There are few higher joys in life than stumbling upon a secluded beach with no crowds, the sound of waves lapping towards the shoreline as the salty air gently licks your face.
And the little-known Fteri beach on the Greek island of Kefalonia is just that – it has additionally been named the second best beach in the world (second solely to Entalula beach in the Philippines) by The World’s 50 Best Beaches.
Primarily accessible by a steep two-kilometre mountain climbing path, this serene cove is enveloped by cliffs of historical marine sediment, the uncovered layers of which inform the island’s wealthy and complicated historical past. It could also be difficult to get to by foot, however the reward is nicely value it. You may also get there by boat, with a water taxi service operating recurrently all through peak seasons.
A mixture of white pebbles and sand, the beach itself stretches alongside the north-western tip of the island, not removed from the mountainous village of Zola, and affords distant swimming in the heat, crystalline waters of the Ionian Sea.
As you’d count on from such an unspoilt, secluded cove, Fteri beach has little in the means of leisure or refreshments, so guests are suggested to pack necessities, together with sunscreen, water and meals, for the period of their keep.
Of course, Fteri beach is not the solely sanctuary to be discovered on the island of Kefalonia. Known for its rugged landscapes, aromatic pine timber and sprawling vineyards, the laid-back Greek archipelago is a refuge from on a regular basis life.
Shrouded in mythology, this enchanting island is certain with literary ties. It just isn’t solely considered the inspiration for Homer’s historical Greek epic, Odyssey, and the legendary Ithaca, in newer occasions, it has been immortalised by way of Louis de Bernières hauntingly stunning 1994 novel, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
With flights to Argostoli airport out there from London and different UK areas and costing as little £54, and with a flight time of just a little over 3 hours, why not make Kefalonia your summer season vacation spot – and go to the gorgeous Fteri beach for your self?