Lefkada (Lefkas), Ionian: Island Guide, Beaches & Hotels

The island of Lefkada

Lefkada lies among the Ionian Islands west of central Greece, between Corfu to the north and Kefalonia to the south, and covers 303 square kilometres. A wide bridge links it to the mainland and leads to the capital, Lefkada Town, which keeps its charm because after the 1956 earthquake much of it survived and rebuilding was limited to two storeys. The island is fertile, green and mountainous, ringed by small islets, and its ferry port is not the capital but the town of Nidri on the east coast. From Nidri boat trips run to Skorpios – the Onassis family island, 4 kilometres offshore and off-limits to visitors – and to the sea cave and beaches of Meganisi. North of Lefkada Town lie a lagoon and salt flats.

Beaches of Lefkada

Lefkada's finest beaches run down the west coast beneath high cliffs. Porto Katsiki, in the far south-west, is the best known – a sand beach reached by stairs from the car park, in shade until about 11:00, so best visited in the afternoon. Egremni, a little to the north, is a long, quiet sand-and-pebble beach reached down about 300 steps and rated among the finest in Greece. Gialos near Athani and Kathisma, more than a kilometre long north of Agios Nikitas and reachable by bus from Lefkada Town, are both popular, and Kalamitsi to its south stays quieter. Several of these beaches keep space for naturists. See the full list on the Lefkada beaches guide.

Sights of Lefkada

At the tip of Cape Lefkas in the south stand the remains of an ancient Temple of Apollo, the cliff from which the poet Sappho is said to have jumped to her death from a height of 70 metres. Nidri holds a Bronze Age tomb, and at the island's entrance from the mainland the 14th-century fortress of Agia Mavra guards both sides, built to protect the old town. Lefkada Town itself is known for its many colourful wooden houses.

Getting to Lefkada

The nearest airport is Preveza on the mainland, 15 kilometres from Lefkada Town; flights advertised as flights to Lefkas land there, and Preveza is an international airport rather than a domestic one. From the airport it is a short drive across the bridge onto the island. Ferries also run from Nidri to Fiskardo on Kefalonia and Piso Aetos on Ithaca.

Where to stay on Lefkada

Most accommodation sits along the east and south coasts around Lygia, Nidri and Vassiliki. See the full choice on the Lefkada hotels page.

Konaki Hotel, Lygia

Konaki Hotel sits in lush gardens 250 metres from the beach of Lygia, with a traditional restaurant, a buffet breakfast and free Wi-Fi. The air-conditioned rooms have private balconies over the olive groves or the pool, and there is a sun terrace, a children's playground with a separate pool and a gym. The fishing village of Lygia has tavernas a three-minute walk away, a bus outside the hotel serves Lefkada Town 4 kilometres off, and Nidri is 11 kilometres away.

Nydrion Beach Hotel, Nidri

The beachfront Nydrion Beach Hotel looks out over the nearby islands from Nidri on the east coast. Its rooms have balconies, air conditioning and satellite TV, plus a mini-bar, safe and hair dryer, and the hotel has an indoor bar, a lounge and a beach bar.

Lefkas Blue Residence, Lefkada Town

Lefkas Blue Residence stands near the lagoon of Lefkada, an 800-metre walk from the old town of Lefkada City and its award-winning Agios Ioannis beach, about 15 minutes from Preveza airport. The recently built neoclassical complex holds eight luxury apartments of 60 to 80 square metres set in more than 3,000 square metres of olive-grove grounds, with a 130-square-metre private swimming pool. Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchenette, air conditioning, satellite TV and a personal safe.

Enodia Hotel, Vassiliki

Enodia Hotel stands in Vassiliki, a small harbour town in the south of Lefkada, only 50 metres from the sea and a well-known windsurfing spot. Built in 2008, it has a big and a small pool in the garden, a sauna, a gym, a bar, the Enodion café and a restaurant serving local and organic dishes. Every room has air conditioning, plasma satellite TV, free internet, a safe, a minibar and a bathtub, and the suites add a large porch and a round Jacuzzi.