Beaches with transparent waters continue to be one of the great reasons to travel in the summer, especially when they combine little-changed natural landscapes, more reserved access and a scenery capable of rivaling much more distant tropical destinations. In this context, Fteri beach, on the Greek island of Kefalonia, has just gained new international prominence after appearing in second place on the 2026 world list. In the European classification of the same ranking, it came in first place, ahead of beaches in Spain, Italy, Türkiye, France and Portugal.
The news gained traction in the British press, particularly in the newspaper, as Greece continues to be a very popular destination for tourists from the United Kingdom and because Cephalonia can be reached on seasonal direct flights from several British airports.
Still, for the Portuguese, the most realistic way to get to Fteri should not be presented as a direct and cheap getaway, but rather as a trip with an air connection to Greece and subsequent travel to the island.
From Portugal, the safest option is to fly to Athens and then connect to Kefalonia. Aegean offers connections from Lisbon to Athens and also flights between Athens and Kefalonia airport, while Aegean also sells flights between Lisbon and Athens. Prices must always be confirmed at the time of booking, as the rates published by companies are dynamic and can change within a few hours.
Fteri came second in the world
In the 2026 global ranking, Entalula Beach in the Philippines ranked first, while Fteri Beach in Greece ranked second. The list is the result of a selection made by judges, “Beach Ambassadors” and The World’s 50 Best Beaches team, after visits and evaluations to beaches in various parts of the world.
The organization itself describes Fteri as a secluded and majestic beach, embedded in a Cephalonian cove, surrounded by white cliffs and accessible mainly by boat or a steep trail. This more reserved location is pointed out as one of the reasons that help preserve the calm and less crowded environment of the place.
Turquoise water, white pebbles and high cliffs
Fteri’s image easily explains the attention he has received. The beach combines light pebbles, small areas of sand and the clear waters of the Ionian Sea, creating a very strong contrast with the white cliffs that surround it. It is this framing that leads many international descriptions to compare it to tropical settings, even though it is in the middle of Europe.
Kefalonia, where Fteri is located, is the largest of the Ionian islands and is described by the official Visit Greece portal as a green island, marked by beaches with crystal clear waters in blue-green tones. The same source highlights the combination of mountains, sea, tradition and natural landscapes as one of the island’s main characteristics.
Most difficult to access beach
One of the reasons that helps keep Fteri away from mass tourism is access. It is not an urban beach, with a road to the entrance, bars, sun loungers and constant services. The visit requires planning, whether by boat from the Zola area or via a demanding walking route.
Kefalonia’s own tourist portal mentions Fteri as a beach that can only be reached by sea taxi from the village of Zola or on foot. The same source highlights that the preserved scenery is worth the effort of the walk, especially for those looking for a more natural experience.
What Portuguese people should know before going
For anyone leaving Portugal, Fteri should be seen as a journey of discovery and not as an immediately accessible beach. After the flight to Greece and the connection to Kefalonia, you still need to organize travel to the Zola area and, from there, choose between boat or trail.
It’s also a good idea to bring water, sun protection, suitable footwear and everything you might need while on the beach, precisely because Fteri is known for not having the typical structure of more urbanized bathing areas. This lack of services is part of its charm, but it also requires greater preparation.
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