CalmBeach Greece

Poli Beach, Ithaca

See practical info for Poli in Ithaca, including location, beach type, wind exposure, map and tips to help you decide when to visit.

The beach with the sunken ancient town

Poli (or Polis) is the beach below Stavros, the main village of northern Ithaca, set in a bay with a small fishing harbour and greenish water. Its name, meaning 'town', comes from the ancient city that, by tradition, lies sunken on the floor of the bay.

On the bay's northwestern edge lies the Cave of Loizos, named after Dimitrios Loizos, who is said to have discovered the cave in 1868. Excavations revealed a place of worship from Mycenaean to Roman times, with bronze tripods and the famous fragment of a clay mask inscribed 'EYXHN ODYSSEI', which linked the area to Odysseus. The cave was damaged in the 1953 earthquake and to this day remains closed to visitors.

The beach is pebbled, with deep water, trees offering shade in places and a small fishing harbour. A canteen and taverns operate seasonally and there is parking, while boat hire for nearby beaches is reported. The descent is by road from Stavros.

Region
Ithaca, Greece
Beach type
Pebbles
Access
Easy road access
Coordinates
38.44054, 20.64021

About this beach

The shoreline at Poli faces west, so it usually has natural cover from southerly, south-easterly and south-westerly winds. Orientation only reflects which way the coast faces, not confirmed shelter, so check wind and waves in the app before you go.

Poli has pebbles underfoot with water that deepens close to shore.

For amenities, Poli has an organised beach, sunbeds, natural shade, parking nearby and food nearby.

Open the app for live recommendation score, wind exposure, waves, best time of day and nearby alternatives.

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Nearby beaches oriented away from the Meltemi

Other beaches in Ithaca