Lefkada in Greece

Lefkada, or Lefkas, belongs to the Ionian islands. The Ionian islands consists of twelve inhabited islands, in the far north is Corfu and in the south lies Zakynthos, Lefkada is located about halfway between. Lefkada is the Ionian islands' fourth largest island in terms of surface area (333 km2) and population (22,600 inhabitants). Only Kefalonia, Corfu and Zakynthos are bigger.

The smaller islands are Erikousa, Mathraki and Othoni north of Corfu; Paxi south of Corfu; Ithaka east of Kefalonia; and Meganisi, Kalamos and Kastos east of Lefkada.

The three latter islands, together with a number of uninhabited islands east of Lefkada, form something similar to a Swedish archipelago. But unlike the Swedish archipelago, Lefkada and the neighbouring islands is lush green.

Do not miss the cozy village of Sivota when you visit Lefkada.

Lefkada is actually one of the most verdant and most beautiful island I've been to. The island's name - Lefkada - means "the white island", the name comes from the white rocks that dominate the west coast of the island.

Porto Katsiki on the west coast of Lefkada.

Porto Katsiki is one of Greece's most photographed beaches, along with Myrtos in Kefalonia and Shipwreck beach in Zakynthos.

Lefkada Town is the island's largest town with approximately 8,700 inhabitants. Other larger villages are Ligia (930 inhabitants), Nikiana (720 inhabitants) and Nidri (970 inhabitants). The highest mountain is Stavrota (1,182 metres above sea level) almost exactly in the middle of the island. Tourism is concentrated to a few resorts, much of the island is actually quite untouched. It is especially noticeable when you visit the inland villages.

Lefkas town is a very nice town.

Pleasant Lefkada Town in the northeast has a wonderful setting in one corner of the big saltwater lagoon which separates Lefkada from the mainland. Almost all tourist resorts are located along the eastern and the southern coasts, it's a little strange, because the beautiful beaches are on the west coast.

Agios Nikitas is undoubtedly Lefkada's finest and most cosy seaside village. Here is a perfect mix of old and new, touristic and traditional. In addition, the village is architecturally beautiful. Nidri is the island's largest tourist resort. The village is set insanely beautiful in one corner of a large bay with lovely waters. It's a real pleasure to sit down at a seafront taverna and gaze at the lovely scenery that resembles of Thailand. Other villages that I like are Nikiana, Vlichos, Sivota, Poros and Karia.

The beaches on the west coast belongs to the best in the Ionian islands, completely in the same class as the best beaches on Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Of course there are beaches on other parts of the island: Nidri, Mikros Gialos, Vasiliki, Ligia, Desimi and Agios Ioannis are some examples. But they are not up to Milos, Kathisma, Gialos, Egremni and Porto Katsiki on the west coast.

The windsurfer's paradise of Vasiliki and Lefkada's second port.

Porto Katsiki is, in my opinion, one of the coolest beaches in Greece, and a must when you are on Lefkada. One of the island's major attractions is the windsurfing paradise of Vasiliki that attracts windsurfers from all over the world.

You can read more about Lefkada via the links at the end of this page.

A short summary of the information comes here:

It is possible to go on a package holiday from many countries. Check with a travel agency in your country. There is no airport on Lefkada, the plane touch down in Preveza on the mainland, from where you travel on to Lefkada. If you choose to travel independently to Lefkada, it is easiest to fly to Preveza and then continue by bus or taxi. You can also go by air to Athens and go by bus from there.

There are as many tourist resorts as there are traditional mountain villages. Please give Lefkada Town a chance, it is a very nice place. Of the mountain villages I recommend Drimonas, Exanthia, Karia, Chortata and Komilio.

Mikros Gialos beach on the east coast of Lefkada.

The beaches on the west coast are among the best in Greece. The beaches on the east coast and the south coast are not as good, but they are also nice, with a few exceptions, like the beaches in Nidri and Ligia. Do not miss the Yeni peninsula where there are some beaches that are not so famous.

Lefkada's attractions are few if not including the beautiful scenery and the attractive archipelago. A few kilometres from Nidri is a small waterfall that is quite worth seeing. There are no temples or other antique monuments that one has to see. If you want to explore more you can rent a car and drive to Parga where there is much to see, both in Parga itself and in the vicinity of Parga.

The waterfall is located approximately three kilometers northwest of Nidri.

Lefkada is an island that attracts mostly package travellers, few people travel here independently. But of course it is as easy to travel independently to Lefkada as it is to other islands. It's not like on, for example, Naxos where you are met by letters of rooms. It is smartest to pre-book your accommodation. The widest range of hotels and pensions is in Vasiliki, Agios Nikitas and Nidri. Unfortunately, there is nowhere to stay at Porto Katsiki. Otherwise it would have been nice to stay there.

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