Stays — Lefkada

Lefkada is an Ionian island off Greece’s west coast, famous for beaches backed by white cliffs and water so turquoise it looks unreal. It also has one rare convenience: it is joined to the mainland by a floating swing bridge, so you drive onto the island without a ferry — making it the most accessible Ionian island for anyone arriving by road.

Getting there

Coming from the north the drive is longer than to the Aegean coast: motorway to Thessaloniki, then the Egnatia Odos motorway west towards Ioannina, and south to Lefkada. From Belgrade it is roughly 1,000 km in total — realistically 10–11 hours with stops. The effort pays off: the Ionian is a different story from the Aegean — a greener island, more dramatic coastline, different light.

Main towns

• Lefkada Town — the island’s capital right by the bridge: colourful facades, a marina, a waterfront and an evening promenade.
• Nidri — the liveliest resort on the east coast, looking out over scattered islets (Skorpios among them); the departure point for boat trips and near the Dimosari waterfalls inland.
• Agios Nikitas — the only true seaside village on the west coast: a pedestrian lane, tavernas by the beach and access to the famous western beaches.
• Vasiliki — the south of the island, a world-renowned windsurfing spot thanks to its reliable afternoon wind; a laid-back harbour lined with tavernas.

Beaches

Lefkada’s west coast holds some of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated beaches:

• Porto Katsiki — the white cliff and turquoise water seen around the world; you descend to the beach by steps from the clifftop car park.
• Egremni — a wild, kilometre-long beach beneath the cliffs; after the 2015 earthquake it was reachable only by boat for years, but today you can again walk down the long staircase, and tour boats still run from Nidri and Vasiliki.
• Kathisma — the most organised of the big west-coast beaches, with bars and sunbeds; close to Agios Nikitas.
• Mylos — the cove next to Agios Nikitas, reached by a footpath over the hill or by water taxi.

The west-coast sea can carry serious waves — with small children choose the east coast (Nidri and around), where the water is lake-calm.

Who Lefkada suits

Traveller profile	Why Lefkada
Seekers of spectacular beaches	Porto Katsiki, Egremni, Kathisma — the Mediterranean’s top tier
Active holidays	windsurfing (Vasiliki), boat trips, hiking, waterfalls
Couples and photographers	west-coast viewpoints, mountain villages, sunsets
Shortest-drive seekers	not the target group — the Olympus region is half the distance

Practical tips

• The roads to the western beaches are narrow and winding — drive patiently and set off early to find parking in peak season.
• Set aside a day for a cruise around Meganisi and the islets — boats leave Nidri every morning in season.
• For the route and tolls see the road-trip guide to Greece.