Lefkada Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Lefkada reveals one of the most extraordinary islands in the Ionian Sea, its remarkable connection to the Greek mainland by a floating bridge giving the most accessible island in the Ionian chain. The extraordinary west coast beaches of Porto Katsiki and Egremni, the finest in the Ionian Sea, and the remarkable lagoon of Lefkada Town give an island of extraordinary contrasts. This route covers the essential Lefkada experience: the extraordinary west coast cliffs and the remarkable Porto Katsiki and Egremni beaches, the finest in Greece, the remarkable Lefkada Town lagoon and salt flats, the extraordinary traditional villages of the interior and the hidden coves of the northeast coast.
Best Time To Visit
June to September , west coast beaches need calm weather
Getting There
Drive or bus from Athens via the floating bridge. No flights needed.
Getting Around
Car essential. West coast beaches require driving on mountain roads.
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 130 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , west coast beach access involves steep steps
DAY 1
LEFKADA TOWN
MORNING
LEFKADA TOWN AND THE LAGOON
Lefkada Town is the most extraordinary island capital in the Ionian Sea, its remarkable location between a lagoon and the sea connected to the mainland by a floating bridge giving the most unusual island town in Greece. The extraordinary traditional architecture of colourful tin-clad upper storeys built to survive earthquakes gives the finest vernacular townscape in the Ionian islands. The lagoon and salt flats attract remarkable birdlife. Free. Drive: Walk to fortress
MIDDAY
SANTA MAVRA FORTRESS
The Santa Mavra Fortress on the causeway connecting Lefkada to the mainland is the most extraordinary Venetian fortification in the northern Ionian islands, its remarkable complex of towers, walls and churches built by the Venetians in 1300 and expanded under Turkish and British rule giving the most layered fortification heritage on the island. The views over the lagoon and the mainland are extraordinary. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: Drive north
AFTERNOON
AGIOS NIKITAS VILLAGE
Agios Nikitas is the most extraordinary traditional village on the northwest coast of Lefkada, its remarkable position above the finest small beach in the northern Ionian Sea giving the finest traditional coastal village atmosphere on the island. The extraordinary car-free village street, the remarkable tavernas above the beach and the extraordinary views towards the open Ionian Sea give the finest late afternoon on Lefkada. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The salt flats and lagoon south of Lefkada Town form the finest bird watching site in the Ionian islands, attracting flamingos, herons and kingfishers in the extraordinary shallow waters. The causeway walk gives the finest views over the lagoon and the Akarnanian mountains. Free. Best in early morning.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Lefkada Town Outstanding Greek coffee in the most extraordinary island town in the Ionian Sea. The main square is remarkable. | Lunch: Taverna in Lefkada Town Outstanding Lefkadan lunch with local cheese pies, fresh fish and excellent Ionian white wine. | Dinner: Fish taverna in Agios Nikitas Outstanding fresh seafood dinner in the finest traditional village on the Lefkada northwest coast.
DAY 2
WEST COAST BEACHES
MORNING
PORTO KATSIKI BEACH
Porto Katsiki is the most extraordinary beach in the Ionian Sea, its remarkable position at the foot of sheer white limestone cliffs 100 metres above the extraordinary turquoise Ionian water giving the finest beach landscape in Greece. Accessible by 150 steps from the clifftop car park or by boat from Nydri. The extraordinary colour of the water, caused by the white limestone seabed, is unlike any beach in the Mediterranean. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
EGREMNI BEACH
Egremni is the finest and most remote beach on the Lefkada west coast, its extraordinary 1.5km stretch of golden sand and vivid turquoise water accessible only by 347 steps down the cliff face or by boat giving the most unspoilt beach experience in the Ionian islands. The extraordinary white cliffs above the beach and the complete absence of beach bars give the finest wild beach experience in Greece. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ATHANI VILLAGE AND SUNSET
Athani is the most extraordinary traditional village on the southwest peninsula of Lefkada, its remarkable position on the plateau above the finest beaches in Greece giving the most extraordinary sunset view on the island. The traditional kafeneion on the village square serves the finest local wine in the southwest peninsula. The extraordinary views over the Ionian Sea towards Kefalonia at sunset are the finest in the Ionian islands. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Cape Lefkatas at the southern tip of Lefkada is the ancient Lovers Leap from which the poet Sappho is said to have jumped for unrequited love. The remarkable lighthouse and extraordinary views over the open Ionian Sea make it the finest headland on the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast before west coast drive Early start essential. Porto Katsiki is extraordinary before 10am before the boats arrive. | Lunch: Packed lunch on Egremni beach No facilities on Egremni. Pack food and water. The extraordinary wild beach deserves a picnic lunch. | Dinner: Taverna in Athani village Outstanding traditional Lefkadan dinner in the finest village on the southwest peninsula.
DAY 3
EAST COAST
MORNING
NYDRI AND THE WATERFALLS
Nydri is the most extraordinary small resort town on the east coast of Lefkada, its remarkable harbour giving the finest views over the offshore islands of Meganisi, Scorpios and Sparti. The extraordinary Rachi waterfall 3km above Nydri, accessible by a remarkable walk through olive groves, gives the finest natural inland experience on the island. The harbour waterfront is the finest promenade in east Lefkada. Waterfall walk free. Drive: 30 min drive south
MIDDAY
MIKROS GIALOS BEACH
Mikros Gialos is the most extraordinary hidden beach on the east coast of Lefkada, its remarkable sheltered position in a deep inlet of the Nydri channel giving the finest calm-water swimming on the island. The extraordinary turquoise water of the east coast channel, sheltered from the Ionian winds by the offshore islands, gives the most pleasant swimming conditions on Lefkada. Free beach. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
POROS BEACH AND THE SOUTHEAST COAST
Poros is the most extraordinary beach on the southeast coast of Lefkada, its remarkable long stretch of golden sand and sheltered turquoise water giving the finest family beach on the island. The extraordinary drive along the southeast coast from Poros to Vassiliki gives the finest coastal road in the southern Ionian islands with views over the remarkable offshore island chain. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary offshore island of Scorpios, the private island of the Onassis family and one of the most famous privately owned islands in the world, is visible from Nydri harbour. Day trip boats circle the island from Nydri giving extraordinary views of the remarkable gardens and the famous pink chapel. Approx 25 euros for the boat trip.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Nydri harbour Outstanding Greek coffee overlooking the extraordinary offshore islands from the finest harbour on the east coast. | Lunch: Fish taverna in Nydri Outstanding fresh Ionian fish lunch at the most atmospheric harbour on the Lefkada east coast. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Lefkada Town Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary tin-clad capital of the Ionian islands most accessible island.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Lefkada Town, Nights 1 to 2 The finest base. Central for all parts of the island. Hotels from 50 to 120 euros. Walking distance from the lagoon. Agios Nikitas, alternative The finest village on the island for atmosphere. Small hotels from 60 to 130 euros. 20 minutes from the west coast. Budget option Guesthouses in Lefkada Town from 35 euros. The town is compact and the floating bridge gives easy access by car.
Top Tips
1. Porto Katsiki is extraordinary before 10am before the boats arrive. Drive to the clifftop car park early and descend the 150 steps for an empty beach.
2. Egremni beach has 347 steps down the cliff face. The steps were damaged by a 2015 earthquake and rebuilt. Take water and wear shoes with grip.
3. The west coast beaches require calm sea conditions. In strong Meltemi wind the waves make Porto Katsiki uncomfortable. Check conditions the evening before.
4. Lefkada Town architecture is unique in Greece , the upper storeys are clad in tin sheeting to reduce earthquake damage. The town is the finest in the Ionian.
5. Agios Nikitas is car-free in the village centre. Park at the entrance car park and walk down. The beach below the village is the finest small beach in north Lefkada.
6. Scorpios island, the Onassis private island visible from Nydri, can be circled by day trip boat. The extraordinary gardens and pink chapel are visible from the water.
Total Budget
70 to 130 euros/day