Lefkada is one of the most beautiful islands in the Ionian Sea, with beaches such as Porto Katsiki and Eggremnoi.
- Lefkada. The capital of the island, where the nightlife is
- Lazarata, Spanochori, Pinakochori, Asprogerakata, Kavallos.
- Karya.
- Tsoukalates.
- Nikiana.
- Kalamitsi.
- Nydri.
- Vasiliki. A fishing port full of restaurants and shops
- Athani, Dragano.
- Syvros, Vournikas, Agios Ilias.
- Poros.
Lefkada. The capital of the island, where the nightlife is
Lazarata, Spanochori, Pinakochori, Asprogerakata, Kavallos.
Karya.
Tsoukalates.
Nikiana.
Kalamitsi.
Nydri.
Vasiliki. A fishing port full of restaurants and shops
Athani, Dragano.
Syvros, Vournikas, Agios Ilias.
Poros.
- Meganisi.
- Kalamos.
- Kastos.
Meganisi.
Kalamos.
Kastos.
Beaches:
- Porto Katsiki. Worldwide known, chosen and voted more than once in top 10 of beaches in Mediterranean and in Europe. A relatively large and sandy beach surrounded by white cliffs. Whilst it is possible to drive to the beach and take the steps down the cliff, there are also daily boat trips that leave from Nidri and Vasiliki harbour. The journey takes around 1½ to 2 hours and can be fairly choppy sometimes. Don't forget the sea legs!
- Egremni. One of the longest beaches of the island and has the privilege to be the less "cosmopolitan". While you will faint on the idea to walk up and down 1000 or even more stairs to get there, you will definitely be awarded by a unique colour of the crystal blue "caribbean" waters. Note: as of August 2019, the path to the beach has collapsed, meaning the only way to get to Egremni is by hourly ferry from Vasiliki or as part of one of the cruises leaving every day from Nydri or Vasiliki
- Kavalikefta. A very short, pebble beach, characterised by tall rocks in the sea and transparent water. It's served by a small bar with toilets and a changing room. The road to reach it is really sketchy, as shown by the many kandilakia: a narrow road, smaller than two cars, on a steep slope on a mountainside
- Kathisma. A very long, but very densely packed beach, although you can always find a free spot. One of the only sandy ones of the island. Has a bar with pool, a beach volley field and offers paragliding rides. Beware of windy days: the waves can get dangerously powerful, especially for families with kids
- Pefkoulia. A pebble beach below a forested slope, it's a favorite spot for wild campers. It has a beach bar similar to those shown in American movies. It has the same problem with wind as Kathisma
- Agios Ioannis. The "windmill beach", popular with surfers. After 13:00 the wind tends to get strong making it hard even to plant an umbrella. Bring your kite!
- Kastro.
- Perigiali. A very calm and quiet beach, sheltered from the wind. Restaurants, bars and hotels can be found. Boats can be rented (a 7-people boat costs €130 plus fuel), as can stand-up paddles (€20 per person per hour) and rides on a boat-trained parachute. The village of Nydri is 1.5 km from it. Going south from the beach, there is a fishing spot.
- Mikros Gialos. A pebble beach sheltered from the wind by a bay. 2-people kayaks can be rented for €10 an hour
- Afteli. A very short beach in a bay with an amazing, transparent, green sea. There is very little space and parking is really hard - even maneuvering, for big cars - so you should probably come early in the morning. Beware of the road - it's simply a former mule track that has been paved
- Ammousa. A small beach in a bay, though big enough that you will usually find space to plant an umbrella. 2 beds are €10. It has a bar and a restaurant (you can have lunch with €8-9 per person)
- Agiofylli. Only reachable through either a ferry from Vasiliki or a dirt road from the same village. Tends to get very crowded in August. 2 beds are €15.
Other activities:
- Kite flying
- Sailing
- Boating
- Wind Surfing - some of the best in Europe on the South of the island in Vasiliki
The wide and sheltered bay of Vasiliki in the South of the island is famous for its Wind Surfing due to the strong and consistent wind (known as "Eric" by enthusiasts) that blows down over the mountains in the afternoons. Cross winds of Beaufort force 9 has been recorded at the beach, but more typical is force 5 - 7 in the late afternoon. The section of beach named "Ponti" is usually packed with Wind Surfers and can be quite a spectacle to watch. It is possible to hire Canoes and Catamarans as well as Wind Surfing equipment on this main stretch of beach.
Lefkas is over 70% mountainous and said to be one of the best mountain biking spots in Europe. There are many places to hire push bikes along the high street in Nidri, however these bikes are not very well suited for the terrain and are more suitable for just getting about the town.
Porto Katsiki. Worldwide known, chosen and voted more than once in top 10 of beaches in Mediterranean and in Europe. A relatively large and sandy beach surrounded by white cliffs. Whilst it is possible to drive to the beach and take the steps down the cliff, there are also daily boat trips that leave from Nidri and Vasiliki harbour. The journey takes around 1½ to 2 hours and can be fairly choppy sometimes. Don't forget the sea legs!
Egremni. One of the longest beaches of the island and has the privilege to be the less "cosmopolitan". While you will faint on the idea to walk up and down 1000 or even more stairs to get there, you will definitely be awarded by a unique colour of the crystal blue "caribbean" waters. Note: as of August 2019, the path to the beach has collapsed, meaning the only way to get to Egremni is by hourly ferry from Vasiliki or as part of one of the cruises leaving every day from Nydri or Vasiliki
Kavalikefta. A very short, pebble beach, characterised by tall rocks in the sea and transparent water. It's served by a small bar with toilets and a changing room. The road to reach it is really sketchy, as shown by the many kandilakia: a narrow road, smaller than two cars, on a steep slope on a mountainside
Kathisma. A very long, but very densely packed beach, although you can always find a free spot. One of the only sandy ones of the island. Has a bar with pool, a beach volley field and offers paragliding rides. Beware of windy days: the waves can get dangerously powerful, especially for families with kids
Pefkoulia. A pebble beach below a forested slope, it's a favorite spot for wild campers. It has a beach bar similar to those shown in American movies. It has the same problem with wind as Kathisma
Agios Ioannis. The "windmill beach", popular with surfers. After 13:00 the wind tends to get strong making it hard even to plant an umbrella. Bring your kite!
Kastro.
Perigiali. A very calm and quiet beach, sheltered from the wind. Restaurants, bars and hotels can be found. Boats can be rented (a 7-people boat costs €130 plus fuel), as can stand-up paddles (€20 per person per hour) and rides on a boat-trained parachute. The village of Nydri is 1.5 km from it. Going south from the beach, there is a fishing spot.
Mikros Gialos. A pebble beach sheltered from the wind by a bay. 2-people kayaks can be rented for €10 an hour
Afteli. A very short beach in a bay with an amazing, transparent, green sea. There is very little space and parking is really hard - even maneuvering, for big cars - so you should probably come early in the morning. Beware of the road - it's simply a former mule track that has been paved
Ammousa. A small beach in a bay, though big enough that you will usually find space to plant an umbrella. 2 beds are €10. It has a bar and a restaurant (you can have lunch with €8-9 per person)
Agiofylli. Only reachable through either a ferry from Vasiliki or a dirt road from the same village. Tends to get very crowded in August. 2 beds are €15.
Fish recommended at Syvota bay or at fishport of Lygia while you can enjoy delicious meat meals at Karya village.
The harbour at Vasiliki bay houses around 15 restaurants and fast food outlets, all of which have covered seating outside next to the water. Be aware that on particularly warm evenings the water in some parts of the harbour smells and can be distracting when trying to relax and eat!
Food available at the harbour varies from traditional Greek cuisine, to simple meals such as beef burgers and chips and is relatively cheap. It is possible for 2 people to eat a large meal and drink wine for less than €25.
To koutouki, +306944291114. Daily 12:00-00:30. A restaurant serving mostly traditional Greek meat-based food. Frequented by locals. The English and Italian menus are improperly-translated so check what a dish is before ordering (or don't) Starting from €10 per person.
To koutouki, +306944291114. Daily 12:00-00:30. A restaurant serving mostly traditional Greek meat-based food. Frequented by locals. The English and Italian menus are improperly-translated so check what a dish is before ordering (or don't) Starting from €10 per person.
The most popular beers at the bars in Nidri and Vasiliki are Mythos and Amstel. There is a winery on the island (approx 8 km from Vasiliki town) which produces "Lefkadian Land White", a white wine which can be bought cheaply in the supermarkets and restaurants.
Crime on the island is low. In Vasiliki it is not uncommon to see doors and windows left open overnight, or restaurant drinks fridges and ice cream freezers left outside overnight without a lock. Beware of road accidents! Roads can be narrow and exposed and at night illumination is scarce. The roadside shrines (kandilakia) you see on places like turns and slopes are actually to remember someone who died at that point on the road.