Lefkada Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Lefkada gives you the complete experience of the most accessible and most underrated island in the Ionian Sea, from the extraordinary west coast cliffs and the finest beaches in Greece to the hidden mountain villages of the interior, the remarkable offshore island of Meganisi and the extraordinary windsurfing lagoon of Vassiliki. This route covers the full Lefkada: the extraordinary Porto Katsiki and Egremni beaches, the remarkable Lefkada Town and its extraordinary lagoon, the hidden villages of Karya and Englouvi, the extraordinary windsurfing bay of Vassiliki, the offshore island of Meganisi and the finest hidden coves of the northeast coast.
Best Time To Visit
June to September. Vassiliki best July to August for Meltemi winds.
Getting There
Drive or bus from Athens via the floating bridge at Lefkada Town.
Getting Around
Car essential throughout. Meganisi requires the ferry from Nydri.
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 130 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate , some steep beach access, boat trips
DAY 1
LEFKADA TOWN
MORNING
LEFKADA TOWN AND 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 tin-clad traditional architecture built to survive earthquakes gives the finest vernacular townscape in the Ionian islands. The lagoon and salt flats attract remarkable birdlife. Free. Drive: Walk
MIDDAY
SANTA MAVRA FORTRESS
The Santa Mavra Fortress on the causeway is the most extraordinary Venetian fortification in the northern Ionian islands, its remarkable complex built in 1300 and expanded under Turkish and British rule giving the most layered fortification heritage on the island. The extraordinary views over the lagoon and mainland from the walls are remarkable. Entry approx 3 euros. Drive: Drive north
AFTERNOON
AGIOS NIKITAS VILLAGE
Agios Nikitas is the most extraordinary traditional village on the northwest coast, its remarkable position above the finest small beach in the northern Ionian giving the finest traditional coastal village atmosphere on the island. The car-free village street, the remarkable tavernas above the beach and the views towards the open Ionian Sea give the finest late afternoon on Lefkada. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary 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. | Lunch: Taverna in Lefkada Town Outstanding Lefkadan lunch with local cheese pies, fresh fish and Ionian wine. | Dinner: Fish taverna in Agios Nikitas Outstanding fresh seafood in the finest traditional village on the 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 giving the finest beach landscape in Greece. Accessible by 150 steps from the clifftop or by boat from Nydri. The extraordinary turquoise 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 accessible only by 347 cliff steps or by boat giving the most unspoilt beach experience in the Ionian islands. The white cliffs above and the complete absence of beach bars give the finest wild beach experience in Greece. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ATHANI VILLAGE AND CAPE LEFKATAS
Athani is the most extraordinary village on the southwest peninsula, its remarkable position above the finest beaches in Greece giving the most extraordinary sunset view on the island. Cape Lefkatas at the very southern tip, the ancient Lovers Leap from which Sappho is said to have jumped, gives the finest headland view in the Ionian islands. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gialos beach below the village of Komilio on the southwest coast is the finest hidden beach between Porto Katsiki and Egremni, its remarkable sheltered position giving calmer water than the exposed west coast cliffs. Accessible by a rough road from Komilio. Almost entirely unknown. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early hotel breakfast Early start for Porto Katsiki. The beach is extraordinary before 10am before the boats arrive. | Lunch: Packed lunch on Egremni No facilities on Egremni. Pack food and water for the finest wild beach picnic in Greece. | Dinner: Taverna in Athani village Outstanding traditional Lefkadan dinner in the finest village on the southwest peninsula.
DAY 3
LEFKADA INTERIOR
MORNING
KARYA VILLAGE AND THE LACE MARKET
Karya is the most extraordinary traditional village in the Lefkada interior, its remarkable central square and the extraordinary local tradition of handmade lace giving the finest traditional craft culture in the Ionian islands. The remarkable Maria Koutsochero lace museum gives the finest insight into this extraordinary tradition. The village square kafeneion is the most atmospheric in the Lefkada interior. Museum free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
ENGLOUVI AND THE LENTIL VILLAGES
Englouvi is the most extraordinary highland village in Lefkada, its remarkable position on the highest plateau of the island giving the finest panoramic views over the entire island, the Ionian Sea and the Greek mainland. The village produces the finest lentils in Greece, celebrated in an extraordinary annual festival. The remarkable stone architecture and the extraordinary mountain landscape give the finest rural experience on Lefkada. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LAZARATA AND THE INTERIOR VILLAGES
Lazarata is the most extraordinary traditional village in the northwest interior of Lefkada, its remarkable medieval tower houses and extraordinary olive groves giving the finest historic village atmosphere in the Ionian islands. The drive through the interior from Lazarata to the coast passes through the finest landscape of olive groves, vineyards and abandoned windmills on the island. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The monastery of Faneromeni on the hillside above Lefkada Town is the finest religious site on the island, its 17th-century buildings and extraordinary views over the town and lagoon giving the finest elevated perspective on Lefkada. The monastery cafe has the most extraordinary view on the island. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Village kafeneion in Karya Outstanding traditional Greek coffee and pastries in the finest square in the Lefkada interior. | Lunch: Taverna in Englouvi Outstanding traditional lunch in the highest village on Lefkada. The local lentil dishes are extraordinary. | Dinner: Restaurant in Lefkada Town Outstanding Lefkadan dinner back in the extraordinary tin-clad capital after the interior day.
DAY 4
SOUTH LEFKADA
MORNING
VASSILIKI WINDSURFING BAY
Vassiliki is the most extraordinary windsurfing destination in the Mediterranean, its remarkable bay at the southern tip of Lefkada channelling the Meltemi winds into the finest natural wind funnel in Europe. The extraordinary bay is also the most beautiful in south Lefkada, its turquoise water and the dramatic mountains behind giving the finest natural setting for water sports in Greece. Windsurfing hire approx 40 euros per day. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CAPE LEFKATAS LIGHTHOUSE
The Cape Lefkatas lighthouse at the southernmost tip of Lefkada stands at the most extraordinary headland in the Ionian islands, the ancient Lovers Leap overlooking the open Ionian Sea. The remarkable ruins of the ancient Temple of Apollo beside the lighthouse give the most mythologically charged heritage experience on the island. The extraordinary views from the cape over the open sea are the finest from land on Lefkada. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SIVOTA BAY
Sivota is the most extraordinary hidden bay on the southeast coast of Lefkada, its remarkable sheltered harbour of extraordinary turquoise water surrounded by pine-covered hills giving the finest natural anchorage in the Ionian islands. The remarkable village of Sivota with its excellent fish tavernas gives the finest late afternoon setting in south Lefkada. The extraordinary colours of the bay at sunset are remarkable. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary beach of Agiofylli below the Cape Lefkatas cliffs is the finest completely hidden beach on the Lefkada west coast, accessible only by boat from Vassiliki giving an extraordinary wild beach experience below the ancient Lovers Leap cliffs. Boat hire from Vassiliki. Approx 20 euros per trip. Almost entirely unvisited.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Vassiliki drive Early start for Vassiliki. The bay is extraordinary in the morning before the afternoon Meltemi arrives. | Lunch: Taverna in Vassiliki harbour Outstanding fresh fish lunch in the finest harbour village at the southern tip of Lefkada. | Dinner: Fish taverna in Sivota Outstanding fresh seafood dinner in the most extraordinary hidden bay in south Lefkada.
DAY 5
MEGANISI ISLAND
MORNING
FERRY TO MEGANISI ISLAND
ferry Meganisi is the most extraordinary offshore island accessible from Lefkada, its remarkable traditional character almost entirely unchanged by tourism giving the finest authentic Ionian island experience available from Lefkada. The ferry from Nydri takes 30 minutes to the extraordinary harbour of Spartochori. Ferry approx 3 euros. The island has no airport and no package tourism. Free to explore. Drive: On the island
MIDDAY
SPARTOCHORI AND VATHY ON MEGANISI
Spartochori is the most extraordinary traditional village in the Ionian island chain, its remarkable whitewashed houses and extraordinary views over the Lefkada channel giving the finest unspoilt Ionian village experience in Greece. Vathy, the main harbour, gives the finest natural fjord anchorage in the Ionian islands, its extraordinary long inlet completely sheltered from all winds. Both free to explore. Drive: On island
AFTERNOON
ATHERINOS BEACH AND RETURN TO LEFKADA
Atherinos is the finest beach on Meganisi, its extraordinary sheltered position in a beautiful bay giving the finest swimming on the island. The remarkable underwater cave accessible from the beach gives the finest snorkelling experience in the Meganisi channel. The return ferry to Nydri passes the extraordinary privately owned island of Scorpios. Ferry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The sea cave of Porto Katsiki visible from the famous beach is accessible only by swimming or kayak, giving an extraordinary cave swimming experience below the most famous cliffs in the Ionian islands. Free. Best accessed in calm morning conditions. Kayaks available for hire on the beach.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Nydri before ferry Outstanding Greek coffee in Nydri harbour overlooking the extraordinary offshore island chain. | Lunch: Taverna in Spartochori or Vathy Outstanding traditional Ionian lunch in the finest unspoilt village in the Lefkada island chain. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Lefkada Town Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary tin-clad capital. Local Lefkadan wine and fresh fish.
Where To Stay
Lefkada Town, Nights 1 to 3 Best base for the whole island. Hotels from 50 to 120 euros. Central for all destinations. Nydri or Vassiliki, Nights 3 to 4 Better for the south coast and Meganisi ferry. Hotels from 50 to 110 euros. Budget option Guesthouses in Lefkada Town from 35 euros. The floating bridge means no ferry needed to reach the island.
Top Tips
1. Porto Katsiki and Egremni are extraordinary before 10am. Drive up early, descend the steps and have the finest beaches in Greece almost to yourself.
2. The west coast beaches need calm conditions. Strong Meltemi wind makes the waves rough. Check conditions the evening before and go in the morning.
3. Karya village lace market is extraordinary. The handmade lace produced here is sold nowhere else in the Ionian islands. Buy directly from the makers.
4. Vassiliki windsurfing is world-class in July and August. Even non-surfers will find the bay extraordinary , the Meltemi arrives precisely at 1pm daily.
5. Meganisi island is the finest day trip from Lefkada, its traditional villages entirely unchanged by tourism. Take the first ferry and spend the full day.
6. The Lefkada interior villages are entirely unknown to beach tourists. Karya, Englouvi and Lazarata give the finest traditional Ionian island experience.
Total Budget
70 to 130 euros/day