Meet Greece...

A jewel of an island, with dense forests, cosmopolitan charm and famous beaches.

You’re bound to have seen photographs of Lefkada’s world-renowned beaches. But when you arrive, you’ll quickly realise that the reality is even better than the fantasy. Lefkada – or Lefkas – is easily accessible, hospitable and lively – a recipe for the perfect summer holiday in the Ionian Sea. Kathisma, Egremni, Porto Katsiki – the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean – have won international acclaim and are awarded annually with Blue Flags (symbolising cleanliness and quality).
Windsurfing, kitesurfing, paragliding, scuba diving, flights in a prop plane, horseback riding, mountain biking, sailing the surrounding islets like Skorpios: there is no end to the activities and sports on offer here. You’ll explore the island, stay at luxurious or quaint and traditional hotels, eat at restaurants on the water. The welcoming Lefkada town will invite you to savour its culture: walks in the alleyways, folk songs, the famous bouranelous (anglers), plates of Englouvi lentils on Agios Donatos’ feast day. Immerse yourself in Lefkada’s magical world.

What to do in Lefkada

The most popular beaches in Lefkada
Are you ready to plunge into paradise? Here, turquoise meets azure, with white sand, white cliffs and smooth white pebbles. Vast exotic beaches, bays, cliffs that swoop into the sea, pine trees. Kathisma, Egremni, Milos, Pefkoulia, Myli, Ammoglossa. And the island’s number one star, Porto Katsiki. Every swim is soul-cleansing. Every beach is an unforgettable experience.

Set sail to the islets around Lefkada
At Nydri, row upon row of masts sway to the rhythm of the wind, ready to cast off. Untie those ropes and set sail in the Ionian’s azure waters for delightful hideaways like Pringiponisa, Meganisi, Kalamos and Kastos. For mariners, Lefkada’s surrounding islands are among the favourite destinations in Greece.

Surfin’ Lefkada
Board, boom, sail… and we’re off to windsurf in Vasiliki and Ai Gianni, two of the world’s best beaches for the sport and home to the International Regatta. If you prefer kitesurfing, Myli, near Lefkada town, is ideal. If you’re even more courageous, you can paraglide – an unforgettable flight with an exciting landing at Kathisma, one of Lefkada’s most gorgeous beaches. Or soar through the sky with one of the Aeroclub’s prop planes or light aircrafts.

The legend of Cape Lefkata
When you get here, the legendary energy wraps around you. At the spot where a lighthouse now stands, 60m above sea level, sacrifices were made to the gods in ancient times. Which is why the temple of Lefkata Apollona was built here.
After the 6th century, sacrifices to the gods were replaced by sacrifices of desperate lovers. The poet Sappho was allegedly the first to jump and the dramatic white cliff is named Sappho’s Leap after her. It has also been called Kavos Tis Kyras (Lady’s Cape), after the love-struck girls who threw themselves to their death here. It is one of the most interesting sights in Lefkada, and well worth a visit.

From the castle of Agia Mavra to Gyra
When you enter the town, you’ll be welcomed by the castle. In 1300, the Venetian leader Giovanni Orsini received Lefkada as a dowry and began fortifying it with seven bastions on seven sides. Inside you’ll find the church of Agia Mavra, patron saint of Lefkada, celebrated on May the 3rd with a huge feast day. From the castle to the northwest side of town, there is a thin strip of land, 7 km long, that embraces the Gyras lagoon. The red villa Kalkani, windmills and fishermen’s homes inhabit this unique wetland, along with numerous species of protected birds.

Surprises in the alleyways of Lefkada
Like the wind, you will whirl around the town’s alleyways. Stroll along and you’ll discover a series of surprises. In the lively squares and sidewalks, stores and churches, in the 17th and 18th century architecture: impressive steeples, exquisite temples and Ionian icons. Here, you’ll be struck by the coloured sheet-metal facades of the houses’ upper floors. It’s a unique local custom devised to minimise earthquake damage.

Quaint Agios Nikitas
Cars are prohibited here, so you’ll explore this traditional settlement on foot. A charming little marina, green everywhere, fish tavernas, cafes and bars on the water, small hotels, stone cottages. From here you can take a caique to nearby, exotic and beautiful Myli.

Hidden gems of Lefkada

The Venetian Olive Grove
The shade of 100-year-old olive trees hides a story. The grove, which embraces the western side of town, was planted by order of the Venetians in the 17th century. Here, you’ll enjoy a walk or a bike ride through the immortal olive trees.

Dimosari waterfalls
Follow the shady path under the planes, until you reach a unique vision: enormous rocks and water falling with great force into the blue lake. You won’t be able to resist a dip.

Englouvis lentils
Small in size but large in flavor. Cooked in large cauldrons by the village women on Agios Donatos’ feast day (August 7) at the plateau above the village. A festival on your plate!