The bay below Stavros on the west coast, a working little anchorage with fishing boats, a shingle shore and a taverna. It matters beyond its size: the cave in the cliff above — the Cave of Odysseus — produced bronze tripods and a votive inscription to Odysseus, which is some of the best archaeological evidence on the island. A good place to swim and then look up.
Where to stay nearby
Live prices and availability on a map centred on this exact spot — hotels, studios and villas — so you can judge the distance to the beach, the port or the village from here rather than guess from an address.
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Tours, boat trips & tickets
Boat trips, guided tours of the ancient sites and tickets bookable ahead — free cancellation on most.
- Gidaki by boatThe island's famous pebble beach, reached by boat from Vathy or a stiff forty-minute walk over the headland.See boat trips →
- The Homeric sitesThe Cave of the Nymphs, the School of Homer above Stavros and the Arethusa Spring — none of them ticketed, which is part of the pleasure.See guided tours →
- Paired with KefaloniaThere is no airport: most people arrive from Sami on Kefalonia, which makes the two islands an easy pair rather than a choice.See day trips →
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Frequently asked
Where is Polis Bay?
Polis Bay is in Stavros, Ithaca, Greece. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
How do you get to Polis Bay?
It is reached by a paved road, so you can drive or take a taxi right to it.
Is Polis Bay sandy or pebbly?
The beach is pebbles. Water shoes make getting in far more comfortable.
Is Polis Bay good for snorkelling?
Yes — it is one of the beaches we flag for snorkelling. The water is clearest on still days.
🏖️ Beaches
