🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where it is
Lefkada lies in the Ionian Sea, north of Kefalonia and Ithaca, so close to the mainland that only a narrow canal separates them. You enter the island over a bridge next to Santa Maura castle, which opens from time to time to let boats through. The nearest airport is Aktion, near Preveza.
📍 Where Lefkada is
Lefkada lies in the Ionian Sea, right next to the coast of Aetolia-Acarnania, south of Preveza. The island is shown in red, and in green are Aktion airport, the Rio–Antirrio bridge and Athens airport.
🗺️ The map of the island
Lefkada is mountainous in the middle, with villages such as Karya and Englouvi. The west coast is high and steep, with the long white beaches and the sunsets. The east coast is calmer and greener, with Nydri and views of the small islands. At the southern tip are Cape Lefkatas and the bay of Vasiliki.
🗺️ Map of Lefkada
The town and the bridge are at the northern tip. The best-known beaches are on the west coast, from Agios Nikitas to Porto Katsiki. Nydri and the islets are in the east, Vasiliki and Cape Lefkatas in the south. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Benedetto Bordone, 1547 (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Lefkada has some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece and is easy to reach, but these beaches need care. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- Some of the best-known beaches in Greece, such as Porto Katsiki and Egremni.
- You get there by car from Athens, with no ferry.
- Boats to the Ionian islets from Nydri.
- Vasiliki, one of the best-known places for windsurfing.
- Sunsets on the west coast and at Cape Lefkatas.
👎 The cons
- The west coast beaches have many steps and often waves.
- In August the beach car parks fill up early.
- Nydri is very touristy.
- The east coast does not have beaches like the west.
- You need a car to see the island.
🏖️ The west coast beaches
Porto Katsiki is a white beach at the southwestern tip, below tall rocks. From the road you walk down steps, and in summer boats also come from Nydri and Vasiliki. A little further north, Egremni is a long beach of white sand below cliffs. You reach it down many steps, and after the 2015 earthquake access was closed at times, so ask before you go.
Further north, Kathisma is a long sandy beach with easy access, cafés and sunbeds. Next to it, Agios Nikitas is a small village right on the sea, and from there a footpath or a water taxi takes you to Milos beach. On the west coast the sea often has waves, and the water gets deep quickly.
A white beach below tall rocks.
You walk down the cliff on steps.
The road reaches the top of the beach.
A long beach below tall cliffs.
White sand and often waves.
A long sandy beach near Agios Nikitas.
A small village right on the sea.
Photos: Dimitra Papadimitriou (CC BY-SA 4.0), Geraki (CC BY-SA 2.5), Alf van Beem (CC0), Neda Glisovic (CC BY-SA 4.0), Moumouza (Public domain), spheeris (CC BY 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
When the north or west wind blows, the west coast beaches have big waves. On those days choose the east coast or a boat trip from Nydri.
🏛️ Lefkada town
The town is at the northern tip of the island, next to a large lagoon. Its houses are unusual: the ground floor is stone and the upper floors are wooden, clad in brightly painted metal sheets so they can withstand earthquakes. The main pedestrian street has shops, cafés and small squares with churches.
At the entrance to the island stands Santa Maura castle, built in the early 14th century, which changed hands between Venetians and Ottomans. The whole island was named after it at the time: the Venetians called it Santa Maura. Above the town, the Faneromeni Monastery looks over the lagoon. Lefkada is the home of the poets Angelos Sikelianos and Aristotelis Valaoritis, while the writer Lafcadio Hearn took his name from the island where he was born.
The town is built beside it.
Cafés in old houses.
Wooden floors clad in metal sheets.
At the entrance to the island.
Vaults, walls and views of the lagoon.
In a plan by Vincenzo Coronelli.
Above the town, with views of the lagoon.
In the town canal.
Photos: Kate Horti (CC BY-SA 4.0), Paul Lakin (CC BY 3.0), Alf van Beem (CC0), Geraki (CC BY-SA 3.0 gr), Vincenzo Coronelli (CC BY 4.0), Upp75 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
⛵ Nydri and the islets
Nydri is on the east coast, facing a bay with green islets. It is very touristy, but this is where boats leave for Skorpios, the private island that belonged to the Onassis family, and for Meganisi, a quiet islet with sea caves and small villages. Many trips also go to Ithaca and Kefalonia.
A few minutes from Nydri, a path through a gorge takes you to the Dimosari waterfalls, with pools and shade. In summer there is less water, but the walk is cool.
Boats leave from here for the islets.
Tavernas right on the water.
Skorpios and the islets around it.
A quiet islet across from Nydri.
A few minutes from Nydri.
Water and shade in summer.
Photos: Anton Lefterov (CC BY-SA 4.0), Paul Lakin (CC BY 3.0), Tomisti (CC BY-SA 4.0), TheFatDrummer (CC BY-SA 4.0), Georgios Liakopoulos (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🌅 The south and the mountain villages
At the southern tip of the island is Cape Lefkatas, with a lighthouse on white cliffs. In ancient times the temple of Apollo stood here, and legend says the poet Sappho leapt from these rocks. It is one of the finest spots for sunset.
Vasiliki, on a large bay, is one of the best-known places in Europe for windsurfing, because a steady wind blows in the afternoons. East of it, Sivota is a quiet bay with fish tavernas. In the mountains, Karya is known for its embroidery and has a square with plane trees, while Englouvi is known for its lentils.
The lighthouse at the southern tip.
Here, legend says, Sappho leapt.
The windsurfers' village.
A quiet bay with fish tavernas.
A mountain village known for embroidery.
Photos: wolfgang.mller54 (CC BY 2.0), Austroungarika (CC BY-SA 3.0), DominikCK1999 (CC BY 4.0), Numenor (CC BY-SA 3.0), Alf van Beem (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
🏝️ Beaches
- Porto Katsiki: white pebbles below tall rocks, with steps from the road.
- Egremni: a long white beach below cliffs, with many steps.
- Kathisma: a long sandy beach with easy access and sunbeds.
- Milos: a sandy beach next to Agios Nikitas, by footpath or water taxi.
- Gyra and Pefkoulia: long beaches near the town.
- Agiofylli: a small beach near Vasiliki, with very clear water.
In August the car park above Porto Katsiki fills up in the morning. Arrive before 10 or go by boat from Vasiliki or Nydri.
🍽️ What to eat
Try Lefkada salami, a spiced cured sausage, Englouvi lentils, small lentils from the mountain village, and mandolato, the almond and honey sweet. In Sivota and Vasiliki you will find fresh fish, and in the mountain villages grilled meat and local wine.
📅 When to go
The best time is May, June and September: warm sea, fewer people on the beaches and easier parking. In July and August the island fills up, and many people come by car from mainland Greece. From November to March most places to stay by the beaches close.
✈️ How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | About 4–5 hours | Athens | Via the Rio–Antirrio bridge and the Aktion undersea tunnel. |
| KTEL bus | About 5–6 hours | Kifissos KTEL station | A direct bus to Lefkada town. |
| Plane | About one hour | Athens airport | To Aktion, then about 30 minutes by car. |
From Ioulianou 50, for the KTEL Kifissos bus station take Line 1 one stop to Omonia and then bus 051. For the airport, take Line 1 to Monastiraki and change to Line 3. On the island you need a car or a scooter for the west coast beaches. To compare ferry and plane for the other islands, see our guide to ferry or plane.
🗓️ Four days on Lefkada
The town and the north coast
Morning at Santa Maura castle and a stroll through the town's lanes. In the afternoon swim at Gyra or Pefkoulia and watch the sunset at Agios Nikitas.
West coast beaches
Early morning at Porto Katsiki, before it fills up. Then a stop in Athani for lunch and a sunset from high above Egremni.
Nydri and the islets
A boat from Nydri to Skorpios, Meganisi and its caves. In the afternoon walk to the Dimosari waterfalls.
The south
Cape Lefkatas and its lighthouse, then a swim and a meal in Vasiliki. Back via Sivota and Karya.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a ferry to get to Lefkada?
No. Lefkada is linked to the mainland by a bridge, so you arrive by car or bus from Athens. You only need a boat for the neighbouring islets.
Where should I stay on Lefkada?
In the town, if you want restaurants and life. In Agios Nikitas, for the west coast beaches. In Nydri, for the boats, and in Vasiliki, for windsurfing and the south.
Is Lefkada good for children?
Yes, but the big west coast beaches have steps and waves. For small children choose Kathisma, Gyra or the east coast beaches.
How many days do I need?
Four to five days for the west coast beaches, the town, Nydri and the south. For a relaxed holiday, a week.
— Kathy
