Xi Beach Kefalonia

holiday report and Kefalonia map

Xi beach Kefalonia

XI or KSI beach Kefalonia is one of the best known resorts on the lesser known Pali peninsula of the island. Xi is often pronounced by the English 'zee', but the Greek pronunciation is more like 'khsi'.
Xi is a long, flat and somewhat scruffy looking beach of sand and shingle that is dominated by the Cephalonia Palace Hotel. The hotel, though big, is not completely unattractive and is surrounded by attractive gardens. As well as the hotel there are plenty of apartments dotted around the flat area behind the beach.
Xi resort also has several shops, tavernas and bars. It's pretty much at a dead end road so there is little in the way of traffic. Xi is noted for its red sand beach and the grey alluvial deposits that make up the landscape around the Pali peninsula. It is very long at around 4km and relatively quiet.
Xi has the advantage of being well away from the usual tourist trail. It has a pleasant uncommercial atmosphere and attracts a more sophisticated tourist. The downside is you are quite cut off from the rest of the island and its a long drive to get anywhere. With a car you have the Pali peninsula in easy reach or you can take the ferry across the bay to Argostoli.
From Xi beach you can take a boat to Vardiani island which only 500m offshore. Where Xi beach ends, the beach of Mega Lakkos begins and, turning back towards Mantzavinata the road goes to Kounopetra next to Akrotiri and the fishing village of Vatsa Bay.
The area around Xi beach is very flat so walking and cycling are no problem and the area to the northwest at Krokidata is very attractive.