Lefkada is the fourth largest of the islands in the Ionian Sea. It is opposite northwestern Akarnania which it is separated by a shallow lagoon and a narrow channel. The island has an area of ​​302.5 square kilometers and the current population is about 23,000 inhabitants. From the word Lefkas was named Lefkatis and in Doric Lefkatas formed, which means “the lord of the stone of Lefkada” meant, a name given to the lord of the promontory, Apollo, was given. An old legend, in the Europe of modern times was widely distributed, wants Sappho from this cape jumped into the sea because of her hopeless love for Phaon.

Watch the Video!

Lefkada Greece

You must see the sunset from the Windmills at the North tip of the island (across Lefkada Town). Great for backgammon matches, drinks and juices while listening to great music, watching windsurfers and just chillin’. Go for an evening stroll through lefkada town and enjoy drinks, ice cream, crepes in any of the many places to relax along the town’s main center walk. The Marina coast (also in lefkada town) is a nice walk and has many places for dinner on the water.

 

Beaches in Lefkada

Lefkada is well known for its paradise beaches, with the blonde sand and the turquoise water. They have been awarded with blue flags, always in the first place of the international voting via internet. A new road links the south and the west side of the island making these beaches easily accessible from Sivota.
Porto Katsiki the famous and awarded beach 25 minutes from Sivota , voted as one of the best in Greece and one of the most popular in the Mediterranean Sea, is of a breathtaking beauty. Steep white rocks over a fantastic sandy beach and turquoise waters. Porto Katsiki is simply irresistible for thousands of visitors around the world and a unique sightseeing experience It is frequented with private yachts and is simply the best way to access this beach, apart from a car. It can also be reached by taxi-boat from the villages of Vassiliki and Nidri. A car parking, bars and canteens are found on top of the stairs.

Kathisma is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches of Lefkada located 15 km southeast of the main town, close to the village of Agios Nikitas. One of the longest beaches of Lefkada with fine white sand and sparkling waters of amazing turquoise color.  It is a much preferred destination among young crowds. Here you can enjoy a refreshing swim and relaxing sunbathing. Kathisma is also an ideal destination for several water sports, and especially sky parachute.

Nidri: (20mins from Stivota) Tourist resort, sailing centre, shops and restaurants, starting point for boat excursions;

Vassiliki: (10 Mins from Sivota) Wonderful beach, international windsurfing centre;

Amousso small pebbled beach with crystal water, popular in Lefkada

Mikrys Gialos is one of the longest beaches of Lefkada

AghioFili can only be reached w/boat from Vassiliki Village in the Southern Coast.

porto-katsiki beach

porto-katsiki beach

 

Vassiliki windsurfing beach

Vassiliki windsurfing beach

 

 

Activities in Lefkada

Activities: Swimming, sailing, windsurfing, Kite surfing, scuba-diving, mountain-biking, fishing, boating Sailing/Boating. The idyllic bays of Lefkada, the little islands of Meganisi, Scorpios, Kalamos and Madouri along with the larger ones like Ithaki and Kefalonia are the perfect sailing waters. Sivota with its small marina and the boat slip is the best place to combine sailing or boating.

Sailing or boating: Small to large motorboats are available for renting at Sivota, Nydri or the Lefkas Marina .

Kite surfing: Milos Beach in the north. The mid-summer tournament attracts international competitors and is spectacular to take part in or watch due to high-speed local winds.

Wind/kite surfing : Vassiliki in the south is rated as a world-class centre. A paradise for wind/kite surfing enthusiasts, is only 10 km from Sivota. The thermal winds are present every afternoon during the summer and a series of well organized clubs will satisfy both beginners and advanced surfers. Paragliding: Take off from the hill of Kathisma for an exhilarating flight and landing on the beach below.

Scuba Diving: Nidri and Vassiliki. Hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts will enjoy the scenery at Syvros, with its lovely natural springs and waterfalls.

Fishing: Several islands within 4-5 miles form Sivota are fishing grounds. The tour around the island begins from the bridge which connects the island with the main country.

 

Museums in Lefkada


Archaeological Museum

Lefkada Archaeological Museum

The Museum is housed in the cultural center of the Borough of Lefkada. The findings exhibited cover a period of time, beginning in the middle of the Paleolithic times (200.000 – 35.000 π.Χ.) and reaching the later Roman times. In a separate room in the museum, the findings of German archaeologist Willhelm Dairpfeld are exhibited. He is the one who developed the theory that Lefkada is Homer’s Ithaca. The museum exhibits tools, ceramic and copper jewellery and gems of ancient tombs, mostly from the Ancient city of Nirikos, Nydri, Hoirospilia, Evgiros and the cave in Fryni.

In this small private museum in Karya Village, among the traditional exhibit, the visitor may discover the life and character, the persistence, patience and genius of the Lefkadite mountain people who lived under rough conditions and managed to create a folkloric culture.
at the convent of Faneromeni, outside the village of Fryni, 4 kilometers from the city of Lefkada, the museum of Ecclesiastic Art is about to open, exhibiting objects from temples and convents of the island, covering a period of time since the second Turkish occupation (1479-1684) up to the incorporation of the island to the Greek State in 1864. In newly constructed two story building located in the grounds of the Holy Convent, specially designed rooms are going to host a variety of objects of ecclesiastic art. candelabra, trays and

Monastery of Faneromeni

Monastery of Faneromeni

was built in the green pine clad hill, on the west side of the town, where the view of Aghios Ioannis, Gira and Castle was magical. Its history comes from centuries ago, starting from the first apostolic years. For that reason is, one of the most significant monuments of the island and the only monastery still in residence. Faneromeni Monastery is said to be the protector of Lefkada Island. The monastery is located on a hill 3km to the west of Lefkada Town with spectacular views overlooking Saint John Beach (Agios Giannis Beach), Gyra, and the castle.

As part of the celebrations of the Holy Spirit, the Faneromeni Monastery in Lefkada hosts a four day panigiri lasting from Friday morning till Monday night. A panigiri is different than a laiki market. A laiki market sells fruits, vegetables, fish, clothes, household items, and more. However, a panigiri sells just about everything at inexpensive prices, from clothes, underwear, purses, shoes, jewellery, belts, curtains, bed sheets, carpets, table cloths, towels, blankets, picture frames, kitchen wares, toys, sweets, to other household items, and more. You can also buy food in a special section of the outdoor street market and in some then sit down at the tables set up and listen to traditional Greek music with a group of friends. Food and drinks available includes such things as souvlaki (Greek style shish kebabs), french fries, hot dogs, sandwiches, cotton candy, loukoumades (deep fried honey balls), popcorn, wine, and soft drinks.

The Agiou Pnevmatos Panigiri in Lefkada is huge, stretching in three different directions and is several kilometres long. There are so many things to see you can easily spend a few hours there checking out what the merchants have to offer.

The caste of Aghia Mavra

The castle of Aghia Mavra

is located at the entrance of the island. It is one of the most imposing medieval buildings of Greece, representing the fortification art of this period. It was built around 1300 from a Frank leader, Ioannis Orsini, when he took Lefkada as a wedding gift for his wedding with the daughter of Epirus Bishop Nikiforos A. The castle was protecting the capital of the island, as the most important defensive armoring against Pirates and other enemies, from the first decade of 14th century since 1684. In 1487, it was overtaken by Turks, who built a large arch shaped bridge with 360 rooms, which crossed the lagoon from the coast to Kalkani, resting the pipes of a water tower. This project was destroyed by the earthquakes. Some ruins are still preserved in the lagoon.

The area of the municipality had been inhabited at the very early days, as it is proved from some limited findings of Paleolithic and Neolithic period (3.500 bc) which were discovered from the excavations of Dorpfeld in the “pigcave” of Evgiros and exhibited on the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada.

In the valley of Vassiliki, the Archaelogical Service has discoverd ancient archaeological ruins (ruins of towers) belong probably, to an ancient town and to the places of Marmara, Pyrgi, Klismatia, Marantochori.

To the Cape of Doukato or Lefkata are located, construction ruins and architectural parts Apollon Lefkata’s temple. This sanctuary was widely famous in the ancient world.

Every year, pan Hellenic festivals have been taking place to the honor of Apollon, who was the protector of the marines and the doctor of body and soul.

For this reason, ancients believed that, if you jump off the rocks, your soul would get free from the weight of passions and sins. In this place, the female poet Sappho allegedly leapt to her death from the 30 meters high cliffs.