Myrtos Beach
Encyclopedia
Pylaros
Pylaros is a former municipality on the island of Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kefalonia, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located in the north-central part of the island. It has a land area of 81.112 km² and a...
, in the north-west of Kefalonia
Kefalonia
The island of Cephalonia, also known as Kefalonia, Cephallenia, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia , is the largest of the Ionian Islands in western Greece, with an area of . It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The beach is situated between the feet of two mountains, Agia Dynati
Agia Dynati
Agia Dynati is the second highest Greek mountain of Cefalonia , after Mount Ainos . It is also the third highest mountain of the Ionian Islands after Ainos and Elati . Between the mountain's peaks are small tablelands, with one larger one named Falari...
and Kalon Oros
Kalon Oros, Kefalonia
-References:...
(901m) . This can be seen in Google Maps
Character
Myrtos is world-famous for the magical colours of the water (from sky-blue to dark blue, green-blue and turquoiseTurquoise
Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl648·4. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue...
) contrasting with the bright white of the smooth marble pebbles from which it is formed.
In the evening when the sun is on the horizon, the water is tinted by magnificent colours, (red, yellow, purple, orange), as the sun disappears. The location of the beach, with steep mountains and tall cliffs behind, is imposing and magical.
For all these reasons Myrtos has previously been voted 12 times the best Greek beach and has been quoted in one or more of the published top-ten beaches of the world lists (There are many such lists and Myrtos is not cited in the majority of lists which originate outside Europe, but is included in more of the lists that originate in Europe). It is cited as No 36 in the world in one widely used travel website . Myrtos Beach was also identified as a priority destination in a SEPT 2008 review in the Telegraph Newspaper(UK)
When walking around, some footwear such as flip-flops is advised because of the pebbles. There is a steep drop-off at the shore which, at times, can be associated with a significant undertow that can be disconcerting to someone who is not a strong swimmer. Most adults become out of their depth within about ten feet of the shoreline.
Geology
The surrounding sediment at Myrtos Beach is generally made up of marbleMarble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
, a metamorphosed limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
. The beach is made up of round, white cobblestones which decrease in size to that of a small pebble. The sediment gradually becomes smaller as you approach the shoreline. Because the slope angle has an abrupt drop near the edge of the shoreline the wave energy that is continually acting on Myrtos Beach is very high. This wave action is what causes the gradation trends from cobbles to pebbles along the beach.
Longshore drift
Longshore drift
Longshore drift consists of the transportation of sediments along a coast at an angle to the shoreline, which is dependent on prevailing wind direction, swash and backwash. This process occurs in the littoral zone, and in or within close proximity to the surf zone...
, along with wave energy, has an effect on the beauty of this beach. As waves curve along the beach they also pick up the finest bits of marble; this creates what is known as sediment plumes. These plumes follow the curve of the beach with the direction of the waves making the water a brilliant shade of turquoise, well seen in the satellite image on Google Maps. Because of the strength of the waves they carry the plume out past the headlands. Then wave refraction takes over pulling the plumes back into the bay, which is what creates the beautiful anchor shape.
Travel and Amenities
A well-made steep winding road, about two km in length and with hairpin bends, leads down to the beach from the village of DivarataDivarata
Divarata is a village northwest of Agia Efimia in the Pylaros municipal unit of Kefalonia, Greece.- Amenities:The village straddles one of the main roads which runs around the coast of Kefalonia, with the centre to the East of the coast road....
.
During the high tourist season in the summer, the Municipality of Pylaros
Pylaros
Pylaros is a former municipality on the island of Kefalonia, Ionian Islands, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Kefalonia, of which it is a municipal unit. It is located in the north-central part of the island. It has a land area of 81.112 km² and a...
runs a public bus service (Nos 3 & 6) to and from Myrtos Beach, which departs from the harbour area in Agia Efimia
Agia Efimia
Agia Effimia was the seat of the Pylaros municipality of Kefalonia in Greece. The small town is based around a traditional fishing village centred on a small harbour. It contains a number of taverns, bars and shops as well as tourist accommodation and local residences. The main activity in the...
. The Timetables can be found from Tourist Information offices in Agia Efimia and may be found online. The bus stops on the road leading down to the beach, leaving a five minute walk down. There is a small bus shelter to keep out of the sun when waiting to return. Most people seem to arrive by car rather than public transport.
At the end of the road, car parking is located immediately at the base of the cliffs at the edge of the beach. Modernization is ongoing and a system is developing where people arriving turn right onto a new track at the end of the road, leading down to the beach. Once on the beach, to leave, people turn left and come back up an older track.
There is a single beach bar serving drinks and light snacks. There are several Tavernas at the top of the road which leads down to the beach in the village of Divarata
Divarata
Divarata is a village northwest of Agia Efimia in the Pylaros municipal unit of Kefalonia, Greece.- Amenities:The village straddles one of the main roads which runs around the coast of Kefalonia, with the centre to the East of the coast road....
, and many people choose to eat here, having spent time on the beach. Others choose to drive further and eat at Assos.
Beach loungers and umbrellas are for hire