Lefkada is a Greek island. It has some of the best beaches in Greece and Europe. The island is known for its Caribbean blue waters, white cliffs, and green pine forests in the background. Lefkada is the ultimate beach destination for any beach lover to visit in Greece

Lefkada is not a secret location in Greece. It is often overlooked as a passage point to other Greek islands in the Ionian Sea like Corfu or Zakynthos. However, it has so much to offer if you take the time to explore it. I was extremely surprised on how stunning the beaches are in Lefkada and also the landscapes across the island.

From all the Greek islands I visited so far (16 and counting), I have no doubt that Lefkada stands out. It has at least 3 of the top 10 beaches in Greece. With this guide, you will know which ones are the best Lefkada beaches to explore. You will also see how amazing the places Lefkada has to offer.

Below is a map of Lefkada island location in Greece and the Ionian Sea:

WHEN TO GO TO LEFKADA

The weather patterns in Lefkada are similar to most of Greece. The best time to visit Lefkada is from May to September. During this period, daytime temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Night temperatures are in the low 20s. The weather features very little rain and sunny skies.

Note that August can be hot up to 40 degrees and more. Try to avoid going out midday or just stay in the shade.

The best time to swim in Lefkada is from June to October. Sea temperatures range from 23 degrees in June to 28 degrees in high summer in August.

HOW TO GET TO LEFKADA

The best way to get to Lefkada is by flying to the nearby airport of Preveza in the mainland. From the airport its a 30 minutes ride by car as Lefkada is connected via a bridge to Greece mainland. It will be busy during peak season, so in that period count with 1 hour to get past Lefkada Town. Many low-cost airline companies like Ryanair, Condor and Easyjet have good value for money flights to Preveza

The other alternative to get to Lefkada is by boat or ferry from Corfu. It operates 2 times a week and takes 6 hours. You can travel from Kefalonia Island. The ferry runs from Fiskardo to Vasiliki 3 to 4 times daily. It is a 1-hour ride. This option is the most convenient way to connect further to Zakynthos and Ithaka. There were also small ferries from Nidri to Kefalonia, but these have been stopped for the time being. You can take the ferry to Meganisi island

Ferry services run all Summer long , starting usually in May/June and ending in September. These are the ferry companies serving Lefkada:

• West Ferry – the fastest connection to Kefalonia and departing several times daily. You can check schedules and book tickets https://westferry.gr/
• Lefkada Palace -best option to travel from Corfu to Lefkada https://lefkadapalace.com/
• Meganisi ferry – Connection from Nidri to Meganisi reliable and fast http://ferryboatmeganisi.gr/en/homepage/

HOW TO GET AROUND LEFKADA

Lefkada is a small island. You need to use public transportation and taxis to move around the island. Ideally, rent a car or scooter to get faster around places and eventually connect with other islands. Preveza airport has usually good deals upon arrival or then at Lefkada town, expect to pay 40€ per day.

Road conditions are good and some are narrow, but overall well paved and only some traffic around major towns.

WHERE TO STAY IN LEFKADA

The best places to stay in Lefkada are the West Coast Hotels. They are close to the island’s best beaches. My preferred location to stay in Lefkada is Agios Nikitas. It has lush villas and apartments sprawling along the hills. The views of the coastline are amazing. I stayed here at Pantheon Villas. I simply loved it because of its location up the hill. It is still only 5 minutes by car from the nearby beaches.

My 2nd favorite place to stay in Lefkada is Vasiliki in the southern part. It might get slightly windy in the afternoon. However, there are many secluded coves that are well protected. You can reach them by boat or by car. It has a more active nightlife than the west coast (and much louder).

Nidri is the touristic of all towns to stay in Lefkada, with average beaches but many businesses and nightlife. Its also a great place for sailing boats and boat trips to Meganisi island and other nearby islands such as Ithaka.

WHERE TO EAT IN LEFKADA

Like many Greek islands, Lefkada offers great Greek food selection. Also Italian cuisine is well present all around the island. Having a meal near the beach or in a stunning panorama point is the ultimate highlight in Lefkada that you should experience.

These are for me the top 7 restaurants in Lefkada that I can recommend you:

1. Taverna Portoni (Agios Nikitas) – located by the beach of Agios Nikitas, probably the best location by the small beach and harbor , great traditional Greek Food.
2. Maistros (Agios Nikitas) – doing a fusion blend of Greek Mediterranean flavours with many tasty spices, its a refreshing experience only a few steps away from the beach
3. Areia Club (Kathisma beach) – probably the best beach restaurant and bar in the whole island, with sunlounges, private pool and a great bar only one step away from the beach, definitely my number 1 choice in Lefkada for lunch
4. Basilico Restaurant (Nidri) – a busy greek taverna that you will absolutely like as most of the crowds coming here for their intense Greek dishes flavours
5. Panoramic View (Agios Nikitas) – as the name says, panorama here looks infinite and sunsets from here are magical. Located top of the hill on the way to southern Lefkada, its the place to go in the evening
6. Old Fisherman’s Tavern (Vasiliki) – the seafood destination in Lefkada with excellent quality just by the lovely harbor promenade, its the best place in around Vasiliki.
7. Poseidon Bay (Vasiliki) – the beautiful restaurant just at the edge of the harbour as great seafood dishes with great value for money and a delightful view of whole Vasiliki town

Which one would you choose?!

TOP THINGS TO DO IN LEFKADA

The must-see places in Lefkada are all on the coastline, with only one exception. Its stunning beaches will impress you on the West Coast. The East Coast has quieter beaches rather than spectacular ones, but they also have great flair.

You should plan to stay at least one week in Lefkada to explore these locations. Ideally, spend up to 10 days to fully explore and enjoy Lefkada.

The top 10 things to do in Lefkada are:

1. Agios Nikitas
2. MIlos Beach
3. Kathisma Beach
4. Porto Katsiki
5. Vasiliki
6. Egremni beach
7. Meganisi island
8. Agiofili beach
9. Afteli beach
10. Nidri waterfalls & harbor

So that you can plan your Lefkada itinerary, these are the locations on a map.:

Despite the small distances, consider that there are many narrow roads and mountains in between the east and west coast. Allow 45 minutes from Agios Nikitas to Porto Katsiki. Allow 1 hour from Vasiliki to Nidri. Allow 30 minutes from Lefkada town to Kathisma Beach or Nidri.

AGIOS NIKITAS

The small fishing village town has become very popular. It serves as a hub for travellers wanting to experience the amazing Milos and Kathisma beaches. Others head south to the stunning beaches of Egremni and Porto Katsiki. Agios Nikitas still possesses a traditional Greek flair. It has narrow streets that lead to a lovely small beach and harbour.

For me, Agios Nikitas also has some of the best restaurants and accommodation in all of Lefkada. It’s more than just a stopover because you can really enjoy great food by the beach.

If you drive 10 minutes uphill, you will find the best villas with private pools, such as Pantheon Villas. Five minutes further, there are incredible panorama restaurants that offer amazing sunset views.

MILOS BEACH

It’s one of the best beaches in Lefkada that you must see. Located 30 minutes walk from Agios Nikitas village through a narrow hiking trail. as no cars are allowed here. its its a picture perfect half-moon beach, surrounded by the largest dune in Lefkada and limestone cliffs, white sand beach by the water that makes the turquoise waters even more bright. In alternative you can take a taxi boat from Agios Nikitas here.

It has a couple of services like sunlounges/ sunchairs and a small tavernas plus a kitesurfing center, that makes it perhaps less visited and makes its a paradise beach just for the the few dozens that want to spend the day.

The only downside is that beverages and food tend to be overpriced as you have to walk 30 minutes back to the village for other options and it has pebbles by the water, so take water / reef shoes.

KATHISMA BEACH

The best beach in Lefkada if you consider the accessibility, beach bars, sunlounges, white fine sand beach and turquoise water.

Being only 5 minutes drive from Agios Nikitas, with only one big sea cliff separating it from Milos beach, its the perfect beach for relaxing with all the services nearby. It has free parking places along the long beach road area (arrive before 10am to get a spot) or else get a paid spot at any of the several beach bars & restaurants that will give you a discount if you consume at their establishment.

I tried a few of the beach bars and definitely Areia Club felt like the most incredible experience with a great bar serving cocktails, a very well maintained private pool under a large sun protected area, very good food and the best sunchairs. Add to that the staff service and you will have that special moments.

PORTO KATSIKI

The paradise beach that you dreamed of to visit in Greece is Porto Katsiki! For me the number 1 beach across all Greek islands!

The scenery is spectacular as the giant white cliff offers a magnificent backdrop to the white sand beach and blue azure waters only the Caribbean sea could match.

Its about one hour drive away from Agios Nikitas, 1 1/2 hours from Lefkada Town or Nidri, with a paid parking spot for 10€/ day. Then its a 10 minutes walk via a set of stairs and then you start to see why Porto Katsiki is so outstanding with the contrast of colors being just jaw dropping.

There is only a small taverna in Porto Katsiki after the parking area but you can still order from the staff wandering around the beach with their devices with orders being added a “beach fee”. Moreover, there are no sun umbrellas or sun chairs to rent here, so bring your own sun umbrella by buying them on the way here for 15-20€ depending on its quality. Services are also only available near the parking area.

The best panoramic view of Porto Katsiki is on the right side of the beach accessible from the parking lot to a certain viewpoint before the broken bridge that is no longer possible to cross. From here you will take that special picture of the stunning Porto Katsiki beach like the first you see below (the others are from my drone)

VASILIKI

Vasiliki beach and harbor area is a great to unwind and relax after a long day or then get to some windsurfing action as it gathers the perfect conditions. The beach itself is nice but quite pebbly as well as having several boats anchored what makes the water less shallow than other beaches in Lefkada.

It has also some of the most beautiful hotels in Lefkada as well as some excellent restaurants, being a great base to explore the southern beaches including Porto Katsiki and Egremni.

From here you can also rent a boat for a day trip roaming around the southern and eastern coast of Lefkada all the way to Meganisi island. Its also a connecting hub to get a ferry to connect to Kefalonia island, in a trip taking 1 hour to reach Fiskardo.

EGREMNI BEACH

If Porto Katsiki is the picture perfect beach in Lefkada then Egremni beach is the closest you will get to heaven in terms of the best beaches in the World and is for me also one of the top 5 beaches in whole Greece!

Located in between Agios Nikitas and Porto Katski, around 30 minutes from Agios Nikitas and Vasiiki, the panorama viewpoint from the road already makes you see Caribbean blue amazing waters contrasting with the pure white sand. If you drive further down the road to Porto Katsiki, you will see a signpost indicating the parking spot that costs 10€ per day. You can also park on the road before to park for free if you find a spot.

From there the true journey starts: 30 minutes walk down a closed paved car road, that snakes around the rocky white cliffs, after which you reach a small shop and and a restaurant, before you get down hundreds of stairs down to the paradise of Egremni beach in Lefkada in also around 30 minutes, with terrific views along the stairs where you will see the longest stretch of white sand beach in Greece along a wall of cliffs that narrows the path.

What makes it really unique is that there aren’t that many that venture to walk to this beach, some prefer to do a boat trip for a 1-2 hours. As Egremni beach is so long,. you will have enough space on your beach area. Very important: bring your sun umbrella and towels and drinks/ food if you can as there is only a small improvised bar at the beach and its quite expensive.

Try to come early to avoid the heat and return later in the afternoon as the walk back will take around 1h30 minutes, take breaks and drink a lot of water. This is a beach where any visitor to Egremni should get a medal for making it! Truly a journey so worth it just to swim in that crispy azure blue sea and enjoy the view of a lifetime in Lefkada and Greece!

MEGANISI ISLAND

Meganisi is a small boot-shaped island near Lefkada, easily accessible by boat from Nidri or then by a rented boat from Nidri or the Southern ports such as Vasiliki or Afteli beach – it should take less an hour to get there,.

The island is rugged but it has a beautiful blue lagoon cave at the southern part called Papanikolis plus several little bays where you can anchor and swim in pure crystaline waters. The highlight is the stunning Golden horn beach of Ammoglossa on the East coast whilst Fanari and Spilia Beach take the honors on the northern coast of Meganisi island.

My recommendation is that you take a 45 HP boat (no license needed) for 160€ per day plus gasoline (usually 30-40€) in a 4 to 6 hours trip depending how early you start. Then stop over the coastline of Lefkada and then Meganisi, it will be a unique experience with you as the skipper!

AGIOFILI BEACH

Located on the southern coast of Lefkada, Agiofili is the perfect beach for those looking for a small rounded bay with a secluded location. Here the incredible blue sea colors blend in with golden sand and a small cliff overlooking the whole beach like an observatory tower.

Accessed by a gravel road 15 minutes from Vasiliki that ends on a small parking lot costing 10€ day (or then park before the entry gate for free) and a 10 minutes easy walk , its more accessible than several other beaches on this area of Lefkada.

The only downsize is that there are no service or any beach bars or restaurant (the one that existed is closed and abandoned at the beach trailhead), so you need to cater drink and food yourself. Perhaps that’s what makes this beach in Lefkada so peculiar and special.

AFTELI BEACH

If Agiofili is smaller than most beaches on the east and west coast of Lefkada, then Afteli beach is even a more cozy beach location, yet so uniquely amazing!

Located in between huge mountains, this cove is reached in 30 minutes from Vasiliki, with the last couple of km on a narrow road full of turns until yopu get down to the beach small parking lot. Its smallness still gives space to a very nice restaurant and beach bar with the small pebbles beach being also fully served with sun umbrellas and chairs. Perhaps this is what makes it so charming.

Add to this that it has small harbour on its left where you can rent one of the small motorboats to go on a boat adventure up the south and east coast of Lekfkada plus exploring the magnificent Meganisi island as described above, it makes it the perfect day trip in Lefkada.

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NIDRI WATERFALLS AND HARBOR

Whilst Lefkada’s east coast has the best beaches and southern coast offers smaller yet charming bays, the west coast of Lefkada has in Nidri its highlight as a vibrant city , home of the biggest marina in Lefkada with hundreds of boats anchored and a busy beachfront.

Beyond that beachfront, the nice waterfalls in the mountains, only 15 minutes drive away from Nidri downtown, offer a great attraction, quite different from the rest of Lefkada.

The waterfalls themselves are not the biggest highlight, but the nice hike there and the nature pools along the way make it a rewarding visit. Because of its convenient location and being the sole accessible waterfalls , its very popular so it might become quite crowded.

Hope you liked this travel blog post so stay tuned for more Greek islands and have a look to the posts already published about Greeece. Send me any questions per message or comment below.

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