Unmissable Lefkada
Our guide to the local secret gems...
Towns & Villages
LEFKAS
On the north coast, Lefkada Town (the island capital) is surrounded by the sea, with most of its bars, cafés and restaurants occupying stunning waterfront locations.
SIVOTA
This picturesque fishing village sits in a beautiful natural bay of the same name, amid verdant hills and lush green forests. Its lovely sheltered harbour is a sought after destination for yacht owners and quite close to the main beach. The village has lots of little shops, including mini markets and gift shops, as well as a good choice of seafront tavernas with a lively evening atmosphere.
VASSILIKI
On the south coast, Vassiliki has been a fishing port since ancient times, and its long and very attractive waterfront is crammed with tavernas and restaurants where fish is still the dish of choice. It is famed for being a superb windsurfing centre, thanks to the perfect wind conditions that exist almost every afternoon - evident in the number of stores selling windsurfing gear and tuition.
NYDRI
A popular tourist town on the east coast, Nydri (Nidri) won’t win any beauty contests but it is centrally located and particularly well set up for activities. There are companies offering boat hire, diving and bike hire, plus you can take the 20 minute ferry to the small island of Meganissi.
KARYA
Former island capital Karya is Lefkada’s largest inland mountain village and the centre of the island’s lace making tradition. There’s a real sense of history here; the sleepy pace of life feels akin to stepping back in time.
Dining & Drinks
Seaside Restaurant
Original and high-quality food, right by the water on the Geni peninsula.
Geni | seaside-lefkada.com | +30 69777 35889
Taverna Elena
Relaxed family vibe, right on the water with a floating deck. Not at all swanky, but great for filling hungry tummies.
Geni
Fly Me Sun & Stars Bar
Visit in the evening for epic sunsets and watch the paragliders. Great cocktails. For supper afterwards go to Rachi Restaurant.
Exanthia | Flymelefkada.gr | flymelefkada@gmail.com
Rachi Restaurant
A beautiful restaurant that feels as though you’re dining in the sky.
Exanthia | rachi.gr | +30 26450 99439 | rachilefkada@gmail.com
Zolithros Restaurant
Lovely peaceful bay, go for lunch and dinner.
Mikros Gialos | zolithros.gr | +30 6972 318385 | info@zolithros.gr
Varka Restaurant
Go by RIB and moor in the harbour next door. Sensational food and stunning scenery.
Kalamos | +30 2646 046008
Thymari Restaurant
Stylish fine dining restaurant with a lovely courtyard and an excellent wine list. Think pasta, tuna tartare, fresh fish and decadent ice creams.
Lefkas | +30 2645 022266 | thymari-lefkada.gr
Navis Boat Bar
Run by the guy who does most of the sea taxi transfers, this is a good place to head if you have time to kill before heading to the airport.
Lefkas | navislefkada.gr
Taverna Ionian
Serves delicious fish and seafood in a peaceful location on the bay, with tables right on the water.
Sivota | +30 264 503 1178
Spiridoula’s Fish Taverna
Does what is says on the sign – the fish is fresh and delicious.
Sivota. | +30 264 503 1182
Liotrivi Cafe
A 100 year old olive press at the end of the harbour, cleverly converted into a secluded bar. Good service and great cocktails. There’s also an art gallery next door.
Sivota | +30 697 731 5961 | liotrivi.gr
Agnantio Bar & Restaurant
Charming taverna set amongst the hills above Sivota. Doesn’t look much from the outside but the views are wonderful and the food is seasonal and delicious.
Sivota | +30 2645 031696
Patio Dining
Set back from the harbour, a traditional taverna also serving wood-fired pizzas.
Vasiliki | +30 698 363 5559 | facebook.com/people/Patio-Dining/100063509014691
Old Fisherman’s Taverna
Right on the waterfront, serving the usual fare of fresh fish and tentacles galore!
Vasiliki
Lamda
Pretty restaurant by the sea serving simple yet delicious food.
Vasiliki | @lamda_lefkada
Pardalo Katsiki
On the main square, shaded by ancient trees, this welcoming taverna is great for lunch. The menu includes traditional dishes such as goat and spinach pie, plus they do excellent cakes.
Karya | +30 2645 041769
IL Paradiso
A quick island hop. Pleasant and simple, family-run taverna on the water. The owners pride themselves on using authentic local ingredients. You can arrive by boat and they will help you with mooring.
Meganisi | +30 2645 051090
Thilia Beach Bar
Relaxed beach bar serving drinks and bar food on Amyloglossa Beach.
Meganisi
Best Beaches
Mikros Gialos, South East Coast
Excellent for snorkelling. Swathes of sand backed by white boulders and lush green hills.
Afteli Bay, South Coast
Just after the picturesque village of Evgiros, a narrow track continues 3km down to romantic Afteli beach. More of a cove than a beach it’s rarely crowded, and if you go early it offers those in the know a chance to snorkel along the rocky coast in tranquillity. There is a small cafe serving food.
Vassiliki Beach, South Coast
Famed for being the island’s windsurfing hotspot, Vassiliki offers perfect wind conditions almost every afternoon. There are plenty of shops selling windsurfing gear and tuition, too.
Egremni, South West Coast
A remote beach with strikingly clear water and dramatic sunsets. From the car park, you reach
the beach via 347 steep steps down the rugged cliff face, followed by the crossing of a very shaky wooden structure. There is a cantina before you reach the bottom and another at the beach, so you can buy water for the journey. At the end of the day, be sure you have plenty of water with you before heading back up. Comfortable shoes are a must!
Porto Katsiki, West Coast
One of the most famous beaches in Greece – and possibly even in Europe. Translated into English, Port Katsiki means “Port of the Goat”, as goats were previously the only creatures that could reach the beach from the towering cliffs above. Although beautiful, we do not recommend visiting during afternoons in July and August, when it becomes overcrowded and noisy.
Kathisma, North West Coast
Near the village of Agios Nikitas, Kathisma beach often makes it into the top ten most beautiful Mediterranean beaches. It has a young and lively feel, with plenty of beach umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as volleyball, tennis courts, paragliding from the cliffs, watersports facilities, restaurants and bars. As it is west facing, many people linger to enjoy the sunset. Be warned – construction has developed at a very fast pace over the last five years and Kathismas has acquired a ‘party beach’ reputation. Expect plenty of noise blasting from the bar megaphones and vehicles crawling the narrow steep road searching in vain for a parking spot. The sand can create deep shelves so please be aware that children will need to be watched closely.
Agios Ioannis, North Coast
The closest beach to the island’s capital, this windy beach has become the second favourite windsurfing spot after Vassiliki, attracting many skilled windsurfers and kite surfers.
AMMOUSO, SOUTH COAST
Accessed via the village of Marandohori on the main road to Vasiliki, Ammouso is a charming, pebbly beach with a taverna and bar. There are two small beaches on either side.
Do & See
AGIA MAVRA CASTLE
No visitor should miss the brooding castle of Agia Mavra (or Santa Maura). About 1km north of Lefkas, it is surrounded by two lagoons classed among the most significant wetlands in the Greek islands.
AGHIOS DONATOS CHURCH
Sitting above the village of Eglouvi, at a height of 900 metres, this church was first dedicated to Agios Dometios, the Bishop of Lefkada in 284 AC. The ruins of this tower are preserved near the church, which has a “lentil celebration” on the 7th August.
CAPE DOUCATO
From this point on the southern part of Lefkada, there’s a wonderful view of the white cliffs of the steep west coast. Today’s lighthouse stands on the place said to be once occupied by Apollo ́s temple.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM, LEFKAS
If you visit one museum, make this the one. Small but captivating, it traces the island’s history from Palaeolithic times right up to the late Roman period.
THE MONASTERY OF ASOMATOU ARCHANGEL MICHAEL
One of the most significant and rich monasteries on the island, estimated to have been founded in the 16th century, during the Turkish domination. Located near Vafkeri.
DIMOSSARI WATERFALL
Lefkada has an abundant storage of underground water (one of the reasons the island is so lush with greenery) and the high mountains are the source of many cascading waterfalls. One particularly gorgeous example is the Dimossari Waterfall, on the outskirts of Nydri.
FOLKLORE MUSEUM, KARYA
Showcasing numerous important needlework exhibits, for which the village is famous. Outside, there are traditional agricultural tools, wine presses and other machines used to make the local drink tsipouro.
CYCLING
The island is a magical place for cycling and mountain biking. There are lots of bike rental places in Lefkas, Nydri and Vassiliki. Get Active, in Nydri, offers road bikes, guided mountain bike rides and walking tours.
+30 6989 456445 | getactivelefkas.com
HORSE RIDING
Go horse riding either up in the mountains or by the sea – either will be magical.
Kiriakos Spanides (Vassiliki) +30 264 503 1607 or +30 694 619 3863 Aramis Farm (Lefkas) +30 264 502 6190 or +30 693 881 6164
On the Water
SIVOTA BOATS
Small boats can be rented in the bay. Alternatively, Stavros Taverna has a small number of 15 or 30HP boats, and a couple with bigger engines. For anything over 30HP, you’ll need a speedboat license.
+ 30 264 503 1181 | tavernastavros.gr
NYDRI BOATS
Trident Boats offer a variety of motorboats, speed boats and ribs, from 30HP up to 8 metre ribs with two engines. Skippered boats are also available. It is run by an English woman, Helen Morgan, and her Greek husband. We have heard great things about their service. They can drop a boat to Sivota, or it can be picked up from Nidri.
+30 26450 92255 | +30 690 942 4717 | tridentboats.gr
NIKIANA DIVING
The clear blue waters are the ideal spot for learning to dive. In Nikiana, try Lefkas Diving Center.
+30 264 507 2105 | lefkasdivingcenter.gr
VASSILIKI & NYDRI DIVING
Nautilus Diving Club has outlets in both Vassiliki and Nydri; they offer scuba diving and diving courses.
+30 6936181775 | underwater.gr
WINDSURFING
Vassiliki Beach has been rated one of the top 10 best beaches worldwide for windsurfing, and the third best in Europe. During summer, the Ionian Sea is “cooled” by thermal winds (mistral), which together with the morphology of the area, combine to create perfect conditions for windsurfers. The thermal wind increases steadily from midday until late afternoon. In the closed bay of Vassiliki, this phenomenon is impressive; the morning is ideal for beginners (since there are almost no waves). Later, the wind changes and the sea becomes rough, making it better for experienced wind surfers wanting to try new tricks.
KITESURFING
Crystal clear flat water, sunny weather and thermal summer afternoon winds... No wonder Lefkada has become well loved by kitesurfers. The best place is Agios Ioannis Beach on the north coast (use of Vassiliki Beach is restricted to windsurfers only).
KAYAK AND STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING
You can hire kayaks and SUPs from lots of the beaches and there are plenty of qualified instructors willing to help you plan your trip.
PARAGLIDING
Enjoy paragliding or paramotor trips in complete safety, under the watchful eye of certified instructors. Fly solo or in tandem and see the whole island. Call to find out where to meet them as they pick up all over the island.
Supermarkets & Meals
There are small shops in Sivota and a supermarket in Mirandahori.
Island Hopping
MEGANISSI
Just off Lefkada’s south east coast, opposite Nydri port, Meganissi is a small and verdant island with just three small villages and a population of 1,000 people.
ITHACA
Unspoiled by the modern world, Ithaca is essentially two heavily wooded mountain tops rich in flora and fauna, which protrude steeply from the Ionian Sea, joined in the centre by a thin stretch of land. On the north east coast, Kioni is one of the prettiest little harbours we have seen.
KEFALONIA
The Ionian jewel of Kefalonia (or Cephalonia) is full of wonders. The island’s natural features and its unique cultural character make it one of the most appealing destinations in Greece. The northernmost port on Kefalonia, Fiskardo, is a beautiful and picturesque fishing village that’s definitely worth spending time in.
Please call first to check restaurants and museums are open, and check the relevant government guidance before travelling.
No responsibilty can be accepted by Scott Williams for any issues that may arise as a result of the enclosed recommendations and information.