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Lefkada boasts important landmarks, picturesque villages, lush vegetation, spectacular beaches with clear blue-green waters, organised and deserted beaches of outstanding beauty, cultural traditions and hospitable people.

For those who have not visited Lefkada (http://bit.ly/12AbHgC), it is mainly famous for being one of the two Greek islands (together with Evia), which can be reached by car, as well as for its impressive beaches, which are among the most beautiful in Greece. However, those who know the island better will assure you that it holds many secrets that make it famous worldwide. The island is fourth in size in the Ionian island group, with a population of 23,000. A fifty metre bridge connects it with Akarnania.

The City of Lefkada

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The main town and port on the island of Lefkada is the town with the same name, the urban planning of which is reminiscent of a fish bone: pretty narrow streets, small squares, traditional houses, steeples and paved pedestrian areas. It is surrounded by the sea and salt pans, one of the famous reserves of the Ionian Sea, protected by the Ramsar Convention. To the north, you can find Gira, the narrow strip of white sand with a few trees and 4 windmills.

It is worth taking a walk along the wooden bridge built over the canal, just outside the pedestrian zone in Mela Street with cafes, restaurants and bars near the port. Residents call it the Bridge of Sighs or the Bridge of Lovers. It was built in the beginning of the past decade and its architecture gives a Venetian hue to the city. The famous park of poets is located near the port, too.

There is an archaeological museum in town that houses works of art, as well as findings from the Palaeolithic to the Roman period. One can also enjoy the Marina of Lefkada, which is among the largest and best organised in the Mediterranean.

The monastery of Faneromeni, which is a museum of church art, is located in the west part of the town and 2 km south of Lefkada you can reach Kalligoni. The area has been declared an archaeological area, since it hosts remains from the ancient town of Nirikos.

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Other towns and villages

The biggest tourist centre on the island is Nydri, opposite Prigiponissia in the eastern part of the island. Its famous nightlife and modern marina entertain visitors and the port offers ships to Meganissi, Ithaca, Kefalonia and mainland Greece. You can practice water sports, sailing, and mountain biking, or swim in the waterfalls of Dimosari.

Poros, in the southeast, is the "balcony" of Lefkada, with views over the islands of Arkoudi, Oksies, Ithaca and Kefalonia. Take a swim in the crystal clear blue-green sea of Mikros Gialos, where you can also find a campsite.

Mountainous Lefkada has gorges, canyons, springs, lush vegetation, rare flowers and picturesque paths and is ideal for nature walks. Dimosari gorge near Nidri is worth visiting. A half-hour walk along the path that crosses the green gorge will take you to a natural swimming pool the coolness of which offers an alternative to the beaches of the island.

In the southern part of the island, one can find the village of Vassiliki with its famous nightlife. A ship connects it with the famous beach of Porto Katsiki, the beach of Agiofili, Kefalonia and Ithaca. Vassiliki’s bay is world famous for its climate. It is also well-known among windsurfers.

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It is worth taking a walk in the picturesque coastal fish village of Nikiana built at the foot of Skaros Mountain with an ancient oak forest and the sea resort of Agios Nikitas in the west, as well as the mountain village of Karia with its square, covered with sycamore trees.

Be sure to visit the village of Englouvi, where you can try the traditional “Lentils of Englouvis”, which are considered the best in Greece. You can also try chickpeas, broad beans and the rare grape variety Verdzami, which was probably brought by the Venetians in 1684.

The best beaches of Lefkada

The beaches on the island are constantly present in lists of the best beaches in Greece, but also in the world. Lefkada consists of many impressive beaches, peninsulas and bays that form small fjords. The most famous beaches on the island worldwide include Porto Katsiki, Kathisma and Engremni in the western part of Lefkada. Steep white cliffs end in lovely white sands and turquoise crystal waters. Other famous beaches include Amoglossa, Castro, Gira, Aghios Ioannis, Pefkoulia, Agios Nikitas, Milos and Gialos.

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The east and the south sides of Lefkada offer small and large beaches with pebbles and paradisical waters: Ligia, Nikiana, Perigiali, Nydri, Desimi, Poros Ammousa, Agiofilli, and Vassiliki.

Surrounding islets

East of Lefkada, you can find many wooded islands, the most famous of which is Scorpios, which was bought by Aristotle Onassis in 1963 and was visited by many celebrities from around the world.

The small island of Meganissi has three villages - Vathi, Katomeri and Spartochori and three picturesque ports. There, you will find many small, magnificent beaches, in a fiord shape: Aghios Ioannis, Spilia, Pasoumaki, Ampelakia, Atherinos, and Limonari. In the east, on the islands of Kalamos and Kastos, you can swim from peaceful, isolated, pebbly beaches, accessible mainly from the sea.

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From the towns of Lefkada and Nydri there are daily ferry boat services for Scorpios, Mathouri, Sparti, Skorpidi, Heloni and Meganissi.

More information can be found on www.lefkada.gr.