Katelios Kefalonia

beach report and Katelios map

Katelios beach Kefalonia

KATELIOS began life as an overspill resort from nearby Skala but it has now grown into a tourist resort in its own right. Although development is relatively low key, new apartment blocks and hotels are springing up all the time.
Katelios in in the south-east of Kefalonia, about 25km from Argostoli. It is flat and has some of the island's most dramatic beaches as well as a major turtle nesting beach at the western end.
Katelios was originally a fishing village but only a few boats now use the small harbour and tourism is the main moneyspinner. Basically little more than a tourist beach resort Katelios has two main parts. The beachside strip has a few tavernas and shops beneath a string of large trees. Set back inland, about 1km from the beach, are the bulk of the apartment blocks along a road that cuts through olive and citrus groves.
Katelios is down as one of the friendliest resorts on Kefalonia, with taverna owners and shopkeepers all very welcoming.
Katelios beach is not as good as neighbouring Skala, just a narrow strip of sand shingle with several rocks and rock pools to add interest. It is gently sloping into the sea, go good for families with children. Some say its looks scruffy and dirty with gobs of seaweed, others that the beach is full of cigarette ends. The stray cats and dogs can also be a nuisance. There are sun beds but no toilets or showers and no water sports.
Katelios is a good base if you enjoy walking. There are plenty of footpaths and the area is noted for it wild flowers and rare birds. There are also the loggerhead turtles which nest nearby and a Katelios environmental group has set up a small museum and information centre. The office is by the bus stop just outside Kato Katelios.
The Marine Turtle Project records the nesting female turtles on beaches of Kaminia and Mounda and is staffed by volunteers from all over the world. The main turtle beach at Mounda, a 15 min walk around the headland, is sandy and clean but please respect the nesting grounds. There are details on www.kateliosgroup.org.
Other places of interest are the wine estates of Mavrata, noted for their Robolla wines and the Sissia Monastery and church of the Virgin of the Snakes. There is a local bus service to Skala and to Poros or in the opposite direction to Argostoli but car hire is recommended as the Katelios area is quite remote.