Lefkada IslandThe island with the sea of green and blue

Lefkada, the island with the sea of green and blue and with the verdant landscapes will enchant even the most demanding visitor. The island’s endless wellspring of beauty is easily accessible as it is the only greek island that one can even walk to, as it is connected by a bridge to the greek mainland. Thus, a stroll here is deemed necessary. Both the seaside resorts as well as the inland settlements, built within pine forests and olive groves, are heart soothing destinations.

Caves like the Alavastrino (“made of Alabaster”) in Agia Ekaterini, the Hoirospilia (“cave of the pigs”) in Evgiros, the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemos in Spartohori, the largest worldwide seaside cave “Papanikolis” in Meganisi, the hideout of the U-boat Papanikolis in World War II, and other sights such as the waterfalls in the gorge of Dimotsaris just out of Nydri, the fresh water wellsprings of Kerasia in Syvros, the natural growing places of rare plants, and of course the outstandingly beauteous beaches, will ensnare the visitor at first sight.

In the city of Lefkada, the capital of the island and of the prefecture, the medieval castle of Santa Maura with the homonymous chapel, built facing the lagoon, the Bosquetto Park, an ornament on its own, the Gyra, the winding alleyways and the numerous chapels beckon the visitors to take romantic strolls. Those who take walking well can also enjoy the Eleonas (olive grove), the Pefkolia, the Alykes (salt marshes), and the forest of Skaron, all of which can offer a somewhat tiring yet most beautifully rewarding experience. Just 2 km out of the city of Lefkada, in Kalligoni, you may visit the remains of Nirikos, the ancient city of Lefkada.

The village of Karyotes, home of the beauteous waterfalls of Akoni and the Alexandrou salt marshes, is a seaside village of fishermen built around a picturesque port.

The village of Nikiana is another charming fisherman’s village built in a green setting combining the beauty of both the mountain and the sea. Visit the monastery of Agioi Pateres (the holy fathers) on the slopes of mount Skaroi.

The town of Nydri has a wonderful beach with transparent sea waters and with water sports facilities. It also combines a picturesque landscape with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and offers a view to the nearby islands and access to the archaeological sites located in its vicinity, such as the pro-Hellenic (3200-2800 BC) tombs at the site of Steno, with box shaped and ceramic tiled roofed tombs. There is also an abundance of remains of ancient buildings in the entire region enclosed in the Nydri plain, the foothills of mount Skaros and mount Amali, and the lands of Palaeokatouna, Koloni, and the settlement of Perigiali. Furthermore, above the village of Poros there are the remains of a tower which most likely belonged to a fortified farming mansion, while there one may also find the remains of an olive press dated back to the 4th century BC.

Poros is a village built amphitheatrically on a verdant hillside. It is a genuine village of Lefkada, situated within the beauty and peace of nature and offers its visitors the crystal clear, blue-green waters of the Mikros Gialos bay, as well as an impressive medieval tower.

Syvota is a picturesque settlement placed within a tranquil fjord framed by densely forested hills and has a perfect natural harbor.

Further south you will find the village of Vassiliki, which is also surrounded by green slopes, velvet sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Here there are also the Cave of Evgiros and the settlements of the Paleolithic and the Neolithic period, which have provided impressive findings exhibited in the archaeological museum of Lefkada. On the cape Doukato, also known as Lefkatas, you may visit the architectural remains of the ancient temple of Apollo of Lefkata. In this sanctuary games were held each year to honor the god Apollo, who here was considered protector of the sailors and doctor of both the body and the soul. This is why the ancients believed that, by diving from the nearby cliffs, the soul would be released by the weight of hardships and would be redeemed from its sins. According to legend, this is the place where the famous female lyric poet Sapfo ended her life, desperate from unfulfilled erotic passion.

Near Episkopi there is the castle of Kalamos, known also as “Kastromonastiro”. Among the remains one can discern parts of the high stone walls, where the elegant arches seen on the internal side served also nicely as ramparts to fend off invaders. Unfortunately, little is known about this impressive monument; its origin has been lost in the ages. Legend sais that this was the final resting place for the mother of Georgios Karaiskakis, one of the leaders of the Greek War for Independence which began in 1821.

The traditional mountainous villages of Spanohori, Kavalos, Asprogerakata and Pikanohori, all framed in green by verdant forests, and built amphitheatrically upon the slopes of the mountains, offer the serene tranquility of nature and the sincere human communication and respect to the visitor. See the gorge of Melissa, the folk art museum at Kavalos and the impressive church bell towers of the region.

LEFKADA ISLANDPHOTO GALLERY