The island of Lefkas or Lefkada is situated in the group of Ionian islands, between Corfu (in the north) and Lefkas (in the south), west of the mainland of central Greece. The island has a surface of 303 square kilometers and a population of 23,000 people. Lefkas or Lefkada is very close to the mainland to which it has a connection by wide bridge. This bridge leads from the mainland to the capital of Lefkada / Lefkas, which is simply called Lefkada Town.

"Lefkada" means "white island" and the island got his name from the white chalk rocks and white cliffs in the south of the island around the picturesque Cape Lefkas. The island is fertile and green just as most of its Ionian neighbour islands (but on for instance Corfu or Zakynthos you will find more tree cover), and it is spectacular in its own way because it is mountainous and it is surrounded by many small islands in front of its coast. The roads on Lefkas are quite good. The level of tourism is relatively low compared to for instance Corfu or Zakynthos. Most of the accommodations and tavernas on Lefkas can be found on the eastcoast and the southcoast and it all still is quite traditional. The ferry port of the island is not the capital, but the town of Nidri on the eastcoast. In Lefkada Town you find a yachting marina. North of Lefkada Town is a lagoon and in between the capital and the mainland there are salt flats.

About Lefkas / Lefkada - a little bit of history

The island of Lefkas was supposedly joined to the mainland untill in the 5th century BC a canal was dug separating the town from the mainland. Like the other islands in the Ionian the island of Lefkas was also hit by earthquakes, the last big one being the one in 1956, but unlike for instance Lefkas, many of the old buildings and Venetian churches, were spared here. Most of the town survived and what was rebuild was done sympathetically. Building higher than 2 storeys was not allowed, and it gave Lefkada Town a charming appearance.

Tours by buses and by boats on Lefkas / Lefkada

There is a limited number of accommodations in Lefkada Town but it can also be visited as a daytrip. Between Lefkada Town and the port of Nidri and other island towns there are regular connections by bus. From Nidri there are boat trips along several islands including famous Skorpios Island, which is property of the Onassis family. You can visit the beautiful sea cave of Meganisi (an island oposite Lefkas), the island of Meganisi itself and some boats even go as far as the Porto Katsiki Beach, which is in the extreme south west of the island and which is known as the best sand beach of Lefkas island. The beach of Porto Katsiki is surrounded by very high cliffs. It can also be reached by boat from the small port of Vassiliki in the south. This town is home to what is said to be the best windsurfing spot in Europe, and for this reason alone is can attract quite some visitors. The beach of Vassiliki is a only a small pebble beach thought and there are many better beaches to be found on the island.

After Lefkada Town the largest town of the island is Nidri. It is a touristic town with small shops, many souvernirshops, a boulevard, tavernes and some evening entertainment. From the town of Nidri there is a regular ferry boat to Fiskardo (Lefkas) and Piso Aetos (Ithaki) and you can make day trips from here to Skorpios and other islands in the area. The island of Skorpios is situated at 4 kilometers distance from Nidri. It is protected and you are not allowed to set foot on it.

On the tip of Cape Lefkas, in the south of the island, are a few remains of an ancient Temple of Apollo. This is also the place where the famous lesbian poet Sapho committed suicide by jumping off the 70 meter high cliff into the sea.

In Nidri there is a tomb from the Bronze Age.

At the entrance of the island from the mainland are on both sides the remains of a fortress from the 14th century. This ancient castle is called Agia Mavra and was built to protect the old city. There is also a beautiful church.

Lefkas town with its many colorful wooden houses.

Porto Katsiki Beach - This beach is situated in the extreme south east part of the island of Lefkas and can be easily reached by car. It is a popular and picturesque destination. The beach is surrounded by high cliffs and can be reached by climbing down the stairs leading from the parking. Some parts of the cliffs have fallen down on the beach in 1999 so it is adviced not to lie directly under the cliffs. The beach is a sandbeach and it is easy to get into the water, allthough the waves can get quite high here. There are drinks for sale at the beach (high season) and also there are parasols for rent. Before 11.00 o'clock the beach is still in the shade of the high cliffs that surround it because it faces west, so it is best to visit it in the afternoon when it catches the sun. Porto Katsiki Beach is a popular beach and it can get quite crowded.

Egremni Beach - This beach is situated in the south west of the island of Lefkas a little north of Porto Katsiki Beach. It is more difficult to reach and the last part you must drive over an narrow and steep dirt track with many curves in it. Egremni Beach is also reached by climbing down stairs, but many more than at Porto Katsidi (about 300 steps down). Egremni Beach is a very long and quiet sand / pebble beach. In high season there are sunbeds and parasols for rent and you can also buy drinks at the beach. The descend into the sea is quite steep and there can be some currents, so the beach is not really suitable for families with small children. The beach of Egremni is described as one of the finest and most beautiful in the whole of Greece and its waters are cristal clear. On some parts of the beach there is room for naturists as well. There is (paid) parking at the beach but some people leave their car a hunderd meter or so before the parking at the side of the road. The last part to the beach you have to walk over a wooden stairs.

Gialos Beach - Just above Egremni beach, in the south west of the island you can find the beach of Gialos, west of the village of Athani. The beach can be reached over a paved but very curvy road (hairpin bends) which ends at a car park where you can also buy something to drink or to eat (high season). There is sometimes a small taverna opened north of the track. Gialos Beach is also surrounded by cliffs and most of it is in the shade untill 11.00 / 12.00 o'clock, so it is best to visit Gialos Beach in the afternoon. The beach of Gialos is a long pebble beach and it gets deep quickly as you get into the water. Near the parking there are some sunbeds and parasols for rent. The beach is rather quiet and at the south end of it there is also some room for naturists.

Kathisma Beach - This beach is also situated at the west side of the island of Lefkas / Lefkada but more to the north than Porto Katsidi and the others (a bit north of the middle of the island and to the south of the village of Agios Nikitas). It is a popular beach with sunbeds and parasols for rent. Kathisma Beach is quite a wide sand / pebble beach that is more than 1 kilometer long. There are some nice large rocks in the water in the front of it. The southern part of Kathisma Beach is used by the naturists. It is steep (but mostly sand) as you get into the water. Behind the beach there are tavernas for your catering needs. Kathisma can be reached by bus from the capital Lefkas Town. There is plenty of parking space but it can get busy, especially during the weekends. Since the beach is so large you will always find a quiet spot for yourself. Over the last couple of years Kathisma Beach has been commercialized and extra hotels, tavernas and beach bars have been built here.

Kalamitsi Beach - This beach is situated south of Kathisma Beach. It is a sand / pebble beach with picturesque big rocks on the beach and in the sea. There are some parasols and sunbeds for rent and you can buy drinks here (high season) yet it is normally more quiet than on some of the other nearby beaches. The village of Kalamitsi itself is interesting with old stone houses and plenty of windmills. A walk along the shoreline in between Kalamitsi Beach and Kathisma Beach in the north will bring you past several other small sandy or pebbly coves and beaches some of which are in the shade of pine trees. There is a good change here to find your own deserted cove or beach and also an opportunity for the naturists to swim without their textiles.

The nearest airport for Lefkas / Lefkada is Preveza on the mainland of Greece, situated at 15 kilometers distance from the capital Lefkada Town. For flights to Lefkas / Lefkada check your local tourist operators for direct flight. The flights advertised as flights to Lefkas will then take you to Preveza. Preveza has an international airport, so it is not just for domestic flights inside Greece.

For ferries to and from Lefkas and to order a ferry ticket - click here.

Set within lush gardens 250 metres from the beach of Lygia in Lefkada, Konaki Hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a traditional restaurant and a buffet breakfast. Rooms feature private balconies overlooking the olive groves or the swimming pool. The air-conditioned rooms at the Hotel Konaki are bright and airy with tiled floors. They come with a fridge, telephone and TV. Each has a private entrance. Guests can relax with a drink, coffee or snack at the spacious sun terrace with the sun loungers and umbrellas. Children enjoy safe play at the playground and separate pool. A well-equipped gym is also available.

The fishing village of Lygia has taverns within a 3-minute walk from the hotel. A bus stops outside the property servicing Lefkada Town 4 km away. The scenic village of Nydri is at 11 km . Free private parking is available on site.

Check availablities & prices and book the Konaki Hotel - klik hier.

For all hotels, apartements and studios on the island of Lefkas / Lefkada - click here.

The beachfront Nydrion Beach Hotel offers panoramic views overlooking nearby islands. Rooms have balconies, air conditioning, and satellite TV. Rooms feature a mini-bar, safe, and hair dryer. The Nydrion Beach Hotel offers facilities like an indoor bar, lounge, and beach bar. Nydrion Beach Hotel is located on Lefkada Island, and is connected to mainland Greece by bridge

Check availabilities & prices and book the Nydrion Beach Hotel - click here.

The Lefkas Blue Residence awaits you on the Ionian island of Lefkada. Located near the idyllic scenery of the lagoon of Lefkada, a short walk separates our guests from the view of the Ionian Sea and the breathtaking sunset which is guaranteed to awaken your senses. At a mere distance of 800 metres, the guest at The Lefkas Blue Residence will find the entwining, picturesque, cobble-stoned alleys and the "agora" of Lefkada City with its traditional taverns, cafés and bars, shops and promenade. Enjoy the much acclaimed beach of "Agios Ioannis". This beach is annually awarded with a blue flag for its crystal clear and clean water, within the distance of a 5 minute stroll from your residence. The Lefkada Blue Residence can be easily reached within a 15 minutes ride from Preveza International Airport.

A harmonic combination of simplicity and finesse, The Lefkas Blue Residence is comprised of eight luxury apartments, perfect for that "get-away" holiday where you can find discreet luxury in peace and quiet. Surrounded by luscious green olive groves, the grounds of Lefkas Blue Residence cover more than 3000m² providing the atmosphere of authentic Greek hospitality, modern architecture, state-of-the-art amenities and first class service amidst the pulsing life of the island. The neo classical villa provides luxurious apartments 60 to 80 m² within a modern complex, recently built using exclusively the latest and most sophisticated building techniques. Double glazed balcony doors lead out to the apartment's verandas offering a spacious and ambient environment for enjoying breakfast and dinner while overlooking a garden of natural beauty. An extensive private swimming pool of 130m² allows our residents to enjoy a refreshing swim at any just a step away from the apartment.

Each apartment at The Lefkas Blue Residence is fully equipped with elegant furniture, amenities and gadgets for the every day use (dressing table, spacious wardrobes, kitchenette,etc). Enjoy tranquil moments on queen-size beds at any time of the day or year while your room temperature, regulated by individual air conditioning or ceiling fans, will always meet your own personal desire. All apartments provide the secure and comfortable feeling our guests deserve while spending their holiday. Security doors, double-glazed balcony doors as well as a personal safe for storing valuables are the standard of each resident staying at the Lefkas Blue Residence. Standard Amenities: modern refrigerator, fully equipped kitchenette with oven, microwave, toaster, electric kettle, coffee machine, fruit blender, etc. Air-conditioning, ceiling fans, as well as Hi-Fi equipment, digital satellite television and much more.

Check availability & prices and book the Hotel Lefkas Blue Residence - click here.

You can find the Enodia Hotel in the south of Lefkas. Into the recess of a tender cove. Into the cobalt blue. The hotel is situated in Vassiliki, a small town and harbour, and a median place, a bridge to the Ionian islands and even Italy.

In our Enodia Hotel you will enjoy the sea under your feet, and it's a good place for surfing. There is a big and a small pool in our garden. The hotel has a sauna, a gym, a bar, the Enodion café with all the types of coffee, crumpets, goodies and honey-raki. There is a restaurant with the local and foreign kitchen and biological dishes. Air conditioner in every room, plasma satellite TV, free internet connection, in-room safe, minibar, hairdryer, bathtub, bathrobes, shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, body lotion, soaps. The suites additionally offer special decoration, a large porch, plasma TV's in bedroom and living room and a round Jacuzzi and closed douche.

Newly built in 2008 Enodia Hotel is a unique place for special guests who want to enjoy ultimate comfort and relaxation. The Hotel is situated only 50 m from the sea, providing unique sea views from its rooms. With a variety of amenities and customized treatment to all our guests we will assure that your holiday will become an experience for you.

Check availability & prices and book the Hotel Enodia in Lefkas - click here.