Tour of Lefkada Island
Lefkada is the birthplace of the great Greek poet Aristotle Valaoritis and Angelos Skilelianos.
It belongs to the group of Ionian islands but it gives the impression that it is not an island, but simply an extension of the territory of Akarnania, since it is not necessary to take a boat to reach it.
The island has picturesque villages, fine beaches with crystal clear waters, historical monuments and museums.
It is the ideal place for unforgettable holidays.
The tourist infrastructure is excellent.
LEFKADA
The capital of the island, also called LEFKADA, is a tranquil septinsular town with a few picturesque traditional houses, a busy harbor, and many tourist sights.
It is worth visiting to Archaeological Museum which houses finds from excavations in various parts of the island.
The town also has a Folklore Museum, one room of which has been designed as a traditional Lefkadian house.
There are some interesting old churches in the capital: Agios Spyridon, Agios Dimitrios, Christ the Pantokrator, Agios Minas and Panagia Isodion, all of which were built before 1700.
The castle, next to the artificial canal that separates the island from the coast of Akarnania, was built by the Sicilian Orsini in 1300 and is a representative example of the art of fortification.
The beautiful Boschetto Park is adorned by busts of important figures from the island.
In Daiperfeld Street you will find many malls and tourist shops.
While all around the central you will find cafes, taverns and lots of bars.
In the capital there are numerous hotels, rooms to let, restaurants, taverns, coffee shops, bars and night clubs for your nightlife.
A short distance away from the town are the ruins of Ancient Lefkas (6 kilometers to the south-east), with the remains of a theater and a fortification wall.
The monastery of Faneromeni, 3 kilometers to the south-west, built on the site of the temple of Hera, is the most important religious center on Lefkada.
LYGIA – NIKIANA
On the east coast of the island, south of the town are:
LYGIA a large fishing center 6 kilometers from Lefkada town.
Its small beach is ideal for swimming. In the region you will find hotels, rooms to let and a camping site.
All around the village there are many fish taverns.
NIKIANA a picturesque seaside village and an important tourist resort 10 kilometers from the capital. It has a small sandy beach.
In the area you will find hotels and rooms to let, taverns, cafes and bars.
Tour of Lefkada Island
NYDRI
NYDRI is located 17 kilometers south-east of the town.
It has a superb sea and a wonderful view over the small islands scattered opposite.
It is the most busy tourist resort of the island. Nydri has a beautiful beach with crystal waters ideal for swimming and water sports.
In the region you will find hotels, rooms to let, taverns, coffee shops, bars and many shops.
The small islands of Madouri, Scorpios and Meganisi are right across Nydri, so you can take a small boat and visit them.
On the way to Nydri is the coastal settlement of PERIGIALI.
It is built in a beautiful surrounding and combines green nature to sandy shores.
POROS – SIVOTA
Further to the south is VLICHO, built in a sheltered bay, followed by POROS, MIKROS GIALOS and SYVOTA.
The last one impresses every visitor. It has a small marina that every summer is full of yachts.
In the village you will find many fish taverns.
Poros is built on the verdant slopes of a hill.
The village has some beautiful two-storey houses with tile roofs.
In Poros there is the church of Analipsis which houses some fine icons from the 17th c.
Very close to Poros is the small beach of Mikros Gialos with white pebbles and crystal waters.
There is a medieval tower near Pyrgi, not far from Poros.
KALAMITSI
The small village of KALAMITSI is located 23 kilometers of Lefkada town. It is built on a green slope and has a magnificent panoramic view. It is one of the oldest villages of the island and disposes 13 windmills.
VASSILIKI
The picturesque sea-side village of VASSILIKI, 38 kilometers south of the capital, is built in a superb natural setting with lavish greenery in a tranquil, sheltered bay.
It is one of the most cosmopolitan tourist resorts of the island.
It has one of the most beautiful beaches in Lefkada.
From here, small boats take visitors to Porto Katsiki beach. It has an excellent tourist infrastructure: there are numerous hotels, apartments and rooms to let of all categories, taverns, coffee shops and bars.
Tour of Lefkada Island
From here, a road leads to some of the most beautiful traditional mountain villages of the interior.
A good example is Agios Petros.
ATHANI – PORTO KATSIKI
To the west lies ATHANI with several examples of the local traditional architecture.
Further south is the promontory of Lefkatas (or Cape Niras) with steep, awesome rocks and a magnificent beach.
The remains are preserved here of a temple of Apollo and a short distance away is the church of Agios Nikolaos (17th c.) with a carved icon.
PORTO KATSIKI nearby is a superb location with crystal clear sea. It is one of the most beautiful and photographed beaches on Lefkada which every summer attracts many visitors. Long and sandy, it is surrounded by impressive hills.
Porto Katsiki can also be reached by boat from the villages of Vasiliki and Nydri.
KARYA
The mountain head-village of KARYA, almost in the heart of the island, has plentiful waters, local customs, vernacular architecture and a tradition of embroidery.
The village is famous for its fine needlework, the famous “karisanika”, with the special “karisianiki” stitch.
It is worth visiting the Folklore Museum here.
The west coast of the island is steep, but there are tranquil golden sandy beaches and wonderful sheltered bays here and there amongst the rocks.
AGIOS NIKITAS
One of the finest villages on the west coast is AGIOS NIKITAS, a traditional settlement with superb sea, 14 kilometers south-west of the capital.
It has houses of traditional architecture, picturesque narrow paths and hospitable people.
It has become one of the most popular tourist resorts of the island.
Agios Nikitas has a small family sandy beach with crystal turquoise waters. In the region there are hotels, rooms to let, taverns, shops, coffee shops, bars, etc.
2 kilometers from it is located Kathisma beach one of the most cosmopolitan beaches of the island of international fame.
The long beach has fine white sand and crystal turquoise waters. Sun beds, umbrellas and water sports are available.
Tour of Lefkada Island
NEARBY ISLANDS
There are several beautiful little islands between Lefkada and the coast of Central Greece:
SKORPIOS privately owned, KALAMOS, KASTOS, MEGANISI, ARKOUDI and MADOURI.
These are connected with Lefkada and the coast of Akarnania by small boats.
They have superb beaches, clear sea and some accommodation, and are ideal for a tranquil holiday close to nature.
TRADITION – EVENTS
There are artistic events on Lefkada every year at the beginning of August.
The national festival Folklore gathers a lot of people.
Many of the villages of the island have traditional festivals.
The Lefkadian wedding in Karya revives on August.
TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS OF LEFKADA
The most famous traditional products of the island are: thyme honey of fine quality from Athani, oil, pasteli and mantolato sweets, soumada (refreshment from bitter almond), liquers (rosoli, mint, rose, etc.), red and white wine.
Don’t forget to taste the traditional ladopita (oil pie), ladokouloura (oil rolls), sabori, sausages, frygadeli, and bourdeto.
