable. For instance, two beach bars serve drinks, coffee, and snacks. They also own the loungers and the umbrellas by the water. You can rent a set for the time you spend at the beach, and you can enjoy sitting comfortably on a sunbed.
The lifeguards, who are at the beach every day from 7:00 to 18:00, make sure that everyone enjoys the beauty of nature safely.
If you are looking for some adventure, you can try water sports. The water sports school at Antisamos Beach rents equipment and has instructors who can teach you any sport you choose. You can also book group lessons and enjoy the adventure with your friends!
If you come to the beach by car, you can park it for free in the parking space at the end of the beach.
Things to see around Antisamos Beach
Being in Antisamos is an opportunity to explore interesting places nearby.
Just three km from the beach, on the top of a hill, is the monastery of Panayia Agrilia, from where you have a breathtaking view of the neighboring island, Ithaki. Built during the 18th century, it used to be a lively monastic community, but today no monks live in it. Nevertheless, on the celebration of the Virgin Mary (15th of August), many people come for the feast. Close by, are the ruins of another monastery called Agion Fanenton.
Antisamos is also close to Sami, the village with the port. Every day ships from Ithaka and Patras arrive in Sami, so the place is usually busy. In the center, there are stores, ATMs, pharmacies, doctors, and other services. By the port, you find taverns, restaurants, and cafeterias.
After a day at Antisamos Beach, you can drive here for lunch or dinner or walk in the promenade that follows the port. There are hotels and guest houses, and many people decide to stay in this calmer part of the island.
In the close distance, are the caves of Melissani and Drogkaratis, two of the main caves of the island. There are about 17 caves in this area, but these two are open to visitors, and you can have a guided tour inside. In the summer months, they are open every day.
Planning a trip to Kefalonia? Check out my guides:
Best things to do in Kefalonia
Things to do in Fiskardo, Kefalonia
Things to do in Assos, Kefalonia
A Guide to Myrtos Beach
Best villages and towns of Kefalonia
How to get to Antisamos Beach
Antisamos beach is 30 km from Argostoli and, as I said, very close to Sami port.
If you come by car from Argostoli, you can take the Provincial Road that connects Argostoli to Sami. Following the signs, you get to Antisamos, after a total of 45 minutes drive. Right at the end of the beach, there is a spacious parking lot where you can park your car for free.
Unless you drive, it is hard to get to the beach. The shuttle buses that go around the island do not stop here. You can, however, go to Sami by bus and take a cab from there to Antisamos.
Some people choose to hitchhike, but it might be hard to find someone to give you a ride, as hitchhiking is not very popular in Kefalonia.
You can also take a day trip from Ithaki, the neighboring island. It takes less than an hour to arrive in Sami, and from there you can go to Antisamos by taxi. In the summer months ferries connecting the two islands come and go quite often.