The green island of Meganisi or Meganissi in Greece

Meganisi is a small island in the Ionian archipel. It is situated southeast of its larger neighbour the island Lefkada or Lefkas. The island is very fertile and lush with vegetation. Meganisi can be reached by ferry from the village of Nidri that is situated on the east side of the island of Lefkas. Also there are several tour boats from Lefkas to the island of Meganisi. The island has still escaped from the mass tourism and with a bit of luck you can still find your own private beach or cove (some of which can only be reached if you hire a boat). Meganisi is still quite traditional with stone houses, small cobbled and traffic free streets, abandoned windmills on top of the hills, ruins and small old churches; remnants of its history which goes back all the way to the times of Homer (800 BC), when the island was already inhabited. Meganisi actually means "the largest" and this is because it is the largest of the small islands here in this area. In between the capital Nidri on Lefkas and the island of Meganisi there are several smaller islands like Sparti, Skorpidi and Skorpios / Scorpios (also known as Onassis island). Meganisi measures 20 km2 and has around 3000 inhabitants.

The villages of the island of Meganisi in Greece

The islands capital is called Vathi or Vathy and this is one of the villages where the ferries make a stop. Meganisi has three villages in total and Vathi is the smallest of these three. Vathi is situated in a deep bay on the north side of the island Meganisi and from here there are views to the island of Scorpios (or Onassis Island). In and around the harbour of Vathi there are several small shops and some tavernes where you can have something to drink or enjoy a Greek meal. At walking distance of the village there are several small pebble beaches where you can relax in the sun and take a swim in the sea (the beaches of Pasoumaki and Porto Abelaki). In the late afternnoon when the day-trippers from the island of Lefkas leave the island and peace and quiet returns to Meganisi. This is the time that the locals and the few tourists that were left behind enjoy a coffee or an ouzo on one of the terraces in the harbour. The village of Spartochori also has connections by ferry to the island of Lefkas. This village is situated a bit little west of Vathi, highh above the small harbour which is called Spilia. Normally the ferry from Nidri (on Lefkas) will arrive here in the morning (the journey takes about 20 minutes) than goes to Vathi (another 10 minutes) and returns again in the evening. In Spartachori there are also amenities like mini markets, shops and tavernes. The walk from the harbour of Spilia to the higher situated village of Spartachori takes about 10 minutes (path or stairs) and you will be rewarded with excellent views over Lefkas island. In the harbour of Spilia you will usually find some sailing boats and yachts. There are also a number of tavernes where you can have something to eat. A little bit further there is a nice beach with a taverna. The last of the three villages on the island of Meganisi is called Katomeri. It is situated south of Vathi at around a 15 minutes walking distance. It is more traditional than the other two villages and it also has a couple of tavenes, a bakery and a petrol station.

The beaches of the island of Meganisi in Greece

Meganisi has many small and very nice beaches. The best known beaches are Spilia Beach, Ambelakia Beach, Agios Ioannis Beach, Pasoumaki Beach, Atherinos and Limonari Beach. Most of these beaches are small pebble beaches. Not all the beaches on Meganisi are accessible by foot and most of them have no facilities like tavernes, sunbeds and parasols. Spilia Beach is perhaps the best know beach of the island Meganisi. It is found at a distance of about 1 kilometer of the harbour of Spilia. The beach is very beautiful with white pebbles and crystal clear waters. The beach is surrounded by trees so you can find a place in the shade if you want to. There are a couple of tavernes at the beach. Usually it doesn't get too crowded on Spilia Beach. Agios Ioannis Beach is a large beach on the west side of the island. It is named after the nearby church of Agios Ioannis. It is an unorganized beach, quite narrow and long but normally not crowded (because there is plenty of space). As there are no tavernes and sunbeds & parasols on this beach you have to bring your own food and water and also a very good sunblock. Around the beach it is quite green with bushes and trees so it is possible to find some shade. Agios Ioannis Beach can be reached over a path leading from the village of Spartochori. Megalo and Micro Limonari beach are two beaches close to the village of Katomeri, from where it can be reached over a path. These beaches are more sandy and they are normally quiet. Megali (meaning large) Limonari is the largest of the two whereas Micro (small) Limonari is more like a cove. The beaches are surrounded by trees and greenery for shade. The water at these beaches has a green blue colour. Fanari Beach is situated not far from the village of Vathi. It is a beautiful and quiet beach. This beach is also unorganized, but it is surrounded by lush vegetation for shade and it is very picturesque. Fanari is a pebble beach with clear waters. It can be reached on foot from the village of Vathi.

The sights of the island of Meganisi in Greece

The most famous attraction of the island is the Pananikolis Sea Cave. This cave is the second largest sea cave in Greece. Locals claim that the cave succesfully hid a Greek submarine in the Second Worldwar, others say that it must have been a very small submarine if this is true. The island is suitable for making walks or bicycle rides along the coastal road that leads between the villages Katomeri, Vathi and Spartohori. There are also foothpaths and goat trails that lead deeper inland and that go to more remote parts of the island where you can have wonderful views of the sea, the mainland and the island of Lefkas.

The journey to the island of Meganisi in Greece

Visitors of the island Meganisi fly to the airport Aktia in Preveza, which is situated on the mainland not far from the island of Lefkas. Lefkas is connected to the mainland by bridge. The journey from the airport the the harbour of Nidri takes about an hour by taxi or by rental car. The distance from the airport to the capital of Lefkas (Lefkada Town) is 15 kilometers. Aktia airport is an international airport with direct connections to several destinations in Europe, so it is not always necessary to fly to Athens airport first and than change planes. For all apartments, studios and hotels on Meganisi in Greece - click here.

Hotels on the island of Meganisi - Rokka Villas

Enjoying Ionian Sea and mountain views, Rokka Villas offers self-catered accommodation with a private pool. Located 2 km from Spilia Beach in Meganisi, each stone-built unit is surrounded by a 700-m2 garden with BBQ facilities. Featuring traditional furnishings and beamed ceilings, all air-conditioned villas offer a seating area with a fireplace and a flat-screen TV. They include a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, fridge and microwave. A spa bath and hairdryer are also provided. Guests at Rokka Villas can find restaurants and shops at 500 metres, while the small port of the island is at 2 km. The property can be reached from Nydri at around a 15-minute boat trip or by sea taxi from Aghialos. Free on-site parking is possible. Check availablitites & prices and book Rokka Villas - click here. For all apartments, studios and hotels on Meganisi in Greece - click here.

Hotels on the island of Meganisi - Esperides Resort Hotel - including breakfast

Surrounded by trees and facing the sea, the location of this property provides all rooms with a majestic sea view of the Ionian Sea and the legendary island of Scorpios. We have created a place of leisure and fun on the slopes of a green hill overlooking the sea, with deep appreciation for this quiet little island of the Ionian Sea. Esperides Resort Hotel is 500 metres from the traditional village of Spartochori and 6 km from the enchanting port of Vathi, offering both the luxury of tranquillity and direct access to vivid island life. For business guests, Esperides Resort Hotel offers the opportunity to organize a professional conference within a relaxing and charming location. Mesogeios Hall can host conferences, galas, receptions and any other social event. The room has capacity for 250 people and is equipped with audio and video technology. Check availabilities & prices & book a hotel on Meganisi - click here.

© Hans Huisman, https://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2014