Greece Lefkada Ionian Island

Lefkada Greek Ionian Island (9/16-21/2025) 

View from Our Hotel - Agios Nikolas Lefkada

Lefkada is a Greek Ionian Island known for its beautiful natural green landscapes, breathtaking beaches, and picturesque villages. Located on the west side of Greece south of Corfu, Lefkada is the only Ionian Island connected to the mainland by a small floating bridge making it easy to reach. It can look busy, especially around Nidri where many charter flights from the UK land. If you want less crowds and pristine beaches, you should head to the southern or western areas of Lefkada to towns like Vasiliki and Agios Nikitas. Lefkada is still somewhat of a secret island having been spared the mass tourism of the other more famous Greek islands.

Nidri Marina - Lefkada

Nidri (also known as Nydri) is a popular tourist resort located halfway down the east coast of Lefkada (see photo). The town isn’t the prettiest on the island but makes up for it with facilities and leisure activities like plenty of family-run restaurants, nice main street to stroll, several beaches, lovely Dimossari Waterfalls, and water sports. Lefkada is a hub for yachts and sailing around the Ionian Sea and Nidri, Lefkada’s main port, has many sailboats docked next to each other. From Nidri you can catch boat trip to hard to get to beaches and regular ferries to lesser-explored Meganisi Island about 6 miles away.

Lefkada Town - Lefkada's Capital

Just as you cross the floating bridge connected to the Greek mainland on the north end of Lefkada, we stayed the picturesque Lefkada Town (Lefkada’s small capital) for a couple of nights (see photo). Lefkada Town’s colorful beautifully decorated buildings and unique shops, many good restaurants, and bars can be discovered walking its narrow winding cobblestone streets, especially along Lefkada’s main street Ioannou Mela starting near Lefkada’s Wooden Bridge on Derpfeld Street. It is very lively and beautifully lit at night. 

Lefkada Town Main Square

A good place to experience village life in Lefkada Town is at one of the traditional tavernas bordering the large shady Central Square (see photo). Lefkada’s top seafood restaurants are located at Lefkada Town’s small harbor. We enjoyed a wonderful grilled fish sitting outside at the Kyma restaurant. The Agia Mavra Castle was built in 1300 by the Venetians and the church of Agia Mavra inside the castle is dedicated to the patron saint of Lefkada.

Agios Nikolas Village Restaurant

Wanting to stay away from crowds, we stayed the remainder of our visit in Agios Nikolas on Lefkada’s less developed west coast (see photo). It is a charming walkable town with lovely beaches including the famous Milos Beach. Cars are prohibited so it is fun to explore its small marina enjoying family-run fish tavernas, oceanfront cafes and bars, small hotels, and stone cottages. Agios Nikolas gets quiet after dinner.

Agios Nikitas Beach - Lefkada

Lefkada’s western coast has many of its finest beaches and Agios Nikolas has two of them. Agios Nikitas Beach is a small picturesque sandy beach (see photo) within steps from Agios Nikitas village’s sea-view tavernas, bars, and hotels. With your beach time, Agios Nikitas Beach is nice to enjoy some local food and culture at the cafes and restaurants along its main street.

Vassiliki Village and Beach

Located on the south end of Lefkada about an hour drive from Preveza Airport, Vassiliki is one of Lefkada’s tourist towns (see photo) and is the best place for watersports activities (i.e. windsurfing, paragliding, scuba diving). Vassiliki Bay is beautiful looking at the Ionian Islands of Kefalonia and Ithaka. Vasiliki Beach is a nice beach with its white pebbly sand and shimmering clear blue waters. Watching the dozens of windsurfers zoom around offshore is entertaining. Windsurf rentals and lessons are available at the beach. You can find restaurants and cafes around the nearby Vasiliki village or harbor where you can also book boat trips to the nearby islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca in the summer.

Porto Katsiki Beach - Lefkada

Lefkada has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. They have amazing turquoise/blue ocean water and can be sandy or with some small white pebbles. Porto Katsiki (see photo), Egremni, Kathisma, and Milos are some of the many stunning beaches in Lefkada you should consider visiting. Don’t forget to bring comfortable footwear because parts of many of Lefkada’s beaches are covered with small smooth beach stones - having water shoes is helpful if you want to swim where you may encounter lots of beach stones. Bring water and wear sunscreen.

Beautiful Milos Beach

Beautiful Milos and Kathisma Beaches are located very near Agios Nikitas. Just south of Agios Nikitas, Milos Beach is a beautiful sandy beach with amazing clear turquoise/blue water (see photo). It can be accessed by 30-minute rocky path with beautiful views (and some steep sections) or a water taxi departing hourly from town available in July through mid-September for $5Euro each way running when there are not waves. Because of this, it can be much less crowded than other beaches even in the peak summer months.

Lefkada Town Colorful Store

There are no commercial buildings allowed on Milos Beach to interrupt the view but has one cafe just off the beach serving sandwiches and drinks. There are expensive sun beds and umbrellas available for rent - bring your own umbrella to avoid the $40Euro charge. Directions: There is a sign to the Milos Beach path on the left in Agios Nikitas village and when running you can board a water taxi on the right side of the beach.

Kathisma Beach - Lefkada

One of our favorites, Kathisma Beach is a beautiful stretch of sand, fine white pebbles, and beautiful turquoise/blue water (see photo). It has about a half dozen beachfront bars and restaurants offering lunch and lively spots to enjoy beautiful sunsets. Plenty of sun beds and umbrellas are available for rent for $15Euro. Parking is available near the beach but it can be sometime difficult during the busy summer months when taking a bus from town is a good alternative. Kathisma is a large beach so there are quieter spots if you want to get away from the action. We liked Kathisma Beach even though it can get crowded.

Egremni Beach - Lefkada

Located on the southwest coast of Lefkada, the mile-long beach at beautiful Egremni Beach is considered one of Greece’s most impressive beaches with its combination of turquoise/blue water, white sand, and white small pebbles backed by rugged white cliffs (see photo). Egremni is a fabulous spot to just stretch out and bask in the sun with a few rental sunbeds and umbrellas available. It can be reached by a steep descent of about 400 stairs from the parking area a little ways away or by a boat excursion from Nydri or Vassiliki. There are no facilities so bring water, snacks, umbrella, etc.

Porto Katsiki Beach - Lefkada

Located at the southern tip of Lefkada, not-to-be-missed postcard-style Porto Katsiki Beach is one of the most photographed attractions of Lefkada featured in magazines for the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean (see photo). This beautiful beach is framed with towering rugged white-rock cliffs and has the softest white sand on the island as well was  some small white pebbles. The ocean is incredibly turquoise and clear. The breathtaking views are incredible from the sea backed by sheer white cliffs or from high up on the clifftop.

Map of Lefkada Ionic Greek Island

Visitors come to Porto Katsiki to feel closer to nature and enjoy a tranquil escape away from busy beach bars and roads. During summer arrive in the morning to avoid the crowds. Getting there is a bit of an adventure requiring a drive on a scenic mountain road then a walk down about 100 steep steps. It is also possible by water taxi from the nearby villages of Nidri and Vasiliki. Don’t be surprised if you encounter a number of private yachts and tour boats in the cove since this is one of those places that makes Lefkada one of the best Ionian Islands to visit. Don’t worry… there is plenty of beach for everyone.

Kathisma Beach - Lefkada

Lefkada Beach Visiting Tip: You can enjoy a full-day shared boat cruise departing from Nydri stopping to enjoy free time at Porto Katsiki, Egremni, and other beaches. This is a great excursion to enjoy the beautiful coast and some of Lefkada’s best beaches that are difficult to access. This excursion can be booked through tour companies located in most towns.

Pat at Kyma Restaurant in Lefkada Town

Lefkada Travel Tips: Your best dining experiences are at local family-run restaurants. It is best to drink bottled water instead of tap water. Small markets are the best places to buy inexpensive bottled water and other items. Get some Euro cash - most drivers want cash and you will need coins for the buses. To be comfortable, pack sundresses, shorts, t-shirts, and lightweight blouses made of breathable materials such as cotton and linen. There is a risk of mosquitos. If so, use mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors. Hikers and mountain bikers will like the scenic trails in the mountains.

Quaint Agios Nikitas

Getting To and Around Lefkada: Preveza-Aktion National Airport (PVK) is the closest airport to Lefkada. Located on the Greek mainland, it offers easy transfer (about 20-30 minutes drive). Buses connect the island's tourist and busier spots throughout the summer season. If you want to explore Lefkada thoroughly and discover its hidden treasures, the only way to do it is by renting a car. Ferry service, including cars, to other Ionian Sea Islands is available out of Vassilikis.

About the Ionian Greek Islands

Map of Greek Ionic Islands

Located in the Mediterranean sea on the northwest coast of Greece, the best known and most visited Ionian Islands are Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, and Lefkada. The less famous, but equally beautiful, are Ithaca, Paxos and Kythira (see photo). All these islands are blessed with natural beauty, rich history, and interesting culture. They also have beaches with golden sand and turquoise waters, lush green vegetation, ancient ruins, and great local cuisine.

Each island has their own distinctive charm making visiting a different experience. Another major difference is the Ionian Islands have a strong connection to Italy, both historically and culturally. This is particularly visible in Corfu town which has a very distinct Venetian flair.

Best Time to Visit the Greek Ionian Islands

Map Greek Islands

The peak season in the Ionian Islands is in summer (mid June through August) when there is almost permanent sunshine and virtually no rainfall. It is also the most expensive, busiest packed with tourists, and hottest time of the year with temperatures that can reach 100ºF (38ºC). If you’re looking for a party and be with lots of different people then this would be the time to visit. If you are looking for good weather to do some hiking in the mountains of Lefkada or Corfu, spring (April to the end of May) has less risk of storms and the temperature is pleasant for walking and sunbathing. However, until June the average ocean temperature is only 65ºF (18ºC) which may seem cold.

Best time to visit Lefkada: Early Fall (mid September to mid October) offers the best of all worlds. Temperatures are still warm including the ocean for swimming, prices are lower, and the number of tourists is much lower. During this time you can expect daily highs up to 75-80ºF (24-27ºC) and 10-11 hours of daylight per day, clear skies, cool nights, and importantly the ocean is pleasantly warm for swimming. Be aware that hotels, restaurants, and businesses start closing in October reopening in May/June.

Please see our 11 other blog posts for other beautiful Greek Islands:

Greece Greek Islands Our Impressions and Travel Advice

‪ 

Greece Antiparos Greek Island

‪Greece Crete Large Towns Rethymno Chania Agios Nikolaos

Greece Crete Smaller Villages Matala Georgioupoli

Greece Ios Greek Island

Greece Mykonos Greek Island

Greece Naxos Greek Island

‪Greece Paros Greek Island

‪Greece Santorini Greek Island Oia Fira Villages

‪Greece Santorini Greek Island Rest of Island

Greece Tinos Greek Island

 

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