Lefkada Things to Do

Among other things, Lefkada is very famous thanks to its long sandy beaches with bright blue waters reminiscent of exotic destinations. The island's coasts are so beguiling that the best thing to do is explore the beaches!

The most popular beach on the island is Porto Katsiki, one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Mediterranean region, located below some unusually massive cliffs that create a unique landscape. The sea waters are clear and blue and the area is surrounded by lush vegetation.
Another excellent option is Egremni, a long beach covered with golden sand from side to side. Its crystal clear waters are extremely inviting on warm summer days and the infinite blue horizon will give you an indescribable sense of freedom. Even though it can get quite overcrowded, finding a calmer spot and enjoying the Carribean-like landscape is not difficult.
You can find many other well-organized, stunning beaches, such as Kathisma, highly recommended for anyone looking for a beach that offers the comfort of sun loungers and umbrellas as well as easy access to lots of facilities nearby.

Explore the Beaches

The Town of Lefkada is the capital of the island. It is a quaint town with lots of interesting alleys to explore, a seafront promenade and numerous restaurants, bars and other facilities. The houses bear many elements of Venetian architecture, although many had to be reconstructed because of the damage inflicted on them by earthquakes.

Strolling around the streets of Lefkada Town is among the best things to do while on the island, as travelers will encounter a few landmarks like the Church of Pantokrator and the Church of Agioi Anargyroi, and picturesque streets, such as Ioannou Mela Street. In Boschetto Park, visitors can admire the busts of renowned poets who visited the island or stayed there. The park is very close to the Town’s photogenic wooden bridge. Moreover, some museums that are open for visiting are the Phonograph Museum, the Folklore Museum, and the Archaeological Museum.

Explore Lefkada Town

If you want your vacation to be perfect, not skipping searching for the ideal accommodation is the best thing to do.
Lefkada has countless hotels and villas available. Below, we have listed the best boutique hotels to help you choose the accommodation option that suits you the most so you can be comfortable and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

• Thea Thalatta is a complex of three luxurious villas, located in the area of Tsoukalades. The villas have an elegant interior design with a romantic atmosphere, in a quiet location that ensures privacy and amazing sea views. The villas have excellent facilities, including a restaurant, pool and outdoor jacuzzi.
• Idilli Villas is a gem hidden among dense and refreshing greenery in the peaceful area of Agios Nikitas. They offer sea and mountain views, a bright atmosphere and privacy, while nearby you will find many restaurants, shops and other facilities. The villas are well-equipped, with lots of technological amenities and large outdoor pools.
• The seafront Porto Ligia Hotel is located right by the beach of Ligia. This stunning landscape combines sea and mountain, calmness and modern facilities. In the hotel, you will find two pools (for adults and children), green gardens and cozy bedrooms, as well as lots of sun loungers, sun umbrellas and outdoor seating areas.
• The collection of Heliotropia Apartments in Vassiliki consists of fully equipped bungalows with facilities, including a shared pool, lovely garden and shared outdoor seating areas. Bars, restaurants and shops and a beach that is great for windsurfing all lie in proximity to the accommodation.
• Last but not least, not far from the beautiful beach of Agios Ioannis, Kastro Maistro studios and apartments are located in a tranquil area between mountains and olive groves. They boast several well-equipped facilities, including shared pools and a playground for children, as well as a romantic and elegant interior design.

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Lefkada has several seaside settlements across its coastline where visitors can wander, enjoy the sea and landscape and eat at the regional restaurants.

Agios Nikitas is a quaint seafront village surrounded by green mountains and forests. It is full of traditional houses and fishermen’s boats but has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with various modern facilities and amenities, including restaurants, taverns, bars and much more. Most alleys of this coastal village are paved and cannot be accessed by car. It is best to stroll around on foot, explore the picturesque houses and swim in the turquoise waters of Agios Nikitas beach. Nearby, you will find the remote Mylos beach, reachable by boat and a hiking path. Another enticing waterfront village is Nikiana.

Nikiana is another highly preferred tourist resort, hosting accommodations, eating and drinking establishments, as well as a small harbor. Despite being a popular seaside resort, it does not seem like a typical Greek tourist resort; the ambiance is tranquil and the charming beaches with teal waters do not abound with parasols and sunbeds. Because of the vegetation surrounding it, families and travelers who seek a relaxing area love it.

Discover the Villages

Food-wise, the best thing to do is to dine at a traditional restaurant at least once!
Regarding local gastronomy, Lefkada offers a variety of restaurants and taverns where you can try traditional and creative Greek recipes as well as other Mediterranean delicacies. Most restaurants and taverns have a chilled-out atmosphere and offer views of lovely gardens or the Ionian Sea. Most of them are run by locals who will guarantee you enjoy a lunch or dinner made with love and high-quality ingredients.

Our recommendations for restaurants in Lefkada include Rachi in the mountainous village of Exanthia, The Barrel in the waterside Nidri and Molos in front of the picturesque harbor of Mikros Gialos.

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The best spots on Lefkada to enjoy the island’s most magnificent sea views are the ones located at an altitude.

Located in Exanthia village, Fly Me Sun and Stars is open all day long and you can enjoy breakfast, desserts, brunch, or lunch with a view of the sea and the mountain. However, the best time to get there is before sunset when you can enjoy an evening cocktail while gazing at the breathtaking landscape painted golden by the setting sun.
Amente in Drymonas village is an excellent alternative for admiring the sunset while sipping a refreshing cocktail or tasting a palatable meal. The establishment is praised for its high-quality, fusion-cuisine dishes and reasonable prices.

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What if you could fly above the beautiful landscape of Lefkada?

Paragliding is an activity that allows you to do so! The good news is that the sport is quite popular on the island. Fly above Lefkada, feel the adrenaline rushing and enjoy the sense of absolute freedom.
The best spots for paragliding are the areas of Kathisma and Agios Nikitas, which ensure panoramic views and good weather conditions. The paragliding sessions have been designed according to the strictest safety standards to ensure that you will enjoy the view carefree. 
If you are a fan of adrenaline, the best thing to do is to book your paragliding session as soon as possible!

Book your paragliding session

The Castle of Agia Mavra is located at the entrance of Lefkada. It is the first sight visitors encounter before arriving in the main town and the most impressive site of historical interest on the island.

Its story is long with the fortress being intertwined with the history of the island. Inside it lie ruins of buildings and the homonymous church of Agia Mavra which was built in 1888. In addition, many of the significant events that take place on the island, such as concerts and the annual meeting of Lefkada choirs, take place in the Castle, as it is an imposing backdrop that makes the experience unique for the public.

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Although limited people are aware of it, Lefkada produces fine and delicious local products, which are excellent choices for souvenirs from the island or gifts for friends and relatives.

The island gifts its inhabitants high-quality legumes, with Eglouvi lentils being the number one product in this category. The second most popular product is sausages and, more specifically, Lefkadian salami and sausage, with tradition saying that the locals have learned how to make them from the fathers of salami, namely the Italians. Other excellent products you can taste and buy on the island are honey, olive oil, and local sweets such as mandolato.

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Lefkada is a very popular destination among sea sports lovers. The island offers several excellent kitesurfing spots that are safe for both advanced and beginner kitesurfers, depending on the wind and the weather conditions. The most famous place to go kitesurfing is Agios Nikolaos Beach. The wild beauty of the natural landscape in this remote area and the bright blue waters of the sea guarantee a breathtaking kitesurfing setting. More places to go kitesurfing in Lefkada or nearby areas include Nissaki, Agios Ioannis, Preveza and Paliambela.

The island’s good weather conditions and strong winds make it an ideal place to try windsurfing, too. In the lovely area of Vassiliki village, Club Vass provides the best windsurfing opportunities for both beginners and experienced windsurfers. Seize this chance to exploit the local winds, ride the waves and feel free!

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At a secluded location near Rouda Bay, guests have the opportunity to visit some beautiful sea caves. The only way to approach the area and explore them is by kayak. We recommend participating in an organized kayak trip that provides all the instruction and information you need for an unforgettable kayak experience! With this tour, you will have the opportunity to explore these isolated areas of the island, enter the sea caves and snorkel.

Book the Canoe Excursion

If you’ve already seen most of Lefkada, consider adding one or two extra Ionian islands to your summer vacation! From Lefkada, you can get to other nearby, equally beautiful islands such as Kefalonia, Ithaca and Meganisi. All it takes is a short trip by boat, that can even be done as a day trip.

The island of Meganisi is quite small and the closest destination you can reach from Lefkada. It is not very popular so it is full of calm spots away from the crowds. A boat trip to Meganisi will only take about 20 minutes.
Another option is the mythic destination of Ithaca, a slightly bigger island adjacent to Kefalonia. You can get there by boat from Lefkada. Ithaca is a very popular island for anyone who loves the combination of green forests and turquoise waters. The area is a tranquil gateway, full of flourishing greenery and golden beaches.
Ithaca is also located very close to the island of Kefalonia. In addition to its bright blue waters and sandy beaches, Kefalonia has lots of different places to see. It is best to stay there for a few days so you can get the chance to visit its picturesque villages, historical landmarks, impressive natural caves and more.

In addition to kitesurfing, kayaking and other water sports, the scuba diving opportunities that this beautiful island offers are noteworthy.
For experienced divers, there are many popular diving spots where you can explore an underwater world full of life, reefs, caves, shipwrecks and other interesting findings. Lefkas Diving Center can provide all the diving assistance you may need, including information, maps and diving equipment.

Are you ready to explore the mysterious sea bottom of Lefkada?

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Near the picturesque village of Nydri, you can search for the impressive waterfalls of Dimossari. They are worthy of a visit even during the dry season when there is not much water around, because of the beauty of nature in this particular location. In order to get there, visitors will have to take hiking paths that cross the dense forest of the area, follow wooden bridges, stairs and paths until they leave this truly magical scenery behind and approach the waterfalls.

The landscape is stunning, full of trees, caves and enormous rocks and cliffs, while you will also find the ruins of an old abandoned watermill. The waterfalls form ponds and a small blue-green lake where you can swim in freshwater between the rocks. The wilderness and relaxing sounds of flowing water promise a refreshing experience and a brief escape from summer’s high temperatures.

More about the waterfalls of Nidri

Not far from the picturesque Town of Lefkada, away from the crowds of tourists and the vivid town streets, there is a remote place of great ecological value - the Sea Lakes of Lefkada. The dense vegetation around these lagoons becomes a shelter for various wildlife species, including sea birds, migratory birds and some small animals. There are two lagoons, Divari and Ivaria. Visit them and you may be lucky enough to meet some of the local flora and fauna!

Discover the sea lakes

Above the Town of Lefkada, one can distinguish the Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni. It is the oldest monastery on the island and the most important religious center.

Initially, it was constructed in 1634 on top of the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the Olympian goddess Artemis. Unfortunately, the monastery was later destroyed and then reconstructed. Nowadays, you will also find an Ecclesiastical Museum there. The monastery has beautiful gardens and its location ensures stunning views of the sea and the Ionian landscape.

Discover the Monastery of Faneromeni

The International Folklore Festival of Lefkada is an institution that has taken place every year since 1962. Since then, it has promoted the value of brotherhood between the peoples of the Earth through the presentation of traditional dances and music from countries of all five continents. The festival takes place at the end of August and lasts for one week.

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