- Tourist Information
- Map
- Why is the island of Lefkada famous?
- What should you pack if you visit Lefkada?
- What special activities can you do in Lefkada?
- Boat trips from the port of Nidri or Vasiliki
- Tour of the islands
- The waterfall in Nidri
- What are the most beautiful beaches in Lefkada and how do I get to them?
- Agiofili beach
- Egremni beach
- Kathisma Beach
- Ai Yiannis Beach
- Agios Nikitas Beach
- Milos beach
- Pefkoulia beach
- Megali Petra Beach
- Nidri beach
- Vasiliki beach
- Where to eat in Lefkada
- What you can buy in Lefkada
- What is the history of the island of Lefkada?
- What legends does Lefkada Island have?
- The Legend of Sappho
- The Legend of Artemis and Apollo
- The Legend of Saint George
- The Legend of Aphrodite
- The Legend of Aiolos
- The Legend of Areti
- The Legend of Odysseus
Tourist Information
| Type | Island, Nature |
| Getting there | By Car The island is connected to the mainland of Greece with a bridge By Plane The closest airport: is Aktion/Preveza, about a 30-minute drive away. This airport works only in summer and does not receive flights from Athens. It receives only charters and low-cost flights from European airports By Bus If you don’t have a car you can go from Athens to Lefkada with a Ktel bus. The distance between Athens and Lefkada is 378 km and it will take you around 5 hours to get there. |
| When to visit | During the summer |
| Location | Lefkada Island, Greece, Europe |
Map
Why is the island of Lefkada famous?
The island of Lefkada is renowned for its exquisite, wild beaches and enchanting turquoise waters.
Lefkada measures 35 km (22 miles) from north to south and 15 km (9 miles) from east to west.
The island of Lefkada has one airport, Preveza-Aktion Airport (PVK), which serves flights from several European cities. Alternatively, you can reach the island directly by car from mainland Greece, as the island is connected to the mainland by a bridge.
South of Nidri, 20 km (12 miles) is the resort of Vasiliki, a famous windsurfing center.
It belongs to the group of Ionian Islands, together with Kefalonia, Corfu, Zakynthos, Ithaca, Paxos, and Kithyra.
Visit this island if you are passionate about mythology, beach, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, and boat trips.
The island of Lefkada is quite wild. Some of the beaches do not have a bar or restaurant where you can buy water and food. This is exactly what makes the island of Lefkada extremely attractive.
What should you pack if you visit Lefkada?
Water shoes/slippers: As most of the beaches of Lefkada island are covered with pebbles, this item is strictly necessary.
Parasol: Many of the beaches do not have parasols and this item is necessary if you want shade.
Cooler Bag or Electric Car Bag: This item will help you have cold drinks throughout the day as you travel around the island and to the amazing beaches.
Food and drinks: Take sandwiches, fruit, and water with you at all times
Light-colored loose clothing, and sun hats: These items help you bear the heat of the sun more easily.
What special activities can you do in Lefkada?
Boat trips from the port of Nidri or Vasiliki
- Around the coast of Lefkas to the beach of Egremni for swimming and sunbathing.
- To Porto Katsiki Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. There are regular boats to this beach from the main ports.
- To Agiofili Beach. Boats run a regular round-trip schedule to and from this beach.
Tour of the islands
- Visit Fiskardo in Kefalonia, the island that is considered the Ionian diamond. There is a stop for lunch and swimming.
- Next stop at Ithaca for sightseeing and swimming.
- Cave of Papanikolis, located in Meganisi. Stop for photos.
- At noon a short stop is made at the Onassis family islands, Scorpios.
- You can admire the other islands of the Scorpidi group: Sparti and Madouri.
The waterfall in Nidri
- On the outskirts of Nidri is the Dimossari waterfall.
- During the summer, the waterfall is the perfect place for swimming in the crystal clear waters of the lake.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Lefkada and how do I get to them?
Agiofili beach
Agiofili Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Lefkada. A wild beach, located in a small bay, bathed by the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea.
Agiofili Beach is located 2 km from Vasiliki.
Porto Katsiki
This award-winning beach is one of the most popular beaches in Greece.
It can be reached by descending the 50 steps or by boat from Nidri and Vasiliki.
Before going down the stairs there is a restaurant. In the summer, from time to time the waiters come down to bring or take orders from the beach.
Egremni beach
The beach was damaged by the 2015 earthquake but now the road has been rebuilt and a ladder bridge has been made.
You can leave the car at the side of the main road where there is a parking lot, then you will walk a 1 km road (which can sometimes be closed) and then go down about 250 steps to the beach.
Kathisma Beach
Close to Agios Nikitas, Kathisma is a long sandy beach with mountains and a bright blue sea.
On this beach, you can go paragliding, swim, or simply relax in the sun.
It is organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, bars, and restaurants and is easily accessible by car, bus, or on foot.
It’s popular with families, solo travelers, and nudists and can get very crowded but it’s long enough so you can easily find a spot just for you.
Ai Yiannis Beach
Close to the town of Lefkada, Ai Yiannis is a 4.5 km long stretch of sand and fine pebbles, surrounded by green vegetation and sea with blue-green water.
It is perfect for those who come to take advantage of the wind for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Not suitable for children as the waves can be dangerous.
It is organized with sunbeds and there are numerous cafes and restaurants.
It is accessible on foot and there is a parking lot next to the beach.
Agios Nikitas Beach
Agios Nikitas beach is just 10 km from Lefkada town and is similar to Porto Katsiki beach.
It is a small beach with fine pebbles, with tavernas and cafes, and the relaxing atmosphere makes it a great place for families.
Agios Nikitas beach is easily accessible on foot from the village.
Milos beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Lefkas is located next to Agios Nikitas Beach.
It is a sandy beach with turquoise waters.
There are two ways to get there: on foot, there is a path starting from the village of Agios Nikitas (there are steep slopes in some places) or in July and August you can take a boat from the village of Agios Nikitas.
Pefkoulia beach
This beach is famous for its turquoise waters, sandy beach, and shade provided by the pine forests on the edges.
Located near the village of Agios Nikitas.
It is easily accessible by car.
Pefkoulia is not too crowded, there are restaurants and cafes, parking, and sunbeds.
It is good for families and there is a nudist area.
Megali Petra Beach
The watercolors at this beach have amazing shades of blue.
The Megali Petra Beach is located near Kalamitsi.
The road to this beach is quite difficult with steep and narrow parts.
There are no facilities, so you will need water and packed food if you plan to stay here.
Nidri beach
Nidri Beach is close to the town of Nidri and is a popular beach for families, young people, and locals.
It is the best-organized beach in Lefkada, with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as water sports centers.
Vasiliki beach
The beach is located in front of Vasiliki village and near the port.
It is a beach with fine sand and crystal clear, shallow waters, making it perfect for families.
Vasiliki beach is popular for windsurfing.
It has been awarded as one of the top 10 beaches in the world and one of the 3 best beaches in Europe for windsurfing.
Where to eat in Lefkada
In the harbors, where you can enjoy food and drinks while admiring the boats in the harbor and the frenetic atmosphere
In the family taverns of the smaller villages on the island. The quiet and familiar atmosphere is for those who don’t like the crowds of port cities. Tavern prices are lower and the food, is sometimes, tastier.
What you can buy in Lefkada
- Classic Greek souvenirs
- Gorgeous white stone souvenirs
- Clamshells
- Olive oil
- Oregano
- Greek Landscape Paintings (found in all towns, villages, and ports on the island)
- Very good honey (you can get orange, honeysuckle, and acacia honey, at prices starting from 5 euros a jar). Find it safely in the village of Draganu, on the side of the road, or in the area of Porto Katsiki.
What is the history of the island of Lefkada?
The island’s name means “white stones” in Greek, which are abundant on the island.
Lefkada is part of a group of islands in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of Greece, and the island is connected to the mainland by a long floating bridge.
The island was inhabited between the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras.
The ancient city of Nirikos, 7th century BC, discovered at Kalligoni from Koulmos, was the first capital of the island. It was surrounded by a large wall, of which only a small part remains.
The German archaeologist Wilhelm Dairepfeld, Henry Schliemann’s associate in the excavations at Troy, carried out extensive archaeological research in Nidri and brought to light important finds from the Copper Age (2000 BC) and therefore launched the theory that Lefkada could be Homer’s Ithaca.
Go to the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada (Address: Sikelianou & N. Svoronou, 31100 LEFKADA, IONIAN ISLANDS, GREECE) to see the findings of the excavations.
What legends does Lefkada Island have?
The Legend of Sappho
Lefkada is linked to the legend of the famous poet Sappho, who is believed to have thrown herself from the island’s cliffs into the sea because of her unrequited love for Phaon. These rocks are known as the “Sappho Rocks” and are a tourist attraction. These rocks are at Cape Lefkada. Sappho (610 – 580 BC) is said to have been the most important lyric poet of the ancient world; few of her texts survive, most being destroyed by the church.
The Legend of Artemis and Apollo
The island of Lefkada is said to have been the birthplace of the twin gods Artemis and Apollo, who were the children of Zeus and Leto. According to the myth, Leto sought a safe place to give birth, and the god Zeus turned the island into a stable place on the sea to give her this safety.
The Legend of Saint George
Saint George is said to have saved the island of Lefkada from a ferocious dragon that was terrorizing the inhabitants. Saint George killed the dragon and freed the island from its threat. In recognition, the residents celebrated St. George’s Day as an important holiday.
The Legend of Aphrodite
The goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, is said to have been born from the foam of the sea near Lefkada. There is even a beach called “Aphrodite Beach” on the island, which is associated with this legend.
The Legend of Aiolos
Lefkada is often called the “island of the winds” because of the legend of Aiolos, the god of the winds, who lived on this island. Aiolos is considered to be responsible for controlling the winds and was mentioned in Homer’s “Odyssey”.
The Legend of Areti
According to this legend, Areti was a young woman from Lefkada who was wrongly accused of adultery and sentenced to death by drowning. However, the god Apollo intervened and turned her into a mermaid to spend eternity in the sea around the island.
The Legend of Odysseus
Lefkada is sometimes associated with the island of Ithaca, which is linked to the legend of Odysseus in Homer’s “Odyssey”. According to myth, Odysseus, the Greek hero, spent ten years traveling and trying to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The island of Lefkada has sometimes been considered the place where Odysseus spent part of his journey.
