Lefkada is a magnificent island in the Ionian Sea. The island of Lefkada is a popular holiday destination and it is easily accessible from mainland Greece. On Ferryhopper, you can see how to get to Lefkada and find vacation tips about the best beaches, villages and experiences. Find info about island hopping in the Ionian Sea and plan your trip!
The magical beach of Egremni with crystal-clear blue waters
Vacation in Lefkada
Lefkada is one of the most beloved islands in the Ionian Sea. A trip to the island is all about amazing natural sceneries and dreamy beaches, popular around the world! The island is also great for outdoor activities and nightlife, as there are many water sports centers, hiking clubs and entertainment venues to choose from!
How to get to Lefkada
You can easily get to Lefkada with your own vehicle, as it is connected to mainland Greece via a bridge. There is also a frequent public bus service from Athens and Thessaloniki. The trip duration from Athens and Thessaloniki is around 4 hours. If you’re flying into Greece, there is an international airport in Aktion, 20 minutes to Lefkada by car.
What to do in Lefkada
A trip to Lefkada can be summed up as the ultimate holiday experience! There is a plethora of amazing beaches, both popular and remote, where you can swim, enjoy cocktails and relax. The food is amazing, combining the Greek culinary tradition with a strong influence from the diverse cultural past of the island. You can also go hiking, try windsurfing, go island hopping and see amazing waterfalls!
Beaches in Lefkada
The beaches of the island are beautiful and have been awarded as some of the best in the world! Whether you prefer sandy or pebble beaches, you are guaranteed a magical seaside time by crystal-clear emerald waters. Some of the beaches are easily accessible by vehicle and there are also remote beaches, which you can access through hiking trails or by boat.
Here are some of the best beaches on the northern part of Lefkada:
- Kathisma: This is one of the most popular beaches on the island. It has a long sandy coast and emerald waters. There are visitor amenities, tavernas, restaurants, beach bars and cafés. Kathisma is great for paragliding and other water sports.
- Milos: Milos is a large quiet beach with sand and clear blue waters. There are no visitor amenities and you can get there either via a 20-minute hiking trail or by water taxi from Agios Nikitas.
- Pefkoulia: It is a popular beach with pine trees, sand and blue waters. There are some umbrellas and sun loungers, as well as local restaurants and cafés.
- Gyra: Gyra is a large sandy beach with clear waters. There are umbrellas and sun loungers on one side of the beach and there is also a café and a taverna. You can easily get there by car.
- Agios Nikitas: This small beach is located in the resort village of Agios Nikitas. It has beautiful emerald green waters and there are restaurants and cafés in the area.
- Kalamitsi: The village of Kalamitsi is home to 3 amazing beaches: Megali Petra, Kavalikefta and Avali. All beaches have inviting emerald waters and small pebbles. The beach of Kavalikefta is great if you’re looking for visitor amenities, such as umbrellas and sun loungers.
These are our favorite beaches on the southern side of Lefkada:
- Egremni: The beach of Egremni is one of the most popular on the island due to its heavenly beauty. It is a large beach with small pebbles and impressive emerald green waters. Most visitors get there by boat. There is also a beach bar, as well as umbrellas and sun loungers.
- Porto Katsiki: Porto Katsiki is undoubtedly the most popular beach in Lefkada and one of the prettiest in Greece. Large imposing rocks and lush greenery surround its crystal-clear waters. There is a parking space and some cafés close to the beach.
- Gialos: It is a beautiful beach with sand and crystal-clear waters. You can find a café, as well as some umbrellas and sun loungers.
- Nydri: The beach of Nydri is sandy with several visitor amenities and it is perfect for water sports. Nydri is one of the most popular resorts on the island, and you can find many restaurants, tavernas, and cafés in the area.
- Ammoussa: It’s a beach with white pebbles and crystal-clear emerald waters. There are visitor amenities and a restaurant. You can get there by car.
- Agiofili: This is a magical beach with white pebbles, deep turquoise waters and tall rocks. You can visit Agiofili via a hiking trail or through a dirt road followed by a shorter hike.
Sailing boats off the coast of Porto Katsiki
Activities and sightseeing in Lefkada
Lefkada is great for exploration, cultural sightseeing and water sports. Here are some of the best experiences on the island according to ferryhoppers:
- The villages of Nydri, Vasiliki and Ligia are great for water sports. There are many modern centers for surfing, kitesurfing, as well as paragliding, to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the amazing scenery!
- From the village of Nydri you can catch a boat to the islet of Skorpios. The private island once belonged to Greek businessman Aristotle Onassis and it’s a great place to swim in crystal-clear waters against a lush green backdrop.
- Visit the Castle of Agia Mavra close to Chora for a trip back in time. This archaeological site is worth exploring to find out more about the past of the island.
- If you’re a history buff, you can also visit the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada, where you can see impressive findings from antiquity.
- For nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts, the waterfalls of Nydri and Akoni are a fantastic experience.
Nightlife in Lefkada
There are many options for a fun night in Lefkada. Most of the island’s clubs, bars and restaurants are in Chora, Nydri and Vasiliki. There are nightlife options for every taste, ranging from loud clubs playing dance music to cozy bars with a rock attitude. You can enjoy delicious wines at a wine bar, dance by the sea in one of the open-air clubs, try delicious mezzes at one of the local tavernas or exquisite restaurants, enjoy novelty cocktails or listen to live music.
Food in Lefkada
If you’re a foodie visiting Lefkada, brace yourself! The island has a rich culinary history, encompassing many gastronomic traditions. You can taste delicious fresh seafood and fish, amazing cured meats and cheese, unique legume dishes, mouthwatering desserts with honey and almonds, as well as traditional drinks!
In Lefkada, you can enjoy dishes made with organic ingredients at one of the local tavernas and small delis or at one of the island’s haute cuisine restaurants. Here are some of the best products and dishes of Lefkada:
- Salami
- Lentils from the village of Egklouvi
- Frigadelia: grilled lamb liver wrapped in caul fat
- Local organic wine
- Soumada: orgeat syrup made from almonds
- Bourdeto: scorpionfish and potato stew
- Ladopita: semolina-based dessert with cinnamon and almonds
- Cuttlefish risotto
Villages in Lefkada
Lefkada is one of the largest islands in Greece with several towns and plenty of visitor amenities. As you cross the bridge from mainland Greece, you arrive at Chora, the island capital, where there are many hotels, restaurants and other traveler services. You can also find remote villages, such as Rachi and Nikiana, as well as popular resorts and major towns, such as Agios Nikitas and Nydri.
Here are the major towns and villages in Lefkada:
- Chora
- Agios Nikitas
- Nydri
- Madouri
- Sivota
- Vasiliki
- Karia
Windsurfing at the coastal village of Vasiliki
Useful information for Lefkada
Lefkada is one of the most developed islands in Greece. There are modern visitor facilities and services throughout the year. There is a hospital in Chora, as well as supermarkets, ATMs, gas stations and pharmacies in all major villages.
Useful phone numbers for your stay in Lefkada
Here are some useful phone numbers for your trip to Lefkada:
- General Hospital of Lefkada: +302645360100-200-300
- Municipality of Lefkada: +302645360500-8
- Tourist Information Office: +302645360755-7
- Police Station: +302645029370-5
- Port Authority of Lefkada: +302645022176
- Public bus service (KTEL): +302645022364
Pretty green islets and the village of Nydri in the background
Transportation in Lefkada
You can easily get around Lefkada by public bus, taxi and water taxi. If you wish to explore the whole island, we recommend that you get there with your own vehicle or rent one on the island. Driving on the island is the best way to immerse yourself in the easy-going atmosphere of the island’s villages and explore the wild nature of Lefkada.
Ports in Lefkada
Although Lefkada is connected to mainland Greece by road, there are some small ports and harbors that serve short routes to nearby islands and islets. The main ports are in Nydri, Vasiliki and Chora. From these 3 ports you can catch a local ferry or a water taxi to explore the Ionian Sea.
Island hopping from Lefkada
If you want to experience the ultimate holiday experience in Greece, you can go island hopping in the Ionian Sea! There are regular local ferry routes from Nydri and Vasiliki in Lefkada to the village of Fiskardo in Kefalonia, as well as to Ithaca. Ferry sailings are daily and the trip duration is less than 2 hours.
Good to know: Apart from ferries to neighboring islands, there are also water taxis to close islets, where you can enjoy peaceful moments, swim in remote waters and enjoy the infinite blue of the Ionian Sea.
View to the sea from Agia Mavra Castle in Lefkada
On Ferryhopper, you can find all the information you need about island hopping in the Ionian Sea. Find vacation tips about the best beaches, sites, attractions and villages, to plan your trip!