Hotel Lefkas
Lefkada, the island of slowness, never tires of surprising, always offering new opportunities and new things to see, to be fascinated not only by the colour of the sea, but also by its history and traditions. On the island, it is easy to come across one of several beaches worth seeing, such as Porto Katsiki beach, Milos beach or Egrimni beach. Different depending on the exposure of the island, more rocky or flat, they provide the spectacle of a sea that can be described as the Caribbean of Europe.
The island of Lefkada is also surrounded by many islets that are worth an excursion to admire their natural beauty, such as the island of Meganisi, the most populous, which has turquoise waters and pebble beaches, unspoilt and beautiful.
Admire the natural beauty of the Dimosari waterfalls, a natural gorge that owes its name to the presence of old mills, where the water of the falls surrounded by vegetation and rocks provides an unmissable backdrop. The island, however, combines natural beauty with a history that is still alive and well, as witnessed by the various cultural centres and architectural bastions such as the ruins of ancient Nirikos, the Venetian fortress of Agia Mavra or the various museums of Lefkada Town, the Archaeological Museum, the Collection of Post-Byzantine Icons and the Library.
Lefkada Town is the beating heart of the island, a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity that is revealed through its cobbled streets and colourful buildings. The main town, rebuilt after the devastating 1948 earthquake, has retained its Venetian urban layout with its characteristic ‘herringbone’ pattern that facilitates orientation between the main streets. Low houses with red roofs and pastel façades create a unique Mediterranean atmosphere, while the bell towers of the numerous churches punctuate the urban skyline.
The city’s cultural life is particularly vibrant, with no fewer than 11 museums, 6 libraries and a year-round cultural centre. The Archaeological Museum houses important finds from ancient Nirikos, while the ‘Orfeas’ Folklore Museum tells the island’s traditions through costumes, utensils and handicrafts. The presence of the Lefkada Philharmonic Orchestra testifies to the importance of music in the local culture, with concerts enlivening the summer evenings. The seafront promenade of Aggelou Sikelianou offers a pleasant stroll among traditional tavernas and modern cafes, while the small harbour welcomes fishing boats and pleasure yachts.
Nydri is the liveliest and most cosmopolitan tourist centre on the island, transformed from a quiet fishing village into one of the most popular destinations in the Ionian Islands. Located halfway between the capital and Vasiliki, the village of around 800 inhabitants has specialised in tourist hospitality, offering a wide range of services and activities for all types of travellers. The colourful harbour is the hub of local life, with the waterfront animated by taverns, cafes and shops that line a pleasant promenade.
Nydri’s strategic location offers unique views of the islands that dot the sea ahead, including the famous Skorpios, formerly owned by the Onassis family, and the other private islets that create a seascape of rare beauty. Boat trips to Meganisi, Ithaca and Kefalonia depart daily from the harbour, while taxi boat services provide access to otherwise inaccessible beaches.
The rich vegetation that descends from the hills down to the sea creates a striking contrast with the deep blue waters, while nearby one can admire the Dimosari Waterfalls, accessible via a 15-minute path that leads to these spectacular 15-metre waterfalls surrounded by rocks and natural pools.
The Fortress of Agia Mavra majestically dominates the entrance to the island, the first monument to greet visitors with its imposing presence. Erected in 1302 by Giovanni Orsini, Count of Kefalonia who received Lefkada as a marriage dowry, the fortress was built to defend the island from the constant pirate raids that plagued the eastern Mediterranean. The irregular hexagonal structure occupies an area of 25,000 square metres and over the centuries has suffered as many as 12 sieges, testifying to its strategic importance in controlling the Ionian trade routes.
The architecture of the fortress is an excellent example of medieval fortification, with its perfectly preserved outer walls reflected in the waters of the surrounding lagoon. Inside, although many structures are reduced to ruins, the remains of cisterns, barracks and administrative buildings can still be admired. The Church of Agia Mavra, rebuilt in the late 19th century after the destruction of the previous one by the British in 1810, gives the castle its name and is an important centre of devotion. During the summer, the fortress hosts cultural events and shows that recall its thousand-year history, while the panoramic view of the lagoon offers unforgettable photographic views.
The Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni stands on a verdant hill just 3 kilometres from the capital, representing the most important spiritual centre on the island and one of the oldest monasteries in Hellenic Christianity. Founded in 1634 on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Artemis, the monastery enshrines centuries of religious history and Byzantine traditions. Legend has it that the Apostle Paul himself visited this sacred place, where his disciples continued to preach the Gospel, laying the foundations of Christianity on the island.
The current monastery complex, rebuilt in 1887 after a devastating fire, features traditional architecture that blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. Inside are precious relics, including a fragment of the True Cross and the remains of several saints, while the Ecclesiastical Museum exhibits Byzantine icons, ancient manuscripts and priceless liturgical objects. The monastery currently houses a small community of monks who welcome visitors daily, offering moments of recollection and spirituality. The panoramic view from the monastery sweeps over the capital, the northern lagoon and the mainland coastline, creating an atmosphere of deep serenity that touches even the least devout visitors.
Vasiliki is world-renowned as a watersports paradise, particularly for windsurfing and kitesurfing practised in the windy waters of its sheltered bay. The phenomenon of the thermal wind ‘Eric’, which blows regularly on summer afternoons, has turned this former fishing village into an international mecca for sailors, attracting enthusiasts from every continent. The bay of Vasiliki, sheltered by the surrounding mountains, offers ideal conditions for learning and perfecting these sports, with numerous specialised schools and equipment rental centres.
The town still retains the authentic atmosphere of a fishing village, with traditional taverns serving fresh fish and local specialities right on the pebble beach. The strategic location in the south of the island makes Vasiliki an excellent base for exploring the natural wonders of the surroundings, from nearby Porto Katsiki to sea excursions to the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca. The small marina offers services for pleasure boats and organises daily tours to remote beaches and sea caves accessible only by sea.
Sivota is one of the hidden gems of the east coast, a picturesque seaside village set in a protected natural bay that offers shelter from the winds and waves. Situated about 30 kilometres from the capital, this small town of a few hundred inhabitants has managed to preserve its authentic character despite its growing popularity with tourists. The natural harbour is considered one of the most beautiful on Lefkada, with its turquoise waters reflecting fishing boats and small yachts, creating a picture of rare Mediterranean beauty.
Sivota’s geographical peculiarity derives from its location within a natural fjord, surrounded by hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation that slope gently down to the sea. The village has no real beaches, but offers numerous rocky coves ideal for diving and snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters. The traditional harbour taverns serve fresh fish and local specialities in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, while the waterfront cafés offer the perfect place to admire the spectacular sunsets reflected on the bay. The scenic road leading to Sivota offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and is one of the island’s most atmospheric experiences.
Agios Nikitas is the only true seaside village on the west coast, a picturesque hamlet perched on hills overlooking some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. This traditional centre has managed to retain its authentic charm despite the influx of tourists, with its red-roofed white houses lining cobbled streets closed to traffic. Its elevated position offers spectacular views of the west coast and the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca, particularly impressive during summer sunsets.
The historical centre of the village is built around a central square where traditional taverns, cafes and small shops selling local handicrafts can be found. The main characteristic of Agios Nikitas is the absence of cars in the village centre, which can only be reached on foot via a short walk that helps to preserve the peaceful atmosphere. From the village, there is easy access to the famous Kathisma beach and other coves on the west coast, while a coastal path allows one to explore some of the wildest and most unspoilt parts of the island on foot. The combination of architectural authenticity, scenic location and privileged access to the most beautiful beaches makes Agios Nikitas a popular destination for discerning visitors.
Eglouvi is an enchanting mountain village located on a plateau 700 metres above sea level in the heart of Lefkada’s hinterland. This village of red-roofed stone houses represents the essence of traditional Ionian architecture, perfectly integrated into the surrounding mountainous landscape. Eglouvi is famous throughout Greece for the cultivation of PDO lentils, small, uniquely shaped legumes that grow only in this area thanks to the plateau’s unique microclimate and mineral-rich soils.
The agricultural landscape around the village is characterised by centuries-old terraces where not only the famous lentils are cultivated, but also ancient cereals and traditional pulses according to methods handed down from generation to generation. The local community, of about 150 inhabitants, keeps agricultural and artisanal traditions alive, offering visitors the opportunity to discover authentic products and to witness the stages of cultivation and harvesting. The panoramic view from the plateau sweeps over the entire island, from the rugged coastline to the inland mountains, offering particularly impressive glimpses during the sunset hours when the golden light illuminates the fields and stone houses. The village is a perfect escape from coastal life, offering summer freshness and an authentic experience of rural Greek life.
Cape Lefkada represents the island’s southernmost point, a dramatic promontory that rises 72 metres high with white limestone cliffs overlooking the sea. This legendary place is steeped in myth and history, famous for the ‘Leap of Sappho’ – according to tradition, it was here that the poetess from Lesvos committed suicide for the unrequited love of the young Phaon. The promontory was once home to a temple dedicated to Apollo, where Panhellenic religious ceremonies were held to propitiate the sea gods, and where monks and priests ritually sacrificed themselves by throwing themselves off the cliffs.
The modern lighthouse built on the highest point replaces the ancient temple, offering breathtaking views from the turquoise waters below to the silhouettes of Kefalonia and Ithaca on the horizon. The scenic road leading to the cape passes through landscapes of rare beauty, including Mediterranean scrub and coastal views that suddenly open up between hairpin bends. Nearby is the Monastery of Agios Nikolaos, where nuns still produce thyme honey, aloe vera creams and other natural products according to traditional recipes. The promontory is particularly spectacular during summer sunsets, when the golden light reflects off the white rocks and the sea takes on hues ranging from turquoise to deep purple.
The Dimosari Waterfalls are one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on the island, set in a lush gorge near Nydri. These 15-metre-high waterfalls owe their name to the presence of ancient water mills that used the power of the current to grind grain, testifying to the ingenuity of the local people in their use of natural resources. The path leading to the waterfalls is an experience in itself, crossing a landscape of rare beauty where Mediterranean vegetation mixes with species more typical of mountain environments.
The ecosystem that has developed around the waterfalls is particularly rich and diverse, with giant ferns, mosses and aquatic plants that create a cool and humid microclimate, an ideal refuge during hot summer days. The waters of the waterfall form a natural pool of ice-cold, crystal-clear water at the base, surrounded by smooth rocks and boulders that offer vantage points for dips and rejuvenating baths. The area is frequented by both tourists and locals, who consider the falls a sacred place of great scenic value. The approach path, which takes about 15 minutes, is accessible to all and offers the opportunity to observe the local flora and fauna in an almost untouched environment.
Meganisi Island is the largest of the seven islands surrounding Lefkada, a natural paradise of 22 square kilometres that can be reached by a short ferry ride from the port of Nydri. With its three picturesque villages – Vathy, Katomeri and Spartochori – the island offers an authentic experience of Greek island life, far from mass tourism and surrounded by unspoilt nature. The rugged coastline alternates between pebble beaches and sea caves accessible only by sea, while the mountainous hinterland is covered with pine forests and ancient olive groves.
The island’s main beaches include Fanari, Agios Ioannis, Atherinos and Spilia, all of which have crystal-clear waters and gently sloping seabeds, ideal for snorkelling and diving. Particularly impressive are the Papanikolis and Giovani Caves, accessible only by sea, which offer underwater scenery of rare beauty with unique plays of light and colours. The village of Vathy, with its protected natural harbour, is the administrative centre of the island, while Spartochori, perched on a hill, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding sea. The local gastronomic tradition is particularly authentic, with family-run tavernas serving fresh fish and specialities prepared according to recipes handed down through generations.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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