The unpretentiously beautiful island of Lefkada dominates the Ionian complex Islands, between Corfu and Kefalonia, opposite to the coast of Aitoloakarnania. The island, as peculiar as it may seem, is accessible by car; this is the reason why it’s called the "mainland" island of the Ionian Sea.

The capital is the city of Lefkada, with colorful houses and a modern marina. Trademarks of this quiet town are the remains of the medieval castle of Santa Maura, which dominate the entrance of the island, near the bridge. Major attractions in the capital are the Archaeological Museum of Lefkada, the Public Library, the Charamogleios Special Library and the Park of the Poets or Bosketo. During your walk in the city, pay attention to the old churches, with their unique architecture. If you love walking, it is worth going up towards the Monastery of Faneromeni, located just outside the city, offering spectacular views of Gyra area and the opposite coast. Inside the Monastery, the Museum of Religious Art operates. Nearby, southeast of the capital, there are the ruins of the ancient Lefkada (Nirikos), while north of the capital, a centenarian olives’ forest unfolds, where the church of Vlahernes dominates.

Approximately in the middle of the eastern coast of Lefkada, popular Nidri unfolds in a green valley. The impressive waterfalls in the area of Rahi (Dimosaris gorge), the rich olive groves, the fertile orchards and the gardens make up a beautiful "corner" of the island. The once quiet fishing village now attracts a lot of tourists. There, you will find numerous restaurants, café/bars and shops. In Nidri a prehistoric settlement remains, an aqueduct and ancient Greek circular tombs are preserved. Facing the bay of Nidri village, Madouri, Sparta, Scorpios, Skorpidi and Meganissi beautiful islands are perched.

Continuing your journey to this beautiful island, you can visit the well preserved settlement of Agios Nikitas, which unfolds on the northwest coast of the island. The tourist resort, with the intense traditional color and the cosmopolitan character, can be a perfect base for you exploring the western part of Lefkada.

It is also worth visiting the beautiful village of Vassiliki. There, you will find several options for food and drink. From Vassiliki boats to Agiofylli, Porto Katsiki and Egremni beaches, as well as to the beaches of the neighboring islands start.

However, if you want to really get to know Lefkada, you should visit the mountain villages. Among them, the picturesque settlements of Karya, Englouvi, Neochori and Exanthia stand out. Visit these beautiful villages and you will find taverns with delicious traditional dishes, such as Lefkada salami and frygadeli. In Karya, visit Maria Koutsochero Folk Museum and enjoy your coffee or ouzo in the square with the plane trees. In Englouvi, visit the chapels of Prophet Elias and Agios Donatos. In the almost deserted Neochori, the abandoned houses, almond trees and the "deafening" silence, interrupted by the tweeting birds, create a cinematic scene! In Exanthia, traditional houses, which are built amphitheatrically, seem to overlook the sea!

If you are a nature lover you will love Lefkada, as it is famous for its unspoiled nature and landscapes of indescribable beauty! It is worth visiting the green cape of Agia Kyriaki with the homonymous chapel, the beautiful Dimosaris Gorge with the small waterfalls, Melissa Gorge, with its old watermills and the small Marantochori Lake. Among the great natural attractions of the island there is the impressive Alabaster Cave, with its beautiful decor. Do not leave Lefkada, without enjoying the view from the southernmost and largest cape of the island, Lefkata Cape or Pidima tis Kyras or Kavo Doukato. In this Cape, Doukato Lighthouse, which has built over the ancient temple of Apollo ruins, dominates. The massive, steep and whitewashed rocks form a majestic scenery which is breathtaking! According to legend, at this point Sappho; an ancient Greek lyric poet; ended her life because of unfulfilled love for Phaon. It is worth staying here until sunset time and enjoying a dreamy sunset!

If you love adventure, in Lefkada you can indulge in various activities, such as wind and kite surfing, scuba diving, paragliding, horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking in Dimosaris canyon, in Melissa Gorge, in Skaros mountain trails, in the lush forest of Dafni or in the springs of Kerasia in Sivros.

In Lefkada, the mountains, the green areas, the caves, the ravines, the gorges, the waterfalls, the springs with clear water, the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea, the traditional villages, as well as the picturesque seaside villages make up a small Ionian paradise, which, inevitably, will seduce you!

Meganisi

At short distance from Lefkada (3.5 km from Nydri; 30 minutes by Ferry Boat), is Princes’ Islands of Lefkada cluster. The largest of those islands is Meganissi with 1,200 residents spread in three villages. Locals do not use their cars very often and in recent years they have touristically promoted their island as there are many people who prefer the beauty and tranquility of the island. Most accommodations and restaurants are located in the village of Vathi, Spartochori, Elia, Agios Ioannis and Katomeri where you can easily find to rent a motorbike or boat for short trips.

The boat from Nydri to Spartochori, Spilia and Vathi helps people move from the villages on the beaches the best of which are Porto Elia with white pebbles, the scenic Pasoumaki, Fanari, Linaraki and Ampelakia beach. It is worth visiting, at the south side of the island, Papanikolis and Giovanis Caves; the boat stops within 500 meters from the caves. West of the island you can see the monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos with frescoes dating back from 1477, next to a beautiful pebble beach. You can go to Meganissi from Lefkada’s Nydri with a Ferry Boat within 30 minutes.