Please tell me what beach hotels and islands you love in Greece!

[irritablehead1]

I'm in the rabbit warren of sorting holiday. I've lost all previous Mumsnset threads so can't find previous post about Greece.

Please can you hit me up for recommendations of hotels/islands with lovely beaches and great swimming. I've no idea about Greece.

Thanks so much

And definitely hire a car and explore the coast. I've been all over the Greek islands. Y favourite part of the med. But driving round the Crete beaches is fantastic. It's the only islands I've been back to more than once. In fact three times. Never been back to anywhere else twice on holiday.

Elysium Rhodes... 5 star and very good value. Pebbly beach though

@lollipoprainbow

Used to adore skopelos but this was long before mamma Mia was filmed there not sure what it's like now, I imagine it's very touristy. Adore santorini also.

I've been a couple of times since Mamma Mia, and minus spotting a tour or two it is still pretty unspoilt, though I've never been during school holidays. I think the need for ferrying/lack of sandy beaches helps!

Ok, so I've gone for Kefalonia. A decision is a massive breakthrough air punches

Now for those of you who know Kefalonia - what is the best part of the island to base ourselves?

I've booked two places. One in Skala, on the beachfront, a fairly traditional hotel that gets rave reviews. The other in Fiskardo, also reviewed well.

I like the sound of the Northern end of the island, where Fiskardo is, for things to do but whilst the beaches look beautiful, they are mostly pebbly?

I wondered what people thought who went to Kefalonia...

Thanks so much

I know Skala quite well. Which hotel have you booked? We stay at Nine Muses.

Eagles Palace near Ouranoupoli

@girlywhirly

I know Skala quite well. Which hotel have you booked? We stay at Nine Muses.

Reserved at Melidron....

What do you think of Skala v north of island etc?

All of kefalonia is lovely .. we stay in Sami

We’ve seen quite a bit of the island, and there is some stunning scenery. Fiskardo is the sailing hub, the harbour is full of posh yachts. We’ve only stayed in Skala. I’m trying to think of what your DS would find interesting. On the beach there is the opportunity to snorkel, there are kayaks and (I think) pedaloes, hopefully there will be Captain Costis boat trips which go to different places on different days from the beach, including the island of Ithaca, and there is a trip to Fiskardo as well, both include swim stops from the boat. There are jeep safaris too which are a full day with a very good local guide, who will tell you about the occupation of the island during ww2 and also the devastating earthquake later. Skala has one pebbly beach and further along a sandy one, and turtles lay their eggs there.

We’ve been to Kefalonia many times. Can’t beat it.

@girlywhirly

We’ve seen quite a bit of the island, and there is some stunning scenery. Fiskardo is the sailing hub, the harbour is full of posh yachts. We’ve only stayed in Skala. I’m trying to think of what your DS would find interesting. On the beach there is the opportunity to snorkel, there are kayaks and (I think) pedaloes, hopefully there will be Captain Costis boat trips which go to different places on different days from the beach, including the island of Ithaca, and there is a trip to Fiskardo as well, both include swim stops from the boat. There are jeep safaris too which are a full day with a very good local guide, who will tell you about the occupation of the island during ww2 and also the devastating earthquake later. Skala has one pebbly beach and further along a sandy one, and turtles lay their eggs there.

Thanks so much. It sounds like Skala is a good location/base. I'm not a massive fan of the posh yachts type but the area of the island does look beautiful, which is why the debate goes on.

I'm overthinking it. We'll have a car

@LookslovelyinSpringtime

We’ve been to Kefalonia many times. Can’t beat it.

Oh, good to know. Where do you like most/stay?

Always go to Skala but there are lots of other areas which are lovely too. It’s a lovely safe , clean island. Locals are friendly. It’s not ruined like many other places in Greece.

When I say posh yachts it’s not like Monte Carlo, but it’s quite smart. If you’ll have a car you could drive around the island in a day.

@Simonjt is the Elysium suitable for children (11 and 14)

[quote Spaceman1]@Simonjt is the Elysium suitable for children (11 and 14)[/quote]
No, its adults only.

[quote WhatDidISayAlan]@MoniJitchell another vote for Chania if you fancy Greece in October. It’s a year-round city with an Old Town, so it doesn’t fade to nothing at the end of the season. I stay in the Old Town at the Amphora www.amphora.gr/ - perfectly placed for people watching in the evenings from one of their terraces, and about 8 mins walk from the beach. Loads of lovely shops and great restaurants too.[/quote]
@WhatDidISayAlan That looks beautiful. I've always fancied Chania.

We go to Kokkari in Samos. Been going on and off since 1999! Love it. Pebbly beach - gets blowy so lots of windsurfing but the perfect size village, lots of nice little relaxing bars and restaurants. No loud nightlife. TUI fly from Gatwick on Thursdays, although you can go via Athens.

Skaothos, the while island is amazing. We did Tsivili in Zante a couple of years ago and called it the Greek Benidorm. Really not our cup of tea at all. Very little authenticity, lots of sports bars and beer drinking. Carling and full English breakfasts served everywhere.